Who will play the hybrid SAM role in 2016?

Submitted by PinballPete on

Thanks to a mention from GVSUGoBlue in another thread, I went and listened to some of the recent coaching staff interviews from the Huge Show (featuring Harbaugh, Drevno, Brown as well as Lewis and Butt). A few of the things Don Brown said stuck out to me:

Well we'll start with for down guys and we're not uniquely just a four down defense. You know well we'll get into multiple substitution groups but I'm also big believer you got to stop the run, and that's make them one-dimensional and then chase that quarterback as hard as you can 

Pretty standard. We knew or suspected this from watching tape of the BC defense. He mentioned Mattison not being worried about a transition back to a four down front. He also mentioned that as 'the easy part' and then:

We had 5 linebackers walk out the door so that that part of it is a little bit more difficult and not really having true hybrid SAM type that I'm looking for. You know we've, we've had to, you know, scramble on that in the recruiting a little bit but I felt like we've got we've got a couple, you know, great candidates there and a couple guys on campus that will be looking at as well 

So this leads to the title of the thread: Who will play the hybrid SAM role in 2016? I assumed that the D would be a two ILB and Peppers as a base, but this has me thinking otherwise. Maybe it's just a situational or part time role but it sounds important to Brown. Before you answer, consider this quote from the interview:

Well, you know we tell that, we told everybody in our recruiting trail 'don't come in here with the thought of, or thinking to redshirt' you know that's just satisfying you know, we feel like an all 3 levels we've got guys that can come in and do that 

So a couple guys already on the roster and a couple of the recruits. Now is the time for baseless speculation and way-too-early predictions cause it's the off season and that's what we do. 

First off, it seems the Rueben Jones position switch from DE to LB fits that role and Josh Uche is mentioned as a hybrid.They seem to be obvious candidates, but what about others? Can Carlo Kemp or Lawrence Marshall fill that role? How about McCray? Will the hybrid SAM be for a three down front/sub package or in addition to the four DL?

I'm curious about what the Board thinks of the potential players for that spot since I'm sure others are more aware of the skill set require to play that position. 

Edit: User ifis found that the hybrid SAM is more of a fast athlete (he like, looked at BC's roster. genius) and I found this article about the current player and the hybrid position:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/09/10/matt-milano-passed-first-…

JTrain

February 4th, 2016 at 8:41 PM ^

First of all...for all you knowledgeable football coaching type guys...tell us...what is he ideal size/body type for the Hybrid Sam?




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PinballPete

February 4th, 2016 at 8:48 PM ^

According to Bill Walsh, a former Harbaugh mentor, the ideal player is 6-4, 250:

 

Now we also have the strong side linebacker, who plays opposite the tight end. He should be larger than the weak side outside linebacker, about 6-4, 250. He must have the hands and the range to hold up the tight end and to wade through the fullback, or whoever is blocking, to get to the ball. This strong side linebacker must be able to hold the edge of the defense.

He must be able to hold up the tight end. He can meet the fullback's block. He can blitz effectively against running backs attempting to pass protect him. And he can meet the off tackle play of the fullback or the pulling guard. This position is not as common as it once was. Now they are shifting the line so a defensive lineman is over the tight end and the linebacker is stacked behind.

But it is still the same type of athlete. He typically plays on the tight end side and he is bigger and stronger. In the past he has not had to be a key coverage guy. But now if he is stacked behind a defensive lineman and protected, he becomes a key coverage man.

Even with the changes in philosophy, teams are flopping their outside linebackers. They have a pursuit linebacker and a run defender.

Wolfman

February 4th, 2016 at 9:37 PM ^

IIRC, both Winnovich and Furbush seemed to have the appropriate height, but don't know if either had the strength and difficult to judge speed on tape although I think Gedeon is the most athletic, but also the smallest. Not certain as to the height, but those measurements - and I realize they're ideal - but size seems close to FBs we've been brining in, but unless we have one entrenched, generally not a good idea to attempt to fill a hole, while possibly creating another. My mind automatically jumps to a prized TE recruit, but as much as Jim loves those, I won't even mention it. Sure seems to have the size, speed, etc., although not sure about the defensive demeanor even though most TEs, and FBs for that matter, seem to embrace the idea of contact, although in addition to taking on blocks, undertand the importance of being able to shed same.

So given that, and with the limited play of those on roster prior to yesterday, I'd say - can't recall exact measurements, Johnson, unless pressing need to RS, seems like the choice. Is there a chance he's ready to take on such a huge role?

Bones032

February 4th, 2016 at 11:00 PM ^

Something seems strange with Noah Furbush. He was 6'4 240 in the recruiting profile from May 2014. He's 6'4 217 on the current Michigan roster, wtf? How do you lose that much weight in a college S&C program? He seems like the ideal candidate based on when he was recruited, but if he's really at 217 lbs, then not sure he's likely to see the field at UM. Hate to kill a kids career 2 years in, but not looking good for him.

Wolfman

February 4th, 2016 at 11:41 PM ^

only three months and no more than 18 years old, but there was no question he was a man.  He occupied the position you are speaking of and was the starter beginning with his first game wearing the maize and blue and never relinquinhsed his hold on the spot.

I knew a lot of people that played college ball and I was always impressed how these universities could reshape a young many's body in less than a year with their nutrition together with their strength and conditioning programs. To see a young man leave at roughly 200, maybe 210 lbs and return home for a visit a year later weighing roughly 40-45 lbs more, having gone through a total body transformation was truly impressive.

