I'm assuming some have and I just never noticed. But it seems like the majority of tweener DE's are always talked about as OLB's. What is the skill set similarity that makes it such a more natural fit than ILB. I've been thinking lately about Matt Roth. I don't know enough about schemes to say where he fits best. It seems like he's great against the run but doesn't get much pressure on the QB. What is it about his skill set that makes him a more appropriate fit at OLB vs. being a 2 down ILB? To be clear I'm not suggesting he make a switch, I'm just trying to learn more about the specific responsibilities and necessary skill sets.
It's a damned good question. Imo, an ILB has to be able to run sideline to sideline, have the feet to pick through trash and falling bodies, and the ability to flip their hips to stay with TEs and RBs in coverage. None of those are things Roth does well. What he does well is pick a spot and refuse to be pushed off of it. That works a bit as a strongside OLB, though he gives us less pass rush and worse coverage skills than a more complete OLB would. He 'sets the edge' against an offenses run blocking, though (not letting the outside blockers control him to let the running back get outside him, and also to collapse the blocking back in on off tackle plays. He'd be a disaster, for instance, at weak OLB (ROLB) in a 3-4. He has molasses feet. It seems the best ILBs "fly" to the ball, turn fluidly, have nimble feet to step over people, and can run sideline to sideline. So, back to the original question.... most college DE's are slightly smaller than the average NFL DE. In college a DE is usually in the 255-270lb range. In the NFL yopur DE's are 280-295 depending on the scheme. Thus, when moving up to the NFL, most college DE's are closer to linebacker size. That explains why they move to linebacker in general. The reason they move to OLB, not ILB is that most of them have spent their college careers combating Offensive Tackles. Their experience is in setting the outside edge on OTs on runs, and on trying to beat the outside edge on pass rushes. They have spent less time doing the things I described an ILB doing in the pros. The most sensible transition for them, then is to go to linebacker, where their size fits, and Outside, where they will still be taking on OTs by trying to pass rush and set the edge against runs. Their skill set transposes most easily that way. This is all just my opinion. I'm no expert, at all, so I could be wrong in my descriptions here! Thought I'd give you my best semi-informed guess though.
3-4 OLBs play a similar role to 4-3 DEs... they are the primary pass rush from a 3-4 alignment but they do need to drop into coverage on occasion... so these tweener DEs, the guys who are a little undersized for 4-3 DEs, but played DE their whole college career have that pass rushing mentality but are a little lighter on their feet to play in space when needed... a 3-4 ILB is always in space, they are not the pass rushers... and they play a role similar to a MLB in the 4-3... so they do need to be stout against the run, especially because running against a 3-4, there are only 3 down lineman which means the ILBs are taking on offensive lineman a lot, which is tough... but they are playing in space and need to play from sideline to sideline and have more quickness, so they are generally lighter than the 3-4 OLBs... so a college DE tweener, who is 255 isn't going to be running sidelines to sidelines as a 3-4 ILB... you want that player to rush the passer which is what he is proficient at, so you put him at the OLB spot and let him be your primary pass rusher a la Demarcus Ware...
It happens fairly commonly actually. Akin Ayodele is an example, he was a college DE. Pretty much all the ILBs the Patriots have used other than Mayo and Seau are ex-DEs. David Bowens is another example with the Jets. There are guys in the draft being considered for both ILB and OLB. Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing for example
But rarely does it happen in one year as it does when converting to OLB. If they want to take a DE and make him an ILB, it will be a longer transition. The longer time frame may make people overlook or forget where the player started or how long it did take to get there. They have to read different keys etc., and that takes time.
They most likely will be used in a 3/4 scheme and will end up near the LOS anyway. The inside Lb's will need to be slightly smaller OR faster and able to cover guys.
That's going to be rare unless it's a 3/4 team that plays a tight zone within 15 yrds from the LOS and they're very smart and quick.
