What Are The Sam, Mike & Will Linebackers In Football?

Posted on May 15, 2024

by Run Glasgow

---

Football is a complex ballet of attack and resistance; every player in position has to perform to ensure success. This explains why quarterbacks attract the attention of spectators, but a strong defense is characterized by great linebackers. These are the athletic soldiers who form the backbone of a defense, and they demand strength, speed, and intelligence.

Knowing the linebacker positions and their respective roles helps one appreciate the strategic brilliance behind a well-coordinated defense. So gear up for some linebacker talk!

The Backbone of the Defense: Defining Linebackers

Positioned a few yards off the defensive line, the linebackers serve as a second line of defense. Their main responsibility is to prevent opposing offenses from gaining yardage, either by stopping running plays or in coverages whereby they defend against passes thrown by opponents.

But here’s the thing: Linebackers cannot be specialists at one tackle, as they have to adapt to how they act depending on the opponent’s formation and play call. It helps them:

• Stuffing Run: Linebackers can leap into gaps at full speed and make stops behind scrimmage lines by quickly identifying the hole an off-ball runner is heading towards.
• Dropping Back Coverage: At times, linebackers become very useful in pass coverage too, wherein if they backpedal, he might go over defensive tight ends, or else running backs emerging from the backfield could even blitz pass rusher quarterbacks, thereby spoiling passing play.
• Relaying Calls and Adjustments: Middle linebackers are considered “quarterbacks” of defenses because they relay decisions based on offensive formations that teammates use.

The Three Faces of Fury: Different Linebacker Positions

Yet all linebackers do share the same core responsibilities as mentioned above; there are three separate positions within this unit, namely:

Sam Linebacker (Strongside Linebacker):

• Definition: Generally speaking, this is where Sam linebacker is lined up.
• Responsibilities: Preventing run plays is the chief goal for Sam linebacker. They must be adept at shedding blocks and have good tackling skills to take down ball carriers. On passing plays, they might also be required to blitz the quarterback.
• Traits and Skills: The first trait of Sam linebackers is their size, which is usually bigger than that of the other two linebacker positions. As a result, they have strong upper bodies capable of holding off blockers, as well as enough speed to get across the field to chase down runners.

Mike Linebacker (Middle Linebacker):

• Definition: Being at the center of a defense and its leader earns Mike Linebacker the nickname “the quarterback of a defense.”
• Responsibilities: On every play from scrimmage, the mike signals coverages, checks defensive assignments, makes adjustments based on offensive alignment, and reads offenses for the linebackers who control the front seven.
• Traits and Skills: A high football IQ is a trait that all Mike linebackers have, which enables them to grasp intricate defensive schemes and make fast choices. This means they must also be well-rounded athletes with the right mix of bulkiness, velocity, and tackling capability.

Will Linebacker (Weakside Linebacker):

• Definition: The linebacker on the weak side of the field lines up opposite the tight end’s position.
• Responsibilities: Compared to Sam linebacker, Will linebacker’s role is more diverse. Such responsibilities could include stopping run plays, protecting against running backs or tight ends in coverage, as well as blitzing quarterbacks.
• Traits and Skills: In most cases, Will linebackers are the fastest and most athletic group among the three positions. They need enough speed to cover the tracks of halfbacks and receivers across empty grounds, but they should still think quickly to choose appropriate steps.

Decoding Coverage: Who Guards Whom?

