Burgundy&GoldForever wrote:Cravens wore No. 21 at USC, and even though he’s listed as a safety, he will likely end up playing more linebacker.
No. He would have to change numbers per league rules to line up primarily at linebacker.
Deone Bucannon for the Cards didn't. He was listed as a safety, lined up primarily at LB, and wore number 20 all season.
Maybe they broke the rules. Maybe they used an exception. Maybe there is a gray area between safety in the box and linebacker.
PLAYERS NUMBERED BY POSITION
Article 2All players must wear numerals on their jerseys in accordance with Rule 5, Section 4, Article 3(c).
Such numerals must be by playing position, as follows:
(a) quarterbacks, punters, and placekickers: 1-19;
(b) running backs and defensive backs: 20-49;
(d) offensive guards and tackles: 60-79;
(e) wide receivers: 10-19 and 80-89;
(f) tight ends: 80-89;
If a player changes his position during his playing career in the NFL, and such change moves him from a
position as an ineligible pass receiver to that of an eligible pass receiver, or from a position as an eligible
pass receiver to that of an ineligible pass receiver, he must be issued an appropriate new jersey numeral.
A change in jersey numeral is not required if the change is from an ineligible position to another ineligible
position, or from an eligible position to another eligible position, provided that the player has participated at
least one season at his position prior to the change.
Any request to wear a numeral for a special position not specified above (e.g., H-back) must be made to the
Commissioner.
During the preseason period when playing rosters are larger, the League will allow duplication and other
temporary deviations from the numbering scheme specified above, but the rule must be adhered to for all
players during the regular season and postseason. Clubs must make numerals available to adhere to the
rule, even if it requires returning to circulation a numeral that has been retired or withheld for other reasons.
See 5-3-1 for reporting a change of position.
