What You Need To Know About...
...Football (American)
1. General
2. The People
3. The Rules
4. The National Football League (NFL)
5. Offense
6. Defense
7. Special Teams
9. Books & Gear
10. Useful Links
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News
The 2007 NFL Season is about to start!
General
1.01 What is Football?
Tricky question. The "football" we're talking about here is American Football. There is also "Soccer" which is called "Football" in most of the world, and "Canadian Football" which we will talk about briefly later on.
The People
2.0 What are the offensive positions?
2.0.1 Quarterback
The "field general." Takes the snap from center and either hands off or passes the ball to a running back or receiver or keeps it himself and runs. Also known as the "QB"
2.0.2 Running Back
Aligned behind the QB they often carry the ball on running plays, catch the ball on short passes or step up to help block. There are several types of running backs including "Fullbacks" and "Tailbacks".
2.0.3 Wide Receiver
Generally split wide his main job is to catch passes thrown by the quarterback.
2.0.4 Tight End
Located at one or both ends of the line of scrimmage he is an eligible receiver but is also frequently used as a blocker. Bigger than wide receivers (and generally not as fast).
2.0.5 Tackle
The offensive linemen who line up immediately outside of the guards (2.0.6) are tackles.
2.0.6 Guard
The offensive linemen who line up on either side of the center (2.0.7) are guards.
2.0.7 Center
The player who lines up over the ball and "snaps" it to the quarterback on command to start a play.
2.1 Six Historic Players You Should Know
2.1.1 Joe Namath
"Broadway Joe". Flashy quarterback for the New York Jets who boldly predicted the upstart Jets would beat the powerhouse Baltimore Colts in the 1967 Super Bowl.
2.1.2 Walter Payton
Known as "Sweetness" for his soft-spoken nature and magic moves on the field Payton was one of the greatest running backs of all time. Led the 1985 Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl and was the all-time career rushing leader in the NFL until Emmitt Smith broke his record in recent seasons.
2.1.3 Jim Brown
2.1.4 Joe Montana
Quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers during their ascent in the 1980s. A great passer despite not possessing great arm strength or physical size.
2.1.5 Johnny Unitas
2.1.6 Dick Butkus
Intimidating linebacker of the Chicago Bears, Butkus is one of the premier defensive players in the history of the game.
2.2 Five Current Players You Should Know
2.2.1 Peyton Manning
Quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts; currently the best quarterback in the game. Son of retired NFL quarterback Archie Manning and brother of Eli Manning of the New York Giants.
2.2.2 Marshall Faulk
Electrifying player who was one of the key elements for the St. Louis Rams during their golden years in the late 90s. The star running back of the "Greatest Show on Turf."
2.2.3 Randy Moss
Probably the best WR in the game today. His tremendous athletic talent is sometimes overshadowed by his on and off-field antics. Plays for the Oakland Raiders after starting his career with the Minnesota Vikings.
2.2.4 Terrell Owens
Another tremendously talented WR whose antics often overshadow his on-field heroics. Known for his powerful physique, dominating defensive backs and sideline temper tantrums. Currently a Philadelphia Eagle until they are able to find another team that wants him.
2.2.5 Ray Lewis
Intimidating and charismatic inside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.
2.3 Six coaches you need to know about...
2.3.1 Paul "Bear" Bryant
Legendary coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
2.3.2 Lou Holtz
Former head coach of Notre Dame this diminutive fireball brings passion and intelligence to his work. Most recently head coach of South Carolina.
2.3.3 Eddie Robinson
Has more wins than any coach in history: 408 wins. Spent 56 years as the head football coach at Grambling State University in Louisiana.
2.3.4 Tom Landry
Legendary head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from their inception thru the next 25 years.
2.3.5 Don Shula
Longtime coach of the Miami Dolphins he holds the record for most wins in the NFL by a coach.
2.3.6 Vince Lombardi
The great Vince Lombardi who made his name while coaching the Green Bay Packers to multiple championships in the 1960s. The NFL's Super Bowl trophy is named after him.
The Rules
3.1 The Field
An American football field is 120 yards long. The main part of the playing field is 100 yards long and there are 10 yard long "endzones" at each end. The field is 53-1/3 yards wide.
