Football - What the heck is a linebacker?

[Angel Tarragon]

Okay I had a dream a couple of mornings ago (Yeah I am sleeping during the day) that I just started college, but managed to get on the football team. I was playing the linebacker - if such a thing even exists. Right as the first game started I drifted away from the dream, then came back to it after the game was over. Anyway, is there such a position as a linebacker? If so what is their responsibility to the team?

 

[Crothian]

They are on the defense. THe simplistic answer is they are the second line of defnes. The defensive line is the big guys up front, the linebackers are sometimes smaller but always more mbile guys that get lots of tackles. They cover a lot of the field.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Thanks for peace of mind Croth, it was driving me crazy!

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

Yes Linebacker is a posistion in football (assuming you mean Real, American Football) & not that wussy, 0-1 sissy stuff the rest of the world call 'football'

In fact, teams have multiple Linebackers.

Try This

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Yes Linebacker is a posistion in football (assuming you mean Real, American Football) & not that wussy, 0-1 sissy stuff the rest of the world call 'football'

Yeah, I mean real american football.

In fact, teams have multiple Linebackers.

Try This

Wow, great piece of info to know. You know it is weird, I have never even heard of linebackers before my dream. This kinda scares me.

 

[loki44]

They play multiple roles. Typically they defend short yardage passing plays, usually covering a tight end or a running back coming out of the backfield. They fill gaps on running plays and often spy the quarterback to make sure he is contained. They also blitz in certain situations.

 

[kenobi65]

Most of the really, well, scary players on the defensive side of the ball are linebackers, particularly middle linebackers. They need to be fast, be able to hit hard, and take a lot of punishment.

Some linebackers that even someone who might not really follow football might have heard of:
- Ray Nitschke (Green Bay Packers, 1960s)
- Dick Butkus (Chicago Bears, 1960s/70s)
- Jack Lambert (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1970s)
- Ted Hendricks (mostly Oakland Raiders, 1970s)
- Lawrence Taylor (New York Giants, 1980s)
- Mike Singletary (Chicago Bears, 1980s)
- Junior Seau (San Diego Chargers / Miami Dolphins, 1990s-2000s)
- Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens, 2000s)
- Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears, 2000s)

 

[LeapingShark]

Linebackers are the superstars of defense. The big money players.

From another website:

Linebackers are a special breed. They like to torture small animals, drink blood and eat children for breakfast. These guys are the "enforcers" of the defense. Their job is to make sure that nothing good happens for the offense in the middle of the field, and that the running back has trouble sleeping tonight due to his many bruises and pains.

 

[nerfherder]

Yes Linebacker is a posistion in football (assuming you mean Real, American Football) & not that wussy, 0-1 sissy stuff the rest of the world call 'football'

Real, American football? Is that like rugby football, but with all the brave players wearing body armour?

Cheers,
Liam