[Husker] Re: Possible impact players (recruiting related)

[Patrick Weigel]

In article <12d.557d25e4.2f379e62 at aol.com>, HuskersNY at aol.com wrote:

In a 4 - 3 defense, you have (in general) three linebackers. One plays 
in between the other two, and is called the Middle linebacker. One other 
plays across from the tight end, and is called the Strong linebacker 
(the TE side of the offense is called the Strong side). The last 
linebacker plays on the side where the TE isn't, and is called the Weak 
linebacker (the side of the offense without the TE is called the Weak 
side).

Each coaching staff has their own terminology. Some time ago a lot of 
staffs renamed the Strong, Middle, and Weak linebackers to Sam, Mike, 
and Will (S = Strong = Sam, M = Middle = Mike, W = Weak = Will). 
Personally I think this was to avoid calling someone the Weak 
linebacker, but I don't really know.

You need slightly different skills at each position. For example the 
Mike LB will probably be more of a run stopper than a pass coverer, so 
he will tend to be a little bigger and slower.

As far as I know, they don't differ from the LB's of five years ago, 
it's just a terminology change.

Now if you want to know the difference between the LB's in a 4 - 3 and a 
5 - 2, you'll need to talk to someone who knows a lot more than me.

>  
> I hate to ask stupid questions, but I've failed at figuring this one  out on 
> my own.  Can someone please explain to me about Mike and Will  Linebackers?  
> When did they get these names?  Why?  How do they  differ from linebackers 
> of, 
> say, 5 years ago?  thanks!
>  
>