the strong side linebacker lines up at middle linebacker.
the strong side linebacker lines up at middle linebacker.
where does the strong side linebacker line up?
middle linebacker
as in the 3–4 defense there are two outside linebackers in the 4–3. these outside backers are known as the strong-side and weak-side linebackers. the strong-side, or "sam" linebacker, is so named because he typically sticks to the strong side of the defense, across from the tight end. the "sam" does his fair share of blitzing, however he also needs to play the run and take on blockers, making him a bigger linebacker on average than the weak-side linebacker. he will usually be relied upon to cover the tight end or potentially a back out of the backfield. anthony barr is a prototypical "sam" linebacker. the weak-side, or "will" linebacker, will generally play on the weak side and has more freedom than the other lbs, often blitzing the quarterback or guarding against the screen. he also has heavy coverage responsibilities, making a good number of today's will linebackers former safeties. lavonte david is a prototypical "will" linebacker.
4–3 defense
he made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the seahawks' season-opener at the san francisco 49ers and recorded five combined tackles during the 33–17 loss. wright earned the start at middle linebacker in place of hawthorne, who was inactive due to a knee injury. on september 22, 2011, wright began practicing at weak side linebacker with the first team defense in practice. it was suspected he had supplanted aaron curry as the starting strong side linebacker after curry had a dismal performance where he dropped a crucial interception in the second quarter of the seahawks' 24–0 loss to the pittsburgh steelers in week 2. the next day, defensive coordinator gus bradley announced there a competition between wright and curry for the job as the starting strong side linebacker. on october 2, 2011, wright earned his first career start at strong side linebacker after matt mccoy started the previous week. he recorded two solo tackles in the 30–28 loss to the atlanta falcons. although he earned the start, he shared playing time with curry, with curry receiving more snaps. the following day, head coach carroll stated that the competition for the starting strong side linebacker job between both players remained open.
k. j. wright