Breaking down football positions

Summary

Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch: Episode Summary Episode Title: Breaking Down Football Positions
Release Date: November 17, 2024
Host: Allison Kuch
Guest: Isaac Rochelle

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Introduction

In this episode of the Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch, host Allison Kuch welcomes her husband, Isaac Rochelle, to discuss a range of topics centered around football positions. The conversation seamlessly blends personal anecdotes about their family life with an in-depth exploration of various NFL positions, making the episode both engaging and informative for sports enthusiasts.

Personal Life and Upcoming Changes

Allison and Isaac begin by sharing updates about their personal lives, including the challenges and joys of balancing family with Isaac's NFL career. They discuss their anticipation of moving into a newly renovated, spacious home, which marks a significant transition from the frequent relocations associated with Isaac's professional commitments.

• Allison: "Being a parent is insane... I am so looking forward to moving into our new house that's fully renovated."

• Isaac: "We are privileged. It's going to be nice, though... after moving because of the NFL so many times... it's just going to be nice to be settled."

They also touch upon the difficulties of maintaining personal space and the dynamics of working together both professionally and privately.

Breaking Down NFL Positions

The core of the episode delves into the intricacies of NFL positions, with Allison and Isaac providing detailed explanations and personal insights.

Offensive Positions

1. Quarterback (QB)

   • Description: The quarterback is likened to "Regina George," indicating their pivotal role in leading the offense, calling plays, and making critical decisions on the field.
   • Notable Quote:
     Allison [07:27]: "So, the quarterback is throwing the ball. Who's catching the ball? The wide receiver."

2. Wide Receiver (WR)

   • Description: Responsible for catching passes, wide receivers are essential for scoring touchdowns and advancing the ball downfield.
   • Notable Quote:
     Isaac [12:04]: "Receivers are not the only players that can catch a pass, but they're usually eligible."

3. Running Back (RB)/Halfback

   • Description: Versatile players who can run the ball, catch passes, and sometimes block. Examples include Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.
   • Notable Quote:
     Isaac [21:11]: "Running backs are your jack of all trades. They do a lot of different things."

4. Fullback (FB)

   • Description: Typically larger and primarily used for blocking, though some like Isaac can also catch passes and run.
   • Notable Quote:
     Isaac [23:06]: "Fullbacks are your grunt work guys. They do stuff that nobody else wants to do."

5. Tight End (TE)

   • Description: A hybrid between a receiver and an offensive lineman, tight ends are versatile in both blocking and receiving.
   • Notable Quote:
     Isaac [24:43]: "A really good tight end is invaluable. Look at George Kittle—he demands respect."

6. Offensive Line (OL)

   • Description: Comprises five positions—left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, and right tackle—responsible for protecting the quarterback and creating running paths.
   • Notable Quote:
     Isaac [28:39]: "Your offensive line could be a reason that you could run the ball or pass the ball."

Defensive Positions

1. Defensive Line (DL)

   • Description: Includes defensive ends and tackles, tasked with stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.
   • Notable Quote:
     Isaac [31:42]: "Defensive ends are truly, in my opinion, the most athletic position you have."

2. Linebackers (LB)

   • Description: Versatile defenders who can defend against the run and the pass, often serving as the "quarterback of the defense."
   • Notable Quote:
     Allison [36:53]: "Linebackers have to read the offense. It's a tough position."

3. Secondary (Cornerbacks and Safeties)

   • Description: Focused on defending against the pass, cornerbacks cover wide receivers, while safeties provide additional support.
   • Notable Quote:
     Isaac [42:36]: "Cornerbacks are trying to shut them down and they are a very tough position."

Special Teams

Special teams play a crucial role in the game, handling kickoffs, punts, field goals, and extra points. Positions include the kicker, punter, long snapper, and various return specialists.

• Notable Quote:
  Allison [45:00]: "Special teams are responsible for kickoffs, extra point tries, field goals, and punts."

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Importance of the Quarterback: Both Allison and Isaac emphasize that the quarterback is the most critical position on the field. A skilled QB can significantly elevate the team's performance, while a struggling one can derail the team's chances.

• Versatility of Positions: The discussion highlights the importance of versatility, especially in positions like running back and tight end, which require players to perform multiple roles effectively.

• Foundation of the Offensive Line: A strong offensive line is deemed essential for both protecting the quarterback and enabling effective running plays, underscoring its impact on the team's overall success.

• Defensive Strategy: Understanding defensive positions and their responsibilities is crucial for anticipating and countering the opposing team's strategies.

Closing Remarks

Allison concludes the episode by reflecting on the complexity of football positions and the importance of each role in contributing to a team's success. She teases upcoming episodes that will delve into holiday-themed content and invites listeners to engage via social media for future topics and questions.

• Allison: "Feel free to send us a DM with a question you guys have or put it on one of our social posts."

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This episode serves as an excellent primer for listeners looking to deepen their understanding of NFL positions, blending expert insights with relatable conversational elements from Allison and Isaac's personal experiences.

Transcript

[A]

The following podcast is a Dear Media production. What's up, guys? Welcome back to Sunday Sports Club podcast with Allison Kuch. A podcast all about sports sometimes.

[B]

Who you. Who you got on your show today? Who's the guest?

[A]

Isaac Rochelle is on my show. You guys, I just hate recording solo episodes.

[B]

So then I, you know, this is basically my show.

[A]

We talk all the time, so this feels really natural.

[B]

I do offer when Ally's like, oh, I wish I didn't have to film a solo episode. I was like, I'll just do it.

[A]

No. But I have a few really fun guests coming up in the next few weeks so that this would be my last solo episode for a second.

[B]

More fun than me.

[A]

I just talk all the time to myself, to you, to Scotty.

[B]

It's a bad place to be.

[A]

It feels good to be sitting down here. But it is really hard to record with your husband. Well, one, we work together 24 7. Like, we're always together. So. So I'm like, yeah, I don't.

[B]

I have mixed feelings on that. Like, I enjoy being with you, but I just feel like relationships need time. I need time to be solo.

[A]

No, I definitely think that if you are together 247 in a relationship, I think it's really unhealthy.

[B]

I feel like I've spent more time solo with Scotty, though. Like, meaning since we've had a kid, it's actually been easier to be like, I'm gonna go do this by myself, because I. Somebody has to stay home and take care of the kid. So then it's like, you. You, in a weird way, you still have a lot of time to yourself.

[A]

Yeah. But you're not alone.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But right now, while we're recording this episode, Scotty is napping. You guys, being a parent is insane. Scotty's napping. We have the monitor out. The two dogs are sitting outside, and the groomer is coming. Like, our life is just. I am so looking forward to moving into our new house that's fully renovated. We have a nice, big, big yard there. It's going to feel so homey, and it's just, like, designed to be for us.

[B]

Yeah. We are privileged. It's going to be nice, though. I mean, after moving because of the NFL so many times and, like, having all these different things and all these different places, it's just going to be nice to be settled.

[A]

Yeah. I've, like, worked my ass off to get the house that we're renovating.

[B]

Yeah. Also, it'll.

