He was the SAM linebacker. In Carroll's 4-3 defense the SAM linebacker played on the line of scrimmage on the same side as the tight end.
Pretty sure all SAMs play on the same side as the TE in a 4-3. It’s the strong side.
He was the SAM linebacker. In Carroll's 4-3 defense the SAM linebacker played on the line of scrimmage on the same side as the tight end.
That's correct.Pretty sure all SAMs play on the same side as the TE in a 4-3. It’s the strong side.
So what was KJ Wright in Carroll’s 4-3?He was the SAM linebacker. In Carroll's 4-3 defense the SAM linebacker played on the line of scrimmage on the same side as the tight end.
If I remember correctly, KJ has played both the WILL and SAM Linebacker positions at various times. I also believe he played some Mike Linebacker his rookie season.So what was KJ Wright in Carroll’s 4-3?
Which is kind of the premise of the whole thread. People are arguing while using outdated terms. DE/OLB are both terms that mean different things, but some of the responsibilities have become interchangeable in today's game. The more people argue, the more confusing it gets.![]()
Yes, for most of his career, he was the WILL. However, his first start in his rookie year was at MIKE replacing an injured David Hawthorne. Later that season he was moved to SAM, replacing Aaron Curry who was later traded to Oakland. In 2012 the starting linebackers were Leroy Hill (WILL), rookie Bobby Wagner (MIKE), and KJ Wright at SAM. In 2013 Malcolm Smith replaced Leroy Hill at WILL. In 2014 KJ moved to WILL linebacker and Bruce Irvin became the starting SAM. KJ remained at WILL until 2020 when he was moved back to SAM to replace an injured Bruce Irvin and Jordyn Brooks became the WILL linebacker.All defenses sort of work together. Bruce was a SAM and was a LB. He had run fit responsibilities and coverage responsibilities. It's really not that different from what Nwosu/Mafe/Taylor/Hall are asked to do today. The only real difference is when Bruce was on the field you know what he was going to do on a particular side of a play.
KJ was a WILL. He was practically a MIKE linebacker towards the middle 2010s because of how much nickle the team played.
With Jordyn Brooks back at practice, I'm looking at the roster and I have to admit after 50 years watching football I don't know who's a DE and who's a LB any more. We have guys like Mafe, Taylor, Nwosu, Bush, Hall, Jones, and even now safeties are pretending to be linebackers and I don't even know what's a 3-4 or a 4-5 or a 5-2 or-2-12 or any of the rest. We're a 3-4 with 4-3 concepts or a 4-3 with 3-4 concepts or a 2-11 with 8-4 concepts. Who the heck knows. Guys are playing somewhere between 1 and 5 gaps.
I actually read up on the difference between a 1 tech and a 9 tech, and thought a I had that sorted out, but I went to Snopes and it turns out the claims were considered false.
Please, don't try to explain it to me, because I'm hopeless. I'd just like to know I'm not the only one struggling to keep up.