It's Chapter Four of ASoB’s season preview. Today we preview all the new faces at inside linebacker.
Evolving offenses have forced defenses to change over the years. One change in particular is the physical traits and roles of inside linebackers. It wasn't long ago that inside linebackers were run-stoppers first and foremost. Today's modern offenses still necessitate the need for run-stopping linebackers, but now also require more athleticism to counter spread offenses. Generally speaking, they may sacrifice size relative to linebackers ten years ago, but today many linebackers post forty times comparable to receivers and running backs - not just tight ends.