Tight end

The advent of the tight end position is closely tied to the decline of the one-platoon system during the 1940s and '50s. Originally, a rule (derived from the game's evolution from other forms of football) limited substitutions. Consequently, players had to be adept at playing on both sides of the ball, with most offensive linemen doubling as defensive linemen or linebackers, and receivers doubling as defensive backs. At that time, the receivers were known as either ends or flankers, with an end lining up on either end of the line of scrimmage and the flanker positioned outside and behind them, at their "flank".

At 6'6" and 265 lbs., New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, a four-time first-team All-Pro, was large even by contemporary standards

As the transition from starters going "both ways" to dedicated offensive and defensive squads took place, players' roles continued to evolve, and those who did not fit the mold of the traditional positions were employed in newly created niches. Large and relatively swift players who could both block and catch well but who were too small to play as offensive linemen were used in roles that capitalized on both of their strengths. Innovative coaches, such as Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns, pioneered blocking techniques and passing schemes to use them to best effect.

Greater use of the tight end as a receiver in the 1960s both reflected these changes and led to the emergence of stars at the position, such as Mike Ditka, Jackie Smith, and John Mackey.[1] In addition to superb blocking, Ditka offered great hands receiving and rugged running after the catch. Over a 12-year career, he caught 427 passes for over 5,800 yards and 43 touchdowns.[1] Mackey brought speed and open-field running, with six of his nine touchdown catches in one season being breakaways over 50 yards.[2] Smith provided the position with a previously unheard-of ability to catch long balls downfield, as shown by his career average of 16.5 yards per catch. This average leads all tight ends in the Hall of Fame and is even ahead of a significant number of wide receivers enshrined there.

Nonetheless, tight ends remained primarily blockers lined up next to an offensive tackle and given short to medium drag routes.[3] Starting in 1980, the Air Coryell offense began using tight end Kellen Winslow in wide receiver-type routes. Winslow was lined up wide, in the slot against a smaller cornerback, or put in motion to avoid being jammed at the line.[4] Defenses would cover him with either a strong safety or a linebacker, because zone defenses were less popular.[5] Strong safeties in those times also were favored for their run defense over coverage speed. Providing them another defender to help cover Winslow opened up holes for other receivers.[6] Winslow would line up unpredictably in any formation, variously in a three point blocking stance, two point receiver's stance, or put in motion like a flanker or offensive back.[7] Head coach Jon Gruden referred to such multi-dimensional tight ends as "jokers", calling Winslow the first ever in the NFL.[7][8] Patriots head coach Bill Belichick notes that the pass-catching tight ends that get paid the most are "all direct descendants of Kellen Winslow", and there are fewer tight ends now that can block on the line.[7]

In the 1990s, Shannon Sharpe's athletic prowess as a route-runner helped change the way tight ends were used by teams. Consistently double-covered as a receiver, he became the first tight end in NFL history to rack up over 10,000 career receiving yards. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, who both played basketball in college, pushed the position toward wide receiver speed and power forward strength and wingspan.[9] At 6'6" Rob Gronkowski brought height, setting single-season tight end records in 2011 with 17 touchdowns—breaking Gates's and Vernon Davis's record of 13—and 1,327 receiving yards, surpassing Winslow's record of 1,290.[10] Jimmy Graham that season also passed Winslow with 1,310 yards.[11] Six of the NFL's 15 players with the most receptions that year were tight ends, the most in NFL history. Previous seasons usually had at most one or two ranked in the top.[12]

Tight ends generally hit their peak between the ages of 25 and 30.[13]

In the Arena Football League the tight end serves as the 3rd offensive lineman (along with the center and guard). Although they are eligible receivers they rarely go out for passes and are usually only used for screen passes when they do.

However, in Canadian football, tight ends are, in general, no longer used professionally in the CFL, but are still used at the college level in U Sports. Tony Gabriel is a former great tight end in Canadian football. There remain some tight ends in use at university level football; Antony Auclair, formerly a tight end for the Laval Rouge et Or, was a contender to be selected in the 2017 CFL Draft or possibly receive a tryout in the NFL.[14] He was drafted by the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017, but instead signed with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent that same year.

Since 2019, the NFL celebrates National Tight Ends Day on the fourth weekend of October to hightlight tight ends in the league.[15][16]

At 6'7", 265 lbs., Jimmy Graham, shown here playing for the New Orleans Saints, demonstrates the athleticism of a tight end in its role as a receiver

Tight ends have two primary roles: (1) act as a blocker and (2) act as a receiver. Very occasionally, a tight end is also given the opportunity to rush with the ball. This typically happens when they are put in motion before the ball is snapped.

Most tight ends are large in size, with an average height of 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and a weight exceeding 254 lb (115 kg).[20] They are usually among the taller members of the team,[21] comparable in height to many linemen. They are also among its heavier players, with only linemen and some linebackers weighing more than averaged-sized tight ends.[21] As a result, tight ends are almost universally slower than wide receivers and running backs, although occasionally one with exceptional speed appears. An example of a tight end with a speed advantage—at the expense of blocking ability—is 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) 248-pound (112 kg) Vernon Davis, who achieved a 4.38 forty yard dash time.[22]

Specific skill positions typically are issued jersey numbers in a restricted range. High school rules nationally are determined by the National Federation of State High School Associations; tight ends are able to wear any number other than 50–79.[23] The NCAA "strongly recommends"[24] ends wear 80–99, but this is not required. In the NFL, numbering regulations state that tight ends are restricted to 1–49 and 80–89 (numbers other receivers tend to wear also).[25] The 40–49 number range is a relatively recent addition to the rules (being made in 2015); as a result, most tight ends still bear numbers in the 80–89 range.

• American football positions

Wikimedia Commons has media related to American football tight ends.

Look up tight end in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Aaseng, Nathan (1981). Football's Toughest Tight Ends. Lerner Publications Company. ISBN 9780822510703.