[A]

But I do know that we are very Privileged to be able to.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, extremely. But it's. It'll be a new phase of life too. Like, who knows what will happen with football, but we'll probably be like, be on the back end of football at that point, like in a steady home. So.

[A]

Yeah. If you guys didn't know. We're renovating your house. We've owned it for almost three years now. But we.

[B]

That's kind of crazy. I. That's went by super. Oh, yeah. We bought it when I played for the Browns.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Before the Browns.

[A]

So we've been renovating this house for the past year, and this is like our first home.

[B]

Yeah, it's. And it's going to be nice. The renovations are going to be unbelievable.

[A]

No, I'm just looking forward to not moving.

[B]

Yeah. More than anything. Literally. I don't think. It's hard to explain. Like, I mean, we've gotten rid of a lot of stuff, but at one point we had like, three separate couches, like from three different places. We had.

[A]

I'm not gonna lie. One of my favorite couches that we've owned is. Was 700 from Amazon.

[B]

I couldn't stand that couch, like, at all. That was in Cleveland. And that thing, it just got so gross.

[A]

I. It, like, it pilled up.

[B]

It was gross. That couch needed to be burned.

[A]

That entire house or that entire apartment was literally like, Amazon ikea.

[B]

That's. We don't have anything.

[A]

We didn't have.

[B]

We didn't have anything. We. And we had a patio that was.

[A]

You mean anything in terms of like, stuff from that we already owned?

[B]

Like, when I signed that lease and you moved there, you only came with what was in your car. Yeah, we didn't have any. Like, it was empty.

[A]

Isn't it crazy to think, like, pre kid.

[B]

Oh, my God. Things seem so easy. Like, everything seems.

[A]

I don't know how I ever thought I didn't have time.

[B]

We. If we didn't have a kid, we could literally be like, hey, let's just batch record four episodes today.

[A]

Yeah. But lucky for you guys, you guys get these very recent, like.

[B]

Yeah, it just. People who complain about not having enough time without a kid. Not saying it's not valid, but, like, it's not valid. I'm sorry. When you have a kid, you're like, oh, the idea of no time is. Is real.

[A]

Yeah. We're really changing up our roles in our marriage, as parents, in our work life balance. It's kind of all over the place. And speaking of positions, we are going to be talking about NFL. NFL positions. So this is something that I really did want to have Isaac on. I could talk about this all on my own, but I feel like if Isaac's describing it, I can make it as least boring as possible. Because talking about positions, I feel like that's such a boring episode. But when you add in Ally's humor.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe we'll just let you.

[A]

What?

[B]

It's. Yeah, it's like the fake laugh. Like, insert fake laugh. Maybe we'll just let you explain it and then, like, I'll interject because technically I'm like a comfort blanket here, so you don't have to do a solo episode.

[A]

So Isaac is my comfort blanket? To a certain extent.

[B]

Yeah. I mean.

[A]

Okay, so we're gonna go over all the positions, and I feel like this is, like, kind of important when knowing about a football game, just because it's.

[B]

It's huge. What's your favorite position? Other than defensive end?

[A]

Quarterback. Because I feel like I would be a quarterback.

[B]

That's lame. You wouldn't be a quarterback.

[A]

No, honestly, I think my favorite position on a football team is a long snapper. Because they can be in the NFL for so long and they just, like, coast. I mean, if you're good at your job, you coast, right?

[B]

I don't. Long snapper feels like a random favorite position.

[A]

But aren't they in the. They can stay in the NFL for a long time. Doesn't matter how old you are.

[B]

Yeah, but they. They have to be perfect. I mean, very rarely do guys just last forever.

[A]

Well, you're literally describing me. I'm perfect. So I would probably last a long time.

[B]

Money. Okay, let's. Let's hear what you have on the docket for these positions.

[A]

Okay. Well, starting off during a football game, there are 11 guys on offense and 11 guys on defense.

[B]

22 total. Yep.

[A]

And so you have the offensive line going against the defensive line, and then you have your secondary.

[B]

Correct. Referring to defense.

[A]

Oh, there's no secondary.

[B]

Secondary is just a defense. That's like a defensive term.

[A]

So then what's. What are the other players, if you're not on the offensive line, on offense.

[B]

It'S just like skill positions. Yeah.

[A]

So you learn something new every day.

[B]

Skill positions are your offensive positions that are more like athletic. Like receivers, running backs, tight ends are kind of like an image.

[A]

Wow, Isaac, you're going to get some hate. Are you calling the. A wide receiver more athletic than an offensive lineman?

[B]

That's not what I said. It's literally what I said.

[A]

It's literally what you said.

[B]

Quite literally what I said. But yeah, that's. Maybe we'll just do weights. Like if you're 220 and under your skill position. I don't know, but that's kind of how we categorize it. But secondary is a deep. More of a defensive.

[A]

Okay, so to summarize it, offensive positions are quarterback, wide receiver, running back, tight end, fullback, and offensive line.

[B]

Yeah, fullback's kind of a antiquated term. Not really used. Fullback exists, but it would be running back in today's game. Or like a back.

[A]

Fullback is a position that has kind of been pushed out a little bit. Right.

[B]

Who's the most famous fullback in the NFL right now?

[A]

Isaac. You're asking me a question I don't know the answer to.

[B]

Trivia hint would be. His wife became super well known because she makes clothes.

[A]

Oh, you Shack. Really?

[B]

Yeah, he's. He's a.

[A]

He's a fullback.

[B]

So like that's a. That's a fullback. But it's. You have to have the perfect offense to have that. Most teams don't have fullbacks.

[A]

What could a fullback also play?

[B]

Tight end or running back? They're like a tight end. Running back. Baby. That's just.

[A]

We had a baby.

[B]

Yeah, she's a fullback.

[A]

So I guess we'll start off offense with probably the most important and most known position, and that is quarterback. So I would describe the quarterback as kind of like Regina George.

[B]

Yeah, like absolutely.

[A]

Regina running the show. Naming off the rules. Well, not really the rules, but like naming plays, right?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. You love him. You hate them. Very hot and cold. Like, very rarely can you be an average quarterback in the NFL for a long time. Like, you're either really good. Okay.

[A]

Second. Second string quarterbacks.

[B]

No, what I'm saying is like, if you're a starting quarterback. Regina was starting. When you're starting, you are. You have to be good. If you're not a good quarterback, you're getting benched. There's no average whatever. So I'm saying that's why Regina is like, you got to be great.

[A]

Yeah. You gotta like get back up when you're hit by a bus.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they call and initiate the plays. They throw or hand the ball to the receiver. Are they actually calling the plays or are they getting like a signal from.

[B]

Well, it's. They have an earpiece in. So they're getting the place through an earpiece.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah, they. So if you see a green dot.

[A]

On how you think that I would be overstimulated.

[B]

It's a lot. That's why you see quarterbacks going like this. Because they're like trying to hear. Because it's.

[A]

And so if a crowd is really loud, it's hard for them to hear.

[B]

Yeah, less so. For like the reason crowds are loud versus offenses. When the offense is on the, when the opposing offense is on the field is because of the snap count, not because of getting the call. So the cool.

