Cleveland Browns using power run to neutralize outside linebackers

Before Lawrence Taylor the outside linebacker was a run stopper. The position basically read the offensive play and then reacted to the ball, meaning the job was basically the same schematically as it is today: keep outside contain. The outside linebacker also had pass coverage duties and would rush the passer to keep the offense guessing.

The emergence of Taylor was due to the success of the West Coast offense under Bill Walsh. As the San Francisco 49ers and others transitioned to the quick-timing passing game, the role of outside linebacker was neutralized. He could not get into coverage quick enough to disrupt the quick passes designed to lead to yards after the catch. Just envision Jerry Rice catching a quick slant, splitting the safeties and taking it to the house.

But the defense always has answers. During this time, NFL offenses used running backs to pick up edge blitzes. Schematically, linebackers were matched up against tight ends and running backs on all occasions. If the back went out for a pass, the linebacker covered. If a linebacker blitzed, it was the running back that picked up the blitz.

Enter Taylor, who possessed a great combination of speed and size. He could out-muscle a smaller running back on a pass rush. If the offense tried to neutralize him by sending a back out for a pass, he was fast enough to cover. But the real innovation was how Taylor was used.

The New York Giants changed their defense schematically in order to get Taylor mismatches against smaller running backs or bigger, slower linemen. Against each option, Taylor had an advantage. In the copycat league that is the NFL, Taylor became the model for the outside linebacker position.

But this is the NFL, where the offense always responds.

Next: An answer to Lawrence Taylor