I know many readers of Niners Nation know what the "Ted" linebacker is and how that position fits into the 49ers 3-4 scheme.  While I have a general understanding of the 3-4 and the "Ted," I have still been quite curious about the position.  One of the primary position battles in training camp will be for the "Ted" linebacker position, so it would seem useful to get some information on the position.  We know the player lines up next to tackling machine Patrick Willis and was manned by Derek Smith last year.

As I lack truly insightful knowledge into some of the intricacies of the position, I decided to do a little research and get some help filling the in the holes.  For that, I turned to hoosierteacher, an author over at Mile High Report.  For those that don't know, hoosierteacher writes a weekly column titled "MHR University."  Each week he educates folks on the intricacies of football.  He's covered everything from Nickel formations, to the different types of 3-4 defenses to zone blocking.  Hoosierteacher has worked as an assistant coach in football at the high school level and attended a variety of coaching seminars and has some good contacts in the industry.

So I shot him an email and he provided some of his own insight into the "Ted" position.  If any pertinent questions or comments arise I'll be happy to pass them along if he doesn't catch them here.  This came via email so the language is a little more casual at times.

First, you are correct on the assessment of your TED position.  If you look at my article on the 3-4 systems run in the NFL, the 49ers run the "Fairbanks-Bullough" system, the same classic two-gap system run by NE with only minor tweaks.  Your TED certainly is tasked with clearing the way for the MIKE.  Not many folks watch the game closely enough to pick up on those kinds of assignments, but you've done your homework.  Your defensive linemen are all 2 gaps, and are able to be rotated amongst each other for different looks (your team can throw in 4-3 looks easier than most 3-4 teams).

You'll also have to forgive me for using the term "WILL".  The extent of my experience is HS ball (I coordinated defenses for several years) and some very nice seminars I was sent to. I have a (nerdy) passion for researching football systems, particularly defensive and historical.  I've learned that some terms I use are correct, some are correct depending on the region or what level of the game is discussed in, and sometimes I am flat out wrong.  I've seen the term used both ways, but while researching my thoughts on the 49ers I saw the term TED is by far more common when referencing the Niners, so I will use your term.

The keys to the TED for your system are as follows (in my opinion):

1) The player should not be expensive.

That may sound like a strange qualifier, but for the TED position as run in the Fairbanks-Bullough it is true.  The player in this position is not the "sexy" LB that fills the other two roles.  Your OLBs need to generate a pass rush (they had a rough time last year, but management seems to believe the same personnel can rebound).  The MIKE is the more flexible of the two ILBs, and much more valuable in terms of salary.

Oddly enough, I doubt the MIKE in your system calls the adjustments or personnel to match offenses.  I can't be sure, but in most Fairbanks-Bulloughs it is one of the safeties who is responsible for reading the offense.  Take that with a grain of salt, since I am not entirely familiar with how the 49ers run the game-time coaching coordination.  But I'm off on a tangent there.

2. He has to be physical (tough).

The TED is clearing the way to the QB, and he is doing this in the toughest environment of all; the center of the trench.  He not only faces the centers and guards, but the FB and maybe a RB.  If the DL can clear a path to the backfield of the offense, it is not unreasonable to assume that the TED may have to shoulder aside an OL being tied up on the line, plus block another offensive pass blocker.  It is a very physical position.

3. Despite not being a sexy role, the TED actually has to be pretty smart.

It is one thing to go after the QB (like the MIKE).  It is quite another thing to possess the situational awareness to keep many things in one's head at the same time.  Where is the QB, where is the MIKE I'm blocking for, where are the pass blockers, and in which direction are they all moving?  Factor in that these mental gymnastics area at game speed, under stress, and with little oxygen to go on.

