Tackle-eligible play

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In American football, the tackle-eligible play is a forward-pass play in which coaches will attempt to create mismatches against a defense by inserting an offensive tackle (who is not normally allowed more than five yards down field on a forward-pass play), into an offensive formation as an eligible receiver, usually as a tight end or as a fullback. This is done by changing the formation of the offensive line, via positioning two linemen (including the "catching tackle") on one side of the center and four linemen on the other. This is normally only run inside the five-yard line.

[edit] NFL Football

Since offensive linemen are usually ineligible to be receivers, the normal procedure in most levels of football is to inform the referee. For example, by official National Football League rules, players with the numbers 50-79 and 90-99 are ineligible receivers. The quarterback or offensive captain informs the referee that a usually ineligible receiver will be eligible for that play. The referee then announces that the ineligible number "x" is reporting as an eligible receiver. This announcement is made using the referee's microphone so both spectators and opposing team can hear. The eligibility is good for only one play and must be done before every play in which the offense plans on making the player eligible.

The Cincinnati Bengals' Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle, Anthony Muñoz, for instance, caught 7 passes for 18 yards and 4 touchdowns in his prolific 13-year career.

New England Patriots' Linebacker Mike Vrabel is often used as a Tight End in goal line situations, as of 21st April 2007 he has caught 6 passes for 8 yards and 6 Touchdowns.

One of the most famous uses of a tackle eligible play came in The Monday Night Miracle when New York Jets lineman Jumbo Elliott caught a 3 yard touchdown pass to cap a 30 point comeback against the Miami Dolphins.

[edit] College Football

NCAA rules are less permissive than NFL rules and require that the five interior linemen, numbered 50-79, never line up as eligible receivers. See rule 1, section 4. Thus, "tackle eligible" plays are not permitted.

A similar play is, however, allowed from a kicking formation, where the requirement that all five linemen wear 50-79 is waived. During a fake field goal or punt, a team may line up with extra tight ends and receivers making it not immediately obvious to the defense which players are eligible and which are not.