Tackle-eligible play

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.

Under almost all versions of gridiron football, offensive linemen cannot receive or touch forward passes, nor can they advance downfield in passing situations. To identify which receivers are eligible and which are not, football rules stipulate that ineligible receivers must wear a number between 50 and 79. This, however, can be circumvented in most leagues, most commonly by informing the referee of any player with that number who lines up as an eligible receiver.

NFL Football

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.

Buffalo Bills' offensive tackle, Mitch Frerotte made a name for himself in 1992 scoring 3 times in one season, the best single season ever for an offensive lineman.

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 23 point comeback against the Miami Dolphins.

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. [http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf See rule 1, section 4] . Thus, an offensive tackle can never become a tackle eligible. However, a defensive lineman can play as a tight end if his number is not between 50 and 79 (defensive players have no positional numbering restrictions in the NCAA).

A similar play is 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.