[A]

You don't know that. You don't know why I'm cheering, Isaac.

[B]

I mean I, I hope you're cheering because I would be on the field or sideline. I'm joking. I'm not joking. Fun fact. Quarterback's the only position that touches the ball every single play.

[A]

The center.

[B]

That was a test that you passed. That was a test.

[A]

I was like, who's passing him the ball?

[B]

So this, the center and quarterback are the only positions that touch ball every time.

[A]

But who's the, who's the only other player that has an earpiece in offensively?

[B]

Nobody else would have an earpiece in Dark defensively, whoever is calling your defense generally a linebacker. But back to quarterback. So quarterback. There's a bunch of different types of quarterbacks in the NFL. You have dual threat quarterbacks, which are athletic, they can run and they can throw the ball. Lamar Jackson's a great example. And then you have your like classic pocket quarterbacks. I would consider like Jared Goff, like a pocket quarterback, sits there, makes his throws, but they're like really calling the shots. They're driving the ship of your offense. If your quarterback's good, you, your team's good.

[A]

So if your quarterback sucks, you suck.

[B]

Yeah. It's going to mess up your offense because 70%.

[A]

Do you think you could have a good team with no good quarterback?

[B]

No, you're. Well, you could have a good team. You're not going to win a championship. You're not going to win a championship. 70% of plays in the NFL, it's around 70% are passed.

[A]

So interesting.

[B]

You need a good quarterback.

[A]

Yeah, that's really interesting. And they're usually the highest paid.

[B]

They're always the highest paid.

[A]

Not always on a team. Right now, the 49ers, the highest paid player on the 49ers right now is not the quarterback.

[B]

It's the highest paid position. Let's just leave it at that. Generally, like quarterbacks on average are your by far highest paid position.

[A]

So whenever you think of quarterback, who is the first person that comes to mind?

[B]

Patrick Mahomes. Yeah, Tom Brady. I mean, who's retired obviously, but Tommy.

[A]

B. Yeah, that's what I would say. And so quarterback is throwing the ball. Who's catching the ball? The wide receiver.

[B]

So same as you can take a stab at it.

[A]

I was just going to say they catch the ball, they're out wide and they're receiving.

[B]

I mean it's true, but it's without getting in too much detail. Same as quarterback where receivers. You have a bunch of different types of receivers. You have like when I think of.

[A]

Receivers, I think skinny, but not like skinny kings.

[B]

DK Metcalf is buff. Like he's a huge dude. So like not all your receivers are just like twigs. Like you have slot receivers, you have like just wide receivers. Like you have a bunch of different.

[A]

So some aren't twigs, they're more like branches.

[B]

Yeah, literally. Dion Branch, great receiver.

[A]

So are wide receivers the only players that are allowed to catch a pass?

[B]

No, any eligible player. So this is going to get. I don't want to get too deep in this.

[A]

Don't get too deep. But I didn't bring my floaties.

[B]

Only certain players on offense are eligible to catch the ball. I heard that. Are only. Only certain players on offense are eligible to catch the ball. So a receiver is not the only player they can catch a ball, but they're usually eligible.

[A]

Correct. So you don't have to declare a wide receiver to be eligible every single play?

[B]

No.

[A]

Okay, that's a good thing to know. So they are a well named position because a wide receiver can score a lot of touchdowns for sure. So people usually know their name or what they look like, right?

[B]

Yeah. Anybody who can score, you kind of get to know them.

[A]

Yeah. They could run a total of a thousand yards per season.

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

Isn't that crazy?

[B]

That actually seems kind of low. There's seven.

[A]

What wide receiver is running 100 yards a game?

[B]

There's 17 games. If you run a go route, that's 40 to 50 yards right there. You don't even know what a go route is, but doesn't even matter.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, it seems low though.

[A]

The. Some of the best wide receivers are Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, CD Lamb. Anyone missing the nehead?

[B]

No, those are.

[A]

I mean, I mean some of the.

[B]

There's a lot of really good receivers. Those.

[A]

I mean I feel like every NFL team has a good wide receiver.

[B]

No, you like to have a good receiver, good quarterback. Like that's a good. It's a nice little connection that you can have.

[A]

Where is a wide receiver lining up? So I want to give the People listening, a good visual. So you have think of the quarterback in the center. Right in front of the quarterback, you have the offensive line. Just think of them as like a fucking wall. Because they kind of are a wall. They're big guys. And then you, your bigger baby, you. I would never call that.

[B]

How about this picture? An umbrella?

[A]

No. Okay. You're already making this complicated. So you have the quarterback in the center. You have a line of men, the offensive line of. Basically a wall of men. And then where's the wide receiver? To the left? To the right?

[B]

Both. Both. Depending on what personnel you're in. We're not going to talk about that. It doesn't matter.

[A]

Not both, but either. Or do you have two wide receivers?

[B]

You could have three. I mean, it just depends on what personnel you have out.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

So there's a lot of.

[A]

That's good to know. I didn't know that.

[B]

Yeah. So different. Yeah, I. Again, I could get really, really detailed with this. We're not going to.

[A]

But I think should hold like a TED Talk, like a class that you can take.

[B]

It's. It gets down to the nitty gritty.

[A]

Isaac University.

[B]

This conversation right here about receivers is very base level.

[A]

And it's interesting because as somebody who plays on defense, typically you can tell what kind of, like, play a team is going to run based off of what guys you see out there. Correct?

[B]

100%. That's what you spend your game planning doing. So, like, you might. You might go into the week and be like, all right, we're playing the 40, 49ers this week. When you. Sheck is in the off position, meaning he's like, by the tackle. Whatever. It doesn't matter. I'm like, oh, the ball might be coming towards me. Like, and we get stats where It'll be like 60 of the time.

[A]

So you have to be smart to read that.

[B]

You have to be. You have to not be, like, stressed and be like, let me just get in a stance. Like, you have to be able to take a breath.

[A]

So there's more to defense than just going after the person with the ball. Like, sometimes your job is not going after the person with the ball.

[B]

You're always trying to make a play. But. Yes. Yeah, there's different.

[A]

But if you just go after the ball, you could miss your guy and create. And then create a hole.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely.

[A]

I'm. Now I'm getting ahead of myself.

[B]

I'm like, yeah. Are we going to talk about O line, running backs, tight ends, you guys.

[A]

Fall is my favorite time of the year with football, the leaves are changing. Well, not in California, but all over they're changing. And I just feel like it's a cozy season. Plus fall fashion, especially from Macy's. Every year, football season has been a different type of weather. But that doesn't stop me from getting cozy in my fall clothing from Macy's. Macy's selection of boots, sweaters and coats is unmatched. And I truly love the fall season because I feel like it has so much to do with the cozy vibe of it all. Like hot cocoa going and picking out pumpkins. Halloween, Thanksgiving, it's just giving coziness. And whenever I think of coziness, I'm thinking blankets, sweaters, gloves. I'm a sucker for a cute sweater boot outfit combo. Like I just feel like everybody looks good in it. And I recently took a trip to Macy's with Isaac and they have so many brands and options to choose from. I mean, something for the entire family, like literally even dogs. I got a cashmere sweater from there and I've been living in it ever since. It's the coziest, cutest sweater. But they have so much to choose from, especially when it comes to your fall wardrobe. I've personally been trying to create a capsule wardrobe and it's been going really well. I have a few pieces in there from Macy's and they're those high quality pieces without the huge price tag. So don't miss out on getting your winter essentials, whether that be boots, coats, sweaters, gloves, like literally anything fall fashion, Macy's has it all. So be sure to shop online at Macy's.com that's M A C-Y-S.com or swing by in store and get all of your fall essentials for you and for the whole family. You want to talk about the MVP in our household, Isaac?

