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Besides the standard set of defensive backs, teams may also remove a defensive lineman or a linebacker and replace them with an additional defensive back. The fifth defensive back is commonly called the
171:, among others. In 2019, the National Football League released its all-time team in honor of the league's 100th anniversary, in which the top defensive backs in its history were noted and honored.
78:, who play further back near the center of the field, and who act as the last line of defense. American defensive formations usually includes two of each, a left and right cornerback, as well as a
98:, which plays like a hybrid between a linebacker and cornerback. Canadian formations include two cornerbacks, two halfbacks and one safety, for a total of five defensive backs.
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128:(so named because a five-cent coin in the U.S. and Canada is called a
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90:, which has twelve players on the field compared to the eleven of
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140:). Rarely, teams may employ seven or even eight defensive backs.
136:(because the next value coin in the U.S. and Canada is called a
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258:"NFL 100 All-Time Team defensive backs, special teams revealed"
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Among all the defensive backs, there are two main types,
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Historic notable defensive backs include Hall-of-Famers
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executive and renowned former general manager of the
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released a list of the top cornerbacks of all time.
132:). By extension, a sixth defensive back is called a
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who play directly on the line of scrimmage, and the
282:"Gil Brandt's greatest NFL cornerbacks of all time"
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Position in
American football and Canadian football
222:"Defensive Back - DB Definition - Sporting Charts"
240:"The Positions in a Football Secondary - dummies"
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27:set. The defensive backs include two
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31:(labeled CB on the diagram), a
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635:American football positions
202:American football positions
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176:National Football League
112:jumps for the ball with
23:A diagram of a standard
145:Dick "Night Train" Lane
51:(DBs), also called the
226:www.sportingcharts.com
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196:Defensive Specialist
163:(aka "Primetime"),
106:Pittsburgh Steelers
35:(labeled FS) and a
433:Kickoff specialist
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96:defensive halfback
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482:Halfback/Tailback
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337:American football
92:American football
88:Canadian football
57:defensive linemen
45:gridiron football
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165:Darrelle Revis
116:wide receiver
114:St. Louis Rams
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39:(labeled SS).
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37:strong safety
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608:Nomenclature
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466:Long snapper
448:Game manager
289:. Retrieved
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265:. Retrieved
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118:Drew Bennett
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444:Dual-threat
440:Quarterback
425:Placekicker
415:Edge rusher
403:Nose tackle
244:dummies.com
153:Ronnie Lott
149:Mike Haynes
84:free safety
68:cornerbacks
61:linebackers
33:free safety
29:cornerbacks
25:4-3 defense
597:Formations
554:Receivers
532:Returning
524:Nickelback
512:Cornerback
458:Linebacker
291:2021-10-19
267:2021-10-19
208:References
184:Gil Brandt
126:nickelback
74:, and the
578:Tackling
566:Tight end
462:Snapping
333:Positions
174:Longtime
53:secondary
629:Category
612:Strategy
570:Slotback
562:Eligible
528:Dimeback
520:Halfback
502:Wingback
494:Fullback
190:See also
134:dimeback
76:safeties
590:Utility
420:Kicking
398:Linemen
380:Linemen
366:Defense
354:Offense
286:NFL.com
262:NFL.com
169:Ed Reed
586:Upback
582:Gunner
544:Jammer
516:Safety
498:H-back
470:Holder
452:System
429:Punter
407:Tackle
393:Center
385:Tackle
167:, and
155:, and
130:nickel
82:and a
548:Upman
507:Backs
389:Guard
602:List
339:and
138:dime
574:End
564:),
492:),
411:End
335:in
43:In
631::
610:—
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