| Tight End |
Article Index for Tight |
Website Links For End |
Information AboutTight End |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT TIGHT END | |
| american football positions | |
| american football tight ends | |
|
The tight end ('''TE''') is a position in or Quarterback who is carrying the ball, catch passes from the Quarterback , and help create a stronger pocket by assisting fellow linemen in blocking during passing plays. The tight end usually lines up next to an Offensive Tackle , adding a man to that side of the offensive line. Therefore, whichever side the tight end is on is referred to as the "strong side", and the side without is called "weak side". Linebacker s are, by extension, given "strong-side" and "weak-side" roles depending on which side of the defense they line up on; similarly, the safeties take their places in the secondary according to which side the opposing tight end is. Tight ends can also come in motion during a play. JOBS OF THE TIGHT END Blocking In the National Football League (NFL), tight ends are usually larger and slower than a , to get downfield before the tailback and open up a hole in the defense for the tailback to run through. Tight ends are used along with the offensive linemen to protect the quarterback during passing plays. Often, tight ends are employed in a fullback position called "H-Back" in which he is still beside the tackle, however off the line of scrimmage. Tight Ends may also pass block like other offensive linemen. Some teams employ tight ends solely to block; the San Diego Chargers acquired Brandon Manumanuela for that purpose. Joe Gibbs is credited with creation of the two tight end offense. During the 1980s Gibbs realized he needed to utilize an additional blocker to keep New York Giants premier Linebacker Lawrence Taylor from disrupting the Washington Redskins offense. Too Deep Zone: Running with Multiple Tight Ends Receiving There are plays written to take advantage of a tight end's ability to catch. Tight ends are used to exploit a defense's coverage of a wide receiver. Specifically, if a team has a star wide receiver that usually gets double-coverage from the Secondary , the coach will call plays for the quarterback to throw to the tight end, as he is usually the man left uncovered in a defense. For this reason the tight end is sometimes called the quarterback's " Safety Valve " Game Day Spotlight: Alex Smith , as he is usually open for a last second throw. Tight Ends may also be called on as a last resort for a passing quarterback. Sometimes a tight end on a pass play may block for a period of time and then go out for a pass. This can confuse the defense and can take a load off a quarterback when none of his receivers are open. On some teams, the tight end may be so highly skilled at catching passes that he actually becomes their leading receiver, catching more passes and gaining more receiving yards than anyone else. In in Basketball ; incidentally, Gates and Gonzalez played Basketball in college. Their versatility and speed help create mismatches in coverage, thereby opening up a team's passing attack. The mismatch stems from the fact that the tight end is faster than the linebackers who cover him and stronger than the cornerbacks and safeties trying to tackle him. This also often leads to confusion in coverage responsibilities and allows Wide Receivers to get open. REFERENCES |
|
|