Peevo Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 It seems every other week I read about the SAM LB from this team going to be the WILL for this team. Just from the lettering, I would venture to guess that SAM refers to the strong side, will is the weak, and mike would be the middle. It makes sense, but where did this come from? Is it strictly in the Cover 2 that these names are commonplace or is it generally accepted among all different kinds of defenses? Its one of those puzzling things about football that seems so common now, yet 2 or 3 years ago, I wouldn't ever hear anyone talking about SAM, WILL, or MIKE. Thoughts guys/girls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 It seems every other week I read about the SAM LB from this team going to be the WILL for this team. Just from the lettering, I would venture to guess that SAM refers to the strong side, will is the weak, and mike would be the middle. It makes sense, but where did this come from? Is it strictly in the Cover 2 that these names are commonplace or is it generally accepted among all different kinds of defenses? Its one of those puzzling things about football that seems so common now, yet 2 or 3 years ago, I wouldn't ever hear anyone talking about SAM, WILL, or MIKE. Thoughts guys/girls? I'm pretty sure they were the Pips for Gladys Knight. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson from Gamehendge Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I graduated high school in 2001...and as far back as 6th grade they were teaching us the, "Sam", "Will", and "Mike" backer names. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 It seems every other week I read about the SAM LB from this team going to be the WILL for this team. Thoughts guys/girls? The Sam LB is actually named after Sam Huff, the Mike is for Singletary and the Will is for William (Pudge) Heffelfinger. I realize that only KRC will recognize Heffelfinger, but you should know the other two. and now you know the rest of the story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 You're all so helpful. Sam: strongside LB (lines up on side of TE) Mike: middle LB Will: weakside LB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peevo Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 The Sam LB is actually named after Sam Huff, the Mike is for Singletary and the Will is for William (Pudge) Heffelfinger. I realize that only KRC will recognize Heffelfinger, but you should know the other two. and now you know the rest of the story See, that makes sense and I didn't know that at all! Ironic that such legendary players had names that started with the letters of their position as well, but that's football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 The Sam LB is actually named after Sam Huff, the Mike is for Singletary and the Will is for William (Pudge) Heffelfinger. I realize that only KRC will recognize Heffelfinger, but you should know the other two. and now you know the rest of the story I call bullsh*T. Everybody knows Heffelfinger was a famous proctologist. It's rumored that he got his nickname, PUDGE, from a (very) disgruntled patient. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 You're all so helpful. Sam: strongside LB (lines up on side of TE) Mike: middle LB Will: weakside LB I prefer my view of reality, but if what you are saying is true, the the S in Sam stands for Strong side, the W in W in Will stands for Weak side and the M in Mike stands for Middle? That is an interesting theory, but Heffelfinger should be mentioned in the conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I call bullsh*T. Everybody knows Heffelfinger was a famous proctologist. It's rumored that he got his nickname, PUDGE, from a (very) disgruntled patient. GO BILLS!!! actually he would have been a gruntled patient. Very gruntled if you catch my drift! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I prefer my view of reality, but if what you are saying is true, the the S in Sam stands for Strong side, the W in W in Will stands for Weak side and the M in Mike stands for Middle? That is an interesting theory, but Heffelfinger should be mentioned in the conversation. Only when mentioning the Greg 'backer, seeing that Pudge was a guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Only when mentioning the Greg 'backer, seeing that Pudge was a guard. shush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Only when mentioning the Greg 'backer, seeing that Pudge was a guard. Finally. A reference to the CFL where linebacker positions are known as the Gordie, Howie, Dunc, and Greg. I forget the other four, but when you have 14 guys playing defense it gets a little confusing at times. GO BILLS!!! GO Stampeders! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offside Number 76 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I prefer my view of reality, but if what you are saying is true, the the S in Sam stands for Strong side, the W in W in Will stands for Weak side and the M in Mike stands for Middle? That is an interesting theory, but Heffelfinger should be mentioned in the conversation. The Sam, Will, Mike names are familiar to me from an era that predates Singletary, so I'm pretty sure it's strong, weak, middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 The Sam LB is actually named after Sam Huff, the Mike is for Singletary and the Will is for William (Pudge) Heffelfinger. I realize that only KRC will recognize Heffelfinger, but you should know the other two. and now you know the rest of the story Props to BB for pulling out the Heffelfinger reference. Football trivia: Heffelfinger was the first professional football player (at least, documented pro). Ben "Sport" Donnelly was second. His name was listed below Heffelfinger's in the accounting sheet for the game (see nine rows down on the Accounting Sheet Link below), therefore Donnelly was the second documented pro. Accounting Sheet for November 12, 1892 The Nelson Ross Manuscript Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Finally. A reference to the CFL where linebacker positions are known as the Gordie, Howie, Dunc, and Greg. I forget the other four, but when you have 14 guys playing defense it gets a little confusing at times. GO BILLS!!! GO Stampeders! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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