Jackson Free Press

This Football Preview marks my first full year writing for the Jackson Free Press. When I first started, my wonderful editor, Ronni Mott, explained that everything she knew about sports could fit in a thimble. She wondered about some of my first articles, if what I was writing was true or truly dirty.

This year I thought it would be nice to give Ronni (and all other football neophytes out there) a list of things that sound dirty in football and what they really mean.

20. He went to the sideline for a blow. A player was getting a rest.

19. He pounded it in the hole. A player was running the ball to a predetermined spot.

18. He bangs it in. A player forces his way past the goal line.

17. He gets major penetration. A defensive player breaks into the offensive backfield.

16. The hole closed before he could penetrate it. The running back saw his opening in the line close.

15. He got him from behind. A defensive player tackled an offensive player from behind.

14. It is a game of inches. Sometimes the difference between a punt and a first down is mere inches.

13. He gets it off just in time. The quarterback gets the play off before the play clock expires.

12. The hole was so big you could drive a truck through it. The offensive line makes a large opening for an offensive player to run through.

11. He had to stretch it to get it in. When an offensive player puts the ball out in front of himself to try to gain a first down or touchdown.

10. He could go all the way. Normally said when a player has a chance to score a touchdown.

9. When you get down in this area you have to start pounding it. Normally said at the goal line when a team is trying to run the ball for a score.

8. He goes deep. When a wide receiver runs a long way down the field

7. He has a nice tight end. Said about a quarterback that has a very good player at tight end.

6. He put it in and pulled it out. When a quarterback acts pretends to off the ball.

5. He pushes it through. Said when a kicker makes an extra point or field goal.

4. That is a mass of humanity in there. Comment made about offensive and defensive linemen.

3. He finishes him off. Said when a defensive player helps make a tackle.

2. That is a big man going into a tiny hole. Said about a large player trying to fit into a small opening.

1. He has been working that spot all night long. Said when a player has repeatedly gone to the same place on the field.