[B]

Me?

[A]

No, I mean kind of you because you're the one washing our sheets every week. But our sheets from Cozy Earth are my favorite thing. There is just nothing. It's unmatched. Getting into a nice clean set of sheets at night, it's cozy, it's comfy, it's literally Cozy Earth.

[B]

It's the best. And you have a nice little warm cup of tea and you just cozy.

[A]

In and you're turning on getting movie. So give the gift of lug luxury this holiday season with Cozy Earth it is. I feel like such an unmatched holiday present is giving some new sheets. Especially high quality sheets.

[B]

Absolutely. Well, low quality sheets can ruin your night. So the fact that these Boys are high quality is a game changer.

[A]

I love cozying up with my Cozy Earth blanket. They also have pajama sets, the woman stretch knit long sleeve pajama set and men's pajamas. I feel like it's another thing that you can give this holiday season. I have been obsessed with putting on my cute little matching PJ set at night, jams crawling into my new sheets and I feel like it's part of the holiday season is getting cozy.

[B]

Yeah, you need to get me some pajamas.

[A]

I actually have it. I should get you some Cozy Earth pajamas. Not that I'm bragging about mine.

[B]

Where am I not?

[A]

Okay, I'll noted. I'll make that one of your Christmas gifts. So visit cozyearth.com Sunday and use my exclusive 40 off code Sunday to give the gift of luxury this holiday season. That's Cozy Earth. C O Z Y E a r t h.com/Sunday S u n D a Y if you get a post purchase survey, be sure to say that you heard about Cozy Earth from this podcast Sunday Sports Club podcast. Wrap the ones you love in luxury with Cozy Earth. A recent game changer for me has been neutrophil. Ask Isaac. My hair was falling out in clumps. I was having panic attack.

[B]

Yeah, I mean that's, that's not a conversation you want to have with your wife.

[A]

Like showing him the clump of hair in the bottom of the shower, which is natural because after postpartum you go through so many different hormone changes. But then I discovered neutrophil postpartum and immediately started taking it. And I swear my hair loss became so much more minimal. I notice a definitely, I definitely notice a decrease in the amount of clumps in the bottom of my shower. And now that I guess I'm no longer postpartum, which is.

[B]

That's kind of crazy.

[A]

Well, I'm, I feel like I'm always postpartum.

[B]

But you had, you had all the fixings to make sure your postpartum journey was on point.

[A]

Yes, but now I've been able to graduate from the Neutrful postpartum to the Neutrful women's capsules. So Neutrful, if you haven't heard of it, is the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over a million people. See thicker, stronger, faster growing hair with less shedding in just three to six months with Neutrful. And I can definitely attest to that. Get results you can run your fingers through for a limited time. You Find that funny.

[B]

That is good.

[A]

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[B]

Yeah, running back is just an easier way to describe it.

[A]

Okay. So they're kind of like the, basically, I don't know how they do it all of football.

[B]

They do do it all. I mean, a great example. Saquon Barkley runs the ball. He's done well running the ball this year, but he also can catch the ball. So he can run routes like a receiver. Generally, he's going to be coming out of the backfield, meaning he's going to be behind the O line. But you can split him out. He can line up in the kind of the slot position, which is to the left or the right of the O line. But running backs are your jack of all trades.

[A]

They're very dimensional.

[B]

Dimensional, Yeah.

[A]

A very popular running back is Christian McCaffrey.

[B]

It's us who fancy.

[A]

Maybe it's there. Maybe it's because, like, he's a jack of all trades. There's so many ways for him to get hurt.

[B]

He. Wow, He's. Yeah.

[A]

What?

[B]

Yeah, there is. Well, just because he's got a long history of getting hurt a lot. So it's kind of like, oh, you're bringing bad juju to him.

[A]

But, oh, sorry, knock on wood.

[B]

Yeah, he does a lot. I mean, a lot of the running backs, great running backs today are going to do a lot of different things. Austin Eckler, I just talked about Saquon, Christian McCaffrey, even Jordan Mason. Like a lot of these guys can do a million different things and that's what makes, makes them so great, what makes the running backs great again.

[A]

So then a running back is a halfback. Then you have a fullback.

[B]

So halfback, delete that term. That doesn't matter for this podcast because you have running back, tailback, halfback.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

Like you those all kind of describe the same thing. A fullback is really like a bigger version of a running back who, who doesn't really get the ball. Like, fullbacks very rarely get the ball. They really Just block. And in some offenses, like the 49ers, they catch the ball and do different things, but you shake. They're not giving. You shake the ball to run. He's blocking and he's running routes.

[A]

Okay, so he's. So that's more like a tight end then.

[B]

Yes. But conversely, you look at the Ravens, they have a fullback that's like £330. Like, he was. He was an O line, and they wanted to use him. And he's doing totally different stuff. He's never catching passes. He's never running the ball. All he does is bulldoze people. Everybody hates going against him. Yeah.

[A]

Good to know.

[B]

A lot of random information.

[A]

Kind of lost me there a little bit. I zoned out a little bit.

[B]

Yeah, fullbacks are. You don't even really need to talk about fullbacks that much. They're just kind of like a. They're your grunt work guy. They do stuff that nobody else wants to do. Oh, yeah, it is. It is. It's a tough position. You got to be built different.

[A]

You got. Yeah, but fullbacks are. Kyle Juszek.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

C.J. ham. That's somebody I've never heard of. Sorry. C.J. ham. Patrick Ricard.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

I don't know why I want to say Richard. Anyways, moving on to tight ends because I feel like they're a very popular position. They block in today's world.

[B]

They forced it. They forced popular.

[A]

I mean, they have a holiday.

[B]

Yeah. A little dramatic. As a defensive end, we hate tight ends. Like, it is my philosophy. Tight ends should never block a defensive end if I'm watching film, because they're just soft. I look at tight ends as soft. I mean, this in the nicest possible way, but I play. I view tight ends as, like, they do a lot, but they should never block a defensive end ever. Ever. I'm dead serious. It's. That's how we talk about it in our room. But a tight end, they do a million different things. It is one of the most versatile positions in the NFL.

[A]

Yeah. They're a hybrid between receiver and alignment.

[B]

Yeah. And. And, like, a really good tight end is invaluable. Like, it will totally change your team. I mean, look at George Kittle. He's probably the best example right now in the NFL of just, like, better than Travis Kelsey. Travis Kelsey.

[A]

Don't piss off the Chiefs fans.

[B]

Travis Kelsey is.

