Tackle (gridiron football position)

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Tackle (American football)
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An offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders (No. 69 in black jersey on right) in a 2012 game against the Miami Dolphins
The positioning of the offensive tackles in a formation

A tackle is a playing position in

offensive linemen, their objective is to block during each offensive play: physically preventing defenders from tackling or disrupting the offensive ball carrier with the intention of advancing the football downfield
. The term "tackle" is a vestige of an earlier era of football in which the same players played both offense and defense.

A tackle is the strong position on the offensive line. They power their blocks with quick steps and maneuverability. The tackles are mostly in charge of the outside protection. Usually they defend against defensive ends, but they do also have to defend against defensive tackles, especially if the corresponding guard on their side pulls. In the NFL, offensive tackles often measure over 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) and 300 lb (140 kg). Offensive tackles are generally the tallest and heaviest players in football.

According to

Wonderlic Test, with an average of 26.[1]
The Wonderlic is taken before the draft to assess each player's aptitude for learning and problem solving.

The distinction between right and left tackle has become less relevant.[2][3]

Right tackle

The right tackle (RT) is typically one of the team's most effective run blockers.[4] Since most running plays are directed towards the strong side (the side with the tight end) of the offensive line, the right tackle often contends with the defending team's best run stoppers. Consequently, the right tackle will face the defending team's best run stoppers. They must be capable of gaining traction in their blocks to impede defenders from tackling the ball carrier or create a hole—an area between offensive lineman that forms immediately after the ball is snapped. This is a result of blocking strategies and techniques, generating enough space for the ball carrier to run between and advance the ball.

Left tackle

The left tackle (LT) is usually the team's best pass blocker.[5] Of the two tackles, the left tackles will often have better footwork and agility than the right tackle in order to counteract the pass rush of defensive ends. When a quarterback throws a forward pass, the quarterback's shoulders are aligned roughly perpendicular to the line of scrimmage, with the non-dominant shoulder closer to downfield. The vast majority of quarterbacks are right-handed, so they turn their backs to defenders coming from the left side, creating a vulnerable "blind side" that the left tackle must protect. (Conversely, teams with left-handed quarterbacks tend to have their better pass blockers at right tackle for the same reason.)

A 2006 book by

2013 NFL Draft three of the first four picks were left tackles, and usually at least one left tackle is picked in the first five positions.[6] Recent examples include Eric Fisher (2013, 1st overall pick), Luke Joeckel (2013, 2nd overall pick), Lane Johnson (2013, 4th overall pick), Matt Kalil (2012, 4th overall pick), Trent Williams (2010, 4th overall pick), Jake Long (2008, 1st overall pick), and Joe Thomas
(2007, 3rd overall pick).

References

  1. .
  2. ^ Tucker, Ross. "There is no longer a distinction between left tackles and..." The Athletic. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Thomas, Jeanna (June 28, 2016). "Right tackles matter but still fall behind LTs". SBNation.com. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Burton, Larry. "What's the Difference Between a Right and Left Tackle?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  5. ^ Burton, Larry. "What's the Difference Between a Right and Left Tackle?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  6. ^ Weisman, Larry (March 30, 2009), "Keepers of the blind side: Left tackles the new money position", USA Today

External links