"When I arrived in the N.F.L., the middle was open. No one was there to stop the pass over the middle. The hardest part was learning to play a position that had not existed." This statement captures the transition the sport went through as well as Schmidt's pioneering spirit in developing the middle linebacker role.
"Little by little, the offense dictated changes on defense." Schmidt reflects on how the NFL evolved to adapt to an increasingly offensive game, positioning defense in a new light.
"There was no position coach. They just tell you what to do and determine how to get it done." Schmidt notes the challenges of mastering a novel position, underscoring the need for self-reliance and adaptability in a transforming league.
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