Steve Kiner (1966-69): Tennessee fans didn't have to wait long after Emanuel left to find the next superstar linebacker. Urlacher was the leader of those great Bears defenses of the 2000s, including when they got to the Super Bowl only to lose to Peyton Manning and the Colts. Mecklenburg was never a cocky player, but just a guy who would show up on Sundays. If you take away his last three seasons, where he was slowing down, he averaged 12.4 sacks per season, which is just remarkable. Jalen Carter, top NFL prospect, posts bond in fatal crash. His best season was his first year with the Bills where he had 17.5 sacks, 70 tackles, two INTs, and three forced fumbles. All Rights Reserved. No. Lewis stats at this point of his career are 1,349 tackles, 36.5 sacks, and 28 INTs. The Minnesota Vikings did an outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974. Super Bowl winner. After a very bad injury in 2008, Shawne Merriman hasnt been the same. Ray Lewis came into the league and dominated right away. During the five year stretch from 1991-1995 where he made five consecutive Pro Bowls, Lloyd was one of, if not the, most dominating linebackers in the NFL. Teamwork and Leadership from Karl Mecklenburg NFL Motivational Keynote Speaker. But in those three years, hes racked up 328 tackles and seven INTs, all while starting every game of his career. In 2008, Suggs even had two INTs, both of which he returned for touchdowns. 27. He started all but one game in his last eight seasons, which is very impressive for a linebacker. Wright, Seattle Seahawks. 2022 - SportsUnfold. Thomas was the best linebacker of the 1990s, and one of the best pass rushers of all-time. Still, its an amazing number. The nine-time Pro Bowl player, two-time All-Pro, and Hall of Fame is one of the all-time sacks leaders with 126.5, and he also forced 41 fumbles during his 11-year career. Lawrence Taylor of course, is regarded as the best 3-4 linebacker ever, . More Team Info. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. 1970 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees It was tied for the best of the day with linebacker Owen Pappoe, of Auburn, and was the second-fastest time from an . Who knows how many he wouldve had if he played in the entire 16? A shot of Jameson for Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. 39, Peter Boulware (Ravens) (1997-2005) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He was Lawrence Taylor before Taylor was. He had less than seven sacks in a season only once. He did it once in 1985 and again in 1988. Outside linebacker Joey Porter came to Pittsburgh in 1999. Top 10 LB's in OU history - 247sports.com 17 Reasons why Jordan is greater than Lebron, 16 Reasons why Lebron is greater than Jordan, The 18 greates Coaches in College Football History, The Top 21 Offensive Linemen in NFL History, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans. He was very athletic, a great tackler, and he could cover. Interview with Former Steeler Great levon kirkland. Jeremiah The Axeman Trotter has been a very recognizable name over the past decade. 8, Demarcus Ware* (Cowboys) (2005-Present) *Four-time Pro Bowler *Three-time 1st team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Top 13 Indiana High School Players of all Time, The 6 greatest Indiana Highschool pure Shooters, The 8 greatest IHSAA Championship Games in History. Jack Ham had the whole package as a linebacker. Williams recorded 16 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries (a franchise record). He was always around the ball. Next were Defensive end Jack Youngblood and Joe Greene who each had 18 votes. Ham had outstanding speed. Robert "Dr. Doom" Brazile is another one of those underrated linebackers. 12. Jack Lambert played middle linebacker. Despite the bad taste he left when leaving the team, James Harrison belongs on the upper half of the top ten linebackers in Steelers history. Im only going to be looking at players drafted in 1970 or later. Armstead didnt particularly stand out at anywhere, but he wasnt a weak link anywhere either. NFLs Merchants of Menace Andre Tippett. He finished his career with 132.5 sacks. Atlante vs Raya2 Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream Time, Date, Team News, lineup news, Odds, Stats, Betting Tips Trends, Where To Watch Live Score Mexican Liga de Expansin MX 2023 Telecast Today Match Details March 3, Club Tijuana vs Atlas Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, Wydad AC vs Vita Club Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, U Cluj vs Farul Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream Time,, Top 10 Best Football Agents In The World | 2023 Updates, Top 10 Most Successful Retired Soccer Players 2023, FC Magdeburg vs 1. He tried to get in your head before you even took a step on the field of play. 12, Randy Gradishar (Broncos) (1974-1984) *Seven-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Lewis, playing alongside Bryan Cox, led a very good Jets team to the closest theyve been to a Super Bowl since they won Super Bowl III. The Steelers began their 1976 season 1-4 and lost their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw.For the nine games remaining in the season, the Steelers . 