Football positions

I really like Football now, I started following the NFL like 2 years ago, and I've played Madden a couple times...but I've always wondered about the positions. LT, ROLB, LOLB, SS, etc...
Can somebody explain me all the positions, please?
I know about the QB, the WR, and RB, but the rest (mostly the defensive teams) are a mystery to me.

Ok,

Offensive Line
LT-Left tackle: Protect the QB
RT-Right tackle: Protect the QB
LG-Left guard: Protect the QB
RG-Right guard: Protect the QB
Defensive Line
LE-Left end: Rush the QB
RE-Right end: Rush the QB
DT-Defensive tackle: Rush the QB
Line Backers
MiddleLineBacker, LeftOutsideLineBacker, RightOutsideLineBacker: They stop the run most of the time but some teams play their LBs in coverage a lot, and others like the Eagles rush the QB with them.
Corner Backs
CB-Corner Back: They cover the Wide Recivers.
Safteys
FS- Free Saftey: Play a zone closer than the SS but still are a saftey blanket. Most FS play coverage and will get more interceptions than a SS.
SS- Strong Saftey: Play a zone down field as a last resort for a missed tackle or such. Somtimes will blitz the QB.

Hope it helps.

LT =Left Tackle is an offensive lineman, which is on the left side of the football

ROLB= Right outside LineBacker, which is a linebacker who plays more to the outside, and is one the right side. LOLB is the opposite

SS is a strong safety. They are similar to a fullback in rugby league, and that means they are a safety blanket for passing plays. They can also blitz and play as a cornerback and guard wide recievers one on one, but usually they are in a zone and come over and help their cornerbacks on passing plays. They can also be effective at shutting down the running game, if you have heard the expressing "8 men in the box", they are reffering to the 7 men from the linebacking and defensive linemen, and the strong safety. Its very difficult to run against this defense.

Bigshot, a defensive end's role will vary from quarterback to quarterback. A qb like peyton manning, a defensive end's role will in fact be to rush the qb, but a qb like mcnabb or vick, the defensive end's role will be containment most of the time.

There is also a nose tackle (nt), they are the dt in a 3-4 defensice scheme (3 linemen, 4 linebackers) They generally have to be bigger than 4-3 (4 linemen, 3 linebackers) dt's are as they have to suck up more blockers.

The R and L linebackers are sometimes referred to as 'strong-side' and 'weak-side'. Strong is the right side (the side of the rg and rt) and weak is the other side.

A nickel-back is the third corner on a team, relates to the nickel defensive scheme
a dime-back is the fourth corner.

A slot-receiver is the receiver that is not lined up close to the sideline, but closer in to the offensive line. But not as close as a tight end.

The are also countless defensive formations which aren't as usual as the 4-3, 3-4, Dime and Nickel.
You can a have a Quarter Def. Formation consisting of 3 linemen, 1 linebackers and 7 (!) def. backs.
There is also the 46 formation which I don't remember right now.

Why didn't anybody mention the special teams!!
There is the place kicker which kicks the ball in order to score points in a FG attempt or a PAT attempt.
There is also the punter which punts the ball as far as he can so the other team has to start as far from his goal line as possible.

There are also some stupid technical positions like the LS (long snapper) which is a "long distance center" (he snaps the ball in kicking situations).
There is also the "3DRB" or "3RB". This is the third down running back. I am not sure about his purpose, but it is often used in 3rd and short situations.

The TE (tight end) is basically a multi-purpose player. He is right next to the offensive line and has to block in rushing and passing situations, but he is also eligible to receive.

Hope these helps a bit.

Offensive Line
LT-Left tackle: Protect the QB
RT-Right tackle: Protect the QB
LG-Left guard: Protect the QB
RG-Right guard: Protect the QB

You forgot the Center (C).

A third down back isn't a guy for short-yardage. It's usually the best receiving back on the team and is used on fourth and long plays. For example, on Balitmore Jamal Lewis is the regular RB, but Chester Taylor is the third down back. A short-yardage back is generally referred to as a goal-line back. Like how Jerome Bettis is a goal-line back, whereas Duce Staley is the starting RB (when he's not injured.)

