GumboBC

The Need for Speed.

It used to be that teams used big 260-pound middle linebackers to stop the run. But, the trend now is to play with smaller, faster, athletic linebackers. Some coaches have concerns about the smaller, athletic linebackers being able to be effective stopping the run.

Well, here’s what Herm Edwards has to say about the subject….


Herm Edwards, for one, says “damn their lack of size, full speed ahead.�

But, Herm goes on to explain what must take place for those linebackers to be effective.

“The protective camouflage must be supplied by a pair of stout defensive tackles, who can occupy space and more than one blocker apiece so the linebackers are free to flow to the ball and make plays.� – Herm Edwards

Which cuts to the double-edged task awaiting teams wanting to use the smaller, faster, athletic middle linebackers.

The primary need is a run-stuffing defensive tackle to help shield the blockers off of the linebacker. If they can't do that, does it matter who plays linebacker?

"The way the league is anymore, the way opponents formation you and spread the field, it becomes a passing game," he said. "And if you go nickel every time they come with a third or fourth receiver, it puts you at a disadvantage because then they'll start running the ball.

"If you have some athletic linebackers, you can still play your base defense."

The Super Bowl champion Buccaneers did it with 6-foot-1, 225-pound Shelton Quarles at middle linebacker. The Miami Dolphins have been doing it for several years with 5-11, 235-pound Zach Thomas in the middle.

"What most coaches don't do anymore, you don't discard anyone because he's a linebacker who's 225, 230 pounds," Edwards said. "Instead, you devise a way to play with him, especially if he can run."

It can work if you have bigger defensive tackles in front, and active, athletic linebackers on either side.

Which brings me to my question. Do we have the defensive tackles to keep blockers off our linebackers so they can make plays with their speed?




[Edited on 8/7/2004 by GumboBC]

[Edited on 11/7/2004 by GumboBC]

[Edited on 11/7/2004 by GumboBC]