Glamour positions

In the NFL, there are your glamour positions - quarterback, wide receiver, running back, left tackle, middle linebacker and shut down corner.  There are some other positions on the field that are not the glamour positions that are equally important, if not more than the traditional positions.  Positions that are becoming indispensible in today's NFL to winning franchises.

These non-traditional positions are becoming more envogue with teams drafting with these non-traditional positions being drafted in the first ten picks (30% of the picks).  Here are four positions that are quickly becoming very important to NFL teams.

NOSE TACKLE - In the 3-4 or in the 4-3 base defenses the nose tackle is the key position in a stopping an offenses running game.  A top notch nose tackle will take on two blockers, usually a right guard and center, meaning there are now only two tackles, a left guard, a tight end and a full back (five offensive players) to deal with two defensive ends, a middle linebacker, two outside linebacker and a defensive tackle (six defensive players).  A nose tackle that can be handled one on one means the imbalance is changed, and you have a six on six situation, a far better ratio for the offense. 

The second great item that a top notch nose tackle provides is forcing the offense to move horizontally, not vertically.  A running back heading straight up the field is far more dangerous than a running back forced to run to the left or right.  A space eating nose tackle, can control the flow of the running game between the guards.  That change of direction can be particularily dangerous for teams that feature a power running game.

RIGHT GUARD - The other side of the nose tackle is the right guard.  The right tackle has the tight end on the right side helping to protect against speed rushers, but the right guard is left alone in the trenches to deal with the other teams top pass rushing defensive tackle.  They will line up one on one with the other teams lineman.  The only two offensive linemen expected to block one on one with the other teams players are the left tackle and right guard.  Generally, these two players are on islands, expected to dominate alone.

A top right guard will be a top notch run blocker, as more running plays go to the strong side (right side) becuase the offense can set up a power move with the right guard, center, right tackle, tight end and full back (5 players) taking on a defensive tackle, defensive end, middle linebacker, outside line backer and strong safety (5 players).  This give the advantage as the running back has equal blockers to the defensive players.

STRONG SAFETY - Safeties used to be an afterthought on a defense.  It was often a position to have a veteran player fill.  Their role was to be a true safety, don't get beat deep (free safety) and help in run support (strong safety).  Passing games have become increasingly sophisticated, with people like Mike Martz, pushing the limits, safeties have to get involved with more than run support.  With the evolution of the tight end and multiple receiver sets, safeties find themselves in the slot, press coverage, etc.

Strong safety is very quickly becoming the new middle linebacker on defense.  Today's strong safeties are expected to cover like a blanket, hit like a Mac truck and wreak havoc with turnovers.  Strong safeties need to be feared in the NFL.  In the old days of the NFL, middle linebackers were the terrifying force in the middle of a defense, but now, with wide receivers routinely coming across the middle, they are often "protected" by their offensive coordinators from the linebackers, making the strong safety the enforcers.  Teams are looking for that special athlete that can run, hit and have controlled aggression.

TIGHT END - In old time football, the tight end was a hammer.  A large fellow who had one job, put a helmet on a linebacker and spring the half back for a long run.  This position was an extension of the offensive line, merely a smaller lineman who was an eligible receiver and a great blocker.

As passing offenses evolved in the 1980s, the tight end became a position that became more and more involved in offenses.  Tight ends became increasingly valuable, especially in third down situations.  Wide receivers stretch the field, running backs swing out in the flats, and the tight ends will usually run a delay pattern, where they block for a two or three count, then release.  This usually means that the linebacker has committed and the tight end can then run a modified screen.


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