Linebackers – Page 3 – Syndication Server

2022 Florida Football Season Preview: Linebackers

Florida may only have six inside linebackers on scholarship but it’s a strong group with both veterans and youth to work with.

After going over the outside linebackers on Tuesday, the next position group up in Gators Wire’s position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Florida Gators football roster are the middle linebackers, or inside linebackers.

This is the more traditional linebacker role and Florida’s scheme calls for two starters — the outside linebackers cover the JACK position that usually lines up with the DL, so that’s why they are separated. Last year’s No. 1 in the position room, [autotag]Mohamoud Diabate[/autotag], transferred to Utah over the offseason, but there’s still a decent amount of depth at the position.

[autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] is the leader of the group and should be the top inside linebacker on the team this year. Florida could have used his elite rushing defense several times in 2021, so he’ll be a major boost to the defense and help guide the younger players below him on the depth chart.

Florida only has six scholarship inside linebackers on its roster, which is a bit low considering the scheme it runs. The good news is most of them are ready for game action and there are outside linebackers, such as [autotag]David Reese[/autotag], that could change positions if the injury bug bites the Gators hard.

Here’s a look at all eight inside linebackers on the 2022 Florida football roster.

Jaguars cut linebacker Tyrell Adams in effort to get under 53-man roster limit

Tyrell Adams was the latest victim of the #Jaguars’ effort to get under the 53-man roster limit this week.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have cut linebacker Tyrell Adams after a disappointing preseason left them with more depth than they could carry onto their 53-man roster. Adams, now in his eighth season in the NFL, was buried on the team’s depth chart as the third-string backup behind Devin Lloyd and Shaquille Quarterman.

Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reported Adams’ release.

He managed just four tackles in the Jaguars first three preseason games before going off for seven in their effort against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. Perhaps his stand-out performance at Mercedes Benz Stadium will be enough to land him another job elsewhere, but it became clear when Jacksonville cut him loose that he would not have an opportunity to show what he could do in Duval County in the regular season.

Adams entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and has played for no less than eight teams over the course of his eight seasons in the league. His longest stint was with the Texans from 2018 to 2020, where he enjoyed moderate success on Houston’s defense as a sporadic contributor.

Now faced with starting from scratch, Adams will look to catch on as a practice squad candidate with a team in need of a veteran linebacker to shore up their defensive depth. His options are likely to be very few as he enters his age 30 season, but with the league’s new expanded practice squad rosters, Adams could potentially carve himself out a meaningful role as a journeyman mentor to younger players.

This move is likely an indication that the Jaguars will roster Shaquille Quarterman this season, though Adams’ fellow third-string backup Chappelle Russell may also be facing the waiver wire or outright release in the near future.

Jacksonville’s deepest part on their roster is the linebacker corps, so moves like this are to be expected as they look to give opportunities to potential regular season contributors at other key positions.

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2022 Husker Breakdown: Linebackers could be among Big Ten’s best

With Luke Reimer, Garrett Nelson and more, the Huskers’ linebackers provide a proven and stable presence that will lead their DC Erik Chinander’s defense

Stability is a beautiful thing in football and that Nebraska’s linebackers in 2022 will bring just that. The group was among the team’s best last season, with three Huskers in the top 16 in the Big Ten in tackles.

The heart and soul of the group was JoJo Domann, who was unsurprisingly drafted by the Indianapolis Colts following a second team All-American recognition from the Associated Press. Domann was elite in every phase of coverage last year but although it sounds far-fetched, there’s potential for the Cornhuskers to completely offset the loss of him.

The starting group is all but locked in, with Caleb Tannor and Garrett Nelson ever-present on the outside pairing with all-Big Ten honorable mention pick Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich on the inside. After switching from a 3-4 to 4-3 look this year, the Huskers may still find a way to put those four on the field for a majority of snaps. Barring injuries or outside circumstances, the quartet will constitute Nebraska’s hallmark this season, plain and simple.

With head coach Scott Frost being a former linebacker himself, former NFL star Barrett Ruud manning the inside linebackers and Mike Dawson, a 4-year NFL coaching vet, coaching the Huskers’ edge rushers, success is to be expected.

That crew went out and landed prized transfer Ochaun Mathis from TCU and his presence on the defensive line adds to the pressure felt by opposing offensive lines. The Huskers didn’t exactly have a edge rusher of his caliber last year and Mathis may line up as a linebacker in a two-point stance on some occasions.

Each starting linebacker brings something different to the table: Tannor is dependable, Nelson plays a large leadership role, Reimer is a tackle machine and Henrich is gifted in the open field. A number of 2nd stringers had impressive practices in the spring and fall so Nebraska’s linebackers may be as deep as they’ve been in years.

Ranking AFC West linebacker tandems

We take a look at how the linebacker tandems stack up in the AFC West

Linebacker may not be the valued position it once was, but having a pair of good ones is still important. And if you don’t, an opposing offense can feast upon that.

