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The middle or inside linebacker (MLB or ILB), sometimes called the "Mike" or "Mac", [15] is often referred to as the "quarterback of the defense". [16] 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 linebacker (MLB) [ edit ] Sometimes called the inside linebacker, especially in a 3–4 defense , and known colloquially as the Mike linebacker, the middle linebacker is often known as the quarterback of the defense, since they are frequently the primary defensive play callers and must react to a wide variety of situations.
Thomas returned as the starting middle linebacker under head coach Dave Wannstedt and started alongside outside linebackers Derrick Rodgers and Morlon Greenwood. [43] On December 29, 2002, Thomas collected a season-high 16 combined tackles (11 solo) in the Dolphins' 27–24 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 17. [44]
Pittsburgh Steelers middle linebacker Jack Lambert (58) lines up during Super Bowl X as Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (12) prepares for the snap, Jan. 18, 1976, at the Orange Bowl. in Miami.
Butkus was an obvious choice for the NFL’s 75th anniversary all-time team. In 2001, Sports Illustrated’s Paul Zimmerman named Butkus the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history. When NFL ...
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., last year's Big 12 defensive freshman of the year, has opened up spring practice at middle linebacker. But don't "pigeonhole" the talented incoming sophomore yet ...
Holcomb entered the 2022 season as the Commanders' starting middle linebacker. [13] He missed four games with a knee injury before being placed on injured reserve on November 25, 2022. [14] On December 5, 2022, Holcomb underwent foot surgery, ending his season. [15] He finished the 2022 season with 60 tackles and one pass deflection over seven ...
[3] Although not the creator of the middle linebacker position—which is credited to his predecessor Bill George—Butkus is recognized as having defined the role. [2] [63] He is also recognized for having set the benchmark for the success of Bears middle linebackers, which continued with Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. [68]