Glossary

Abbreviations:

Positions:
In general, an L or R in front of a position means left or right.

C: center
CB: cornerback
DB: defensive back
DE: defensive end
DT: defensive tackle
FB: fullback
G: guard
K: kicker
KR: kick returner
LB (OLB/ILB): (outside or inside) linebacker
LS: long snapper
P: punter
PR: punt returner
QB: quarterback
RB: running back
S (SS/FS): (strong or free) safety
T: offensive tackle 
TE: tight end
WR: wide receiver


Definitions/Explanations:

Accrued Season:
An accrued season is one in which the player is on the active roster or on injured reserve for six (6) or more games. However, a player who is on the exempt commissioner permission list, the reserve physically unable to perform/non football injury list, or the practice squad for any of the six (6) qualifying games will not earn an Accrued Season regardless of his pay status. This term becomes important particularly for player contracts, for example, it can determine whether a player is a restricted or unrestricted free agent.

Compensatory Picks:
The only compensation a team can receive for having an unrestricted free agent walk in free agency is a "compensatory pick" in the next years draft. These compensatory picks are evaluated after each season before the draft. A total of 32 compensatory pick, ranging from rounds 3 to 7, are given to teams around the league that lost more unrestricted free agents than they gained. The position of the pick is determined by the size of the contract, playing time, and postseason honors of the player that walked.



Credited Season:
A credited season is one in which the player is on the active roster, injured reserve, or physically unable to perform list for three (3) or more games. Weeks on the practice squad will not count toward a Credited Season. This term becomes important particularly for player contracts, for example, it can determine which veteran's minimum salary applies.



Defensive Line Technique:
The position where a defensive lineman stands before the snap is called his "technique," the red numbers. Starting from the center and moving outward they range from 0 to 9. Typically, the size (see: weight) of the defensive player decreases as the technique increases, due to the fact the perimeter players need more speed to play in space and the center players are there to clog running lanes and occupy blockers.

The Red Numbers are the Defensive Lineman Technique. The Yellow Letters are the Offensive Line Gaps. The Circled Letters are the Offensive Positions.

Exclusive Rights Free Agent:
An exclusive rights free agent is a free agent with less than 3 accrued seasons. The exclusive rights free agent tender is fairly simple compared to the restricted free variety. The tender is valued at the minimum salary based on the number of accrued seasons and the player is simply not allowed to negotiate with other teams. This tender is incredibly lopsided as the front office clearly has all of the bargaining chips, but these types of free agents are very rare as they are typically undrafted rookies or practice squad players who are coming off of a two year deal and this effectively allows the team to add an extra year to the deal if desired. 



Franchise Tag:
A team is allowed to franchise tag one player a year. This player is given a one-year guaranteed contract whose value depends on the type of tag; exclusive (no other team can give an offer sheet): valued at the average salary of players tagged at a certain position during the past five years, non-exclusive (another team can give an offer but must give up two first round picks): valued at the average of the top five salaries of last season at his position. Most players dislike playing under the franchise tag as they prefer long term security over a single year contract. The only leverage a player has over the franchise tag is holding out during training camp and in extreme cases the beginning of the season. Under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) significantly heavier fines can be applied to players who attempt to hold out, diminishing their leverage in these situations further.



Offensive Line Gaps:

The offensive line gaps are shown in yellow letters and similarly start at the center and increase outwards.  

The Red Numbers are the Defensive Lineman Technique. The Yellow Letters are the Offensive Line Gaps. The Circled Letters are the Offensive Positions.

Restricted Free Agent:
A restricted free agent will often be offered a restricted free agent tender from his previous team. The tender is a one year deal whose value dictates what level draft pick must be given to his previous team, should another team sign him. Furthermore, the previous team also has the right of first refusal which allows them to match any offer given to the player within one week. There are three tenders that a team can apply to a player (the values in parentheses are from the 2012 season): first round tender ($2.75M), second round tender ($1.93M), and original round tender ($1.27M).



Strong Side:
The strong side refers to the side of the "offensive strength," the side with the tight end.


Unrestricted Free Agent:

An unrestricted free agent is, just as it sounds, unrestricted. They are able to sign with anyone and the previous team has no leverage. The vast majority of free agents are unrestricted. To qualify for unrestricted free agent status, a player must have accrued (played or been on injured reserve for 6+ games) at least 4 seasons.



Weak Side:
The weak side refers to the opposite side of the "offensive strength," the side away from the tight end.