Let’s take a look at how the AFC West lines up with regard to their off ball linebackers.

1. Chiefs – Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr

The Chiefs used second round picks in consecutive years on Gay and Bolton and appear to have nailed both picks. After just one full season together, they look like they could be one of the better young linebacker duos in the league. Bolton in particular put up 112 tackles as a rookie last season.

2. Raiders – Denzel Perryman, Jayon Brown

Speaking of tackles, Perryman was a tackling machine last season. Based on his Pro Bowl year in 2021 alone, he is the best individual linebacker in this division. Brown joined the Raiders this offseason after spending the first five years of his career with the Tennessee Titans. He’s coming off a down year, but in the three years prior, he was a solid full time starter for the Titans.

3. Broncos – Jonas Griffith, Josey Jewell

Jewell’s 2021 season ended in the second week. But his 2020 season was his best, putting up 113 tackles. Griffith went undrafted last year out of Indiana State and worked his way into a starting job by the final four games of the season. In the final five games alone, he put up 45 tackles, which translates to 153 tackles over a full season. The Broncos may have something here. Time will tell.

4. Chargers – Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill

The Chargers let their best linebacker, Kyzir White, leave in free agency and he signed with the Eagles. Murray was a first round pick in 2020 and hasn’t exactly burst onto the scene. In fact, he seemed to get worse in his second season, starting just one game over the final seven. Tranquill a is a middle of the road talent. Barring a big leap by Murray in his third season, this tandem looks to be the Chargers’ weakest link on on otherwise pretty good looking defense.

Cowboys Wire 1-on-1: Leighton Vander Esch brings real-life cowboy code to Dallas defense as team leader in ’22

“The Wolf Hunter” on getting in his best shape, reliving the playoff loss, learning the ropes on a real ranch, and who will impress in ’22. | From @ToddBrock24f7

It’s perhaps strange to consider that, at 26, Leighton Vander Esch is already an elder statesman on the Cowboys defense. Yes, cornerback C.J. Goodwin and edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence have already hit the big 3-0. And Devante Bond is technically the team’s oldest linebacker, though he has yet to play a down wearing the star.

But when the wide-eyed rookies come out of a meeting with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn these days, it’s Vander Esch who they’re increasingly looking to for guidance on how to do things the right way. The professional way. The Cowboy way.

Fresh off signing a one-year contract in March that will keep in him in Dallas for a fifth season, Vander Esch sat down with Cowboys Wire for a one-on-one conversation about his new role as a locker room mentor, his expectations for the team this year, which players he feels will take the next leap, how a new offseason regimen has gotten him in the best shape of his life, and how an off-the-field partnership is making him an even better leader on the field.

Where the Ducks stack up among the nation’s best linebacking groups

The Oregon Ducks are loaded at the linebacker position. Where do they stack up among the nation’s best, though?

In their preseason preview, our friends over at Collegefootballnews.com ranked the top 10 linebacker groups in the country. According to the site, the Oregon Ducks linebackers are among of the best in the nation.

Oregon ranks No. 2. Only Alabama’s group is better than what the Ducks will put on the field in 2022. Led by Noah Sewell, who is a favorite to win Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Justin Flowe, one of the highest recruits to ever commit to the program, the Ducks should be an opposing quarterback’s nightmare.

According to CFN, that success depends on whether Oregon can keep everyone on the field.

Is everyone healthy? Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasn’t had any semblance of a break with injuries. He’s ready to go on the outside, and leading tackler Noah Sewell can do it all in the middle. Throw in pro prospect Mase Funa along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and the Ducks are loaded.

Here’s the entire top 10 with some of each team’s linebackers who are scheduled to lead their respective programs.

Poll: What is your biggest worry about the Lions in 2022?

Poll: What is your biggest worry about the Detroit Lions in 2022?

Summer is the season of eternal optimism. And it’s merited in Detroit, where the Lions sure look capable of improving mightily from last season’s dismal 3-13-1 record.

There are a lot of reasons to feel good about the direction the team is heading. But there are also several potential stumbling blocks and concerns with the roster and team.

Based on social media comments and interactions with other fans, these potential issues tend to be the biggest areas of concern for the Lions in this coming season. Which one worries you the most in terms of how it could negatively impact the progress in the second year of the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell regime in Detroit?

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You may vote more than once, just wait an hour. If you choose “other”, feel free to leave a comment on what your biggest concern might be.

PFF ranks Chiefs LB group among NFL’s best

PFF thinks the #Chiefs have the 9th-best linebacker group in the NFL and the second-best in the AFC. Do you agree?

Pro Football Focus thinks that the Kansas City Chiefs have turned the corner at the linebacker position.

