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class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>مصرى</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-nl mw-list-item"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle – Dutch" lang="nl" hreflang="nl" data-title="Defensive tackle" data-language-autonym="Nederlands" data-language-local-name="Dutch" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Nederlands</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ja mw-list-item"><a href="https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%96%E3%82%BF%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AB" title="ディフェンシブタックル – Japanese" lang="ja" hreflang="ja" data-title="ディフェンシブタックル" data-language-autonym="日本語" data-language-local-name="Japanese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>日本語</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-no mw-list-item"><a href="https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle – Norwegian Bokmål" lang="nb" hreflang="nb" data-title="Defensive 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href="/wiki/File:Pat_Williams_and_Ronnie_Brown_at_2009_Pro_Bowl.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Pat_Williams_and_Ronnie_Brown_at_2009_Pro_Bowl.jpg/220px-Pat_Williams_and_Ronnie_Brown_at_2009_Pro_Bowl.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Pat_Williams_and_Ronnie_Brown_at_2009_Pro_Bowl.jpg/330px-Pat_Williams_and_Ronnie_Brown_at_2009_Pro_Bowl.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Pat_Williams_and_Ronnie_Brown_at_2009_Pro_Bowl.jpg/440px-Pat_Williams_and_Ronnie_Brown_at_2009_Pro_Bowl.jpg 2x" data-file-width="3872" data-file-height="2592" /></a><figcaption>Defensive tackle <a href="/wiki/Pat_Williams_(American_football)" title="Pat Williams (American football)">Pat Williams</a> (in blue) with the <a href="/wiki/Minnesota_Vikings" title="Minnesota Vikings">Minnesota Vikings</a> in 2009</figcaption></figure> <p>A <b>defensive tackle</b> (<b>DT</b>) is a position in <a href="/wiki/American_football" title="American football">American football</a> that typically lines up on the line of scrimmage, opposite one of the <a href="/wiki/Guard_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Guard (American football)">offensive guards</a>; however, he may also line up opposite one of the offensive <a href="/wiki/Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Tackle (gridiron football position)">tackles</a>. Defensive tackles are typically the largest and strongest of the defensive players. Depending on a team's defensive scheme, a defensive tackle may be called upon to fill several different roles. These may include merely holding the point of attack by refusing to be moved, or penetrating a certain gap between offensive linemen to break up a play in the opponent's backfield. If a defensive tackle reads a pass play, his primary responsibility is to pursue the <a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a>, or simply knock the pass down at the line if it is within arm's reach. Other responsibilities of the defensive tackle may be to pursue the <a href="/wiki/Screen_pass" title="Screen pass">screen pass</a> or drop into coverage in a <a href="/wiki/Zone_blitz" title="Zone blitz">zone blitz</a> scheme. In a traditional <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defense</a>, there is no nose tackle. Instead there are a left and a right defensive tackle.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Some teams, especially in the <a href="/wiki/National_Football_League" title="National Football League">National Football League</a> (NFL), have a nose tackle in this scheme, but most of them do not. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Nose_tackle">Nose tackle</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Defensive_tackle&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Nose tackle"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">"Nose guard" redirects here. For the historical gridiron football nose protector, see <a href="/wiki/Nose_armor" class="mw-redirect" title="Nose armor">Nose armor</a>. For the medieval face protector, see <a href="/wiki/Nasal_helmet" title="Nasal helmet">Nasal helmet</a>.</div> <p><b>Nose tackle</b> (also <b>nose guard</b> or <b>middle guard</b>) is a defensive alignment position for a <a href="/wiki/Defensive_lineman" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive lineman">defensive lineman</a>. In the 3–4 defensive scheme the sole defensive tackle is referred to as the nose tackle.<sup id="cite_ref-DillonTSN_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-DillonTSN-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The nose tackle aligns across the <a href="/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage" title="Line of scrimmage">line of scrimmage</a> from the offense's <a href="/wiki/Center_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Center (American football)">center</a> before the play begins in the "0-technique" position.