Solomon Elimimian / Greg McMackin

Dave Reardon continues his weekly player profiles with a great story on linebacker Solomon Elimimian. The article discusses Sol growing up in LA, his relationship with older brother Abraham, his work with autistic kids, and a whole lot more. Here's an excerpt of him talking about the switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3.

"I think it's coming natural for me. A linebacker's heart is a linebacker's heart, you know? It doesn't change that you've got to hit and you've got to run," Elimimian said. "A lot of the guys on our team are intelligent. Our whole defense is picking it up pretty good. As far as me, I love the transition. I think it fits our personnel better. Guys can actually play now that couldn't before. It's a joy for us. Like (defensive end) Karl Noa, he's going to have a really good year this year."

Great article.

Speaking of the defense, Stephen Tsai interviews defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, who discusses the alignment switch, his coaching philosophy, his respect for the players, and a lot more. Another great article. Here's an excerpt of Coach discussing this year's linebackers:

On the linebackers:

"We're going to play Adam (Leonard) on the outside and inside. He's going to be our joker (pass rusher) in our Okie package (3-3-5 alignment). We're putting a lot of things on Adam. He's a talent. He's a good player.

"Solomon (Elimimian) is our starting middle linebacker. We're going to roll four guys (in the three positions), so Adam will play inside, too. We're going to roll Blaze (Soares), Solomon, Adam and Brad (Kalilimoku). Cal (Lee, the linebacker coach) feels those guys are all starters, so they're all going to play. They're first-string guys.

"I think Blaze is a big-time player. If he continues to grow with Cal, he has a chance to be one of the best to ever come out of here. He has the speed. He has the instinct. He's a great hitter. He has that look in his eyes. Some of those great 'backers have that look in their eyes — (Jeff) Ulbrich, Ray Lewis — and he has that look."

Defense? MONSTER.