Saints' linebackers (all of 'em)

GumboBC · 03-01-2005, 07:34 AM

I recently started a thread on Courtney Watson and I think it was misunderstood and I also think I did a poor job of stating my opinion. So, I want to talk about ALL of our LBs for a sec.

But, before I talk about any of the individual players we have at LB, I want to talk about the importance and differences of each spot.

Weak side linebacker 4-3
The weak side backer is the second best playmaker on the defense usually. He has a little further to go at times to make plays but is often left unaccounted for in the blocking scheme. Many big play linebackers come from this position because they are allowed to freelance more and flow to the play with less traffic to fight through. A good strong side backer makes a perfect set up man for the WLB when he clogs the play and forces the ball carrier back to the middle. The WLB generally has fewer responsibilities than other front 7 positions. He is responsible for shutting down the reverse and closing up cut back lanes against the run while most of his pass responsibility amounts to keeping tabs on relief valve receivers like backs on swing passes or short back side screens. One side note when it comes to outside backers in the NFL, some teams have gone to right and left side linebackers where instead of switching sides based on strength of formation, the defenders remain on the same side and responsibility changes with the formations.

Strong side linebacker 4-3
Here is where we answer the question of why a strong side linebacker struggles to produce in the box scores. At a glance it would make more sense that since teams run to the strong side more often, the strong side backer should make more plays. It all goes back to the description of formations. While its true that teams run to the strong side more often, the reason they do so is to take advantage of the additional blocker or blockers. A strong side backer often finds himself at the point of attack which means the offensive blocking scheme has accounted for him with at least one blocker, often a TE or fullback, but sometimes a pulling guard is responsible for taking him out. The main responsibility of this position against the run is to defeat or at least eliminate the blockers at the point of attack so that the runner has to alter his course by cutting up early or stringing out toward the sideline. In concept this is to allow pursuit from the safeties and/or other linebackers to bottle up the runner. Against the pass a strong side backer is usually responsible for the tight end or fullback out of the backfield. Chances are if there isn't a TE or FB, the defense will be in a nickel formation where the SLB position is basically eliminated. Some schemes take advantage of a SLB who is a good pass rusher by leaving him free to blitz instead of dropping into coverage when the TE releases into the pass pattern. If a strong side linebacer is on the field in obvious passing situations he must possess the speed to be able to cover the tightends. Examples are: Lavar Arrington in Washington, Rosevelt Colvin last year in Chicago, Jamir Miller the year before last for the Browns and to a lesser degree Mark Fields in Carolina.

Middle linebacker 4-3
This is the ultimate position of all the linebackers because all defensive schemes are designed to funnel plays to the middle of the field. The MLB is protected from blockers by the tackles who make it tough for either the center or guards to get off the line. Miami's defense does this as well as any in the game, keeping Zach Thomas free from blockers while forcing ball carriers toward him. Ray Lewis is probably the NFL's premier linebacker. He is able to flow to the play and pile up the tackle numbers. At the snap of the ball the middle backer will look for keys that tell him if the play is pass or run. His first read is the offensive line. A pass blocking offensive lineman will stand up out of his stance as opposed to a run blocker who fires out to engage the defender. Offenses have tricks such as draw plays to disguise their blocking schemes so there are reads beyond the initial line movement. Pass coverage responsibilities will depend on the cover scheme called but once run is diagnosed, the MLB has a single assignment, get to the ball carrier.

Okay, hopefully everyone agrees with the description of all the linebacker positions in the 4-3 defense??

There's been much talk on this board about the OLB being the most important LB on the field. However, that is not true.

In fact, the OLB has the easiest job of any of the linebackers. He has less blockers to worry about and his play generally depends on how well the SLB sets up the play for him. He might pile up great stats, but that's becasuse he's playing in space and doesn't have to worry about much.

I'm going to leave it at that for a while and hopefully we can get some good opinions on the linebacker positions in general....

