Read and destroy. Quite a job description, isn’t it? Anyhow, it fits very well the role of a linebacker, as long as the statement is adequately expanded: read the offense, destroy their game. As the real backbone of any defense, linebackers are both in charge of supporting the defensive line by making tackles, defending the runs and covering passes at any range. In other terms, linebackers are the missing links between the scrimmage and the endzone, between the frontline and the rearguard artillery. Most importantly, linebackers are supposed to keep the defense tight by filling the gaps and bring support to any crucial situation that occurs on the field. Not exactly the lightest responsibility you would think of!
What is a Linebacker:
As the word itself says, a linebacker is a defender who plays as a backer behind the scrimmage, usually lining up 3 or 5 yards behind the defensive line, with the aim of defending the runs but also to play a key role in pass coverage. Starting from this somehow favorable position, linebackers stand out as the multiple-tasking defenders on the field, being from time to time eligible to engage the quarterback, the runners, or the receivers. In general, there are two main types of linebackers:
INSIDE LINEBACKER: it wouldn’t be wrong to call it the defensive quarterback. In a classic 4-3 formation, with two outside linebackers, the inside, single linebacker is often called “Mike” and is the on field-coordinator of the system. He can blitz, cover, steps back in pass coverage and, above all, check on the quarterback, in a highly tactical, real man-to-man, duel. NFL watchers should by now be familiar with the Green Dot: It’s a symbol on the Mike’s helmet, and it is on him only, signaling that this player is provided with a microphone, to receive orders from the coach and to call the defensive play to the teammates. In a 3-4 formation, there are generally two complementary middle linebackers, who share the duty of putting up a 360 degree defense by combining their characteristics. Anyways, in any country, at any level, with or without an electronic communicator, the Mike is the pulsating beat of a defense, and his influence, both on the teammates and the opponents, can make the difference between victory and defeat.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: playing on the Mikes’ side, outside linebackers are supposed to back him up by controlling the side threats coming from the offense. Usually, in a classic 4-3 formation (4 defensive linemen, 3 linebackers), outside linebackers are divided into Sam Linebacker (strong side) and Will Linebacker (weak side), referring to their position with respect to the opposite Tight End. These players must face different threats at any snap, from lead blockers to running backs, from tight ends to wide receivers, so they are requested to manage a lot riding on their shoulders. Needless to say, the mental aspect is the indispensable requirement for playing in such a position: they are just asked to be wherever it’s necessary and not to miss the shot.
Key Responsibilities
Communicating to other defenders: the linebackers are responsible for ensuring the pre-snap alignment and to spot any flaw in the defensive formation. Any mistake in doing so is potentially lethal.
Stopping the runs: aggressiveness for filling the gaps and closing the ways to the runners is fundamental. Blocking the running game is essential to put pressure on the offense, forcing it to take extra risks and making its strategy more predictable.
Defending the passes: either in a man-to-man coverage on tight ends, or in a zone cover, linebackers are asked to have the highest operational range on the field. It implies neutralizing all the menaces coming from the sky, in strict cooperation with cornerbacks and safeties.
Blitzing: the pinnacle for any linebacker. Blitzing is the epitome of an ultra-aggressive defensive strategy, that aims at mining Offense’s confidence, other than causing important yard losses. Whenever a linebacker puts a successful pressure on the quarterback and lays him down multiple times, this result directs the match sometimes in an irreversible way.
Position on the field:
Linebackers can take different pre-snap positions according to various types of formation, here are some examples:
3-4 front: three defensive linemen, four linebackers (two outside, two inside) aligned right behind. This formation is both potentially effective on the pass defense and on blitzing, since it somehow disguises where the fourth rusher will come from
4-3 front: perhaps the most common defensive formation of all, it classically employs four defensive linemen and three linebackers (the already mentioned Mike, Will and Sam)
4-3 under: same as above regarding the personnel, the difference is represented by the Sam position, who typically aligns with the defensive line, right opposite to the Tight End.
4-6: not very much used nowadays in professional and college football, this formation put an emphasis on overcrowding the front line, with an eight- men- in -the- box setup (four defensive linemen, three linebackers, one strong safety, all very close to the scrimmage). Namely, while the defensive line is drastically shifted to the weak side, covering the no-tight-end area, outside linebackers are both aligned on the strong side, ready to bring extra pressure on the quarterback or the runners. Of course, such a line-up is way less effective for spread formations and multiple receivers since it tends to overcrowd the near-to-scrimmage area.
4-4: four defensive linemen and four linebackers are on field at the same time, with the purpose to make it difficult for the offense to identify where the pressure comes from and when the defense blitzes. Again, it is quite a rare and certainly more run-oriented defense, which demands a lot from linebackers in terms of versatility.
