Notes: Patricia using preseason to test new pass interference rules

The NFL made a rule change this offseason, allowing coaches to challenge pass interference. Similar to the CFL, this allows penalties to be reviewable, regardless of whether the yellow flag was thrown or not. It could be critical to the outcome of the game, and it remains to be seen how successful it will be. With the rule change comes a change of philosophy, and Matt Patricia is looking to use the preseason as a learning experience.

“I think you try to look at it as much as you can in the preseason and hopefully try to develop your philosophy as you go,” Patrica said on Thursday.

He highlights the hurdles involved with making a challenge, from understanding how the referees will make calls to knowing when to save your challenges. It is a significant unknown for NFL coaches, and we can expect Patricia to experiment this preseason.

Though the outcome of preseason games is not very important, coaches will be treating them like actual games in preparation for the regular season. We might see receivers and corners acting more aggressive to see what they can get away with, and coaches might end up challenging questionable plays to see what the referees will overturn.

• The Detroit Lions, as most of us know, have been a snake-bitten franchise for over a decade. They have had no playoff success, multiple disappointing seasons, and a whole lot of bad luck. However, Yahoo Sports created a list of the most tortured fan bases in the NFL, and the Lions are only fifth. Ahead of them are the Atlanta Falcons (who made a recent Super Bowl), Washington, the New York Jets , and the New York Giants (winners of two Super Bowls in the past decade and a bit).

• PFF ranked the top-10 cornerbacks heading into the 2019 season, and Lions’ Pro Bowler Darius Slay came in at number 8.

• The NFL’s Top 100 came to a close this week, and not among the quarterbacks is Matthew Stafford. Although he had a bad season (by his standards) in 2018, it’s fair to argue whether someone like Kirk Cousins is better than Stafford.

• The NFL is celebrating 100 years, and teams are offering some neat fan experiences. Fancy a flag-football game with Barry Sanders, lunch with Martha Ford, or traveling with the team? All of those are being offered to fans — keep an eye on their announcements.