[jTheUmp]

Yes, the TE is considered a lineman... check 2-32-9.

However, just because he's a lineman doesn't mean he's in the free-blocking zone, he still needs to have at least some part of his body within 4 yards of the ball at the snap. Possible with tight splits, I suppose.

One quick way to check... assuming that the field is marked correctly and the goalposts are correctly sized and aligned, there should be 15 feet (ie: 5-yards, outside of the free-blocking zone) horizontally between the inside of the hash mark and the nearest goal post upright. So, when the team lines up in their tight split formation when snapping from the hash, this can give you a quick reference point to help determine if the TE is in the free-blocking zone or not.

Also, since the goal posts are 23'4" wide... (just under 8 yards)... if you snap from the middle of the field the low-blocking zone is slightly wider than the goalposts.