The goal of the WILL in this defense is to attack and play downhill, especially in run defense. The WILL’s primary gap is the backside ‘B’ gap but that can change depending on the offensive play call.
The WILL is the most athletic linebacker on the field so this position will almost always be on the weakside of the line. Let’s look at the WILL in two parts now, starting with run defense. For me on why the WILL lines up behind the three technique, click here for an article I wrote on this the other day. He also says that he almost always will line up behind the three technique defensive tackle. Matt Eberflus defines his WILL backer as the most athletic player on the field. Getting to both the MIKE and the WILL now and things get a bit more complex.
#Linebacker position free#
Here the SAM ( Matthew Adams) is lined up in the under look and gets a free rush on the edge for the would be sack on the play. The diagram shown before this clip is actually straight out of a Tony Dungy playbook which is one of the defenses that heavily influenced how Matt Eberflus draws up plays. This is used either when the offense they are facing is in a run heavy look or the defense just wants to get creative with match-ups and potential blitz from this spot. The under look basically lines the SAM up on the line of scrimmage and essentially gives the defense a 5-2 look rather than the typical 4-3. The key distinction in where the SAM lines up typically depends if the defense is playing with an over look or an under look. They are responsible mainly for the ‘B’ gap behind the nose tackle but that responsibility can shift down depending on the offensive formation and how the play is blocked. The SAM is typically the strong side backer in a typical base defense look. Starting with the least important position of the group, we are looking at the SAM linebacker. Today, I am going to go position by position in this linebacker group and break down what their roles, responsibilities, and expectations are in this defense. Outside of knowing who the players are and their position in the defense, what are their exact roles on the defense? What are the differences in expectations from the SAM linebacker and the WILL linebacker? Led by All-Pro Darius Leonard, this group has been among the best in the league for the past two seasons. The strength of this Indianapolis Colts’ defense since the beginning of 2018 has been the linebacker core.
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