The Texans Wire started a series on the hallmark of Lovie Smith defenses: The Tampa 2 scheme. The goal of this series is to provide clarity for the Houston Texans fan base as to what the team is trying to do on defense at their base schematically. Hopefully this creates a good foundation to understand why general manager Nick Caserio may make the decisions he does on draft night.
The first installment revolved around the defensive lineman. Specifically, the one-technique and three-technique defensive tackle roles and the strong and weak side defensive ends. If you missed it, check that out here as understanding the next level of the defense is easier with a begging grasp on the front four.
Once again, the Texans Wire’s John Crumpler was joined by Jordan Pun from Sports’ Illustrated for the discussion. Below is the full interview on YouTube.
The Tampa 2 defense stems from the 4-3 base scheme. This means that after the down four defensive linemen, there are three linebackers stacked behind them. These roles are classically divided into the middle linebacker, the weak side linebacker and the strong side linebacker. Colloquially, you may also hear the terms ‘Mike’ (middle), ‘Will’ (weak side), and ‘Sam’ (strong side) used.
To begin, the Tampa 2 is very unique because, debatably more than any other set, it asks the world from the middle linebacker. The Mike is expected to essentially captain the defense. The position requires a strong run stopper but also someone who can play a wide zone that is nearly backed up towards the safeties but also responsible for the tight ends and running backs that can creep up later in plays. The dual expectation means that your middle linebacker must be fast enough to account for arguably the largest zone on the field, but also make plays on running backs that advance to the second level.
It’s a tall task.
For the Texans, Christian Kirksey plays this role, and it should come as no surprise the team was quick to resign him in free agency. Although far from elite at this point in his career, Kirksey gives Smith a veteran player he can trust to execute as the linchpin of his scheme. The former Cleveland Brown and Green Bay Packer performed sufficiently with 93 tackles in his 12 starts last year.
If any spot linebacker spot may be worth an investment on a first-round rookie, it’s the middle linebacker for Lovie Smith. Within the 2022 class, the No. 1 linebacker by many is University of Georgia’s Nakobe Dean. Dean has the range to play well against the run and the pass and was a huge component of the Georgia defense performing as well as it did in 2021.
Is Nakobe Dean the top linebacker in the 2022 Draft? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/52WxEctIJ6
— PFF (@PFF) April 2, 2022
Next, the weak side linebacker — the Will — Houston fans should immediately think of Kamu Grugier-Hill when envisioning this role. Once again, this linebacker is asked to clean up against the run but is not responsible for the same zone responsibilities as the middle linebacker. Instead, the weak side linebacker will generally be the most fluent in defending the pass. He may be tasked with covering the tight end, a running back directly out of the backfield, or even an occasional slot receiver
This is one of the stronger spots on Houston’s defense. After Grugier-Hill, the team has strong depth in newly signed Jaylen Reeves-Maybin and Neville Hewitt. Although they may look to add linebackers in the draft, the weak side may be the one spot they are content to let rest in the 2022 campaign. If they were to pursue a rookie, the 2022 draft’s best linebacker in Devin Lloyd from Utah projects well to this spot. Lloyd is one of the quickest linebackers in the draft and possesses the agility on the field that’s ideal for the weak side role.
Devin Lloyd will play LB for ____ pic.twitter.com/4l6TtYQ6lN
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 18, 2022
Finally, the strong side linebacker. Compared to the Will, the Sam is ideally a stronger tackler and truly your “run-thumping” linebacker of the group. This can be the biggest player of the position group and the, relatively, biggest liability in the passing game. On those passing downs, the strong side linebacker may come off the field in favor of an additional corner.
This role is occupied likely by second-year player Garrett Wallow from TCU if the season were to start today in Houston. Wallow showed some upward trajectory towards the end of the season, but it may be prudent for Houston to look to upgrade. Wyoming’s Chad Muma and Georgia’s Quay Walker come to mind here. Walker made a living cleaning up against the run for the Bulldogs and has the versatility to play the Mike as well in Smith’s scheme.
Ultimately, the linebackers have similar tasks in every defense. They need to stop the run at the second level, blitz when required, and make plays against the pass in their respective zones. The Tampa 2 specifically differentiates in terms of the expanded responsibility of the middle linebacker and less responsibilities with blitzing across the three spots. Houston has a ton of guys at this position on the roster, but nobody that could truly be called elite.
The draft will reveal if Caserio wants to change that.