3.5 What is "offsides?"
Before the snap of the ball if a player from either team lines up across the line of scrimmage (the invisible line drawn thru where the ball is placed and running from sideline to sideline) the officials can flag them for offsides. The offending team loses 5 yards. This penalty is more often called on the defense.The National Football League (NFL)
4.01 What is the NFL?
The National Football League is the premier professional football league in the United States.
4.1 How is the NFL organized?
The NFL is organized into two conferences: the American Football Conference (or AFC) and the National Football Conference (or NFC). Each conference is composed of four divisions: North, South, East and West and each division has four teams in it.
4.2 American Football Conference (AFC)
4.2.1 North Division
4.2.1.1 Baltimore Ravens
4.2.1.2 Cincinati Bengals
4.2.1.3 Cleveland Browns
4.2.1.4 Pittsburgh Steelers
- Home of the "Terrible Towel" a yellow towel waved enthusiastically by supporters. The Steelers enjoyed particular success in the late 1970s when led by Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann. Jack Lambert, "Mean" Joe Greene and others they won four Super Bowls.
4.2.2 South Division
4.2.2.1 Houston Texans
4.2.2.2 Indianapolis Colts
Winners of the 2006 Super Bowl. Led by Quarterback Peyton
Manning.
4.2.2.3 Jacksonville Jaguars
4.2.2.4 Tennesee Titans
4.2.3 East Division
4.2.3.1 Buffalo Bills
4.2.3.2 Miami Dolphins
4.2.3.3 New England Patriots
The defending Super Bowl champions.
4.2.3.4 New York Jets
4.2.4 West Division
4.2.4.1 Denver Broncos
4.2.4.2 Kansas City Chiefs
4.2.4.3 Oakland Raiders
4.2.4.4 San Diego Chargers
The defending AFC West champs they are currently led by quarterback Philip Rivers, runningback Ladainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and a surprising defense that has been heavily rebuilt.
4.3 National Football Conference (NFC)
4.3.1 North Division
4.3.1.1 Chicago Bears
Winners of the 1985 Super Bowl on a team featuring Walter Payton and Mike Singletary.4.3.1.2 Detroit Lions
4.3.1.3 Green Bay Packers
One of the most storied franchises in NFL history.
4.3.1.4 Minnesota Vikings
4.3.2 South Division
4.3.2.1 Atlanta Falcons
4.3.2.2 Carolina Panthers
4.3.2.3 New Orleans Saints
4.3.2.4 Tampa Bay Buccanneers
4.3.3 East Division
4.3.3.1 Dallas Cowboys
4.3.3.2 New York Giants
4.3.3.3 Philadelphia Eagles
4.3.3.4 Washington Redskins
4.3.4 West Division
4.3.4.1 Arizona Cardinals
4.3.4.2 San Francisco 49ers
4.3.4.3 Seattle Seahawks
4.3.4.4 St. Louis Rams
4.4 The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the NFL, matching the AFC Champion against the NFL Champion.
4.5 The Season
The NFL Season is 17 weeks long during which time each team will play 16 games and will have one off week referred to as a "bye" week during which they get to rest. At the conclusion of that time they enter a playoff sequence of 3 weeks, followed by the championship game called the "Super Bowl" which is referred to at 4.4 above.4.5.1 Has any team ever had an undefeated season?
Only the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Several teams since have come close, most recently the 2005 Indianapolis Colts who won 13 games in a row before being defeated by the San Diego Chargers.Offense
5.1 Formations
5.1.1 Shotgun
The Shotgun formation is distinguished by the alignment of the quarterback. Rather than standing directly behind the center with his hands between the center's thighs to receive the football, he aligns 5-7 yards deep in the backfield and the center snaps the ball back to him thru the air.Defense
Books & Gear
9.1
Offensive Football Strategies
9.2
Defensive Football Strategies
Useful Links
10.1 CoachSchorr.com -
A free resource for football coaches
10.2 NFL.Com - the website of the National
Football League
10.3 American Football Coaches Association
10.4 Mr. Fantasy.Com - Fantasy Football
information and discussion forums