45, Shawne Merriman* (Chargers) (2005-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. That is just unheard of. The art of the interview: Terry Fontenot provides a look inside the Romanowski might be overrated because of his name, but theres no doubt he was one of the most memorable and feared linebackers of the modern era. Lambert wasnt just great on the inside, he was an outstanding coverage linebacker. Dennis Onkotz was a two time first team All American on the great Penn State teams of 1968 and 1969. Simpson in 1973 or Terry Bradshaw's two Super Bowl MVP performances. When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus. LT finished his career with 142 sacks, averaging nearly 11 sacks per season. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNzd9Xd0who, No. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1960s He was also a good pass rusher, and a good coverage man as well. Chris Spielman was a tackle machine during his 10 years in the NFL. He was also the fastest linebacker of the bunch and excelled in pass coverage. He was also the first player to have a TE or RB used for chip blocking on, and overall changed the way offensive lineman block. He totaled 28 INTs in his career while he also racked up 1,045 tackles. Linebacker U Penn State Tradition Jack Ham as a Steeler. Kirkland had great speed and agility for a big man. He could play zone and man. Derrick Thomas was on pace to absolutely shatter NFL records before his tragic death in 2000. 36, Jeremiah Trotter (Eagles/Redskins/Bucs) (1999-2007 & 2009) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Top 9 Greatest World Series Upsets of All Time, 2021 NBA Finals Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks: Series Preview and Prediction, Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89), NFL Draft 2021: Sam Teets top 100 prospects big board, Sam Teets two-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 with Kyle the Commish, Every NFL teams best player not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame- NFC East, Top 100 remaining 2021 NFL free agents after Day 1, Predicting the next five Pro Football Hall of Fame classes, Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season, Top 100 NFL free agents entering the 2021 offseason, Notable Pro Football Senior Committee Hall of Fame candidates for 2020, Active NFL players in 2019 who will make the Hall of Fame- AFC North, Top 13 Indiana High School Players of all Time, The 6 greatest Indiana Highschool pure Shooters, The 8 greatest IHSAA Championship Games in History. No. Ham is the only linebacker other than Tom Jackson to have seven INTs in a single season. He was never the most athletic player on the field, but he was always the hardest working. Ham had arguably the most successful NFL career out of any of the names on this list as he was a star for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. 9-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler. That suggestion from the newly appointed House . He played in 10 playoff games and had two INTs and three fumble recoveries in them. Among linebackers, that would include two-way stars George Svendsen (1935-41), Bud Svendsen (1937, 1939) and Charley Brock (1939-47), along with Bill Forester (1953-63), Tom Bettis (1955-61) and Roger Zatkoff (1953-56). credit : - yahoo. Top 10 Linebackers in New York Giants History Singletary was one of the key leaders of the famous 85 Bears defense, arguably the greatest defense in the history of the NFL. Beason may be the most controversial player on this list. Kirkland was an all-around better linebacker, he was a 300lb linebacker whose coverage skills were vastly underrated. No. Andre Tippett may have been outshined by Lawrence Taylor playing basically the same position at the same time frame, but theres no mistaking what Tippett did on the field. McAdams was a two-time All-American . 2) Jeff Siemon: A key player as the middle linebacker on the team's top defenses in the mid-1970's, Siemon played in 156 games, starting 123, and was selected to four Pro Bowls during his eleven year career with the Vikings. Swilling was the best pass rusher of the Dome Patrol, but he also forced 36 fumbles to go along with all the sacks. But we would be remiss to not acknowledge some of the top performers from that earlier era. . Top 10, however, is not only a sure thing but easy as it was very tough for me to keep Levy out of the top 5 over the guy that made it. No. He had five INTs in a season twice in his career. Hes going into his first healthy season again in three years. During the late 1970s and early 80s, he was the best linebacker the NFL had. Behind the Purple People Eaters of the 70s was one of the best safeties the league has ever seen. As also playing DE should tell you, he was very versatile and could play many different positions. Ham had outstanding speed. That game and his outstanding 1996 season earned Kirkland his first trip