[A]

We get enough hate.

[B]

Travis Kelsey is one of the best tight ends in the NFL, but if I was getting a little in the nitty gritty, he's Not a blocking guy. He's a position blocker. He does what he needs to do. He's not really intimidating for a defense or a defensive line. When. When that man kiddo lines up, he demands respect.

[A]

Like, whenever I hear George Kittle, I think of Skittles.

[B]

People. People fear George Kittle. Like, there are defensive ends in this NF in that league right now who go to play George Kittle, and they're.

[A]

Like, there are defensive ends in this room who are skipping. Scared of Canada?

[B]

No, no.

[A]

But I was like, he's.

[B]

He's a really.

[A]

You or me.

[B]

Really, really unique tight end. But tight ends do a lot of different things.

[A]

Okay, so then that's kind of it for the specialty positions. And then you have the offensive line. What?

[B]

No, you're right. You're right. It's not specialty positions. That'd be kicker, tight end, or kicker, long snappers, but punters.

[A]

What do you want me to call them?

[B]

Your skill positions.

[A]

Okay. Those are it for your skilled positions. Are you okay?

[B]

There's not. It's not past tense. It's not not skilled. It's skill position.

[A]

Is this funny?

[B]

Yeah, go ahead.

[A]

Anyways. Okay, so that's it for your skill positions. Jesus Christ, Isaac, I'm going to kick you off my podcast. In order from left to right, you have the offensive line, and it's left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, right tackle.

[B]

You said you were going to kick me off your pod. I'm not talking to you. Apologize.

[A]

I was like. Okay, I'm sorry.

[B]

Okay. No, you're right. It's left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, right tackle.

[A]

I don't know why. Whenever I pictured the left tackle, they were lining up next to the center, but I guess that's wrong.

[B]

Yeah, you're way off.

[A]

So the left tackle. Everybody knows the movie the Blind side.

[B]

Even though it's controversial, apparently these guys are.

[A]

Isaac doesn't even respond to me at.

[B]

This point because we're. This is two different podcasts.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Well, how would you describe a lineman? I've never seen the Blind side, so really I have, but I'm just. I'm acting like the viewer.

[A]

I would describe O lineman as your big guys. Over 270 for sure.

[B]

If you're £270 playing online in the NFL, boys are salivating.

[A]

So you're like £300 on average? Over 300 tall, big hands.

[B]

Jesus Christ, Ali.

[A]

You asked me to describe an O lineman.

[B]

No, really strong hands. That's. That is. They do it. They do a strength test, and I Feel like they measure your hands.

[A]

No, honestly, at the NFL combine, it's like a meat market. They're. They're measuring your hand size or measuring how tall you are, your foot size.

[B]

You'd be surprised how much they measure.

[A]

Isaac, what do they. What else do they measure?

[B]

Well, I'll let your imagination run. No, I'm joking.

[A]

Your leg size.

[B]

No, they. They measure everything that is appropriate to measure. Everything on your body that can be measured, they're measuring.

[A]

And so you want a big beefy.

[B]

Your O linemen are your. Your road graders. Think, like, you've got Ferraris driving around. You got little Jaguars, which my.

[A]

You're talking to the girls about cars. Can you dumb it down? Isaac? Isaac's like, oh, let me describe Spanish by using French. No, like, you have your protectants, right? You have people there to protect you. Just like makeup, you have primer, you have spf. You have a little under eye balm.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, my God, Isaac, you're O lineman.

[B]

They do it all. They run block, they pass block, they protect your quarterback. They create openings for your running back to run.

[A]

But they're very important because they could be a reason that you could run the ball or pass the ball.

[B]

Yeah. Second highest paid position in football is actually not. It's not the left tackle anymore.

[A]

Not anymore.

[B]

I don't think it is. I think it's receiver.

[A]

But for a while it was a left tackle.

[B]

There's. They pay a lot of money, these guys, to keep your quarterback safe. Your left tackle is the anchor of your offense. Really.

[A]

I mean, think about it. If your quarterback is getting tackled or chased after every single play, they're going to get exhausted, they're tired.

[B]

You want. You want your quarterback to sit there and make really safe, easy throws to your receivers.

[A]

Right?

[B]

So, but also you need run blocking.

[A]

But you need enough time to throw the ball and, like, let the play. What would you let the play play out?

[B]

Like, you have to let the thing breathe.

[A]

You have to have enough time for your receivers to get down.

[B]

Yeah, down where?

[A]

The field, Isaac.

[B]

A number of different routes, they could be coming across, whatever. But your O line, they matter. Because if you have a run play, you need your O line to be great. If you have a pass play, you need your O line and be great. Like, it doesn't matter what it is. Your O line. If they are trash, your team will quite literally be absolutely trash. It's impossible to have a good team with a battle line. You could have the best quarterback in the NFL if you have a trash Line. Good luck. You're wasting your money on your quarterback. It will ruin your team. It'll ruin your season.

[A]

It'll ruin your life.

[B]

It'll ruin your life. I'm not even joking. It will. When we. When we're game planning against offenses, I'm like, oh, this. This whole line is trash.

[A]

Isaac would be so good at a solo episode because I haven't even responded to anything you've said. And you just.

[B]

You can go, I'm, like, kind of angry.

[A]

I'm, like, kind of impressed. I'm like, oh, so this is what happens when I don't interrupt, Isaac.

[B]

You just go, yeah, I would keep going. I have a lot to talk about. Next position.

[A]

So then on the other side of the ball, you have the center who's lining up who's snapping the ball to the quarterback all the time, Correct?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So on the other side, you have the defensive line.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Can you name them?

[B]

You want me to name the defensive line positions?

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Depends. On.

[A]

Do you even know football? Isaac, grow up.

[B]

You have, like, an outside linebacker. Slash. Defensive end, defensive tackle, nose guard. Yeah, that's really.

[A]

That's really it, Isaac.

[B]

That's quite literally. It doesn't. It's symmetrical.

[A]

But line it up.

[B]

You don't really. Not every team has left and right. So.

[A]

Okay, so who's going up against the center?

[B]

If we're looking at a 4:3, which is the defenses that I've usually played in, that means four defensive linemen, three linebackers. You can switch that three, four. But we will only talk about a four three. Today. You have two defensive ends. You have a nose guard.

[A]

Hold on. You have two defensive ends on both the ends.

[B]

Yeah. Both ends of the offensive line.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

A defensive tackle.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And then a nose guard.

[A]

Okay, so then that's five.

[B]

Yeah. No, no. Two defensive ends, a defensive tackle and a nose guard.

[A]

Can you just kind of describe them? So defensive ends are a little soft. They don't really have a lot of muscle, your defensive ends.

[B]

True.

[A]

If you poke them in the eye, they're gonna cry.

[B]

That has happened. Defensive ends are truly, in my opinion, your most athletic position on the field. You have to do so many different things. And.

[A]

Isaac, you're cheating. You're a defensive end. You can't call that the most athletic on the field.

[B]

A lot of people would agree it's the most athletic position you have. You. I literally.