<sup id="cite_ref-Kirwan_3-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kirwan-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In this position, frequently taking on the center and at least one if not both of the guards, the nose tackle is considered to be the most physically demanding position in <a href="/wiki/Gridiron_football" title="Gridiron football">gridiron football</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In five-linemen situations, such as a goal-line formation, the nose tackle is the innermost lineman, flanked on either side by a defensive tackle or <a href="/wiki/Defensive_end" title="Defensive end">defensive end</a>. According to <a href="/wiki/Pat_Kirwan" title="Pat Kirwan">Pat Kirwan</a>, a traditional <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense" title="3–4 defense">3–4 defense</a> demands "a massive man who can clog up the middle," while a <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defense</a> is looking for "a nose tackle who relies on quickness to penetrate and move along the front."<sup id="cite_ref-Kirwan_3-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kirwan-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:DefTackle34.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/DefTackle34.svg/220px-DefTackle34.svg.png" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/DefTackle34.svg/330px-DefTackle34.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/DefTackle34.svg/440px-DefTackle34.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="750" data-file-height="500" /></a><figcaption>A lone nose tackle in a base <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense" title="3–4 defense">3–4 defense</a> formation</figcaption></figure> <p>Typical 3–4 nose tackles are "big wide bodies who can hold the point of attack and force double teams by the <a href="/wiki/Guard_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Guard (American football)">guard</a> and <a href="/wiki/Center_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Center (American football)">center</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-Kirwan_3-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kirwan-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They are usually the heaviest players on the roster, with weights ranging from 320 to 350 pounds (145 to 159 kg). Height is critical, as they are supposed to get "under" the offensive line; ideal 3–4 nose tackles are no taller than 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m).<sup id="cite_ref-Kirwan_3-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kirwan-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Recent examples of such nose tackles include <a href="/wiki/Gilbert_Brown" title="Gilbert Brown">Gilbert Brown</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jamal_Williams" title="Jamal Williams">Jamal Williams</a>, <a href="/wiki/Vince_Wilfork" title="Vince Wilfork">Vince Wilfork</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Damon_Harrison" title="Damon Harrison">Damon Harrison</a>. Rather uncommon are taller nose tackles, such as <a href="/wiki/Bobby_Brown_III" title="Bobby Brown III">Bobby Brown III</a> who is 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), and <a href="/wiki/Ted_Washington" title="Ted Washington">Ted Washington</a> and <a href="/wiki/Ma%27ake_Kemoeatu" class="mw-redirect" title="Ma'ake Kemoeatu">Ma'ake Kemoeatu</a>, each of whom was 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall and has won Super Bowl rings. Current notable examples of nose tackles include <a href="/wiki/Dexter_Lawrence" title="Dexter Lawrence">Dexter Lawrence</a> and <a href="/wiki/Vita_Vea" title="Vita Vea">Vita Vea</a>. </p><p>In some <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defenses</a>, the nose tackle is one of two defensive tackles. Some teams, especially in the <a href="/wiki/National_Football_League" title="National Football League">National Football League</a>, have a nose tackle in the 4–3 defense, who lines up against the opposing center and very likely the weak-side or pulling guard. In a 4–3 defense, nose tackles are rather quick and supposed to "shoot the 'A gap' and beat the center and very likely the weak-side or pulling guard into the backfield."<sup id="cite_ref-Kirwan_3-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Kirwan-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Height is not as important, and their weight is closer to 300 pounds (136 kg). </p><p>The terms "nose guard" or "middle guard" were more commonly used with the five-man defensive line of the older <a href="/wiki/5%E2%80%932_defense#5-2_Eagle" title="5–2 defense">5–2 defense</a>. Effective against most plays of the day, but with a weakness to the inside short pass, the 5–2 was phased out of the professional game in the late 1950s.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defense</a>, the upright <a href="/wiki/Middle_linebacker" class="mw-redirect" title="Middle linebacker">middle linebacker</a> replaced the middle guard. The nose tackle is also used in a 50 read defense. In this defense there is a nose tackle, two defensive tackles, and two outside linebackers who can play on the line of scrimmage or off the line of scrimmage in a two-point stance. The nose tackle lines up head up on the center about six to eighteen inches off the ball. In a reading 50 defense, the nose tackle's key is to read the offensive center to the ball. In run away, the nose tackle's job is to shed the blocker and pursue down the line of scrimmage, taking an angle of pursuit. The primary responsibility of the nose tackle in this scheme is to absorb multiple blockers so that other players in the defensive front can attack ball carriers and rush the quarterback. