GumboBC

There are many members here at B&G that I hold in high regard when it comes to their football knowledge.

Some of you other chumps I don't know about ... ;) (it's a joke. no one get offended)

There's one subject on here that really interests me and I'd like to discuss it.

It's been debated before but I feel it's so important to this upcoming season that I would like to discuss it again.

What is it?

The linebacker positions. All of 'em.

Now, I know Danno loves to discuss LBs so I hope he will jump in here. As well as everyone else.

Speaking of Danno, he's the main reason I want to discuss this subject.

Okay ...

We've got 3-linebacker positions:

1. MLB
2. SLB
3. WLB

Some say that they're more comfortable with Watson's ability at MLB than our other LBs.

I've heard it be said that Watson is the most likely to step it up.

But, I disagee and here's why.

MLB, I feel, is the more difficult of all the linebacker positions.

And that automatically puts more pressure on Watson at MLB than Bockwoldt at WLB or Allen at SLB. Even if he is the most talented, I think the position demands more talent than the other LB positions.

The reason I feel more comfortable with Bockwoldt has a lot to do with the differences in responsibilites at WLB when compared to MLB.

The WLB plays on the weak side of the offense. Which means he's left unaccouted for in the blocking scheme of the offesne. In other words. the WLB plays in space and doesn't have to be nearly as physical as the MLB. Or even the SLB.

The WLB has more to do with speed and less to do with physical ability.

Starting to get the picture?

The MLB really needs to be much more physical but that's not all that's required. He also needs to be fast enough to chase down the runner from sideline to sideline. And he's got to do that against offenses that designate blockers especially for him. And he also has to drop back in pass coverage at times.

Picture becoming more clear?

As far as the SLB. His job is to play on the strong side of the offensive formation. But, his job maily consists of taking on blockers and disrupting the plays and allow one of the other LBs to make the tackle. And, of course, he should make the tackle if he can.

I feel very strongly that Watson is most suspect because of the nature of the MLB position.

Thoughts?