to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors after the 1996 season. From canvas high-tops to social media dominance, the NBA has come a long way. Jeff Siemon (Vikings) : Four-time Pro Bowler. List of All Buffalo Bills Linebackers, Ranked Best to Worst Pat Swilling was an outstanding pass rusher in his career, totaling up 107 sacks in his career and 101.5 sacks in a 10 year period throwing out his rookie year and last season of his career. Michigan Football Position Greats He also played two different positions, playing ILB and OLB for the Vikings in his career. He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. NY Jets: Top 10 linebackers of all-time - The Jet Press 1953-65, Detroit Lions. Peter Boulware was the pass rusher alongside Ray Lewis. [a][4]. He has done it all for the Bears with his pass coverage, run support, and blitzing. No. Please play responsibly. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. Call 1-800-522-4700. A tall order to say the least, and these 5 players did it better than anyone in the history of the NFL. He totaled 28 INTs in his career while he also racked up 1,045 tackles. Ray Lewis is the top MLB of the modern era and is easily the linebacker of the 2000s. No. 38, Chad Brown (Steelers/Seahawks/Patriots) (1993-2007) *Three-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro. He always tried to better himself and did it effectively. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. News Briefs: The latest updates in the Uptown and Downtown Houston Oilers, 1975-1984. He was a hard worker, good tackler, and had great hands. Top 10 Draft Picks in Broncos History | No. Dick Butkus: one of the fiercest and best linebackers the NFL has ever seen, Butkus was a Pro Bowler every year except his final season while also garnering five All-Pro selections for the Bears. As an outside linebacker, he put a lot of pressure on opponents' quarterbacks. 32, John Offerdahl (Dolphins) (1986-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. No. SRS: 6.97 (5th of 26), SOS: 1.40. He is not only the greatest linebacker in NFL history, hes one of the games greatest players period. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. He has already had three 100 tackle seasons in his first three years, and also has already forced 10 turnovers (four INTs, six forced fumbles). No. Use Isiah Robertsons name in a talk of most underrated players of all time, and youll impress your fellow football fans. Hes had 92 sacks and 23 forced fumbles so far in his career. The leader of the Dome Patrol comes in at No. He also played a big role in one of the most dominant performances by a defense in Super Bowl history. Wagers only accepted in CO. For full terms and conditions, click here. LSU ENDS REGULAR SEASON 27-1LSU women's basketball ties program-best season . Al Wilson was an outstanding MLB for the Broncos. But, if you didnt know, Jackson was once an outstanding linebacker for the Denver Broncos Orange Crush defense. Offerdahl was a blue collar type of player who was an even better person off the field. Nickerson wasnt just a one hit wonder though. With rule changes being what they have been, I decided to rank the linebackers that have played since 1970. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. Wilber Marshall had the whole package. Since Donnie Shell finally cracked the Hall of Fame, I would say the . Robert Brazile. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. He had an outstanding attitude and would do anything to get his team a win. Tribute to Elvis No. Thats over 10 sacks per season, which is outstanding. Matt Blair was a very intimidating linebacker, and helped the Vikings get to two Super Bowls in his career. Also note that an asterisk (*) by the players name means they are still active today. Let me start out by saying that yes, I know that he was only a linebacker for half his career and DE the other half. Not only did he change the way defenses are run, but he changed the way offensive schemes are run as well. No. Jackson had 40 forced fumbles, just one short of the NFL record. May 24, 2022. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . All while being tasked with avoiding blocks and keeping tabs on the opposing quarterback. Mar 3, 2023 Updated 4 min ago. Lamberts best season was in 1976, where he won the Defensive Player of the Year award. They surrendered only 20 points in that game, and seven of them were off a blocked punt. He was Terrell Suggs before Suggs got to Baltimore. Earl Campbell called Williams the toughest linebacker he ever played against. No. 18, Andre Tippett (Patriots) (1982-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. With rule changes being what they have been, The number one pick was obvious. Lewis stats at this point of his career are 1,349 tackles, 36.5 sacks, and 28 INTs. He ran a 4.6 40 yard dash, which is outstanding for a linebacker, especially at that time period. They had traded stalwart linebacker Sam Huff in the offseason. Steel Curtain - Wikipedia Thats fine, he played enough linebacker to be considered this high. Young was a fierce hitter, and would