I think the 3DRB has something to do with the punt formation.

Formations can go on forever. Belichick uses formations with 1 and 2 linemen! And Troy Brown the WR was playing corner. If I'm not mistaken the 46 only has one safety and is a run-stopping formation. Used primarily by the old-school Bears. There's also the cover 2, Tampa uses a cover 2 of sorts.

You forgot the Center (C).

oops. When I explained the defense I was thinking of a normal 4-3 not a 3-4 or cover 2. colin826, 3DRB is the half back on 3rd down.

Thanks guys. Now I can make me and my friends on Madden and I know where they are going to be

You forgot the Center (C).

oops. When I explained the defense I was thinking of a normal 4-3 not a 3-4 or cover 2. colin826, 3DRB is the half back on 3rd down.

I think he meant the centre onn the offensive line.

I've played football for about 5 years now, both in summer rep leagues and in highschool, and for a short time, was in training camp at university.

I think there are confusing explanations in that full vesion by bigshot, so here's what it's realy like:

Offensive Line:

Left Tackle: Pass blocks and creates pocket on pass play, blocks out/in on running plays.

Left Guard: Pass blocks on either defensive tackle or blitzing linebacker on pass play, blocks in/out or pulls out (no joke, thats what its called) on running plays, lead blocker on most sweep/bootleg/screen plays

Centre: Snaps the ball, pass blocks either defensive tackle or linebacker on pass play, but is really more of a zone blocker, usually blocks middle/outside linebacker on running play

Right Guard: Pass blocks on either defensive tackle or blitzing linebacker on pass play, blocks in/out or pulls out (no joke, thats what its called) on running plays, lead blocker on most sweep/bootleg/screen plays

Right Tackle: Pass blocks and creates pocket on pass play, blocks out/in on running plays.

Tight End: Blocks outside linebackers on running plays, tyically runs pass route on pass play, but can also be used as another pass blocker if a blitz is obviously coming.

Backfield:

Quarterback: Biggest pussy on team, gets all the attention even if he only succeeds due to excellent offensive line, stuck up asshole, gives no credit to offensive line, throws the ball when someone is blatantly open, gets sacked if they're not, puts his hand under centres sweaty ball sack and gets ball, hands off to running backs

Ruinningback:Talks more shit than anyone on the team, runs when he feels like it, only runs hard when offensive line opens up holes wide enough for trucks, pretends to know how to pass block, when he does block, does it the pussy way by kneeling down and letting the blitzer fall over him, but still gets more credit for that pussy block than any lineman

Fullback: typically only used on short yardage plays or in CFL, is udes as either lead blocker for runningback, or carries the ball if only a few yards are needed, not as much of a pussy as runningbacks, are usually just lineman who are thinner and can run faster.

Slotback: Is justa tight end who lines up a yard off the ball, but is usually a smaller guy who would not be used in blocking, on pass routes.

Wide Reciever: Always overrated, talks a lot of shit, the Vince Carters of football, the best ones play only when they feel like it, can take plays off and no one notices, like runningbacks, block like pussies by diving at opponents knees, catch the ball a few times a game, get huge contracts/scholarships

Defense:

Left Defensive End: Watch for run play, if so are usually suppose to contain the back from getting out to the sideline, on pass play, try to brak pocket, go for sack, watch for draw play or bootleg

Left Defensive Tackle: Are just supposed to fill holes, are not relied upon to get penetration, have done their job if they dont get movd by blocker

Nose Tackle: Only used in 3-4 defenses, are usually huge, are supposed to command several blcokers to free up blitzing linebackers

Right Defensive Tackle: Are just supposed to fill holes, are not relied upon to get penetration, have done their job if they dont get movd by blocker

Right Defensive End: Watch for run play, if so are usually suppose to contain the back from getting out to the sideline, on pass play, try to brak pocket, go for sack, watch for draw play or bootleg.

Outside Linebacker: on run plays, contain first, then attack ball carrier, on pass play, depending on coverage downfield, might either back into coverage of tight end or flanking runnigback, or blitz and are usually left unblocked, or only have to get by runningback, always have to watch for reverse or counter

I'll finish the rest later.