Skills required:
Athleticism: a noteworthy combination of speed, power and agility is pivotal to be effective in this role, where explosiveness is the ticket to enter the arena and dominance just wins you the best seats.
Versatility: a linebacker must be a very-well balanced recipe, with all the ingredients in their place, since he will be likely in charge of facing the most various game situations that could occur on the gridiron. Either facing a ridiculously quick runner or covering a 60-yard bomb for the receiver is a super hard task, and a LB is requested to be ready to both.
Decision making. After the snap, especially when the defensive scheme goes completely south in a bunch of seconds, a good call can make the difference. Any linebacker is supposed to decide as quick as his legs could run. Thinking out of the box and taking risks, also to score a big defensive play, is another very appreciated quality which sets the difference between anordinary Linebacker and a Hall of Famer.
Leadership: football is not an individual sport, but defensive football is more. It is all about unity and coordination. Whose is the voice that reminds it to the teammates, before and after the snap? Who is supposed to hold the lines when everything falls apart? Who is to be both the director and the scriptwriter of such an intricate mechanism? Who makes other defenders better by leading them? Quite possibly, a top linebacker.
Famous linebackers
Lawrence Taylor: The guy who changed it all. Taylor has been nothing but the never-seen-before phenomenon of the late 80s-early 90s era, when he became a real nightmare for every NFL offensive coordinator and forced them to model their strategy on his presence on the field. In his 12-year career with New York Giants, his disruptive trademark can be summarized by his ground shaking 1986 season: 20.5 sacks certify an otherworldly dominance over the opponents and a real instinct for the football. No wonder he won the Super Bowl, and he was awarded as Best Defensive Player in that very year. Born to blitz, bound for glory!
Ray Lewis: arguably the most charismatic linebacker of the early 2000’s, Ray Lewis was the defensive commander for Baltimore Ravens, winning two Super Bowls in 2000 and 2013 and becoming the symbol of the city. The Florida native immediately gained a solid reputation as an intimidating, but also very agile middle linebacker, being both a spectacular tackler and a remarkable ball-interceptor. Above all, his over-the-top personality (go check his “squirrel dance” before any game!) and his strong ethics, towards the sport, the fans, and the teammates, carve him a privileged place in Ravens’ history and put him necessarily in the restricted group of NFL top linebackers of all times.
Jack Lambert: Dracula played football, and he did it for the Steelers! In the 70’s, behind the almighty defensive line known as the Steel Curtain, was one of the most feared defenders of his era. Due to his peculiar look – he had four upper teeth missing and always refused to wear a denture during matches, just to look scarier! – and his combination of speed, size and raw talent, Jack Lambert became a revolutionary figure in that period, transcending the limits of a Mike as a mostly run-support player and redefining the boundaries of the role, with his unprecedented athleticism. A true iconic hero for a legendary dynasty.
Top Linebackers in IFL 2024
Alex Ferrari/Diego Rinaldi (Guelfi Firenze): The dominant, Tuscany-based duo can’t be treated separately, since it is the spine of a brilliant, multi-talented defense. Some figures to the evidence of that: at Week 9, Guelfi are first in the league for both rushing (34.5 average yards allowed per game) and passing (136.8 average yards allowed per game), and second for sacks (12 in total, 91 lost yards). Born in Bolzano, Alex Ferrari has a consolidated reputation as top class defender, switching effortlessly from IFL to EFL (his prestigious resume includes, other than Guelfi, Giants Bolzano and Tirol Riders) and bringing a lot of experience and tactical acumen to Firenze. Diego Rinaldi had his baptism of fire in EFL with Seamen Milano in 2023, after losing to them in the 2022 Italian Bowl, and is now back to Firenze to make up for that loss, stronger, maturer, and more determined than ever.
Filippo Tamburrino (Frogs Legnano): the sack master is here and plays for Legnano. As one of the most promising prospects in a very young team like Frogs, Tamburrino is the real Quarterback hunter of IFL 2024, having scored 7 sacks up to Week 9 and standing out as an instinctual and impactful defender. The sensation is that the best is yet to come for this Linebacker/Defensive End (he combines the key skills for both the roles), whose maturity, other than his effectiveness and his taste for spectacular performances, will definitely play a crucial role in the upcoming games for Frogs.
Jaylin Parnell (Parma Panthers): from Western Oregon University, Jaylin Parnell is the X factor of Parma’s defense. His athleticism and his agility are excellent and allows him to come out victorious in many one-on-one matchups, being also an outstanding solo tackler. Moreover, he seems to have an important offensive attitude too, playing as running back and scoring crucial points. His potential for turnovers and key plays will need to explode to make Panthers competitive for the Championship.
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