Linebacker

 After the defensive line there are the linebackers. Linebackers are the guys who control the front 7. The front 7 are the defensive ends the defensive tackles and the 3 linebackers. The normal 3 linebacker set usually goes like this there are the outside linebackers. These guys control the gap between the defensive tackles and the defensive ends. They can also be an outside pass rusher. 2 great examples of outside linebackers are the Chicago Bear's linebacker Lance Briggs then there is also the Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Demarcus Ware. Next is the middle linebacker this guy will tell everyone else where to go. He is usually the leader for the front seven. A great 2 great examples of this are the San Francisco 49ers's Patrick Willis and there is also Navarro Bowman. Bowman is on the same team as Willis. Now there are different ways to line up your front 7 there could also be 2 defensive tackles, your 2 defensive ends and a nose tackle. That would leave two inside linebackers for the defense. The linebackers are also a hybrid like the defensive ends. The linebacker is a basically a hybrid between defensive tackles and defensive backs that is why you can see some variations with smaller and faster linebackers or bigger not as fast ones too. You could also see a middle point one where that player would have some size and some speed to him. Line backers are also skilled players because they have to be able to recognize pass and run. If it is a run they need to be able to get the runner or if it is a pass they need to be able get to their cover some or be able to cover one of the backs or a wide receiver or tight end and all of this is happening during the play so it does involve thinking. Linebacker is a very important position.