My first post was swallowed by this website after I attempted to edit a bad autocorrect error...so let’s try this again...
I’ve been thinking on this of late.
Not too long ago we had the perceived value loss of the MLB position due to the transitional phase of the NFL away from its roots (where you’re in Base mostly, balance on offense, and you run to set up the pass) to an overwhelmingly Base Nickel and Passing League.
I’m wondering now if this was just a misevalution of the situation.
Yes, you no longer need the classic Run Plugger who can cover TEs on shallow routes.
However, that doesn’t mean the MLB position itself is diminished in value...just that outmoded skill-set.
You STILL need a high football IQ player who reads formation/tendencies, makes the appropriate checks and gets their defense into the best possible chance for that play’s success. However, NOW you need:
- a 3 down LB who can handle their run fit responsibilities
- someone who can quickly decipher a play despite all of the post snap key obfuscation that modern offenses employ
- deal with a vast array of horizontal misdirection and fakes
- play fantastic Mid-zone/Robber and Hook/Seam defense
- Spy extremely athletic QBs
- cover hyper-athletic/large TEs on a myriad of vertical routes while still dealing with shallow routes.
- cover hyper-athletic Pass-catchers out of the backfield on Option Routes/2-way goes.
- make plays sideline to sideline (due to the edge-attacking propensity of modern offenses)
Sum told...I’m starting to think that the MLB position may be MORE difficult to play than ever before and have at least the same, if not MORE, value than ever before...just a different (and more broad) skill-set.
