I don't really pay attention to what is literally in the NFL rulebook, but I was surprised to learn that the 'in the grasp' rule has been around since 1978. Of all the NFL rules, this one appears to be the most like an MLB rule....some years they decide to enforce it, other years its completely ignored. I don't remember 'in the grasp' ever being called until the mid-80's, then it became like an epidemic, and then it went away for decades, and then it came back around 2015 along with a slew of rules that made it impossible to tackle the QB. The rule doesn't really serve any purpose....if any ballcarrier has had his progress stopped and is being held up for additional punishment, the ref should blow his whistle. One thing I've never understood is when the ref blows his whistle for 'in the grasp' and the defense proceeds to cream the QB anyways and no flag is thrown. In some cases it would be impossible for the defenders to NOT hit the QB after the whistle is blown, but if you are going to bother having a rule, you have to enforce it. What I remember from the 80's is the opposite....Gastineau rushing the edge and diving past Tony Eason. Gastineau grabs Eason's shoulder pad for 0.5 seconds as he flies past Eason. Eason proceeds to throw a TD pass to Stanley Morgan. People celebrate. But wait...an official whistled the play dead due to Eason being 'in the grasp'...not only is the TD disallowed, but Gastineau is awarded a sack on the play when it wouldn't have counted in two-hand touch!
The catch stuff might be worse because it is the cause for numerous 'replay reviews' and game stoppages. Replay does not really help the 'catch' rule...it clouds the issue, much like MLB runners sliding into bases and not remaining fully on the base as their foot touches it. It seems like the NFL's revisions to the 'catch' rule is knee jerk reaction to some particular play. The first one I remember is Karl Williams of TB in the 99 NFC championship game...both hands around the ball but the tip of the ball hits the ground. I thought the incomplete call was harsh, but it was at least based on some type of logic. Later on, the whole "controlling the ball through the process of the catch" nonsense came about. Initially I agreed, because I thought Butch Johnson's TD catch in SB XII was totally bogus. But then you saw it in action...Dez Bryant was a very questionable call. Calvin Johnson was similar to the 1972 Men's Olympic Basketball refereeing. Jesse James was a complete denial of logic.
So, IMO, the catch rule is worse because it is more prevalent, but the "in the grasp" rule isn't worth the paper it's written on and should be immediately abolished. The catch rule should refer to Justice Potter Stewart's thoughts on pornography...."I know it when I see it".