Jack-Mike-Sam-Will Help!

[dtm]

Can somebody please help an old school fan understand the current Jack-Sam-Mike-Will terminology? Inside, outside, strongside, weakside. Prototypical body sizes, height, etc. Thanks

 

[SoCalDomer]

in the 3-4 defense, Will is the weakside linebacker. Sam is the strongside linebacker. Jack and Mike are the inside linebackers, with Mike being closer to the weakside and Jack being closer to the strongside.

as for the typical size needed to play those positions in the 3-4 versus the 4-3, we'll need someone with more football knowledge than me.

 

[irishfan]

I think DT in the 3-4 should have an ideal size of 300 while the DE's should be anywhere between 270-290. The OLB's (Will and Sam) should be 235-260 (think more athletic DE) while the MLB's (Mike and Jack) should be more in the 225-250 range.

 

[irishmarine]

usually the outside backers in the 3-4 are the pass rushers on passing downs as well. speed is a true necessity there

 

[fitz_bu47]

The defense I played in in college was a 4-4, and the Mike and Sam were the inside backers, Sam Strong, Mike Weak/middle. Then Will was the weakside outside backer, and our strong side outside backer was called our strong safety. As for the 3-4 I trust that these guys are right, the dt/nose needs to be BIG, the D-ends need to be big as well, strong more than weak, and like they said your outside backers need to be able to pass rush and play pass coverage so the athletic skills to do that are more important than a specific size I think. The middle backers just got to be tough athletic guys like they have to be in every defense.

 

[irishmarine]

mike backer = see carlo calabrese

 

[Irishtat]

here's a visual

here's a visual

I found this posted elsewhere... Its an excellent addition to the conversation.

<a href="http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/coachrwalker/?action=view&current=nddepthchartoo9.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/coachrwalker/nddepthchartoo9.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[goldandblue]

nice find!