Returning to the young man I saw at 18 though, starting in the very first game he had dressed for the University of Michigan was truly impressive. I asked my brother-in-law if he had ever seen a high school graduate come in looking like that, chiseled as well as any player on the field, many whom were five years older. Himself, recruited by Benny and having played under Bump, replied with a question, "Are you sure he is a true freshman?" I told him, "yes, he was the number one rated lber in the nation and he hailed from Saginaw, Michigan. His name is Lamaar Woodley.; 

For those of you who saw him his freshman season, you are fully aware I am not exagerrating. To be honest, the only thought going through my mind, rather than disbelief, was the possible thoughts that had gone through the minds of opposing players who had faced him just one year ealier.

And I am happy to say he realized his dream of being recognized as the greatest football player to ever come out of that city and don't shake it off as a given. Quite an accomplishment. They've produced more than a few.

FreddieMercuryHayes

February 4th, 2016 at 8:55 PM ^

My question is will this Hybrid SAM basically be a BUCK? Like when they say 4 DL, does that count the SAM who plays DL a lot? Because if Brown thinks he can roll out 3 LBs consistently in a spready B1G, UM will be in a world of hurt.




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rugbypike11

February 4th, 2016 at 9:08 PM ^

I think they mean 4-3, with the Sam being more like a Jake Ryan type. Carlo Kemp said that he's a Sam, which was surprising because he looks more like a kid who could bulk up to a SDE or a 3 tech DT than a guy who will chase a TE downfield.

I'm not sure if that's what he means by the hybrid Sam. Is the hybrid Sam a DE/OLB hybrid, more like a 3-4 OLB, going to be the base Sam? Or is the hybrid Sam a hybrid space player like Khaleke Hudson for defending spreads?

rugbypike11

February 4th, 2016 at 9:58 PM ^

I think WDE will be more of a pure DE than a standup DE/OLB. Maybe Taco in 2016. Ron Johnson in this class and hopefully Jarez Parks and Corey Malone-Hatcher in the next class.

Sam Webb has said the Buck is dead. I don't think it's really the same thing as Don Brown's Sam. They might be filled by the same type of players, but I think the Sam either comes off the field in pass D or moves down to DE. Admittedly, im just guessing at this point. I think the difference is that in the Base D, the Buck was a 4th DE, whereas Brown's hybrid Sam will be more like a 5th DE.

Christ I think my head just exploded. Hopefully Denard Robinson Cook, Sr can clarify.

rugbypike11

February 5th, 2016 at 6:16 AM ^

Oops, I was tired. I meant 5th DL, not DE.

I'm not totally clear if we're playing the Under. Kemp at Sam seems to indicate Under, but Kemp at Mike would just be confusing.

My understanding is that Brown ran a base 43 Over last year at BC. I think our roster is probably better suited for an Under right now, but I will defer to Brown's mustache.

Wolfman

February 4th, 2016 at 10:31 PM ^

very funny line though.  I was LOL. And another positive, I was able to reacquatint myself with many of the players on our roster that ain't done shit. Time for them to step up, cut the emphasis on academics and apply themselves to what the hell they came here for. Shotgun would be appalled at the interest some of these young men are showing toward school and I'm sure he'd voice his displeasure at them taking advantage of the football program merely to lead to a dead-end 6 figure salary in engineering, medicine or other wothless shit you can get back to if'n football doesn't work out.

But, as I said, never one to interfere, and acting under the impression the new kid on the bock, Don was reaching out to us, to at least steer him in the right direction I have narrowed the list to three, but I do know if they want one ot the two I selected that was not on the roster until yersterday, they had better conduct an intervention in order to prevent them from ending up like my third and final recommendtation. Some damn kid who ignored football in h.s. to the point he came in carrying a 3.9 gpa and I don't know if he's done a damn thing to bring the score down. Here they be:

The young man that came in with Winovich, and according to the reports at that time, he was very rare. Most of the people evaluating him reported he actually appeared taller, heavier and stronger than the numbers listed. I though Noah would have done something by now, but maybe the plan is to stick him in this year. Remember, I don't  know what they're thinking and thought they were seriously interested in what we came up with. Winovich crossed my mind for a few seconds, but based on projections coming out of h.s., I don't think he's applied himself  in an honest attempt to realize the potential both OSU and UM saw in him when they offered.

So with that said, that leaves two freshman, Uche and my original guess Johnson. But, oh so damn young. Looks like the new DC will have to earn his wings early on this one.

AZBlue

February 4th, 2016 at 9:06 PM ^

I also listened to those podcasts and loved the Brown and Drevno ones the most. At the very end of the podcast list was an interview with a guy from a Sparty website to discuss their class. It was everything you could imagine. Noted that Sparty "doesn't run off recruits" within the first 2 minutes. Later, mentioned the Spartan class could have been better but they couldn't take more than 20 because 4th and 5th year players don't get pushed out like at Michigan, and noted on separate occasions that Donnie Corley and Kareem Walker are "arguably" the best prospect instate this year. Also got a chuckle when he said they landed arguably the best QB in the Midwest this year.

On a sane note, he squashed the 3-stars vs 4 and 5 star myth - noting the small % of 4-5 star players actually made up 50% of the all big team this year and noted they need to (and are) recruiting top players. Specifically noted several great players from Clemson...(strangely didn't mention any 'Bama players....)

Magnus

February 4th, 2016 at 9:25 PM ^

My guess is the desire for a SAM linebacker is what led Brown to go so hard after Joshua Uche. Carlo Kemp can do that sort of thing, too, because the Buck linebacker last year is a lot like what I expect the SAM to be this year in a 4-man front.