[A]

I would say a tight end is one of the most athletic positions because they're doing everything a defensive end is doing and catching the ball. Have you ever caught the ball?

[B]

99. Yes. 99% of tight ends in the NFL would get demolish if they try to switch to defensive end. I can't say the other is true. It's. It would be easier switch for us. The reason I say defensive ends are the most athletic position. You might have to drop in coverage. It's rare, but you might have to. You're stopping the run. You have to rush a passer. You have to be strong enough to push against a 330o lineman. Pound o lineman versus the run. Or be fast enough to get around him, which isn't saying much, but you have to do it. So. Yeah, there's just a lot. It's a dynamic position.

[A]

So everybody on the defensive line is going up against the offensive line. Are you. Is your job mainly to like get the quarterback?

[B]

Yeah. Or stop.

[A]

Have you ever. Have you ever tackled a wide receiver? Yeah, I don't know. Why? I just picture like wide receivers to be.

[B]

Never get tackled by D lineman.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you have defensive ends? The closer you get to the middle of the D line, the bigger the guys get. So outside 245 pound wise to 270. Then D tackles. You want to be above 290. And then your nose guards. I played with a nose guard that was 350.

[A]

What?

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

£350.

[B]

I've had nose guards that are 380.

[A]

No, you've. No. No, you haven't.

[B]

Limball. Joseph. I can go down a list of people.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

I mean, literally, that song I need a big boy. Yeah. No, but yeah, they're big. They're big.

[A]

Why are you thinking you're big?

[B]

Because they might have like in the nicest way.

[A]

Not like, not fat.

[B]

Like, just like. I would never use the trophy husband. I get it. I get it. It makes sense.

[A]

No, but it is injured. Have you ever played defensive lines like.

[B]

Nose or nose guard? No, I've played every position on the D line in the NFL and in college.

[A]

Nose guard.

[B]

Yeah. They used to have me third down with the Chargers. I was the nose guard.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. I had my best season playing nose guard because I'm shifty. Defense gets complicated position wise though, because there's truly. So there's more defenses like four, three, three, four. You could randomly have. I mean really three fours. Kind of have five D linemen down. It's like very weird. Like, depending on what package you're in, you could have a safety turn nickel or like package a dime. You can all like people use linebackers different ways. Cornerbacks.

[A]

Like, you've lost the people, Isaac. The people are shifting to a different podcast now.

[B]

So that's why I'm just going to trust your questions because it's tough for me to.

[A]

Okay, so some important defensive linemen to know. Isaac Rochelle.

[B]

Yeah, makes sense.

[A]

Chris Jones with the Chiefs.

[B]

He's a great ex. Watch Chris Jones. If the gals don't do anything else, go watch Chris Jones.

[A]

He.

[B]

He plays every.

[A]

His wife doesn't want to hear that. Isaac.

[B]

He plays every position on the D line, and he's. He's one of the best in the NFL. He plays for the Chiefs.

[A]

Yeah, I just said that. Okay, so then aside from your defensive line, you have the secondary. Correct. Okay. And a player on the secondary is a linebacker. So, like, you described what you're not.

[B]

Nobody's considering linebacker, secondary.

[A]

So they're like defensive line.

[B]

So you have your front seven, and.

[A]

You have your back seven.

[B]

That would be 14 players. Do you have your front seven? That is your 4D lineman and three linebackers. Those are the guys that are in the box is what we call it, but we won't get into those details. That's your front seven. Secondary is your safeties and your cornerbacks.

[A]

Okay, so a linebacker is not a sec.

[B]

He's not in.

[A]

No, I know, but I'm saying, let's talk about linebackers. Isaac, you have anything against linebackers?

[B]

No, I. Linebackers. Great guys. Spillane is a great example of a really good linebacker.

[A]

The Raiders love Spain.

[B]

He does a good job in coverage because that's what they have to do. But he will come down and knock your head off.

[A]

So it's kind of in the name. Then they back the line. Yeah, Literally linebacker.

[B]

Yeah, that's it. It's very.

[A]

I mean, Notre Dame has a bar called linebacker. I've gotten drunk there before.

[B]

Linebackers, though, are your meatheads. Like, just your buff. When you think about. Just gritty, like, I'm strongest dude on the team.

[A]

Big meaty claws.

[B]

Yeah, that. That's your linebacker. Just mean when you think of the. Breathe right strip across the nose and the eye black, that's your linebacker.

[A]

Okay, that's interesting, though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they'll stand behind the defensive line and, like, run up to stop any running plays or drop back to cover wide receivers and tight ends from the offense.

[B]

Yeah, they've got a tough position, though, because they don't know if it's run or pass. I mean, they have their keys.

[A]

Well, they can run. They can read the. The offense. No, you. You can Tell me if it's run or pass.

[B]

Yeah, but you have to read your keys. So, for instance, and this is very surface level, a linebacker, a middle linebacker might be sitting there and is behind the line.

[A]

Well, he's standing.

[B]

He's king. The guard. Because the guard. Guards pull a lot. I don't want to get too detailed. But he's watching the guard, so he might. It might be like misdirection where he thinks it's run, so he takes two steps forward, and then it's pass, and his guy is a receiver gone. Right. So that's why it's complicated. It's a tough position.

[A]

Wow. That. That's kind of crazy.

[B]

And they're your guys calling the defense. So, like, when they're.

[A]

Some people say they're one of the hardest positions on the defense.

[B]

It. One of. Not the. But one up. But they didn't want you to miss this. But they. They're your green dot people, so they're your quarterback.

[A]

They have the mic.

[B]

They're your quarterback of the defense.

[A]

Isaac, nobody knows what a green dot is.

[B]

I explained it early in the episode, and I know everybody's taking notes, so they can refer back to their notes from earlier.

[A]

I don't think you ever said green dot.

[B]

Yeah, I did.

[A]

Quick break from today's episode to bring you guys a segment called Game Day Bites brought to you by Shake Shack.

[B]

Yummy. No, seriously, though.

[A]

Yeah. So Shake Shack this year is bringing back free chicken sundaes just in time for football season. Yep. Free Chicken Shack Sundays with a $10 minimum purchase. And of course, we have. Oh, wow, two chicken shacks. So I'm gonna have Isaac do a little taste test. You've had a Chicken Shack before, but I feel like, you know, every bite, it just brings you back.

[B]

I always got room for more chicken.

[A]

So while we're eating these, I'm gonna ask a few questions, and we're gonna talk about our eating on game day around football.

[B]

Have you read the bag, by the way? No added hormones or antibiotics.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Kind of a big deal. Wow, that bite was really good.

[A]

Extra points for it being available on a Sunday. Because unlike some other chicken places that.

[B]

Aren'T available on a Sunday, it doesn't even matter. I would get this every day of the week. I kind of want another bite. I'm not going to lie.

[A]

Okay, you can go ahead.

[B]

You hear how crunchy that is?

[A]

Some people don't like asmr.

[B]

That's a bite that lingers.

[A]

I mean, I might as well take a bite myself from Isaac's chicken Jack.

[B]

Mmm. I mean, come on.

