The NFL Competition Committee confirmed the pass interference rule on Thursday, noting that the statute is just for the 2019 season. It's easy to imagine the rule getting tweaked or overhauled next season after a test run.
The preseason will work as the trial period, during which we'd expect more PI calls to be reviewed as the league gets used to how it will handle the standard. The hope is that the new rule isn't opening a bigger can of worms.
"They'll get it right," Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "They'll get it right at some point. That's the biggest thing that I've seen with all of this stuff is their intent is to try and get it right. As a player you can respect and appreciate that."
The rule came after a blatant missed call in the New Orleans Saints-Los Angeles Rams game cost the Saints a chance to go to the Super Bowl.
Ryan understands the pain of Saints fans. The Falcons had a similar -- albeit not as openly blatant -- play that could have been called PI in the 2012 NFC title game. Receiver Roddy White was jostled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman on a fourth-down play. If review was available, it's possible the Falcons could have gotten four shots at a touchdown to win the game. Alas, no flag came, there was no review, and Atlanta watched the 49ers play in the Super Bowl.
Ryan knows a pass interference replay system could have altered several past outcomes.
"Geez, yes it would have (helped us)," Ryan said. "It would have definitely helped us. It would have helped us, but the same can be said for a lot of teams throughout the course of history."
