Tight end

The tight end (TE) is a position in American football on the offensive team. The role of a tight end can change depending on the philosophy of the head coach, but their main jobs are two-fold: block for the running back or quarterback who is carrying the ball, and catch passes from the quarterback. 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". Linebackers are, by extension, given "strong-side" and "weak-side" roles depending on which side of the defense they line up on.

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.

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On some teams, the tight end may be so highly skilled at catching passes that he is actually becomes their leading receiver, catching more passes and gaining more receiving yards then anyone else. A good example of this is tight end Tony Gonzalez who currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League. In 2004 Gonzalez lead his team in receptions and receiving yards with 102 receptions for 1,258 yards. His 102 catches in 2004 are the most receptions ever recorded by a tight end in an NFL season.

Related Topics:
Tony Gonzalez - Kansas City Chiefs - National Football League - 2004

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