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. This season marked the end for Tittle and fellow Canton-bound star Frank Gifford. More from Green Bay Packers. Bryce Paup was an outstanding pass rusher in the 1990s. Taylor changed the way football is played today. 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. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme. L.T. Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), three-time Pro Bowl (1970-72), two . The . You could stick him on any TE in the league, even some slot receivers, and he would take them out of the game. He could do it all. When Indiana travels to San Antonio, it will MLB Rule Changes | Can F1 Compete With NASCAR | Froggy Talkin Sports #MLB #indianahoosiers #nascar, Indiana Basketball Postgame W/Steve Risley: Indiana vs Iowa Recap and more, Must be 21+. NFLs Merchants of Menace Cornelius Bennett and Bruce Smith. Derrick Thomas still holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single NFL game with seven, against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990. The only reason Brooks isnt higher up on this list is because he had a fantastic surrounding cast which includes, most notably, Warren Sapp taking up blockers on the line. NFL WAGS: 10 Hottest NFL Wives & Girlfriends 2023. No. 10. No. Joey Porter may be the most vocal linebacker on this list. AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:03 a.m. EST. Andre Tippett. He did it once in 1985 and again in 1988. 2011 Butkus Award winner for nation s best linebacker at Boston College. Jackson had 40 forced fumbles, just one short of the NFL record. K.J. Bet with your head, not over it. The offense, meanwhile, scored 29 points a game. No. 42, Chip Banks (Browns/Chargers/Colts) (1982-1992) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st team All-Pro. The Raiders defeated the Eagles 27-10. Tippett finished his career with 100 sacks. Shawne Lights Out Merriman was the face of NFL linebackers for a three year stretch. Singletary was a leader, not only vocally, but by example. Sacks and tackles werent recorded until late in his career, but he was a great pass rusher and all round linebacker. An important part of the Las Vegas defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. If you havnt guessed it by now, Lawrence LT Taylor is my top linebacker of the modern era. 18, Andre Tippett (Patriots) (1982-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. The second member of the Dome Patrol comes off the board at No. Kirkland had great speed and agility for a big man. Lost Super Bowl 13-16 vs. Baltimore Colts. Lawrence Taylor. Jeremiah The Axeman Trotter has been a very recognizable name over the past decade. He also played two different positions, playing ILB and OLB for the Vikings in his career. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. In his three years at Clemson (1995-'97) Simmons recorded 486 tackles, only 29 off the school record Bubba Brown recorded in four years from 1976-'79. 13, Greg Lloyd (Steelers/Panthers) (1988-1998) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro. Also note that an asterisk (*) by the players name means they are still active today. Thomas did everything you asked out of a linebacker. There was a story of someone meeting Thomas at the Pro Bowl for no longer than 10 minutes. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . His 1989 rookie season was one of the best the NFL has ever seen. Other Links > Football > Player Rankings by Position > Top Ranked Linebackers . Bill Parcells considered Carson the best all-around linebacker he ever coached, which is very high praise from someone who has coached a ton of linebackers in his day. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. St. The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. This brings us to the first night of March and a not-quite-full Purcell . Next up, we look at a much better-rated unit in the linebackers. 14, Hardy Nickerson (Steelers/Bucs/Jaguars/Packers) (1987-2002) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. The leader of the Dome Patrol comes in at No. Lambert and Ham also won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. Spielman had seven straight 100 tackle seasons, and did it eight out of nine years. But we would be remiss to not acknowledge some of the top performers from that earlier era. No. . When you ask who is the greatest MLB of all-time is, many people jump straight to Dick Butkus. Mike Singletary had the whole package. No. A truly great linebacker must be able to read the offense, set the defensive scheme, play the run with cat-like instincts and defend the pass with the utmost precision. 46, Jon Beason* (Panthers) (2007-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He was also the fastest linebacker of the bunch and excelled in pass coverage. Over the past decade, virtually every stage of the offensive evolution has increased stress on linebackers, putting them in a bind and asking them to account for multiple things on the same play. Thomas is also third all-time in safeties and fumble returns for touchdowns. No. Wilson doesnt have the career numbers because his career was so short, but theres no doubt when he was playing he was the most feared player on the field. He finished his career with 132.5 sacks. He recently missed most of last season with surgery. 12, Randy Gradishar (Broncos) (1974-1984) *Seven-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Blair was also one of the greatest special teams players of all-time! He was the quintessential linebacker and easily the greatest of his era. Jackson was the vocal leader of the orange crush defense. . Eddie Johnson arrived in Cleveland at exactly the right time. Chuck Drazenovich. In 1984 and 1985, Tippett put up two of the best back to back seasons recording 18.5 and 16.5 sacks in them. Thats amazing consistency. (Photo: David Boss, Getty) Historians will tell you that McAdams is one of the best linebackers to ever play at The University of Oklahoma. 33, Al Wilson (Broncos) (1999-2006) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He led the team in tackles five of the 11 season he played for them. Siemon was always a good player, but never a great player. