Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

I've been wondering for a while now what makes certain players better fits for various positions within the Patriots system? What I've gathered myself in my years of listening to Chris Collinsworth and other faux football authorities...

WILB vs. SILB
SILB, called Jack, must take on guard, fullback, pulling tight end, a very physically demanding position (Tedy Bruschi). WILB, aka WILL, is the one who needs to be more of the playmaker (but needs to be better in coverage?) (Jerod Mayo).

LOLB vs. ROLB
I believe in last years defense Vrabel was primarily LOLB and Thomas was ROLB. Or do they line up strong/weak as well? I assume the one who lines up over the tight end should be better in coverage, other side the better pass rusher? No?

LCB vs. RCB
In 2006 and 2007 Hobbs (RCB) and Samuel (LCB) never switched sides. Are there skills that are better suited to play the LCB, on the receiver the QB sees first? At OTAs the CB pairings were Bodden (LCB) & Springs (RCB) and Butler (LCB) & Wheatley (RCB). What characteristics make those players better for one side or the other?

LT vs. RT
Belichick said on EEI that Vollmer looks a lot like a Right Tackle. What does that mean?

LG vs. RG
The Pats ran for over a 1000 yards behind Logan Mankins alone in 2008. He's a LG, don't teams traditionally run more to the right side?

XWR vs. ZWR
Belichick also said Brandon Tate looks like an X WR. I know the Patriots offense asks players to play a variety of roles, and all WR would be asked to play all receiver positions, but what makes a player like Tate an X?

Just some questions I've been kicking around for a while, anyone have any insight? Corrections?

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

I always thought of Mike, Sam and Will referring to a 4-3 (Mike=Middle LB, Sam=Strong side LB, and Will=Weak side LB), but not having as much relevance to a 3-4 defense; perhaps one of the other x's-and-o's guys here can either back me up or shoot me out of the water?

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

I think SILB=SAM. MLB in a 4-3=MIKE. A few years back Bru played WILB and SILB had more rotation.

I always thought it was to simplify the position. But maybe some skills are better on one side. Like jamming from the RCB.

RG Stephen Neal was on the PUP list. He didn't play until week 7. That might be part of it.

I don't know the difference.

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

I'll give it a try. I am sure others will pitch in as well.

WILB vs SILB (aka Will (Jack vs Mike)

Most teams run to their their right-side. Why? Because the TE usually lines up there and that is another run blocker. Plus teams select different players on the Offensive line that way. The RT is usually a bigger run blocker than the LT. Similarly the same pattern tends to apply with the RG.

As a consequence the Defense's left ILB and left OLB, the SILB and SOLB, must be prepared to defend the run more often than the guys on the other side. So SILBS are more run defenders than pass defenders or chasers in the run game. They must stop the run right at them. The converse applies to the WILB

LOLB vs SOLB (aka Will vs Sam)

As above the SOLB or left OLB usually has more run plays directed in his direction. So he has to be a good run defender, perhaps at the cost of his pass rushing ability.

Conversely the LOLB or WOLB or right OLB faces fewer rushes in his direction. So teams tend to put their best pass rushers there. Besides if the WOLB succeeds in his pass rush, the right handed QBs may not see him coming, leading to fumbles.

LCB vs RCB

Just as the SOLB and SILB see more run plays at them the Left CB is going to see more runs aimed his way. Teams tend to put their better anti-run CBs on the left side.
Conversely the RCB sees fewer runs his way so he can be a poorer run defender. As far as passes are concerne, I don't think it makes much difference between RCB and LCB

LT vs RT

Since the defenders usually put their best pass rushers on the right side, the offense counters by putting their best pass defenders on their left side, opposite them. LT make more money than any other linemen because of their responsibility to shut down the opponents best pass rusher. Conversely the RT is more a run blocker and usually a little bigger, but not as good a pass rush defender.

I hope this helps. Notice I was mealy mouthed and said "usually" a lot. There are no hard and fast rules here, only predictable tendencies.;)

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

Great stuff, thank you! Seems like it all makes pretty good sense.

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

as an expansion note to the OP's post about WILB and SILB, tedy now plays SILB, but used to play WILB pretty much his whole career...

ted washington was the SILB, hence worse pass defense, but much better run defense....

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

you mean Ted Johnson...

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

Here you go cupcake-

Linebacker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


As for the CB's and offense...just do a little research-it;s def. not rocket science.

You want to make sure your meatballs have a brain and can cover and adjust though...

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

A couple of notes to add:

Vrabel was said to be particularly good at jamming the TE on his routes. That would naturally lead to using him on the strong side. Well, that and his size to stand up against the run. (Conversely, he was said to be particularly good as a TE at getting off of a jam. Hence his value as a red-zone TE.)

A successful rush from the QB's blind side is more damaging than a successful rush from the side he's facing. Hence the premium on putting the best pass rusher and best pass blocker on that side.

Re: Left vs. Right, Strong vs. Weak
 

Yes, when Vollmer was drafted instead of Beatty, I thought the choice was to go with a right-side offensive lineman, which we need much more than another left side player. Personally I am fine with Light, LeVoir, Mankins, Koppen and either Hochstein or Johnson, manning LT, LG and C.

The right side is weaker, as is the case with most passing teams.

LEFT VS RIGHT SIDE OF THE OL

Given a right handed quarterback, most offenses put a TE on the right side, with stronger runblockers at RG and LG than on the left side. Also, while everyone's #1 priority is to protect the QB, this is more so for LT and LG.

A couple of years we had an extensive discussion on this subjest. Many concluded that the footwork required on the left side, perhaps making the transition from LT to LG an easy one, but a transition from LT to RG much more difficult. Similarly, there is often talk of a RT moving to RG, but rarely discussions of moving from RT to LG.

That being said, the patriots try to minimize the difference between the sides, other than the obvious need for the LT to protect the QB's blind spot.

FINALLY
The top lineman in a college line is usually the LT which is why so many enter the league, and also why so many switch. In looking for a LG, it is better to have a top LT from college than a mediocre LG. Also centers are sometimes top talents and can project to center/guards as in this years draft. For example, I would never question whether Koppen can play guard (or Woody before him or Hochstein or Johnson).