[A]

Oh, my God. That's my favorite meal for football. Because we're doing this little segment, Game day bites with Shake Shack, we might as well answer a few food related questions pertaining to football. Favorite stadium snack?

[B]

Glizzy. A good ballpark glizzy.

[A]

I'm gonna go fries. I mean, whether they have cheese on them depends on the day of the week. I'm gonna eat cheese.

[B]

The issue with the cheesy fries. Soggy. It's too soggy. That glizzy that comes out of that foil bag. Hits every time. Hits every.

[A]

No. Sometimes the bun's a little.

[B]

A little sticky. That's what you want.

[A]

Ew. Least favorite game day snack.

[B]

Least favorite game day snack.

[A]

I'm gonna go nachos.

[B]

I'm gonna say something controversial. Oh, a pretzy. The pretzels are not. It just doesn't hit. Pretzels are super hit or miss. You have to be kind of down bad to go and be like, oh, can I get a pretzel?

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. Like, oh, you're out of hot dogs. Oh, you're out of french fries. Oh, you're out of nachos. Oh, you're out of burgers. I'll take a pretzel.

[A]

It's honestly just like salted bread.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Okay. Favorite snack to have at home. Watching the football game.

[B]

Maybe like a classic chili. We're not baked at home.

[A]

I was gonna say chili at game days.

[B]

I'm not cooking at home.

[A]

Yeah, a good classic chili sounds really good.

[B]

Yeah. But Shake Shack or bust.

[A]

Nice. Chicken shack. Least favorite snack to have while watching the game at home.

[B]

Probably like candy corn.

[A]

Ew. Who's who? You.

[B]

It's spooky season.

[A]

Who's eating candy corn?

[B]

You might have some leftover from Halloween. So you just. Maybe it's an option. But candy corn would be last on my list for sure.

[A]

I'm going to say my least favorite game day snack at home. Fruit tray.

[B]

Oh, fruit tray.

[A]

Football. I mean, I like a mean vegetable tray because celery goes good with chicken.

[B]

Bring me that fried chicken on a potato bun. That'd be burping pickles, shake, sauce, all that.

[A]

But something about a fruit tray. I'm like, this doesn't go with football.

[B]

It doesn't hit.

[A]

And you call football a gladiator sport.

[B]

So it's like, oh, that it is. That it is.

[A]

So be sure to fill up your bellies this Sunday and every Sunday.

[B]

Gotta eat every day.

[A]

Yeah. You have to do it every day with Shake Shack. And be sure to take advantage of the offer during football season. From now until December 15th, free chicken Sundays at Shake Shack.

[B]

Wait all the way through December.

[A]

December 15th.

[B]

Wow. When it gets into cozy season, like when you got a hoodie on and you're like, boy, I'm gonna go get.

[A]

My free chicken shack with a $10 minimum purchase. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, it sounds good.

[A]

From now until December 15th, Shake Shack is offering a free Chicken Shack with 10 minimum purchase with code Chicken Sunday at a Shack location on the Shack app or@shake shack.com every Sunday. Terms apply. Moving into cornerback.

[B]

Not to be mistaken for quarterback.

[A]

Cornerback. They. They're a defensive version of the wide receiver.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So what does that mean?

[B]

They're covering.

[A]

They cover them.

[B]

So these routes.

[A]

Yeah, the routes that the receivers do.

[B]

Like to get open and get the ball. Cornerbacks are the guys that are trying to shut them down and they also a very tough position.

[A]

So would you say they're probably the. The player on an NFL team with the highest amount of interceptions?

[B]

Oh, for sure. There would be no scenario. Well, actually, like Spain isn't. He really is a good example. Like, he has tons of interceptions all the time every year. But your. Your corner.

[A]

Everybody take a second and go and DM his wife Shelby and tell her to come on the podcast.

[B]

You actually should. That'd be funny. But yeah, typically cornerbacks are going to lead the team. Interceptions.

[A]

Okay, that's good to know. And then safety, Strong safety. Free safety. Yeah, I've never heard those words before.

[B]

I don't want to get too detailed here. It's hard not to.

[A]

Isaac, we get it.

[B]

You know, every time I say that, I try to guess it. I'm like, I don't want to be like, sound.

[A]

I don't want to sound like I know everything, but I know everything.

[B]

Defenses use their safeties for different reasons. A safety's primary job is pass, but a really good safety like Derwin James will stop the run. Like if a run breaks through, they are the guys that are going to come down and not miss tackles. And I say that purposely because sometimes that's all it's about is just not missing the tackle.

[A]

Don't miss the tackle.

[B]

Yeah. Safety is also size wise, vary.

[A]

They're a security blanket for linebackers and cornerbacks.

[B]

Literally what I just described.

[A]

Yeah, you did a very.

[B]

It's like, it's the least I could do.

[A]

A very popular safety would be Jonathan Owens.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Bears. Simone Bile's husband.

[B]

Simone Bile.

[A]

He scored a touchdown week one.

[B]

Yeah. Special teams touchdown, though.

[A]

Okay, which special teams? Jesus Christ. That's a whole different thing. And we're on special teams now.

[B]

Well, here's what's interesting about special teams. There's a whole set of positions within special teams.

[A]

Yeah. When do you need your special teams?

[B]

Special teams is like you're in between. Right. So like any time.

[A]

Changing kickoff.

[B]

Yeah. Well, anytime, extra point, anytime at the beginning or end of the. An offense having the ball, your special teams comes on like.

[A]

And you've played on special teams. So so many different positions play special teams.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Okay. And they just are kind of funneled in.

[B]

It's. Yeah, because you very rarely. I mean, they do it, but very rarely are you building a team. Starting with who do we need on special teams?

[A]

No, I think the only special teams you necessarily care about to build your team with would be the kicker, long snapper, punter.

[B]

Yeah. But Nick Dazubnar, who is going to be on this podcast, he had a 7 year NFL career and only played like 40 defensive snaps his entire career.

[A]

So he was just really good on special teams.

[B]

The best. He led the NFL in special teams tackles.

[A]

So interesting.

[B]

The point is, like, you'll have like a couple core guys that you have on your team. Four special teams that are not kickers, players or long snappers. But it's kind of like your leftover guys.

[A]

It's good if they're versatile. Like, you've played special teams, but you also play defensive end.

[B]

It can add value.

[A]

So, yeah, I feel like it makes you a player that should be sought after.

[B]

Yeah. Like a guy who shouldn't be sitting at home recording with his wife a podcast. What are we doing? Who do I need to talk?

[A]

Okay, so special teams is responsible for kickoffs, extra point tries, field goals, punts. Basically the kicking game, attempting a kick, returning a kick, defending a kick. They're made up of four groups of players. The kickoff unit, the punting unit, the punt return, kickoff return, the field goal. Okay, I'm getting. Yeah, they count for 35 of all points scored in a season, which I think is very interesting.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

No, because you're not building your team off of. Off your. You're not building a team based off of special teams, but they're very important.

[B]

That's a good way to put it. Anytime the ball is kicked, your special teams on the field.