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. Simpson in 1973 or Terry Bradshaw's two Super Bowl MVP performances. Floyd Reese, the general manager who assembled the roster for the Tennessee Titans' lone Super Bowl appearance, died Saturday. [3] He started all but one game in his last eight seasons, which is very impressive for a linebacker. Gradishar was the silent assassin of the team. Less of a nod goes to pass rushers, linebackers and safeties. He did it in 2000 and again in 2003. He could do it all. Chris Spielman was a tackle machine during his 10 years in the NFL. Here's a list of the Packers' top 10 all-time defensive players since 1950, when unlimited substitution was restored to the NFL, paving the way for two-platoon football. No. During the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Lee posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among . He came one tackle short from having five consecutive 100 tackle seasons in 2004, which is saying a lot, since he was the guy taking up blockers most of the time as well. 25. The most obvious change from 1920 to today is the size of players, but there also have been many changes in the schemes . In this Article . The line was the backbone of the Steelers dynasty, which won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) in six years.. The 2008 season was his best sack season with 17.5. Lambert wasnt just great on the inside, he was an outstanding coverage linebacker. Wright has been one of the most reliable linebackers in the NFL since entering the league as a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State . Robertson is one of the most underrated players in NFL history. With time to spare in the NFL offseason, I’ll take a look at the top 50 linebackers in the NFL in the modern era. Jackson was not just a coverage linebacker, he was also a good pass rusher and a very hard worker off the field. Wagers only accepted in CO. For full terms and conditions, click here. From his time at USC, Lott . Comic-Con Museum named best pop culture museum by USA Today. In 2008, Suggs even had two INTs, both of which he returned for touchdowns. Chicago 1981-92. During his career Williams amassed 62.5 sacks, which is the second most in Bengals history. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . Thomas' remarkable personality was also recognized by being awarded the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award in 1993. Defensive MVP in 2002. Lofa Tatupu* (Seahawks) : Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro. Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. Zach Thomas is exactly what you want in a player and a linebacker. Seau was the definition of consistency. LT was the most intimidating player ever to put on an NFL uniform. Wright, Seattle Seahawks. 15, Zach Thomas (Dolphins/Cowboys) (1996-2008) *Seven-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Ham is the only linebacker other than Tom Jackson to have seven INTs in a single season. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme. could hit like a freight train, but it was his finesse and high football IQ that helped him revolutionize the linebacker position. The NFL started in 1920 and commemorated its 100th season in 2019 with a season-long celebration of "NFL 100." The game has come a long way in 100 years. He had eight seasons with 10+ sacks. Jackson was most notable for being a pass rusher, but he really did it all. He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. Keith Brooking has been one of the most consistent linebackers of all-time. As part of the Steelers Blitzburgh defense in the 90s, Greg Lloyd was a speedy, undersized pass rusher.Sometimes, he would use his size to his advantage to disguise where he was coming from. No. Urlacher was an all-around great linebacker who flew around the field with reckless abandon. *Ty Anderson, Thomasville: Anderson (6-0, 210) has been an all-state player since he was a sophomore Region 1-2A defensive co . Williams has received numerous honors, including selection to the NFL All-Rookie Team (1976), the Byron Whizzer White Award for Humanitarian Service (1985), the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (1986), and Sports Illustrateds Co-Sportsman of the Year (1987). 32, John Offerdahl (Dolphins) (1986-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. More Team Info. He produced 32 sacks over the 3 seasons. He was a hard worker, good tackler, and had great hands. . He had less than seven sacks in a season only once. He knew how to make big plays. Pat Swilling. He was effective as a pass rushing OLB, tallying up 14 sacks in one season with the Dolphins, and as an inside run stopping linebacker with the Jets. These were the players who were great players, but not quite good enough to be placed inside the top 50. 50, Bryan Cox (Dolphins/Bears/Jets/Patriots/Saints) (1991-2003). Depending on the day, you might view Ham as the best player on the Steel Curtain defense or the 4th best, and it's . Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? No. The former college basketball star is considered one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. He had five INTs in a season twice in his career. Lambert is said by many to be the best inside linebacker of all-time. Leslie ONeal was a sack machine in his career. He became a starter at inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season, 1993, replacing Pro Bowler David Little. He took up blockers and threw his body around a lot. AP. No. No. Robertson is one of the most underrated players in NFL history. Any coach would be lucky to have a player like Karl Mecklenburg on their roster. Undersized height wise, but an overabundance of heart made him more than a handful to deal with. [a][4]. Young was a fierce hitter, and would always stick his nose in the middle of the play. 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. That Steelers linebacking core could easily be the best of all-time, and it was led by Jack Lambert and Jack Ham. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and Defensive Player of the Year two years later. Linebacker Jack Ham and Tight end Dave Casper each received 20 votes. O. J. Simpson and Lynn Swann were next with 22 and 21 votes, respectively. Robertson was one of the NFLs most athletic linebackers. But perhaps more than the star players, the decade was dominated by dynasty teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, and . Mecklenburg finished his career with 79 sacks, which is great for an ILB, and also ranks 2nd all-time in Broncos history. The Minnesota Vikings did an outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974. Interview with Former Steeler Great levon kirkland. He could play zone and man. Mar 3, 2023 Updated 4 min ago. