Typical 3-4 nose tackles are "big wide bodies who can hold the point of attack and force double teams by the guard and center."

But they often earn incredibly more than nose tackles, or even first basemen.

We're getting more four-man defensive tackles than true nose tackles.

Reed was encouraged to hear that Edwards said the three nose tackles are all in a box together, with nobody standing ahead of the others yet.

They will probably keep six: four ends and two nose tackles.

The first two nose tackles make the team.

Then you come in the middle and those big nose tackles and linemen guys are right on your face trying to rush straight ahead.

"One reason you want the same as the other top nose tackles are getting is to gain the respect around the league," he explained.

He likes his ends big and tall, his nose tackles solid and blocky.

He became the Jets' starting nose tackle the next season, a job he held until he was cut yesterday.