Depth Chart

[stormie]

Under the [b]defense[/b], what the heck is "WILL, MIKE and Sam" ??

I hope that isn't a dumb question because I sure don't know what it is. I know the players and their positions but never heard that before.

[FlaccoFlicker]

[quote name='stormie' date='03 August 2010 - 03:13 PM' timestamp='1280862832' post='443960']
Under the [b]defense[/b], what the heck is "WILL, MIKE and Sam" ??

I hope that isn't a dumb question because I sure don't know what it is. I know the players and their positions but never heard that before.
[/quote]
i threw up some depth chart reports in the training camp reports thread

[PuRock]

[quote name='stormie' date='03 August 2010 - 03:13 PM' timestamp='1280862832' post='443960']
Under the [b]defense[/b], what the heck is "WILL, MIKE and Sam" ??

I hope that isn't a dumb question because I sure don't know what it is. I know the players and their positions but never heard that before.
[/quote]

They are linebacker positions.

"The middle linebacker is designated "Mike" and two outside linebackers are designated "Sam" and "Will" according to how they line up against the offensive formation.'

[FlaccoFlicker]

I so ddnt understand your question OP sorry boout that.

[stormie]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='03 August 2010 - 03:20 PM' timestamp='1280863201' post='443968']
I so ddnt understand your question OP sorry boout that.
[/quote]

That's ok

thanks guys. I had never heard that before....still learning.

[theFRANCHISE]

There is also a "Jack" LB, who serves as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker; examples include Terrell Suggs, DeMarcus Ware, and Adalius Thomas. And then there's a "Rover" LB, who serves as a hybrid strong safety/linebacker; there aren't many true Rover LBs at the pro level, as it's more of a situational position than a full-time position. Guys who play similar roles as the Rover, though, include Dawan Landry and Troy Polamalu.

[XxSizzleXx]

Sam is the strong side while Will is the weak side, just to clarify for ya stormie.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='03 August 2010 - 04:22 PM' timestamp='1280866942' post='444002']
Sam is the strong side while Will is the weak side, just to clarify for ya stormie.
[/quote]
Yep.

[u][b]M[/b][/u]ike = [u][b]M[/b][/u]iddle Linebacker
[u][b]S[/b][/u]am = [u][b]S[/b][/u]trongside Linebacker
[u][b]W[/b][/u]ill = [u][b]W[/b][/u]eakside Linebacker

[The Raven]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='03 August 2010 - 04:09 PM' timestamp='1280866148' post='444001']
There is also a "Jack" LB, who serves as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker; examples include Terrell Suggs, DeMarcus Ware, and Adalius Thomas. And then there's a "Rover" LB, who serves as a hybrid strong safety/linebacker; there aren't many true Rover LBs at the pro level, as it's more of a situational position than a full-time position. Guys who play similar roles as the Rover, though, include Dawan Landry and Troy Polamalu.
[/quote]

I thought the jack was the second ILB, next to the Mike?

Our defensive depth chart has some confusing terminologies... What's the difference between a DT and a DE in our system?

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='The Raven' date='03 August 2010 - 07:30 PM' timestamp='1280878244' post='444094']
I thought the jack was the second ILB, next to the Mike?

Our defensive depth chart has some confusing terminologies... What's the difference between a DT and a DE in our system?
[/quote]
I've heard the outside guys like Suggs referred to as a Jack LB on commentary so I ran with it. I also assumed the was bred from former Steelers outside linebacker Jack Ham.

In terms of a DT and DE, the terminology refers more to the gap that the player attacks on the line.

[The Raven]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='03 August 2010 - 07:52 PM' timestamp='1280879524' post='444116']
I've heard the outside guys like Suggs referred to as a Jack LB on commentary so I ran with it. I also assumed the was bred from former Steelers outside linebacker Jack Ham.

In terms of a DT and DE, the terminology refers more to the gap that the player attacks on the line.
[/quote]

I guess that just depends on the defense. I've heard the outside guys as Will and Sam, and the inside guys being Jack (or Ted), and Mike.

The reason I was asking is, the DT usually plays the 3 tech, and the DE plays the 5 tech, if I'm not mistaken. Under this alignment, it would sound more like playing a 4-3 base... trying not to start another debate on the subject though. Unless, we're playing a base 3-4 under, if you're familiar with Madden.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='The Raven' date='03 August 2010 - 07:57 PM' timestamp='1280879873' post='444119']
The reason I was asking is, the DT usually plays the 3 tech, and the DE plays the 5 tech, if I'm not mistaken. Under this alignment, it would sound more like playing a 4-3 base... trying not to start another debate on the subject though. Unless, we're playing a base 3-4 under, if you're familiar with Madden.
[/quote]
Before I proceed, here's a quick rundown of what we're talking about when referring to "technique" (or, where the lineman is positioned on the field) for the benefit of those unfamiliar with the terminology:
0-technique = lined up over the center
1-technique = lined up between the center and guard (or 'A' gap)
2-technique = lined up over the guard
3-technique = lined up between the guard and offensive tackle (or 'B' gap)
4-technique = lined up over the offensive tackle
5-technique = lined up between the offensive tackle and tight end (or 'C' gap)
6-technique = lined up over the tight end OR on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle if no tight end
And so on and so forth.