always stick his nose in the middle of the play. He was also a big hitter and very intimidating on the field of play. Top 10 Linebackers in Miami Dolphins history - Phin Phanatic He always tried to better himself and did it effectively. Jackson was most notable for being a pass rusher, but he really did it all. The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. Andy Russell 7x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl Champion Linebacker '63, 1966-1976 Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images. He took up blockers and threw his body around a lot. No. Kevin Greene will always be known as one of the craziest and talented pass rushers in NFL history. Swilling was the best pass rusher of the Dome Patrol, but he also forced 36 fumbles to go along with all the sacks. Linebacker is one of the most important and demanding positions in football. No. Zach Thomas would be the perfect linebacker, no matter what style of defense you play. In that career he played both 4-3 OLB and 3-4 ILB. 7. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. Jackson was not just a coverage linebacker, he was also a good pass rusher and a very hard worker off the field. No. In only 11 seasons, Thomas had 126.5 sacks, and an NFL record of 41 forced fumbles. 40, Bryce Paup (Packers/Bills/Jaguars/Vikings) (1990-2000) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. The former college basketball star is considered one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . Still, its an amazing number. 1970 Defensive Player of the Year 5-time first-team All-Pro 8-time Pro Bowler The best high school, college and NFL linebackers are annually presented with the Butkus Award, named in honor of . Won Conference Championship 17-10 vs. San Francisco 49ers. A five-time pro bowler, Wilson was one of the best linebackers in the league during the early 2000s. He had five INTs in a season twice in his career. Jack Lambert was the teammate of Jack Ham who took the inside linebacker duties. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. In only 11 seasons, Thomas had 126.5 sacks, and an NFL record 41 forced fumbles. In 2006, he had an amazing season and won defensive MVP, which is a very high honor that most players on this list never achieved. Mo Lewis was another very consistent and solid player. Thomas never had less than seven sacks in a season in his entire career, and only had less than eight sacks in one season. White House Livid Over Republican's Attack on Biden's Dead Son The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1970s He was also a good pass rusher, and a good coverage man as well. Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times. . Hes been amazing. Top 10 Best Linebackers In Cleveland Browns History (Updated) Reese, GM of Titans' Super Bowl team, dies at 73 Lloyd had 54.5 sacks and 11 INTs in his career, but the most remarkable number was his 35 forced fumbles. Hes also great against the run and is a turnover forcing monster. More from Green Bay Packers. Although still early in his career, Demarcus Ware deserves to be this high on the list. 26, Cornelius Bennett (Bills/Falcons/Colts) (1987-2000) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. This season marked the end for Tittle and fellow Canton-bound star Frank Gifford. 2, Ray Lewis* (Ravens) (1996-Present) *Eleven-time Pro Bowler *Seven-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). 12 sacks and three picks. 25. Cornerback Mel Blount was added in the . Thomas is also third all-time in safeties and fumble returns for touchdowns. Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. The second member of the Dome Patrol comes off the board at No. He was one of the most feared players in the game. Wilson recorded 560 tackles and 21.5 sacks as a member of the Broncos. Mike Singletary had the whole package. Rickey Jackson was one of the fastest linebackers in the game, but he was also one of the hardest hitters. 19, Harry Carson (Giants) (1976-1988) *Nine-time Pro Bowler *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 4, Derrick Thomas (Chiefs) (1989-1999) *Nine-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Please click on "Comments" and make sure to vote in the poll. 17, Brian Urlacher* (Bears) (2000-Present) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Four-time 1st Team All-Pro. Thats an outstanding number. No. It will be interesting to see how he can recover. He is most known for the neck plate he wore behind his head, but dont let that distract you from his great play on the field. 10, Junior Seau (Chargers/Dolphins/Patriots) (1990-2009) *Twelve-time Pro Bowler *Six-time All-Pro 1st Team *Three-time All-Pro 2nd Team. 1970 Dallas Cowboys Roster & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com His best season was his first year with the Bills where he had 17.5 sacks, 70 tackles, two INTs, and three forced fumbles. [1][2] The squad consists of first- and second-team offensive, defensive, and special teams units, as well as a first- and second-team head coaches.
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