Some Clarification, Please

[raven43]

I was just wondering exactly what the difference between the two inside linebacker spots are in our defense. I know last year Ray Lewis was the left inside linebacker and Bart Scott was the right inside linebacker. If anyone knows, I would like to know:

What their different responsibilities are
the skill set required for the two different spots
the prototypical size of the two spots (for example, I know Ray Lewis has been bigger than both of the past RILB's T-Good and bart scott)

I would really appreciate if someone could enlighten me, because this is just mostly for when I'm looking at potential draft choices/free agents, and I don't know who would and wouldn't work for us.

thanks

[ZIBBY28]

[quote name='raven43' date='09 August 2009 - 03:16 PM' timestamp='1249845400' post='216891']
I was just wondering exactly what the difference between the two inside linebacker spots are in our defense. I know last year Ray Lewis was the left inside linebacker and Bart Scott was the right inside linebacker. If anyone knows, I would like to know:

What their different responsibilities are
the skill set required for the two different spots
the prototypical size of the two spots (for example, I know Ray Lewis has been bigger than both of the past RILB's T-Good and bart scott)

I would really appreciate if someone could enlighten me, because this is just mostly for when I'm looking at potential draft choices/free agents, and I don't know who would and wouldn't work for us.

thanks
[/quote]
for the most part, there isnt much of a difference between the two ILB spots.. at least thats IMO.. they've always tried to keep Ray free and keep blockers off him, whereas Bart was more of a "thumper," taking on the FB, again, to keep Ray free to make tackles.. again, all in all its pretty much the same in a 3-4, where both ILBs need to be able to move sideline to sideline and make open field tackles when the D-Lineman take up as many blocks as possible

[RoflDogs]

Well, the TED linebacker (Scott, Gooden) has the main responsibility of taking up blockers and is kind of the linebackers who do the dirty work so that the other linebacker (I want to say Mike, but I dont think that is right) will be free to tackle the ball carrier

feel free to correct me if i am wrong

[ZIBBY28]

[quote name='RoflDogs' date='09 August 2009 - 04:17 PM' timestamp='1249849078' post='216904']
Well, the TED linebacker (Scott, Gooden) has the main responsibility of taking up blockers and is kind of the linebackers who do the dirty work so that the other linebacker (I want to say Mike, but I dont think that is right) will be free to tackle the ball carrier

feel free to correct me if i am wrong
[/quote]
well, theres a Mike (middle), Sam (strong), and Will (weak) linebacker in a 4-3, but idk how they classify it in a 3-4.. i guess you could say there's a sam and will, "sam" being on the strong side, but im not positive

[raven43]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' date='09 August 2009 - 04:09 PM' timestamp='1249848546' post='216901']
for the most part, there isnt much of a difference between the two ILB spots.. at least thats IMO.. they've always tried to keep Ray free and keep blockers off him, whereas Bart was more of a "thumper," taking on the FB, again, to keep Ray free to make tackles.. again, all in all its pretty much the same in a 3-4, where both ILBs need to be able to move sideline to sideline and make open field tackles when the D-Lineman take up as many blocks as possible
[/quote]
I don't get it, if TGood/Bart Scott, is smaller and faster than Ray, than why aren't the roles reversed? shouldn't the larger and more physical Lewis be freeing up holes for TGood/Bart Scott?

[RoflDogs]

[quote name='raven43' date='09 August 2009 - 05:09 PM' timestamp='1249852176' post='216921']
I don't get it, if TGood/Bart Scott, is smaller and faster than Ray, than why aren't the roles reversed? shouldn't the larger and more physical Lewis be freeing up holes for TGood/Bart Scott?
[/quote]

It all depends on the scheme, but in the 3-4, you generally need both ILBs to be fast and sideline to sideline

[airhen_813]

Alright in an 3-4 the two ILB'S are called an mike and an will or weak the one on the left is the mike and the one on the right is will. The mike linebacker calls the plays breaks the huddle he is almost like an QB on defense but there really isn't an big difference between the two as far as size they both have to be fast and shed blocks and rush the passer and most importantly tackle the ball carrier

[Aaron]

Its competition between Tavares Gooden and Antwan Barnes to be the other MLB next to Ray, Gooden is winning the battle so far.

[EdReedFTW]

[quote name='Aaron' date='09 August 2009 - 07:05 PM' timestamp='1249859141' post='216959']
Its competition between Tavares Gooden and Antwan Barnes to be the other MLB next to Ray, Gooden is winning the battle so far.
[/quote]

TGood and Jameel McClain, not Barnes. Although it appears Ellerbe might be ahead of McClain at this time.

[ZIBBY28]

[quote name='raven43' date='09 August 2009 - 05:09 PM' timestamp='1249852176' post='216921']
I don't get it, if TGood/Bart Scott, is smaller and faster than Ray, than why aren't the roles reversed? shouldn't the larger and more physical Lewis be freeing up holes for TGood/Bart Scott?
[/quote]
thats what seems like the logical answer, but at the same time, you want to keep one of the best linebackers of all time free to read, roam, and do what he does best
[quote name='EdReedFTW' date='09 August 2009 - 08:42 PM' timestamp='1249864958' post='216999']
TGood and Jameel McClain, not Barnes. Although it appears Ellerbe might be ahead of McClain at this time.
[/quote]
ehh.. i wouldnt say that just yet.. i think they just like putting ellerbe in there as much as possible to see what he's got

[1/28/01]

[quote name='airhen_813' date='09 August 2009 - 07:03 PM' timestamp='1249858981' post='216957']
Alright in an 3-4 the two ILB'S are called an mike and an will or weak the one on the left is the mike and the one on the right is will. The mike linebacker calls the plays breaks the huddle he is almost like an QB on defense but there really isn't an big difference between the two as far as size they both have to be fast and shed blocks and rush the passer and most importantly tackle the ball carrier
[/quote]

What? That was a tough read. Come again????