03-01-2005, 07:34 AM	#1
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	Saints' linebackers (all of 'em) I recently started a thread on Courtney Watson and I think it was misunderstood and I also think I did a poor job of stating my opinion. So, I want to talk about ALL of our LBs for a sec. But, before I talk about any of the individual players we have at LB, I want to talk about the importance and differences of each spot. Weak side linebacker 4-3 The weak side backer is the second best playmaker on the defense usually. He has a little further to go at times to make plays but is often left unaccounted for in the blocking scheme. Many big play linebackers come from this position because they are allowed to freelance more and flow to the play with less traffic to fight through. A good strong side backer makes a perfect set up man for the WLB when he clogs the play and forces the ball carrier back to the middle. The WLB generally has fewer responsibilities than other front 7 positions. He is responsible for shutting down the reverse and closing up cut back lanes against the run while most of his pass responsibility amounts to keeping tabs on relief valve receivers like backs on swing passes or short back side screens. One side note when it comes to outside backers in the NFL, some teams have gone to right and left side linebackers where instead of switching sides based on strength of formation, the defenders remain on the same side and responsibility changes with the formations. Strong side linebacker 4-3 Here is where we answer the question of why a strong side linebacker struggles to produce in the box scores. At a glance it would make more sense that since teams run to the strong side more often, the strong side backer should make more plays. It all goes back to the description of formations. While its true that teams run to the strong side more often, the reason they do so is to take advantage of the additional blocker or blockers. A strong side backer often finds himself at the point of attack which means the offensive blocking scheme has accounted for him with at least one blocker, often a TE or fullback, but sometimes a pulling guard is responsible for taking him out. The main responsibility of this position against the run is to defeat or at least eliminate the blockers at the point of attack so that the runner has to alter his course by cutting up early or stringing out toward the sideline. In concept this is to allow pursuit from the safeties and/or other linebackers to bottle up the runner. Against the pass a strong side backer is usually responsible for the tight end or fullback out of the backfield. Chances are if there isn't a TE or FB, the defense will be in a nickel formation where the SLB position is basically eliminated. Some schemes take advantage of a SLB who is a good pass rusher by leaving him free to blitz instead of dropping into coverage when the TE releases into the pass pattern. If a strong side linebacer is on the field in obvious passing situations he must possess the speed to be able to cover the tightends. Examples are: Lavar Arrington in Washington, Rosevelt Colvin last year in Chicago, Jamir Miller the year before last for the Browns and to a lesser degree Mark Fields in Carolina. Middle linebacker 4-3 This is the ultimate position of all the linebackers because all defensive schemes are designed to funnel plays to the middle of the field. The MLB is protected from blockers by the tackles who make it tough for either the center or guards to get off the line. Miami's defense does this as well as any in the game, keeping Zach Thomas free from blockers while forcing ball carriers toward him. Ray Lewis is probably the NFL's premier linebacker. He is able to flow to the play and pile up the tackle numbers. At the snap of the ball the middle backer will look for keys that tell him if the play is pass or run. His first read is the offensive line. A pass blocking offensive lineman will stand up out of his stance as opposed to a run blocker who fires out to engage the defender. Offenses have tricks such as draw plays to disguise their blocking schemes so there are reads beyond the initial line movement. Pass coverage responsibilities will depend on the cover scheme called but once run is diagnosed, the MLB has a single assignment, get to the ball carrier. Okay, hopefully everyone agrees with the description of all the linebacker positions in the 4-3 defense?? There's been much talk on this board about the OLB being the most important LB on the field. However, that is not true. In fact, the OLB has the easiest job of any of the linebackers. He has less blockers to worry about and his play generally depends on how well the SLB sets up the play for him. He might pile up great stats, but that's becasuse he's playing in space and doesn't have to worry about much. I'm going to leave it at that for a while and hopefully we can get some good opinions on the linebacker positions in general....
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616