wayward to popular opinion , Detroit ’s Joe Schmidt did not invent the halfway line backer place ; he just played it better than it had ever been act before . Few have play the berth better since .
In his first two seasons with the Lions , 1953 and 1954 , the former University of Pittsburgh star played as an international line backer in the then - prevalent 5 - 2 defense force ( five linemen , two linebacker ) . But when a helplessness develop up the center , Detroit omnibus Buddy Parker switched to a 4 - 3 with Schmidt move into the middle .
The 4 - 3 required an unco versatile middle linebacker . He needed to be strong enough to move into the note and lay off running plays , quick and agile enough to evade 250 - Irish pound blockers and run down dramatic play to the outside , tight enough to drop back to cover laissez passer pass receiver , and smart enough to name enemy play before they developed .
It was a big order , but the 6'0 " , 222 - pound Schmidt ( brook 1932 ) sate it admirably . The Lions succeed the NFL championship in his rookie time of year and the division deed of conveyance in 1954 .
Two frustrative seasons followed , but in 1957 the Lions were back in the championship secret plan . Their 59 - 14 dismantling of the Cleveland Browns was one of the most one - sided routs ever consider in the farseeing chronicle of NFL claim tilts . Schmidt and company bear the greatJim Brownto only 69 rushing yard .
Schmidt ’s college career had been chequer . He returned an intercepted pass 60 curtilage to help upset Notre Dame 22 - 19 , and he received some All - American mention as a elder . But mostly he ’d been dogged by injury . The Lions waited until the 7th round beforedraftinghim because they questioned his lastingness .
During his 13 - class NFL calling , Schmidt developed middle linebacker into the rife pro defensive position , set the monetary standard for later outstanding in-between mankind like Sam Huff , Ray Nitschke , andJack Lambert .
He was All - NFL nine times and chosen for nine consecutive Pro Bowls . In 1973 , he was constitute to the ProFootballHall of Fame .
