Editing Linebacker (section)

==Types==
===Middle linebacker===
[[File:Football-Formation-LB.svg|thumb|A base [[4–3 defense]] with the middle linebacker in blue]]
<!-- linked from redirect [[Mike linebacker]] -->
The '''middle'''  linebacker ('''MLB'''), sometimes called the "Mike" or "Mac",<ref name="BostonGlobe">{{cite news |last=Zimmer |first=Ben |date=September 9, 2012 |title=How Sam, Mike and Will Became Football Positions |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2012/09/08/how-sam-mike-and-will-became-football-positions/URHq2XoAdviKJYZLQfbKNK/story.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |location=[[Boston]]}}</ref> is often referred to as the "[[quarterback]] of the defense".<ref>{{cite web |author=JW Nix |date=August 30, 2011 |title=NFL Defensive Quarterbacks: The 10 Best Middle Linebackers in Football Today |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/826932-nfl-defensive-quarterbacks-the-10-best-middle-linebackers-in-football-today |access-date=October 5, 2013 |publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> Often it is the middle linebacker who receives the defensive play calls from the sideline and relays that play to the rest of the team, and in the NFL he is usually the defensive player with the electronic sideline communicator.  Middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles.

A [[Jack of all trades, master of none|jack-of-all-trades]], the middle linebacker can be asked to blitz (though they often blitz less than the outside linebacker), cover, spy the [[quarterback]], or even have a deep middle-of-the-field responsibility in the [[Tampa 2]] defense.  

===Outside linebacker===
The '''outside linebacker''' ('''OLB''') is usually responsible for outside containment. This includes the strongside and weakside designations below. They are also responsible for blitzing the quarterback. They also have to perform pass coverage in the [[Flat (gridiron football)|flats]] – sometimes called a drop. Outside linebackers pass coverages covers quick [[Slant route|slants]] outside, [[Route (gridiron football)#Curl|curls]], and [[Route (gridiron football)#Flat|flat]] [[Route (gridiron football)|routes]]. 

====Strongside linebacker====
The strongside linebacker (SLB) is often nicknamed the "Sam" for purposes of calling a [[Blitz (gridiron football)|blitz]]. Since the strong side of the [[offensive team]] is the side on which the [[tight end]] lines up, or whichever side contains the most personnel, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end. Often the strongside linebacker will be called upon to tackle the [[running back]] on a play because the back will be following the tight end's block. He is most often the strongest linebacker; at the least he possesses the ability to withstand, shed, and fight off blocks from a tight end or fullback blocking the backside of a pass play. The linebacker should also have strong [[Safety (American football position)|safety]] abilities in pass situation to cover the tight end in man on man situations. He should also have considerable quickness to read and get into coverage in zone situations.

====Weakside linebacker====
The weakside linebacker (WLB), or the "Will" in 4–3 defense must be the fastest of the three, because he is often the one called into pass coverage. He is also usually chasing the play from the backside, so the ability to maneuver through traffic is a necessity for the Will. The Will usually aligns off the [[line of scrimmage]] at the same depth as Mike. Because of his position on the weakside, the Will does not often have to face large interior linemen one on one unless one is pulling. In coverage, the Will often covers the back that attacks his side of the field first in man coverage, while covering the weak flat in Texas Loop or hooks/curl areas in zone coverage.

=== Inside linebacker ===
The terms ''middle'' and ''inside'' linebacker ('''ILB''') are often used interchangeably;<ref>{{cite book |last=Bradley |first=Michael |title=Football All-Stars: The Nfl's Best |date=2003 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |isbn=0823936902 |page=55}}</ref> they are also used to distinguish between a single middle linebacker playing in a [[4–3 defense#Linebackers|4–3 defense]], and two inside linebackers playing in a [[3–4 defense#Linebackers|3–4 defense]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Weisman |first=Larry |date=August 5, 2008 |title=Mayo leaning on 'old guys' to pick up Pats system on the fly |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/patriots/2008-08-05-mayo_N.htm |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> In a 3–4 defense, the larger, more run-stopping-oriented linebacker is usually still called "Mike", while the smaller, more pass protection/route coverage-oriented player is called "Will".<ref name="May2021">{{cite web |last=May |first=Jeffrey |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Why is a linebacker called Mike? What does this mean? |url=https://en.as.com/en/2021/11/18/nfl/1637194760_140628.html |accessdate=January 23, 2023 |work=[[Diario AS]]}}</ref> "Mikes" usually line up towards the strong side or on the side the offense is more likely to run on (based on personnel matchups) while "Wills" may line up on the other side or even a little further back between the defensive line and the secondary.<ref name="May2021" />

=== Buck ===
In a 3–4 defense, the weakside linebacker sometimes plays a hybrid role as a pass rushing, defensive end who stands up. He is sometimes called the backside linebacker, or "Buck", as well as other names like Joker, Jack or Bandit.<ref name="BostonGlobe" /> A notable player in this role was [[Kevin Greene]].