There's no doubting the popularity of football. In a 1997 Gallup Poll, 47 percent of respondents cited it as their favorite sport -- the highest such percentage in 60 years. So if your not a gridiron expert, you may feel left out when the conversation around the water cooler inevitably shifts to the weekend's big game. Familiarize yourself with the players and their positions and next time, you can add your two cents to the conversation.
Quarterbacks
The quarterback is the leader of a football team's offense. He's responsible for engineering the team's attack, earning the glory when his team scores and being saddled with the blame when the offense fails to put up points. The quarterback begins every play by taking a snap from the center. He then either hands the ball off to a running back or drops back and looks to pass to a receiver. Quarterbacks must be strong-armed, accurate and decisive in the face of pressure from opposing defenders.
Backs and Receivers
Running backs and receivers are the big-play threats of an offense. Often the fastest players on the team, running backs line up behind the quarterback and either take handoffs, block opposing blitzers or run passing routes. Receivers, meantime, lineup on the ends of the line of scrimmage. They run a variety of routes that are short, intermediate or deep, depending on the play call. They're also expected to block opposing defensive backs on running plays.
Linemen
Linemen are usually the biggest players on the field. Five offensive lineman line up in front of the quarterback, tasked with blocking the other team's defensive players. Offensive linemen can be massive, but they also must be nimble enough to quickly adjust and block for the quarterback and running backs. Defensive linemen, meantime, are expected to beat the offensive linemen and get to the ball carrier. When blitzing, they use speed and power to try and reach the quarterback before he can pass. In likely running situations, they take a less aggressive approach, holding their ground while trying to stuff the running back at the line of scrimmage.
Defensive Backs and Linebackers
Defensive backs -- broken up into cornerbacks and safeties -- are usually the quickest players on the defense. Cornerbacks often must defend wide receivers 1-on-1, so they are usually smaller and quicker than safeties, who line up roughly 10 yards away from the line of scrimmage and are the team's last line of defense. Linebackers are the middle men of a defense, settling in between the linemen and the defensive backs. They combine speed, athleticism and strength and are tasked with ranging from sideline to sideline while defending against both the run and pass.
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