You're correct, the DT and DE would traditionally play the 3-technique and 5-technique, respectively, in a base 4-3. I think, however, that designation of DT and DE in our system also is in reference to the responsibilities that the player may take on when playing with a hand down. It's all a bit confusing and I never truly paid attention to how our guys were lined up, as the snap of the ball is so quick that it's difficult to discern which technique is played.

[The Raven]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='03 August 2010 - 09:09 PM' timestamp='1280884153' post='444140']
Before I proceed, here's a quick rundown of what we're talking about when referring to "technique" (or, where the lineman is positioned on the field) for the benefit of those unfamiliar with the terminology:
0-technique = lined up over the center
1-technique = lined up between the center and guard (or 'A' gap)
2-technique = lined up over the guard
3-technique = lined up between the guard and offensive tackle (or 'B' gap)
4-technique = lined up over the offensive tackle
5-technique = lined up between the offensive tackle and tight end (or 'C' gap)
6-technique = lined up over the tight end OR on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle if no tight end
And so on and so forth.

You're correct, the DT and DE would traditionally play the 3-technique and 5-technique, respectively, in a base 4-3. I think, however, that designation of DT and DE in our system also is in reference to the responsibilities that the player may take on when playing with a hand down. It's all a bit confusing and I never truly paid attention to how our guys were lined up, as the snap of the ball is so quick that it's difficult to discern which technique is played.
[/quote]

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for clearing things up!
I've noticed from watching, that we typically have a 1 tech, 3 tech, and two 5 techs. That second 5 tech is usually played by our Rush LB who is Suggs in most cases. So, it seems to be sort of a 4-3 alignment, with 3-4 personnel, and fundamentals. Though, I have noticed many different alignments, that's the most frequent formation I notice.

[ed.s52]

A lot of the big hitting safeties are used a Rover especially in heavy blitz/run packages and sometimes on the goaline.

One safety I'm pretty sure will be a Rover, although FS isn't out of the question, is Taylor Mays for the niners.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='ed.s52' date='03 August 2010 - 09:33 PM' timestamp='1280885615' post='444148']
A lot of the big hitting safeties are used a Rover especially in heavy blitz/run packages and sometimes on the goaline.

One safety I'm pretty sure will be a Rover, although FS isn't out of the question, is Taylor Mays for the niners.
[/quote]
I can see Taylor Mays filling that role. But yeah, the Rover LB position isn't a full-time position at the pro level; you see more of it in high school and college. It's a way of getting extra mileage out of a guy who's great in run support but isn't big enough to play LB full-time and isn't strong enough in coverage to be by themselves. In today's NFL, it's more common in situational packages and a lot of Strong Safeties have made their name off of that role.

[stormie]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='03 August 2010 - 09:09 PM' timestamp='1280884153' post='444140']
Before I proceed, here's a quick rundown of what we're talking about when referring to "technique" (or, where the lineman is positioned on the field) for the benefit of those unfamiliar with the terminology:
0-technique = lined up over the center
1-technique = lined up between the center and guard (or 'A' gap)
2-technique = lined up over the guard
3-technique = lined up between the guard and offensive tackle (or 'B' gap)
4-technique = lined up over the offensive tackle
5-technique = lined up between the offensive tackle and tight end (or 'C' gap)
6-technique = lined up over the tight end OR on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle if no tight end
And so on and so forth.

You're correct, the DT and DE would traditionally play the 3-technique and 5-technique, respectively, in a base 4-3. I think, however, that designation of DT and DE in our system also is in reference to the responsibilities that the player may take on when playing with a hand down. It's all a bit confusing and I never truly paid attention to how our guys were lined up, as the snap of the ball is so quick that it's difficult to discern which technique is played.
[/quote]


This is the some of the stuff I'm trying to learn. Like most fans who never played football I think I am always so busy trying to follow that ball that I miss out on the design/formation.

Very fascinating really, thanks.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='stormie' date='04 August 2010 - 08:28 AM' timestamp='1280924917' post='444307']
This is the some of the stuff I'm trying to learn. Like most fans who never played football I think I am always so busy trying to follow that ball that I miss out on the design/formation.

Very fascinating really, thanks.
[/quote]
I never played, but I absorbed everything from watching practices back in high school and talking to coaches and whatnot. Plus, I used to be an NFL Network junkie during summers in high school and would be a sponge during NFL Total Access and Film Session.

It's amazing the appreciation you have for the game when you learn just a little bit of the X's and O's and then you put yourself in the mindset of a player on the field. The biggest reason why guys who have played the game say an outsider would never understand, is because your vision inside the helmet is limited and each position on the field is unique. Because your body is doing so many different things at once in conjunction with the mental aspect, it's all stuff that would blow your mind unless you've played a position.