[A]

Okay. So on special teams, I've kind of touched on these in season one of the episode, so I'll kind of touch on them briefly. You have the kicker, who is very important. I feel like a Good kicker can make or break a football team. Think of how many extra points you get. And if you miss all of your extra points, you're. You can lose.

[B]

You're not gonna have a job. Well, yeah, but it's more so game winning situations. You saw the Lions kicker this last week hit the game winning.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Field goal. So like that can make or break. So it's hard to win in the NFL. Sometimes games come down to two points and you need to kick a field goal for three. And like that's where your kicker can be crucial.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

A really good kicker is Harrison Bucker, like great kicker. And he's. I mean, he won the super bowl for him. Like he's good.

[A]

It's a shame he had to get rid of his dream of being a stay at home husband. Then you have your long snapper.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they make long snaps. So that field goal and Pat's need.

[B]

Yep. It's just. You have to get to the. You have to get the ball to the holder, the person that's holding for the people.

[A]

It's a long snap.

[B]

It's a longer.

[A]

Snaps the ball long.

[B]

Yeah, it's a longer snap than usual.

[A]

And they only. They are only playing when you're punching the ball, correct?

[B]

No, no.

[A]

Whenever you're.

[B]

Field goal.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But not kickoffs.

[A]

Okay. And then you have the holder.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Receive the long snapper snaps, which is.

[B]

Usually your punter or backup quarterback.

[A]

That's so interesting. So they're.

[B]

But it makes sense. It's very logical.

[A]

The long snapper is snapping to them. They're putting the ball on the ground and then the kicker is kicking it.

[B]

Why do you think those guys are your holders?

[A]

Probably because they know the snap count.

[B]

No, because they spend their days catching a ball. A quarterback catches the ball every time the ball snapped, he has to catch it. Punter, same thing. So they're good at catching the ball.

[A]

Interesting. I've never thought about a holder before in my life.

[B]

It's a random position. It is one of 11 out there now.

[A]

I kind of want to watch them.

[B]

But. So this is interesting. If your holder is a backup quarterback or it's like a punter that played quarterback in high school. They will talk about that in our game planning, really for fakes. So it could literally. The dude could literally have not played quarterback. Yeah. It could be a high school quarterback. And they're like, yeah, he played quarterback in high school. Be on the lookout. And you're like, all right.

[A]

But that's actually kind of juicy, right?

[B]

It is. It's super weird.

[A]

So then when you have kickoff or kick return, they transfer possession of after any score. Okay. So you have the kicker. The kick returner. We've kind of. We already talked about the kicker. The kick returner.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Responsible receiving the opposing team's kickoff and running it as far as possible.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You know, I'm terrified if I'm that position, everybody grown men are running after you. I'm putting a knee down.

[B]

He said, I'm not taking this at all.

[A]

No, I'm putting a knee down.

[B]

It's your. It's like your quickest, most athletic guy. Really. Like your fastest. Just put him back there.

[A]

Punter.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

When the team's offense is on fourth. We've kind of talked about punters when I had my friend Kylie Cole on the podcast.

[B]

Yeah. So you should go listen to that.

[A]

Yeah. Her husband's a really good punter.

[B]

One of the best in the NFL.

[A]

Isn't that crazy? A punter can make a breaker team too, because they're responsible.

[B]

Field position.

[A]

I feel like Everybody on the 53 man roster is. Is important. Right?

[B]

Yeah. But these specialty positions are very important.

[A]

Very.

[B]

Because if you. If you have, like, if you need to.

[A]

Well, you only need. You could only have one.

[B]

You only have one. But if you need to flip the field and your punter has a bad punt. You talk about a mad GM head coach. Whole team.

[A]

I've never heard of the position gunner. They line up far behind the line of scrimmage and try to tackle the other team's punt returner as soon as they catch the punt.

[B]

Kind of a confusing thing. So basically think about this. Your gunner is your special team's wide receiver. So like you take a guy who might not even play receiver and put him in the receiver position because you're changing possessions. So your receiver, as soon as the ball is kicked, becomes a cornerback because he's going to make a tackle.

[A]

So name it. Player.

[B]

Austin Eckler made his career as a gunner.

[A]

Really?

[B]

That's like how he became. Because he was leading the league in special teams tackles as a gunner.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

So they just go down and it's like backyard football. Free for all. It's like you and another guy. Mike Davis. Mike Davis made his career playing gunner.

[A]

Another position I've never heard of, jammer.

[B]

Goes against the gunner.

[A]

Wow. I've never heard these.

[B]

They're in there to. These are. I would hate to play either. Well, gunner less so who's.

[A]

Who's a jammer?

[B]

I mean, Eckler like it just. You Usually go, I thought he was.

[A]

A gunner or a jammer. Oh, he can be both.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, you put like cornerbacks out there. Eckler probably didn't even play jammer, now that think about it. But yeah, it's like a corner liar. Yeah. I don't know what I'm talking about.

[A]

But I feel like talking about a gunner or a jammer is something that if you mentioned while watching a football game, people would turn around, be like, how do you know that?

[B]

It's. It's. Well, like, if a gunner made a tackle, you go like, oh, that's a good tackle by the gunner. Yeah, that's like. That's like high level ball.

[A]

That's. I don't even.

[B]

That's high level ball. If you say that.

[A]

If you say that, I'm like, do you want to come on my podcast?

[B]

No, that. It's. But it's not. Nobody's talking about the Gunners. You watch ESPN all day during a Sunday football game, and they'll never. They'll never say gunner. They will not say jammer. I promise you that. Ever.

[A]

Like, it's. It's because it's like, okay, well, that's it. That's all we have for today.

[B]

Oh, wow. That was fun. All right, bye.

[A]

Thank you guys for tuning in. I mentioned this in the last episode, but I'll also mention it here. We are no longer doing the Huddle episodes. Just became a lot. Okay. I have to pick and choose my battles, and it got too nitty gritty.

[B]

It was like this weird, like, do we get in the details or do we just talk? Like.

[A]

Well, and I wanted them to be digestible, but then it just. I don't know. I. Honestly, we have so much going on and holidays are coming up, but I feel like it's so easy to make like an extra episode every month if we want to. And we can talk about some of the up to date things or even just come on socials.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, how are we gonna do two episodes? I can't even finish this episode without. I've been looking at my daughter this whole time.

[A]

Yeah. Every time he looks down, I'm like, isaac, Isaac, here, buddy. He's not looking at my tits. He's looking at our daughter.

[B]

Oh, how life changes.

[A]

Ah, life. What a wild ride. Anyways, thank you guys for tuning in. Be sure to follow us on the Sunday Sports Club podcast Instagram, because I'll be doing a Q A episode here pretty soon. Also, if you have any questions about the holidays, I'm gonna do a Thanksgiving episode and a Christmas episode to talk about holidays in around the NFL. So feel free to send us a DM with a question you guys have or put it on one of our social posts.

[B]

And if one more person DMs me and tells me to fill up Ally's water bottle, I will never fill up her water bottle again. Isaac, I'm gonna get canceled over.

[A]

No, let the flood happen. Yeah, go in his DMS right now. Anyways, thanks guys for tuning in. I hope you enjoyed and I'll talk to you next Sunday. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.