Each linebacker position has a specific role during pass coverage:

• Sam Linebacker: The strongside linebacker (Sam) usually lines up opposite from the tight end (on the “strong side” of the formation). For example, his main responsibility in coverage will be going against tight ends or running backs who go out for passes. However, in some formations, they might be responsible for cover zone defense by dropping back deep, while others may even man-mark slot receivers.
• Mike Linebacker: He is referred to as a middle linebacker because he acts as a core member of the defense team. Mike’s job in coverage becomes multiple roles at once. At times, they could drop into the underneath zone right in front of other zones, serving like last resort defenders against intermediate throws beneath them. They could also exert pressure on the play by rushing towards the quarterback during the ball’s snap. Their coverage assignment often varies depending on how the offensive lineup appears pre-snap.
• Will Linebacker: Normally, the weakside linebacker lines up farthest from the tight end. Their coverage assignments might include mirroring a running back out of the backfield, playing zone defense in an area, or blitzing during passing downs. Will linebackers are typically very fast and agile, making them ideal for covering elusive running backs and tight ends in man-to-man defenses.

Stopping the Run: A Wall of Tackles

Run defense is another crucial responsibility for linebackers. Here’s how each position tackles the challenge:

• Sam Linebacker: Sam acts as a boundary setter on a defense, so it has one of the main roles in run support. They primarily set the edge to prevent outside runs, forcing the ball carrier into Mike, the defensive front mouthpiece. To catch runners out wide and get after them, these players need to show good strength against offensive tackles.
• Mike Linebacker: His role as a defensive quarterback involves filling gaps to prevent any runner from escaping unnoticed. They have to quickly read plays and determine where they will go, just like quarterbacks do when reading defenses before snaps. One key point is that they must also be sure tacklers since they frequently meet opposing ball carriers at the line of scrimmage.
• Will Linebacker: Will plays multiple roles in run-stopping for his team. He may be required sometimes to stun offensive linemen by shooting through holes or sack an attacking quarterback directly from behind the line of scrimmage. This enables him to chase runners off tackle around flanks or even scrape-fill side zones laterally along the sidelines.

From the Field to the Spotlight: Linebacker Legends

Now that we know their positions, let’s see some action from these linebackers.

Outstanding Sam Linebackers and Their Consequences:

• Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants): A natural whirlwind, Lawrence Taylor redefined the Sam linebacker position with his raving pass rush and ability to close down tight ends. His blend of speed and strength earned him the nickname “LT” along with a place in the NFL Hall of Fame.
• Derrick Brooks (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): A cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense when they were dominant in the early 2000s, Derrick Brooks epitomized what it meant to be a complete Sam linebacker. He could shut down tight ends, blitz the quarterback, or play sideline-to-sideline run defender; as a result, he was named Super Bowl MVP in 2003.

Essential Attributes for Mike Linebackers:

• Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens): Ray Lewis is among the greatest linebackers who ever lived, as he possesses leadership qualities and defensive insight that make up an outstanding Mike linebacker. He could call plays at line scrimmage, recognize offensive schemes, and stop opposing running backs in their tracks.
• Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers): Luke Kuechly was a tackling machine who had a habit of studying opponent plays, which turned out to be his biggest strength while playing for the Carolina Panthers defense unit for quite a few years. His football mind and instincts make him dangerous for other teams.

Remarkable Will Linebackers’ Performances:

• Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia Eagles): In his early years, Brian Dawkins played as a ball-hawking safety but later switched to Will linebacker which demonstrated exceptional athleticism and the ability to create scoring opportunities. He was disruptive in coverage, getting interceptions while constantly blowing up runs.
• Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks): Bobby Wagner is a tackling machine with speed rivaling modern-day Lance Lambert. Similar to Lance Lambert, Bobby Wagner serves as an all-around backer, capable of hitting ball carriers on any part of the field while simultaneously covering drops from scrimmage. They have completely altered this Will linebacker position by using their abilities to make an impact on offense, special teams, and defense. His leadership qualities and football IQ establish him as one of the best linebackers in this era.

Conclusion

In conclusion, linebackers are among football’s unsung heroes for their roles in defense in addition to team dynamics. Knowing exactly what is behind Sam, Mike, and Will linebackers shines a light on defensive intricacies. These athletes, who do everything from stopping runs to guarding passes, must show the versatility and skill necessary for a successful defense. Make sure you watch out for them during games; they may take over!