Positional Previews #4 - Linebackers

We are continuing the Notre Dame Football 2009 Positional Previews by counting down 10 positions. You can read about the 10 positions and an explanation of the rankings here. In short, #10 is the position that I am least confident/most worried about heading into the season, while #1 is the position I am most confident/least worried about. Ability, depth, and intangibles all factor in.

Today we hit up #4 - Linebackers

Depth Chart - Here is the crowded depth chart for the Irish base 4-3 defense. The Nickel formation uses 2 and sometimes 3 linebackers - shown here also is the basic 2 LB Nickel defense (our best guess at least).

Talent - Plentiful. Of the 10 players in the depth chart above, 4 are 3 star (Calabrese, T.Smith, S.Smith), 5 are 4 star (B. Smith, Fox, McDonald, Fleming, Filer), and 1 is a 5 star (Manti Te'o) per Rivals, as high school seniors. That makes the linebacker corp as deep and almost as talent filled as any other position on the team (the LBs being #4, I say there are 3 positions better). Also remember that sophomore stud DT Ethan Johnson and freshman 5 star Manti Te'o aren't the only players on the Irish defense that narrowed their choices down to USC or Notre Dame. SAM starter Darius Fleming (pictured right) did as well, and he has had the best training camp possibly of any defensive player.

Changes - Jon Tenuta will continue to coach the linebackers, despite his new role as the de facto Defensive Coordinator. His aggressive style could mean even more blitzes for the linebackers, although there were plenty last year. Chicago area product Darius Fleming also moved from defensive rush end to the strongside (SAM) linebacker position, where he has made huge strides during the summer and August camp. Brian Smith played MIKE LB position last year, but has moved back outside to let Toryan Smith man that position. Things could get interesting though, as Tenuta wants to get his best 3 LBs on the field at once. Look for Manti Te'o to essentially take over Toryan Smith on the depth chart, bumping Brian Smith back to starting Mike and Te'o to Will, alongside Darius Fleming at Sam.

Depth - Solid in talent, but lacking in experience. There are 5 to 6 "game ready" linebackers - which Weis defines as guys that he has confidence to put on the field in any situation. In addition to the starters, Te'o and Scott Smith are the additional 2 guys forming the "game ready" crew. Steve Filer is likely a game ready player - if he can overcome his struggles with the playbook and in particular defending in space. Filer has as much athleticism as any linebacker on the squad - and is easily the best past rusher of all the linebackers. Filer and Fleming are the true wild cards of the linebacker position - if they blossom then this position is in great shape for a few years. True freshman and former safety Dan Fox has a bright future ahead of him at the Will spot, but he'll hopefully red shirt this year to get acclimated and physically ready. McDonald and Calabrese will provide solid depth in the future.

Goals - Better pass defense, less blitzing. The Irish linebackers blitz often as a tool to rush the QB and defend the run. Ideally they would get the same pressure with less blitzing. When the LBs were forced to play pass defense coverage, the Irish linebackers were average at best last year. The LB position must improve upon zero interceptions in 2008 - I think 4 interceptions is a huge step but a reasonable goal. The athleticism on the field with Te'o (pictured), Brian Smith, and Darius Fleming in particular should be a huge upgrade over prior years. With improvement on the defensive line, hopefully the Irish LBs will not have to blitz quite as often, perhaps resulting in more interceptions. Last year, the Irish linebackers accounted for 46% of sacks - a stout number but one that ideally would decrease to a healthier balance with the defensive line. 65% / 35% might be an ideal sack breakdown between defensive lineman and linebackers, respectively - assuming the sack total is respectable (in the 30s).

Final Analysis - The Irish linebacker corp is much more dynamic when Manti Te'o shocked the recruiting world with his commitment to the Irish over USC. Brian Smith, Fleming, and Te'o have all the talent the Irish will need to compete at the highest level. The Irish aren't completely in the same room talent wise on defense as USC - but they are knocking on the door when 2 starters were both recruited heavily by USC (Te'o & Fleming) and the 3rd starter is the best linebacker on your team (Brian Smith). It's normal to assume that Darius Fleming will struggle in some coverage and assignment aspects of his new position. Manti Te'o (pictured above) may as well . . . but he feels like the Tim Tebow of our defense. Its a stretch comparison, but this kid is special, mature, and a nasty competitor. ND's talent will be on display for the country this year - and I think the linebackers are the one that can really turn some heads.