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="3-technique_tackle">3-technique tackle</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Defensive_tackle&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: 3-technique tackle"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>A <i>3-technique tackle</i> (also <i>3-tech</i>) or <i>undertackle</i> is often featured in a formation with four defensive linemen (such as the traditional 4–3 or the 4–2–5 <a href="/wiki/Nickel_defense" title="Nickel defense">Nickel defense</a>), but can sometimes fill in as the nose tackle in a 3–4 defense. Compared to the 0 or 1-tech who is more similar to the nose tackle, the 3-tech is often a leaner, more agile defensive lineman (but still larger than the <a href="/wiki/Defensive_end" title="Defensive end">defensive ends</a>) who specializes in penetrating through the line with his quickness as his bigger counterpart occupies blockers, aiming to sack the quarterback or tackle the rusher (often the running back) for a loss of yards. The 3-tech often lines up against the "weak side" of the offensive line, and therefore faces fewer double-teams.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Notable examples of prototypical 3-tech tackles in the NFL include <a href="/wiki/Geno_Atkins" title="Geno Atkins">Geno Atkins</a>, <a href="/wiki/Sharrif_Floyd" title="Sharrif Floyd">Sharrif Floyd</a>, <a href="/wiki/Tyrone_Crawford" title="Tyrone Crawford">Tyrone Crawford</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kyle_Williams_(defensive_tackle)" title="Kyle Williams (defensive tackle)">Kyle Williams</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ndamukong_Suh" title="Ndamukong Suh">Ndamukong Suh</a>, <a href="/wiki/Aaron_Donald" title="Aaron Donald">Aaron Donald</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Ed_Oliver_(American_football)" title="Ed Oliver (American football)">Ed Oliver</a>. Donald and Oliver, in particular, have pushed the limits on how small a 3-tech can be, both weighing just 285 lbs.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Their smaller statures have drawn criticism, but Donald and Oliver often make up for this using their athleticism. Donald has made ten <a href="/wiki/Pro_Bowl" title="Pro Bowl">Pro Bowls</a> and was thrice named the <a href="/wiki/Associated_Press_NFL_Defensive_Player_of_the_Year_Award" class="mw-redirect" title="Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award">AP Defensive Player of the Year</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Defensive_tackle&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFRush2008" class="citation web cs1">Rush, Nathan (February 8, 2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100214062411/http://www.athlonsports.com/pro-football/12951/nfl-draft-defensive-tackles">"NFL Draft — Defensive Tackles"</a>. <i>Athlon Sports</i>. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">April 28,</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.profootballfocus.com&rft.atitle=Defensive+Line+Techniques+-+The+2017+Prototypes+%E2%80%94+NFL+Analysis+%E2%80%94+Pro+Football+Focus&rft.date=2017-07-14&rft.aulast=Whitefield&rft.aufirst=Brett&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fnews%2Fpro-defensive-line-techniques-the-2017-prototypes&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ADefensive+tackle" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/06/26/nfl-los-angeles-rams-ranking-top-100-players-quotes-video/">"NFL players analyze 'ridiculous' Aaron Donald: 'Best player in the league'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i>Rams Wire</i>. June 26, 2018. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190428043740/https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/06/26/nfl-los-angeles-rams-ranking-top-100-players-quotes-video/">Archived</a> from the original on April 28, 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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title="Template talk:American football positions"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:American_football_positions" title="Special:EditPage/Template:American football positions"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="American_football_positions" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/American_football_positions" title="American football positions">American football positions</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Offense_(sports)" title="Offense (sports)">Offense</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Offensive_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Offensive line">Lineman</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Tackle (gridiron football position)">Tackle</a> (T)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Guard_(gridiron_football)" title="Guard (gridiron football)">Guard</a> (G)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Center_(gridiron_football)" title="Center (gridiron football)">Center</a> (C)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">Quarterback</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Dual-threat_quarterback" title="Dual-threat quarterback">Dual-threat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Game_manager" title="Game manager">Game manager</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/System_quarterback" title="System quarterback">System</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Skill_positions" class="mw-redirect" title="Skill positions">Skill positions</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Back_(American_football)" title="Back (American