LB Question

[big herm]

I have a stud at my SLB spot who can be switched to WILB without any hit. I have a couple of options to fill the spot he is not in, but they are not nearly as good as he is. So my question is, in a 3-4 defense, which spot is more important...and why? Thanks for any comments

[gstelmack]

ILBs are important for stopping the run, OLBs are important for stopping the pass. Is he a better run stopper or a pass rusher or a coverage guy?

[big herm]

He is a 75 on run D 62 on pass tech and 86 on pass rush strength. He doesn't really have good pass coverage in the zone, which is what I run a lot. The alternative to play ILB would be a 48 run D the alternative would be a 63/67 in pass rush ratings and also isn't much of a coverage guy(37 in zone).

[QuikSand]

WILb and SLB will be on the field pretty much all the time in a 3-4, so it's tough to go wrong either way. If he's a solid run stopper, and good all around, I'd probably move him to WILB and use him there.

[big herm]

sounds good, I think I will go ahead and move him into the middle....