What makes a good SAM OLB in the 3-4?

Pai Mei said

I know you have one OLB in the 3-4 that is primarily a pass-rush specialist (ie. Pat Swilling or Aldon Smith), but the guy on the other side is the one I'm not too sure about. It sounds like you need a guy that is strong enough to set the edge and play the run, but is also athletic and fast enough to play coverage (while also being a capable pass-rusher in his own right). That sounds like a lot to ask in one player. What exactly makes a good strong side 3-4 OLB? ...and is it possible that guy is already on our team in Galette or Martez Wilson? Galette appears a nice fit for the Rush OLB, but would Wilson fit at the other OLB spot?

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Ability to both engage a lineman or tight end at the LOS and hold up against the run, and the ability to turn and run with said tight end in coverage.

Tight ends used to be stronger, more plodding, so you saw more defensive end style SAMs. But the modern NFL has steadily moved towards taller, faster, not necessarily excellent run blocking tight ends. A lot of them don't even get down in a 2-point stance like linemen anymore.

Wade Phillips said you could think of his defense as being more of a 5-2 than a 3-4, and certainly that's been the case in the past. But these days I think the emphasis is probably shifting towards speed, the ability to flip into coverage, and compensating for the decreased size/strength with technique/hands. The reality is, tight ends are scarier these days than running backs in many cases. Frank Gore is an excellent running back, but that's not who beat us in the playoffs in 2011.

So I think Wilson fits. Maybe instead of thinking of it as a 5-2 we should instead think of it as a 4-3 under almost.