What is a Tight End?

Okay ladies... I know you hear TIGHT END, and think don't they all have tight ends? Especially in those form fitting spandex pants!

 I mean really, what is a tight end? What are his responsibilities?

A tight end is the player that lines up on either end of the offensive line. (Sometimes you have a tight end on each side of the offensive line.) 

The picture above illustrates the offensive line, tight end, and quarterback. #5 Josh Freeman (wearing green) is the Quarterback. The player directly in front of him is the Center. Then on each side of the center play an offensive guard, and offensive tackle. Just to the Right of the offensive line is the tight end. (You see the third guy from the center? #44 Dallas Clark)

The players that play this position have two main responsibilities: Blocking and Receiving. A tight end is often responsible for picking up a block on defensive players who are blitzing the line of scrimmage, or to help make a hole for the halfback. 

In this picture you can that the Tight End, Dallas Clark #44 is lined up in front of the halfback just to the left of the offensive line (not visible) so that he can block for the halfback to run the ball. He will try to block anyone coming towards the line of scrimmage, and make a hole for his teammate to run through.

They also run routes similar to a receiver to catch passes and help the offense get down the field to score. Most times the tight end will run a route that consists of 5-10 yards down field and then turn in or out trying to give the quarterback an additional throwing target. Often times when going over the middle of the field they will get tackled hard, also called blown up, knocked out, leveled, etc... this area of the field can be very dangerous with defenders looking to score the big hits. A lot of concussions injuries happen in this area of the field.

In this (off centered) photo, the tight end Dallas Clark is making a catch. Allowing his quarterback to move the ball down the field. As you see he slid to catch the ball protecting himself from the big hit that would surely come. (He also slid faster than I could move/focus the camera)

Notice in this photo his stance is different? He is further outside of the offensive line and will be running a route. This type of stance can be a clear signal that it is a pass play, or trickery used to make the defense think it is a pass play.

I hope that this post has made you more clear on what a Tight End actually is! This specific tight end featured is one of my favorites as he was drafted by Indianapolis out of Iowa. So he's a Big 10 guy, that played many years for my beloved Colts. I am really hoping that he can be back to his pre-injury game in his first season with Tampa Bay. I got to meet him briefly on Wednesday, he signed my jersey where I learned he's also a lefty and a joker. That must be why I've liked him so much!!

Have a great day, the preseason officially kicks off in 2 days!

-Amanda