timparry Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Hey all, hoping someone can explain this one for me.The Giants have two linebackers wearing numbers in the 40s - Kevin Lewis is 44, Marcus Lawrence is 46. Last I knew, LBs could only wear numbers in the 50s and 90s. However, the Giants have so many LBs on injured reserve that all the numbers in the 50s and 90s are taken.So my question is: has the NFL designated numbers in the 40s as "emergency" numbers, so to speak?Thanks to anyone who can explain this mystery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick 1733 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I do believe number assignment goes as follows:1-19: Quarterbacks, Kickers, Punters11-19, 80-89: Wide Receivers, Tight Ends20-49: Running Backs, Defensive Backs50-79: Offensive Lineman50-79, 90-99: Linebackers60-79, 90-99: Defensive LinemanNow in some circmstances the following is allowed:40-49: Tight Ends40-49: Linebackers80-89: Fullbacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I dont think number assignemt began until the 1960s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick 1733 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I dont think number assignemt began until the 1960s I do believe that when he says "40's" he means there are two linebackers on the Giants roster that wear a number in the 40's, not that it was in the 1940's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timparry Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 I dont think number assignemt began until the 1960s I do believe that when he says "40's" he means there are two linebackers on the Giants roster that wear a number in the 40's, not that it was in the 1940's. Yes, current players and the upgraded number assignments.I know in the 80s, 40s were outlawed as a LB number. Brian Bosworth wanted 44 with the Seahawks and was denied, and the Seahawks considered listing him on the roster as a strong safety so he could get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick 1733 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I dont think number assignemt began until the 1960s I do believe that when he says "40's" he means there are two linebackers on the Giants roster that wear a number in the 40's, not that it was in the 1940's. Yes, current players and the upgraded number assignments.I know in the 80s, 40s were outlawed as a LB number. Brian Bosworth wanted 44 with the Seahawks and was denied, and the Seahawks considered listing him on the roster as a strong safety so he could get it. My understanding is that it's exactly what you said in that the Giants have the 50's filled up so then the linebackers are allowed to take a number in the 40's when that happens. Most of the time a player will go the route of choosing a number in the 60's, 70's or 90's. But as soon as there are no more numbers available in the 50's, they're allowed to wear one in the 40's if they choose to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the admiral Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 If college football can have two people with one number, I think the NFL can let a quarterback wear 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timparry Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 I dont think number assignemt began until the 1960s 1973, to be exact. Though this chart on about.com about.com is outdated (doesn't include 40s for tight ends).I know a bunch of TEs are in the 40s now, but are any othe NFL LBs wearing numbers in the 40s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGivens87 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I know Patriots LB Tully Banta-Cain wore #48 from his 2003 rookie season until this year. He switched to a more "linebacker-like" number 95 this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBTV Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 In some rare cases, teams have converted fringe-type fullbacks and tight ends to linebacker, and vice-versa. I've seen this with the Eagles, however in that case the player switched to an appropriate number. I think the number rule might be a little lax for linebackers because it is just less important for defensive players to have eligible / ineligeble numbers. More professional, but less necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegame4219 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 this whole number allocation thing used to be a real big deal with the NFL but i think the have really lightened up on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PackerBadger Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Vikings TE Jim Kleinsasser wears #40.Former Raiders TE Todd Christensen wore #46 because he started his NFL career as a fullback and was moved to tight end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc49erfan15 Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Yeah, before, if you moved positions then you'd be given a new number.I remember having cards of Ken Dilger playing fullback for the Colts and wearing #44, before he got moved to tight end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazberg Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Vikings TE Jim Kleinsasser wears #40.Former Raiders TE Todd Christensen wore #46 because he started his NFL career as a fullback and was moved to tight end. Kleinsasser plays FB too. And dude, why do you have a Reebok vector in your sig? Why support companies like that any more than you need to? You're already a walking Reebok add any time you throw on a damn jersey... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSky Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Yeah, before, if you moved positions then you'd be given a new number.I remember having cards of Ken Dilger playing fullback for the Colts and wearing #44, before he got moved to tight end.Indy TE Dallas Clark wears 44. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopernv Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Vikings TE Jim Kleinsasser wears #40.Former Raiders TE Todd Christensen wore #46 because he started his NFL career as a fullback and was moved to tight end. Kleinsasser plays FB too. And dude, why do you have a Reebok vector in your sig? Why support companies like that any more than you need to? You're already a walking Reebok add any time you throw on a damn jersey... The sig was made that way by someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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