57 replies to this topic

[Dash Global]

One of the big question marks is who is gonna start and where. Looking purely at ability / strategic standpoint who is really the best suited to play the MLB, WLB, SLB.

First thing we need to do is fully understand the roles and differences between the 3 LB positions.


Middle Linebacker

The middle linebacker (MLB), sometimes called "Mike," is often referred to as the "quarterback of the defense". 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. A jack-of-all-trades, the middle linebacker can be asked to blitz (though they often blitz less than the outside linebacker), cover, spy the quarterback, or even have a deep middle-of-the-field responsibility in the Tampa 2 defense. In standard defenses, middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles. The middle linebacker covers the "curl to flat"

Strongside Linebacker

The strongside linebacker (SLB) is often nicknamed "Sam" for purposes of calling a blitz. Since the strong side of the offensive team is the side on which the tight end lines up, or whichever side contains the most personnel, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end. Often the strongside linebacker will be called upon to tackle the running back on a play, because the back will be following the tight end's block. He is most often the strongest linebacker; at the least he possesses the ability to withstand, shed, and fight off blocks from a tight end or fullback blocking the backside of a pass play. The linebacker should also have strong safety abilities in pass situation to cover the tight end in man on man situations. He should also have considerable quickness to read and get into coverage in zone situations.

Weakside Linebacker

The weakside linebacker, or the "Will", must be the fastest of the three, because he is often the one called into pass coverage. He is also usually chasing the play from the backside, so the ability to maneuver through traffic is a necessity for the Will. The Will usually aligns off the line of scrimmage at the same depth as Mike. Because of his position on the weakside, the Will does not often have to face large interior linemen one on one unless one is pulling. In coverage, the Will often covers the back that attacks his side of the field first in man coverage, while covering the weak flat or hook/curl areas in zone coverage. In a 3-4 defense the "Will" Linebacker plays on the "weakside" of the two middle Linebacker positions and a 4th Linebacker comes in to play the weakside. Known as a "Rush", "Rover", "Jack" and/or "Buck" Linebacker, their responsibility is more pass rush based but often is called into run stop (gap control) and pass coverage.

Now we need to examine our options.

John Beason 6ft 237lbs
40 yrd dash: 4.72
20 yrd dash: 2.72
10 yrd dash: 1.60
Bench: 19 reps
Broad Jump: 111 inches

Thomas Davis 6'1ft 230lbs
40 yrd dash: 4.60
20 yrd dash: 2.71
10 yrd dash: 1.64
Vertical: 36.5
Broad Jump: 115 inches
Shuttle: 4.01
3 Cone: 7.10

James Anderson 6'2ft 229lbs
40 yrd dash: 4.59
20 yrd dash: 2.68
10 yrd dash: 1.57
Vertical: 41.
Broad Jump: 121 inches
Shuttle: 4.08
3 Cone: 6.68

Luke Kuechly 6'3ft 242lbs
40 yrd dash: 4.58
Bench: 27 reps
Vertical: 38
Broad Jump: 74 inches
Shuttle: 4.12
3 Cone: 6.92

With the players we have I feel we are best served with Kuechly playing the WIL. He is pretty fast and has pretty good coverage abilities not to mention great pursuit. Keep Beason on in the middle. Have Anderson and Davis play the SAM.

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[teeray]

I think we will be best served by where ever Ron Rivera thinks Keuchly should play

[thunderraiden]

Lol "Jone" Beason...

[beach]

Beason & Kuechly are interchangeable given the situation. Our staff mentioned they're looking into having these guys shift around. I think our staff will be creative with the defense they've built. I'm not trying to be a dick, well maybe, but I think you're diving wayy too deep into absolutely nothing here

[Ivan The Awesome]

This is actually an interesting thread Dash. I had to make sure it was you before re-reading it..

[Dash Global]

Beason & Kuechly are interchangeable given the situation. Our staff mentioned they're looking into having these guys shift around. I think our staff will be creative with the defense they've built. I'm not trying to be a dick, well maybe, but I think you're diving wayy too deep into absolutely nothing here

Not to sure about that.

I think Kuechly is superior to Beason in pass coverage and is def faster.

[TopCat]

The great Dash Global ladies and gentleman.

[beach]

Not to sure about that.

I think Kuechly is superior to Beason in pass coverage and is def faster.

I'm just going by what Ron said in his presser

[Marguide]

Think you might want to double check Luke's broad jump. 74" can't be right.

I like JA a lot but never realized he was so athletic. Those are pretty impressive numbers.

[Swaggasaurus]

Good post dash. I agree with that line up kuechly has the broad jump of a fourth grader tho

[Dash Global]

Think you might want to double check Luke's broad jump. 74" can't be right.

I like JA a lot but never realized he was so athletic. Those are pretty impressive numbers.

Which is why JA does pretty good as a SAM imo

Kuechly - WIL
Beason - MIKE
Anderson / Davis - SAM

I dont really like the idea of Beason at the WIL.....

[pantherclaw]

Beason will be the mike linebacker if he's cleared to start. His experince in the NFL trumps any rookie's pre snap read.
That puts our rookie outside, unless beason doesn't start at the beginning of the season.
This puts Anderson baxk in the position he had his breakout year, and puts Kuechly on the other side.

[Lout]

Davis playing the SAM is a no-go. I doubt his knee would anchor well against a TE and OT.. it'd probably buckle easily. Plus TD has never been the strongest guy. TD only had 12 bench reps at his pro day.. obviously he is stronger now, but the fact remains, he is not really SAM material. James Anderson had like 36 reps.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Luke's broad jump was 10' 3"...10 x 12 = 120...add 3 to that, and it's 123". Or, more than the other 3 LB's.

Although, Jon Beason's stats may be different than this John Beason character.

[Dash Global]

Beason will be the mike linebacker if he's cleared to start. His experince in the NFL trumps any rookie's pre snap read.
That puts our rookie outside, unless beason doesn't start at the beginning of the season.
This puts Anderson baxk in the position he had his breakout year, and puts Kuechly on the other side.

I dont really care about Beason's experience in the MIKE, as I think Kuechly could be inserted there and play great as well.

Im more concerned / interested in given our players abilities and strengths, in what position would the benefit the team the most.