The TED can (of course) be used in several roles within the same system, but blocking to the QB is the role your TED would most be graded on.  The role also adjusts based on the type of offensive system you are playing against, as well as match-ups in terms of players.  Considerations include how an opposing team uses backs as tackles, tendencies for misdirection, zone blocking, types and frequency of play action, tendencies of the opposing QB under pressure, and whether a team is prone to screen passes.

As far as who might replace Smith, you and your readers have a much better handle on that than me.  I really like Ulbrich, but I have a bias for fast LBs too.  He's not really all that big, and might be misused as a TED in your system.  He did well late last year stepping in, so I could be wrong.  I just don't know if he could go the season without getting hurt.  I don't know enough about your depth chart beyond that.

I realize this is probably insanely early to start looking at training camp battles, but it ties in well with the recent announcement that 49ers training camp starts July 24.  The 49ers will have ten practices open to the public so let's start prepping for those who make it to any practices (Hopefully I can get down there for another couple practices like last year).  The plan is to pull these out every so often over the next 2+ months.  I'll even create a section on the sidebar that keeps tabs of these posts and has them right at your fingertips.

"Ted" Linebacker
The Ted linebacker lines up on the tight end side of the field and takes up bodies, opening up the field for the Mike linebacker (Patrick Willis for the 49ers) to make many of the tackles.  Derek Smith fit the role perfectly as he was able to handle the grunt-work and didn't complain.  The question is who will take over the starting Ted role in 2008.  There were rumors the team was interested in Takeo Spikes, but we'll ignore that for now.  If Spikes were too sign before training camp, that would certainly be address.

Dontarrious Thomas
One of the newer 49ers in the mix, the folks at Daily Norseman provided some insight and the general idea is that Thomas is a great athlete but may not be an impact every-down guy right away.  Both Daily Norseman and Scouts Inc seem to think the mental part of the game is what has limited Thomas so far.  Clearly the mental side of the game applies to every position.  However, some positions allow for greater reliance on physical talent, while others require more processing of information.  Any ideas on how the "Ted" fits into this?  That would certainly have an impact on Thomas's ability to fill the role.

Jeff Ulbrich
Consider me not all that surprised to see Ulbrich in the battle for the Ted position.  Ulbrich has always been considered insufficient in the size and athleticism department and yet he continues to make contributions.  It seemed like this past year he made his name in special teams but was really all over the field.  Is Jeff Ulbrich the second coming of Derek Smith?  A guy who lacks the natural talent of many linebackers but still gets the job done?  I think of all these guys, Ulbrich is the safest bet to get a lot of playing time, even though he may not be as talented as Thomas.  I think Ulbrich has the inherent edge, but we'll see if he backs it up with production.

Larry Grant
Grant is a mere seventh round draft pick and is expected to make more of an impact on special teams this year.  However, the NFL has its fair share of players who have been after thoughts in the draft and end up as impact players in the league.  His scouting report indicates he's not a major playmaker, but that is not exactly a necessary trait for the Ted.  If he can stick around I could see him transitioning to getting time at the Ted in the future, particularly when Ulbrich is finished as a 49er.  We'll have to pay close attention to his special teams performances in 2008.

Others
Brandon Moore: Nolan has said Moore will spend his time as Patrick Willis' backup.  Moore has so much talent and yet he doesn't seem to have what it takes to get off blocks in the role of the Ted.  Maybe that is what makes him more suitable backing up Willis.  We all see great athletic talent, but he just isn't quite putting it together completely.

Dennis Haley: Another Ravens castoff joining the 49ers.  He's going to compete at the inside linebacker position in training camp, but barring injuries, I don't see him making the team.  Anybody out there know anything about Haley?

Ezra Butler: I completely forgot about undrafted rookie free agent Ezra Butler out of Nevada.  The team seems to be high on him and Barrows says Butler actually picked the 49ers over a couple teams who offered more money because he was psyched about the opportunity of playing for Mike Singletary.  The ultimate recruiter for linebackers.  If you want to vote for Butler, vote for the Other option.  Feel free to mention him in the comments if you'd like.