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Some teams keep their outside linebackers on the same side of the field at all times while others define them as playing on either the "strongside" (SLB) or the "weakside" (WLB). The strongside, or "Sam", linebacker lines up on the same side as the offensive tight end and often is responsible for covering the tight end or running back on pass ...
The middle or inside linebacker (MLB or ILB), sometimes called the "Mike" or "Mac", [15] is often referred to as the "quarterback of the defense". [16] Often it is the middle linebacker who receives the defensive play calls from the sideline and relays that play to the rest of the team, and in the NFL he is usually the defensive player with the electronic sideline communicator.
On outside runs such as a sweep, one defensive player (usually a cornerback or outside linebacker) is assigned to keep the rusher from getting to the edge of the play and turning upfield. If executed properly, the rusher will have to turn upfield before the design of the play calls for it, giving the linebackers a better chance of stopping the ...
Edge rusher, also called an edge defender or simply edge, is a term designating a position in gridiron football. The position is used as an alternate term for a pass rushing defensive end or outside linebacker on the defensive line and is sometimes considered its own position entirely. [1]
Outside linebackers. As in the 3–4 defense there are two outside linebackers in the 4–3. These outside backers are known as the strong side and weak side linebackers. The strong side, or "Sam" linebacker, is so named because he typically sticks to the strong side of the defense, across from the tight end. The "Sam" does his fair share of ...
Notice the strong safety in the box and the two outside linebackers shifted to the same side outside of the defensive end. This formation was invented by Buddy Ryan, defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears during the 1980s. Instead of having four linemen and six linebackers (as the name may suggest), it is actually a 4–4 set using 4–3 ...
Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert, right, greets Steelers coach Bill Cowher, left, before a game against Washington, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000, in Pittsburgh — the last game in the ...
The linebacker (LB) positions are straightforwardly distinguished as inside (ILB) and outside (OLB). When there are only three linebackers, the one inside is labeled middle linebacker (MLB), and the outside positions can instead be named as left and right.