We will freely admit it–the numbers–albeit fun to watch accumulate and use for a near-absolute evaluation at times–do not always tell the entire story. The defensive lines in football NEVER get the full credit when a defensive secondary has a “shutdown” game. The linebackers tend to get spotlighted when the defensive unit is known as a “run-stopping” group. It isn’t fair, but at least those that know–know what time it is.

This isn’t an indictment on some of the gaudy numbers that linebackers produce from season-to-season, however. There are those folks out there that ball-watch and simply see the job that gets done at the end of the play when in all reality the ripple effect was created with the big men upfront. If the big boys start pushing around their offensive blockers and start creating havoc in the backfield–the entire defense begins to profit. If they can’t create any pressure, the unit is stressed and that’s when the “exposure” begins.

It’s rare to find young men that fully understand the mental aspect of the position before the physical–especially at the high school level. It’s not their fault–especially if they’re used to man-handling their competition in practice and on Friday nights. It’s tough to get the kinds of reps that force defensive ends and tackles to work on their cadre of moves instead of falling into the trap of thinking they can be like Dwight Freeney nowadays and get paid six-figures to make ONE move. It doesn’t work like that–he’s at the end of his career–if you’re an athlete playing that position you should watch his film at Syracuse and EARLY Indianapolis Colts days if you’re trying to emulate his mentality–not his physicality.

The case for “most important” position on the field is strong for the fellas upfront because of the potential effect they have on the rest of the play. If they’re doing it right–in the film room that is–they’re studying opposing offensive lineman and their tendencies. They writing down the moves that work against those tendencies. They’re building a plan to drastically alter the course of that play by breaking down the very thing that causes that play to work–the blocking scheme.

If they can’t do those things–they’ve at least got the responsibility to shift the play to someone who can–which now brings your linebackers, safeties and corners into play. You hear “gap responsibility” all the time. A defensive lineman can be just as effective with zero sacks as he can be with ten in a game. If he understands how to plug a hole, he instantly helps his linebackers and their responsibilities. It sounds simple, but it’s not. Playing defensive line is the same “art” that other people discuss when bringing up the “spotlight” positions on the defensive side.

So the next time you’re watching film on linebackers, pay attention to the defensive line. Ask yourself the question why they had 120-140 tackles this season. Was it because they were exceptional at their position? Yes–without a doubt. Was it because they had less-than-average defensive fronts? Yep–probably so. Or how about this scenario? If you’re asking yourself–‘why is this linebacker–a VERY solid prospect and sure-fire talent at the next level only have 30 tackles this season?!’ Answer: Perhaps he’s got defensive lineman your alma mater should checkout first?