linebacker

He's excited overall by his defensive line and linebackers. Nose tackle Evan Alexandrou returns some experience to the line while "speed guy" Rodney Jones moves to the line from linebacker.

Shaquem Griffin's odds-defying football journey is set to continue after the linebacker who lost one hand at the age of four was drafted Saturday by the Seattle Seahawks.

With both Leavitt and special teams coordinator Raymond Woodie coaching linebackers, the group should be expected to improve dramatically as a unit in 2017.

"He works his tail off," Wilfork said of the Patriots' third-year inside linebacker. "When we see that guy working, going 100 percent every play, it makes it easy for us to go out there and work.

There's an added degree of difficulty to what Forte and the linebackers will be expected to do.

Outside linebackers: Align in a 5 technique at a minimum depth of 3 1/2 yards.

* Pay attention to the top and bottom doors of the Linebacker. They can become loose after miles of rough travel.

Pellum said all of the available personnel in the linebackers room is being evaluated.

Spikes, a first-team All-American as a senior at Florida and the spirited middle linebacker of the Gators' 4-3 defense, had a team-high eight tackles against New Orleans and has obviously impressed Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has been pleased with Spikes' progress, instincts and vision.

Hogs' front and the linebackers were taken out by trap plays and cutbacks, as the Wildcats rushed for 163 yards in the second half to Arkansas' 81 and overcame Razorback leads twice.

Our defensive line's main objective is to tackle the fullback in the dive and keep the offensive linemen from getting to our linebackers.

The top four inside linebackers from the NFL's top D' return, but do so under guidance from new inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone and defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.