football)">Back</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">Running back</a> (RB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)" title="Halfback (American football)">Halfback/Tailback</a> (HB/TB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fullback_(gridiron_football)" title="Fullback (gridiron football)">Fullback</a> (FB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/H-back" title="H-back">H-back</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wingback_(American_football)" title="Wingback (American football)">Wingback</a> (WB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Triple-threat_man" title="Triple-threat man">Triple-threat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Change_of_pace_running_back" title="Change of pace running back">Change of pace</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><div style="float:right;">Receiver</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Wide_receiver" title="Wide receiver">Wide receiver</a> (WR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eligible_receiver" title="Eligible receiver">Eligible receiver</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">Tight end</a> (TE)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slotback" title="Slotback">Slotback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/End_(gridiron_football)" title="End (gridiron football)">End</a> (E)</li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Defense_(sports)" title="Defense (sports)">Defense</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Defensive_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive line">Lineman</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Defensive tackle</a> (DT)</li> <li><a class="mw-selflink-fragment" href="#Nose_tackle">Nose tackle</a> (NT)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Defensive_end" title="Defensive end">Defensive end</a> (DE)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Edge_rusher" title="Edge rusher">Edge rusher</a> (EDGE)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;">Backer</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker">Linebacker</a> (LB)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Defensive_back" title="Defensive back">Defensive back</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Cornerback" title="Cornerback">Cornerback</a> (CB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Safety (gridiron football position)">Safety</a> (S)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nickelback_(American_football)" title="Nickelback (American football)">Nickelback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dimeback" title="Dimeback">Dimeback</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Special_teams" class="mw-redirect" title="Special teams">Special teams</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Kicking_specialist" title="Kicking specialist">Kicking</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Placekicker" title="Placekicker">Placekicker</a> (K)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Punter_(gridiron_football)" title="Punter (gridiron football)">Punter</a> (P)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kickoff_specialist" title="Kickoff specialist">Kickoff specialist</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Snap_(gridiron_football)" title="Snap (gridiron football)">Snapping</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Long_snapper" title="Long snapper">Long snapper</a> (LS)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Holder_(gridiron_football)" title="Holder (gridiron football)">Holder</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;">Returning</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Punt_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Punt returner">Punt returner</a> (PR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kick_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Kick returner">Kick returner</a> (KR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jammer_(American_football)" title="Jammer (American football)">Jammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Upman" class="mw-redirect" title="Upman">Upman</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Tackle_(football_move)" title="Tackle (football move)">Tackling</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Gunner_(American_football)" title="Gunner (American football)">Gunner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Upback" title="Upback">Upback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Utility_player#American_football" title="Utility player">Utility</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div><a href="/wiki/Formation_(American_football)" title="Formation (American football)">Formations</a> (<a href="/wiki/List_of_formations_in_American_football" title="List of formations in American football">List</a>) — <a href="/wiki/History_of_American_football_positions" title="History of American football positions">Nomenclature</a> — <a href="/wiki/Strategy_of_American_football" title="Strategy of American football">Strategy</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1&useformat=desktop" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Defensive_tackle&oldid=1253545552#Nose_tackle">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Defensive_tackle&oldid=1253545552#Nose_tackle</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" 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