The Chiefs’ linebacker corps has been considered a weakness since Derrick Johnson’s contract was voided back in 2017, but Pro Football Focus seems to have some confidence in the unit heading into 2022. In their recent linebacker group rankings, PFF’s Seth Galina ranked Kansas City’s group as the ninth-best in the NFL. Only the Indianapolis Colts have a better ranking among AFC teams.

Here’s what he had to say about the unit:

“A position of concern and potential weakness heading into last season has become a real strength for Kansas City. Nick Bolton and Willie Gay are two young linebackers who came on strong last season. Bolton, then a rookie, produced one of the highest individual grades for a linebacker. Gay hasn’t graded as well but possesses the characteristics to become a top linebacker.”

Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. have turned a position group that was once a weakness into perhaps the defense’s greatest strength in just a few short years. Bolton (22) was ranked in PFF’s young ascending linebacker tier earlier this offseason, but Gay (24) wasn’t mentioned.

While Bolton and Gay are certainly the headliners of this group, the depth of the unit shouldn’t be scoffed at either. You’ve got some intriguing pieces who have starting experience in Jermaine Carter and Elijah Lee. There’s also a trio of rookies in Leo Chenal, Mike Rose and Jack Cochrane who could all end up contributors. Ultimately, one of those depth pieces should end up starting alongside Bolton and Gay in the team’s base defense. Others could contribute as sub-package players, depth, or on special teams.

Is this too optimistic of an outlook for a unit with starters who only have a few years of experience under their belt? Let us know your thoughts on the ranking in the comment section down below.

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Will Anderson, Dallas Turner named in 247Sports’ boldest predictions for 2022

This would be WILD if this prediction came true! Do you think it will happen?

Alabama‘s offense is loaded with talent that includes a Heisman-winning quarterback and some of the top transfers in the nation. The Crimson Tide defense will look to compete for the spotlight, as the group consists of many returning starters from the 2021 season.

Linebacker [autotag]Will Anderson[/autotag] jr. was a fan favorite last season, and many were upset when he did not get the invite to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Well, now he is expected to not just be a Heisman hopeful, but also be a prospective No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

He will not be alone on the defensive front, however. [autotag]Dallas Turner[/autotag] is a rising sophomore outside linebacker that is expected to gain national attention in 2022.

247Sports’ Brad Crawford recently shared 10 of his boldest predictions for the 2022 college football season, and the Anderson-Turner duo made the list.

Crawford’s bold prediction for the two of them is that they will combine for over 30 sacks.

“Alabama’s outside linebacker group is absurd this season as one of the nation’s most impressive rooms overall. The Will Anderson-Dallas Turner duo combined for 26 sacks and 41 tackles for losses last season. Anderson is college football’s best defensive player and Turner is a rising superstar. Anderson was so dominant in Alabama’s spring game in April against a makeshift offensive front limited by injuries that head coach Nick Saban had to bench him at one point to give Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young time to throw. Anderson played 2.5 quarters and managed two sacks, both coming over a three-snap stretch in the first half.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow updates and predictions regarding the Alabama Crimson Tide over the 2022 college football offseason.

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Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Chiefs’ Brendan Daly explains his move to linebackers coach

Brendan Daly’s move to #Chiefs linebackers coach is not so different from Greg Lewis’ move to running backs coach a year ago.

When former linebackers coach Matt House left the Kansas City Chiefs to become defensive coordinator at LSU, the team opted for an in-house replacement in Brendan Daly.

Daly had coached the defensive line in Kansas City for the past three seasons and was also named the defensive run game coordinator a season ago. Why the sudden change in heart with Daly deciding to switch coaching positions? Speaking to the media at OTAs last week, Daly revealed the factors that went into his decision.

“You know, there were a number of things,” Daly explained. “We lost a really good coach in Matt House. I was kind of interested in evolving a little bit, challenging myself in doing something that was a little bit out of my comfort zone. I think that’s how you get better. I think that’s how you grow and improve. That was a big part of it from my perspective. I felt like there were some things that I could add to the group and some continuity that we can maintain with that transition as opposed to having someone from the outside coming in. We were fortunate enough to bring Joe Cullen onto the staff who you just met with I think, and it all worked out really well. I’m excited about it.”

Daly has been coaching in the NFL since 2006 and defensive line coach is the extent of his coaching experience. It’s clear that he sought out a new challenge, actually approaching Andy Reid about making the switch himself.

“Brendan wanted to move on and try something new and he came to me with that,” Reid said. “I think that’s good. I did kind of the same thing with Greg Lewis on the offensive side. I think for these guys growing in their profession I think it’s important if you can do it, if you have that flexibility.”

Reid evoked Greg Lewis making the switch to running backs coach last season. This move is similar in the sense that it won’t only go a long way toward impacting Daly’s career in the future, but it should provide the coaching staff some flexibility should there be any unexpected absences on the staff.

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