[BloodRaven]

From what I remember theyre supposed to disguise who the Mike and Will are in our system just like a 3-4 disguises the 4th rusher, this is supposed to throw off run blocking assignments.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='raven43' date='09 August 2009 - 05:09 PM' timestamp='1249852176' post='216921']
I don't get it, if TGood/Bart Scott, is smaller and faster than Ray, than why aren't the roles reversed? shouldn't the larger and more physical Lewis be freeing up holes for TGood/Bart Scott?
[/quote]

I'm not a coach but Ray is a probably the best wrap-up tackler on the team so it makes sense for the ball-carriers to be funneled towards him.

[JoeFlax]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' date='09 August 2009 - 11:31 PM' timestamp='1249878692' post='217063']
thats what seems like the logical answer, but at the same time, you want to keep one of the best linebackers of all time free to read, roam, and do what he does best
[/quote]
agreed that is the logical route but I think they let Ray free to roam because he's got better instincts and experience also.

[SIZZLE4PRESIDENT]

What happened to that linebacker we drafted this year Jason Phillips. I havent heard one word mentioned about him. Has anyone heard anything? Is he hurt?

[T-Sizzle55]

The way I see it the strong side ILB would have to be able take on the run and cover the TE. The weak side ILB would have to be fast enough to cover a slot receiver. We like our other ILB to take on FBs and interior linemen to keep Ray free to do what he does best, tackle the ball carrier. We somtimes even switch our ILBs to mix it up. The better ILB or senior ILB usually plays the strong side. Hope that helps

Personally, I'd keep Jameel McClain as an outside linebacker. He's a terror off the edge and has a lot of power at 250 lbs to fight off linemen. He's played that position since college and has years of experience and a good comfort level there. He seemed to make plays everytime he was on the field at that position, so lets not change what is definately not broke.

I like Antwan Barnes better for the ILB position. He's got the speed for coverage and he looks short when he plays. He just gets swollowed up by O-Linemen and is forced to run around them. Barnes has the low center of gravity and strength to take on lead blocking FBs and bruising running backs and the speed to take on slashers. I think it would smart to use our fastest linebackers, T-Good and Barnes, to roam the middle.

[color="#4B0082"][b][size="4"]Our Depth Chart Right Now[/size][/b][/color]

[b]Inside Linebacker[/b]
Ray Lewis
Tavares Gooden
Jameel McClain
Brendon Ayanbadejo

[b]Outside Linebacker[/b]
Terrell Suggs
Jarret Johnson
Prescott Burgess
Antwan Barnes

[b]Linebacker/Defensive End[/b]
Paul Kruger
William VanDeSteeg

[b]Linebacker[/b]
Jason Phillips
Dannell Ellerbe
Tony Fein

[Kevin Mullins]

Everyone is sort of right throughout here..so i'll just sum it and add some more info.


In a 3-4 scheme you have a Will (weak), Sam (strong), and Mike and Ted backers.

The Will Backer is usually your fastest OLB who deserves the spot so that he can crash down the open end of the LOS to bring backside pressure. They also must be skilled as chase down tacklers (there is a difference)

The Sam Backer is similiar to the Will backer, but he typically has more brute strength and is more disciplined. Discipline is important since many runs go to the strong side and you do not want your Sam backer to evacuate his gap.

The Mike Backer is the leader of your LB corps. He is the best tackler and has excellent sideline-sideline speed. The Mike Backer actually plays about 1 yd deeper than the Ted Backer in many defenses in order to ensure his freedom from OL and FB. The Mike Backers Responsibility is to READ, REACT, RESPOND. See it, chase it and hit it.

THe Ted Backers job is to usually crash the A and B gaps with brute force to disrupt OL holes, lines, and, or empty the backfield of a fullback. The Ted Backer is best fit by younger guys with something to prove, nutcases who just love violence, OR...old guys with little else to offer.

In our Defense it would be

Will- Suggs
Mike- Lewis/Gooden
Ted- Gooden/Ellerbe
Sam- Jarret Johnson/ Paul Kruger

I actually envision Gooden becoming the heir-apparent to Lewis, while ellerbe and phillips battle out for the Ted spot in the coming years.

Kruger will eventually overmatch JJ, and other young guys will fill behind suggs and kruger.

[berad]

[quote name='T-Sizzle55' date='10 August 2009 - 03:26 PM' timestamp='1249932402' post='217229']

[b]Inside Linebacker[/b]
Ray Lewis
Tavares Gooden
Jameel McClain
Brendon Ayanbadejo

[b]Outside Linebacker[/b]
Terrell Suggs
Jarret Johnson
Prescott Burgess
Antwan Barnes

[b]Linebacker/Defensive End[/b]
Paul Kruger
William VanDeSteeg

[b]Linebacker[/b]
Jason Phillips
Dannell Ellerbe
Tony Fein
[/quote]

What is THAT?! ^^^

4 different, ambiguous variations of "linebacker"..

Try this:

LE
RE
LOLB
LILB
RILB
ROLB

Those are positions that actually have some, definable meaning.