middle linebacker
Center of defense
Middle linebacker is the defensive player positioned at the center of a football team's linebacker corps, typically calling defensive plays and reading the offense.
The middle linebacker anchors run defense and often leads the team in tackles: The middle linebacker blitzed through the A-gap.
Often abbreviated MLB.
- tackleGear or takedown
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- sackRough fabric bag
- defenseProtection against harm
- snapSudden sharp sound
tackle machine · huddle · helmet · pads · rush · gap · coverage · interception · gridiron · scrimmage · audible · play caller · pursuit · instinct · captain · green dot · signal-caller · downfield
- defendersdefender, guard, protector, guardian, keeper
- football positionsquarterback, wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, safety
middle linebackercornerback
Defensive back covering receivers
free safety · strong safety · defensive back · outside linebacker · edge rusher
middle linebackercenter
Middle of anything
quarterback · running back · fullback · offensive lineman · tight end
middle linebackerwide receiver
Offensive pass-catching position
kick returner · punt returner · slot receiver · placekicker · punter
middle, linebacker, middles, middling, line, backer, liner, liners, linear