Position Profile Series Position: Middle Linebacker Player: "Diamond" Lill Jarrel September 17, 2003 What is most enjoyable about playing your position: What I like most about being a linebacker is the personal challenge that I take upon myself in getting thru the offensive-line and either sacking the QB or tackling the running back in the backfield for a loss behind the line of scrimmage. Another thing I like about this position is that I like the image that a linebacker portrays: tuff, mean, hard hitting, and don’t mess with me kind of attitude. What are some tips to being successful at playing your position: To be a successful linebacker, I think you really MUST possess instinct & have aggressiveness. But it does not mean you can’t acquire these traits the longer you play and learn. The next biggest thing I would say is DEDICATION to what you are doing. If you are going to go out and do a half-ass job, then you are not going to possess the aggressiveness that is required when playing as a linebacker. So, hit the gym, get in shape and come on out to the football field and see if you have what it takes to be a Linebacker. You must and should be in good physical condition to play this game, and you are less prone to injury when you are in good shape. Anyone could come out and play as a Linebacker if they wanted, as long as they possess the things I have already mentioned. But my suggestion to all would be this: I was once told that “PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT”, but it doesn’t if you do whatever you are doing the WRONG way, so “PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT”, so when you work on football techniques (or anything else like your school homework), make sure you are doing them correctly from the beginning. Back