AFC News 'N' Notes -- Week 6

OLD HEAD · 10-10-07, 01:08 PM

AFC News 'N' Notes -- Week 6

2007, Week 6, 10/09/2007

AFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTE

NFL LINEBACKERS POSTING THE PICKOFFS

With Week 6 approaching, NFL linebackers are on a rapid pace.

Due to an offensive surge of utilizing running backs and tight ends in the passing game, linebackers are more and more serving in the dual role of run-stopping and pass coverage.

That transition has produced another result – increased interceptions by linebackers.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator DICK LE BEAU, who directs the league’s top-ranked defense, has seen the transition at the position.

“The linebacker has taken on more roles in recent years,” says the 48-year NFL veteran. “Linebackers are always going to be important regardless of who is lining up.”

Through Week 5, NFL linebackers have recorded 36 interceptions and are on pace to total 115, which would be the most in 26 years. New England linebacker JUNIOR SEAU last week at age 38 became the oldest player in history to make two interceptions in one game.

Below is a look at the top five seasons of interceptions by linebackers since 1980 and the linebacker with the most interceptions each season:

YEAR
TOTAL INTs BY LBs
LB INT LEADER/TEAM
INTs

1981
146
Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh
6

1980
142
Al Richardson, Atlanta
7

1984
108
Keena Turner, San Francisco
4

1983
106
Lance Mehl, NY Jets
7

1985
104
E.J. Junior, St. Louis
5

The Kansas City Chiefs’ DONNIE EDWARDS, who leads active linebackers in interceptions (28), has seen a change at the position since he entered the league in 1996.

“When I was a rookie, there were a lot of big linebackers, guys who were more defensive linemen who played tackle-to-tackle,” says Edwards.

“Today, with the evolution of offenses and the ability of tight ends and running backs to be bigger threats in the passing game, linebackers have had to evolve, too,” he says. “Now, you’re seeing more versatile players, guys who can stop the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage. Linebackers had to evolve to do more things and now you’re seeing more guys at the position who are truly every-down players

10-10-07, 01:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
OLD HEAD SCI Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: JOISY !! Posts: 1,554	AFC News 'N' Notes -- Week 6 AFC News 'N' Notes -- Week 6 2007, Week 6, 10/09/2007 AFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTE NFL LINEBACKERS POSTING THE PICKOFFS With Week 6 approaching, NFL linebackers are on a rapid pace. Due to an offensive surge of utilizing running backs and tight ends in the passing game, linebackers are more and more serving in the dual role of run-stopping and pass coverage. That transition has produced another result – increased interceptions by linebackers. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator DICK LE BEAU, who directs the league’s top-ranked defense, has seen the transition at the position. “The linebacker has taken on more roles in recent years,” says the 48-year NFL veteran. “Linebackers are always going to be important regardless of who is lining up.” Through Week 5, NFL linebackers have recorded 36 interceptions and are on pace to total 115, which would be the most in 26 years. New England linebacker JUNIOR SEAU last week at age 38 became the oldest player in history to make two interceptions in one game. Below is a look at the top five seasons of interceptions by linebackers since 1980 and the linebacker with the most interceptions each season: YEAR TOTAL INTs BY LBs LB INT LEADER/TEAM INTs 1981 146 Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh 6 1980 142 Al Richardson, Atlanta 7 1984 108 Keena Turner, San Francisco 4 1983 106 Lance Mehl, NY Jets 7 1985 104 E.J. Junior, St. Louis 5 The Kansas City Chiefs’ DONNIE EDWARDS, who leads active linebackers in interceptions (28), has seen a change at the position since he entered the league in 1996. “When I was a rookie, there were a lot of big linebackers, guys who were more defensive linemen who played tackle-to-tackle,” says Edwards. “Today, with the evolution of offenses and the ability of tight ends and running backs to be bigger threats in the passing game, linebackers have had to evolve, too,” he says. “Now, you’re seeing more versatile players, guys who can stop the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage. Linebackers had to evolve to do more things and now you’re seeing more guys at the position who are truly every-down players __________________ SHOW NO EMOTION
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