American Football and Cricket are similar.......well at least in the amount of positions on the field......like around 50

...uh, there are only 24 guys on the field at any time.

There is only 11 on the feild at one time for nfl (on each side).. its just that there are so many different variations you can use

I know that...but i was referring to the variations

Quarterback: Biggest pussy on team, gets all the attention even if he only succeeds due to excellent offensive line, stuck up asshole, gives no credit to offensive line, throws the ball when someone is blatantly open, gets sacked if they're not, puts his hand under centres sweaty ball sack and gets ball, hands off to running backs

Well said

Yeah, tell that to Daunte Culpeppa!!!

here somes good players(or famous) for each positions

Best Team-Patriots
best offensive team-Kansa city chiefs
best defensive team-Pittsburgh steelers or NE Patriots
Worst Team-San Fransisco 49ers



Offensive Line
C,LT,RT,LG,RG- Orlando Pace, Olin Kreutz, Matt Birk, Jonathon Odgen
Defensive Line
DT,LE,RE-Warren Sapp, Julius Peppers, Michael Strahan
Line Backers
MLB, LOLB, ROLB- Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis (hardest hitter) (shot someone before), Lavar Arrington(so greedy for money he isnt in madden)
Corner Backs
CB-: Champ Bailey(best cb, now he kinda sucks) Ty Law,
Safetys
FS- Brian Dawkins(injured Mike Vick for a season), Rodney Harrison
SS- Ed Reed(most int's in a season), Samari Rolle

Offense

QB-Payton Manning(most passings tds in a season), Donovan Mcnabb(best black qb), Daunte Culpepper, Michael Vick(most exciting qb), Tom Brady(3 championships), Brett Favre, Ben Rothlisberger(best rookie qb ever)
FB-Mike Alstott(wierd FB, he gets lot of catches), Tony Richardson
RB-Marshall Faulk, Jamal Lewis(best power rb, smokes weed), LaDainian Tomlinson(best all around qb), Priest Holmes, not really also Ricky Williams but he quit football to smoke weed
TE-Antonio Gates(most recieving tds for TE in a season), Tony Gonzalez(also a very good basketball player, he signature td celebration is dunking football on the field goal post), Alge Crumpler
WR-Randy Moss(superman), Terrell Owens(second best, talks a lot), Marvin Harrison(2nd best hands for a WR), Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Chad Johnson(beated Champ Bailey long so many times on Monday Night Football and talks a lot)

Special teams

K- Adam Vinatieri, David Akers, Mike Vanderjagt(whenever he talks his team loses
P-????

I am also a football noob, i've been following it since Vick got injured

I will post some legends later

Lavar Arrington(so greedy for money he isnt in madden)

I'm guessing you havent played madden 2005...

"Canada originally fell head-over-Molson in love with hockey because it didn't have any other sports alternatives. Somebody gave me a book once as a joke — 'Hockey for Dummies.' I said: 'That's all hockey is for.'" Skip Bayless

Nice quote.

Lavar Arrington(so greedy for money he isnt in madden)

I'm guessing you havent played madden 2005...

I did...for pc....probably its because I haven't played as or against the redskins..or I have a bad memory

The pc version has LaVar.

Quarterback: Biggest pussy on team, gets all the attention even if he only succeeds due to excellent offensive line, stuck up asshole, gives no credit to offensive line, throws the ball when someone is blatantly open, gets sacked if they're not, puts his hand under centres sweaty ball sack and gets ball, hands off to running backs

im guessing you had a jackass of a quarterback eh? btw i agree, our quarterback was a total pole smoker.. would talk so much shit and expect the linemen to back him up

From talking to my fellow linebackes and lineman at university tryouts, I think its a given that every quarterback is like that. Its one of the positions set aside just for those pampered glory whores who are typically enormous assholes. That's why their only friend on the team is the coach.

Okay Kevin. That was probably one of the funniest things I have heard on this board in a long long time. I take it that you wouldn't be caught dead starting a play behind an offensive lineman.