A revelation this season at Middle Linebacker for the Yellowknife wraiths, Irishman Luke “Lieutenant Smash” Tiernan, has proven to be the best tackling technician in the NSFL.
A convert all his life, he has transferred the skills he picked up on the rugby field into his new role on the gridiron. Starting off on the offensive side of the ball with the Colorado Yeti, Tiernan showed a powerful down-hill running style that proved effective within the Yeti’s three-pronged running attack.
During his second season with the Yeti, Tiernan converted to the other side of the ball and plied his trade as a linebacker, clocking up decent if unspectacular numbers as he got used to having to engage in what is regarded as a more intellectual position than that of a running back.
Having been traded to the Wraiths at the end of last season, Tiernan has been a perfect fit for the Wraiths 4-3 scheme, proving to be a wall in defence in the centre of linebacking corps.
Currently he sits atop the league wide tackle count for linebackers, amassing 92 tackles in ten games. This includes two outings where he amassed 14 tackles in each.
While most pundits focus on the strength, eagerness and determination displayed by Tiernan, the through experts of their craft realise that it is the excellent tackling technique on display is the key difference maker for the Irishman.
Every week, he appears to go from strength to strength as the reading of defensive situations becomes more engrained in his psyche.
Luke “Lietuenant Smash” Tiernan, is smashing it this year, proving that he is the best tackler in the NSFL.
A convert all his life, he has transferred the skills he picked up on the rugby field into his new role on the gridiron. Starting off on the offensive side of the ball with the Colorado Yeti, Tiernan showed a powerful down-hill running style that proved effective within the Yeti’s three-pronged running attack.
During his second season with the Yeti, Tiernan converted to the other side of the ball and plied his trade as a linebacker, clocking up decent if unspectacular numbers as he got used to having to engage in what is regarded as a more intellectual position than that of a running back.
Having been traded to the Wraiths at the end of last season, Tiernan has been a perfect fit for the Wraiths 4-3 scheme, proving to be a wall in defence in the centre of linebacking corps.
Currently he sits atop the league wide tackle count for linebackers, amassing 92 tackles in ten games. This includes two outings where he amassed 14 tackles in each.
While most pundits focus on the strength, eagerness and determination displayed by Tiernan, the through experts of their craft realise that it is the excellent tackling technique on display is the key difference maker for the Irishman.
Every week, he appears to go from strength to strength as the reading of defensive situations becomes more engrained in his psyche.
Luke “Lietuenant Smash” Tiernan, is smashing it this year, proving that he is the best tackler in the NSFL.
![[Image: FSNIrYw.png]](https://i.imgur.com/FSNIrYw.png)