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. He had four interceptions that season, a high number for an inside linebacker, to go along with four sacks and 114 tackles. Paul Naumoff played for 12 seasons from 1967-1978. Jack Lambert was the teammate of Jack Ham who took the inside linebacker duties. Next were Defensive end Jack Youngblood and Joe Greene who each had 18 votes. O. J. Simpson and Lynn Swann were next with 22 and 21 votes, respectively. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. Mills, along with Swilling, was another member of that Dome Patrol defense. The versatile middle linebacker played a significant role in helping the Steelers win four Super Bowls in a span of six years in the 1970s. 2022 - SportsUnfold. ONeal should get more recognition as one of the best pass rushers to play the game. Kevin Greene will always be known as one of the craziest and talented pass rushers in NFL history. Next up on the docket for my top Redskins players series are the linebackers. 12. Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #47 gets a hold of Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields #1 during the second half of a game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium . He wasnt very vocal, but his play did all the talking for him. Playing 20 seasons in the NFL is amazing at any position. Wilson recorded 560 tackles and 21.5 sacks as a member of the Broncos. He was always around the ball. Thats nearly 13 sacks per season. Seau is one of the Chargers' all-time great players, and will go to Canton five years after he retires like he should. He has been one of the most intimidating players in the NFL his entire career. Singletary was one of the key leaders of the famous 85 Bears defense, arguably the greatest defense in the history of the NFL. Lloyd had 54.5 sacks and 11 INTs in his career, but the most remarkable number was his 35 forced fumbles. He was 73. He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. 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. Ray Lewis came into the league and dominated right away. He has played the role of pass rusher and coverage linebacker in his career, and has excelled at both. 31, Tom Jackson (Broncos) (1973-1986) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Randy Gradishar played along with Tom Jackson in the Denver Broncos Orange Crush defense. 24, Leslie ONeal (Chargers/Rams/Chiefs) (1986-1999) *Six-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He had an outstanding attitude and would do anything to get his team a win. No. 28a, Pat Swilling (Saints/Lions/Raiders) (1986-1998) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He even made the Pro Bowl in a year that he only started eight games and also a year in which he only started nine games. Defensive MVP in 2002. Boulware gets overlooked a lot playing because of playing with Ray Lewis, but he was a key component in that dominating Ravens defense of the early 2000s. Ham is the only linebacker other than Tom Jackson to have seven INTs in a single season. 48, Terrell Suggs* (Ravens) (2003-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. And here are the 25 greatest linebackers in NFL history: 25. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) At New Mexico State, the once-treasured men's basketball program has been suspended for the season due to a fatal shooting and a gruesome allegation of locker-room . Jeff Siemon (Vikings) : Four-time Pro Bowler. Still, its an amazing number. There is a reason the award given to the best linebacker in high school, college and the NFL each year is named after Butkus. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week. thegruelingtruth.com is available in the following countries: The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. 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 also had 1,173 tackles in his career. He finished his career with 1,106 tackles and 627 assisted tackles as well. *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. LT finished his career with 142 sacks, averaging nearly 11 sacks per season. No. In 1976, Jackson had seven INTs. He had an outstanding attitude and would do anything to get his team a win. Harry Carson was an outstanding linebacker who played alongside Lawrence Taylor. But, theres no doubt that hes been one of the top linebackers in the NFL, and still is today. With time to spare in the NFL offseason, Ill take a look at the top 50 linebackers in the NFL in the modern era. The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Gradishar was the silent assassin of the team. Baker recorded 19 . He was a tackle machine and a very big hitter. He was always good enough for Pro Bowls, but was never an All-Pro Player. Kirkland was an all-around better linebacker, he was a 300lb linebacker whose coverage skills were vastly underrated. Of course, prior to 1970, there was only one captain chosen; since 1970, we've had as many as four chosen in a single season. Taylor is one of only two defensive players (DT Alan Page, 1971) in the history of the NFL to be named NFL MVP. Still, he was a very solid MLB for many years. He was a dominating force in the NFL during that stretch of time. By 1995, he was recognized as one of the top inside linebackers in the league and had a stellar performance in Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the season. The two-time All-American helped the Cornhuskers win back-to-back national titles in 1970 and '71 . That is just unheard of. Lambert was a Pro Bowler in all but his rookie season and his final pro season, totaling nine selections. Jackson was not just a coverage linebacker, he was also a good pass rusher and a very hard worker off the field. As a pass rusher, Greene would be top 5 at least, his ability to be an every-down linebacker hurts him overall, he was not great against the run. The player that gives Butkus the most competition in that category would be Mike Singletary. Greene and Greg Lloyd made one of the best pass rushing duos in NFL history with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over his career, Brooking has racked up 962 tackles and 12 INTs. Zachary Petrizzo. Andy Russell 7x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl Champion Linebacker '63, 1966-1976 Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images. But Mills did much more than that. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. This team was widely regarded as having one of the best defenses of all-time. He has done it all for the Bears with his pass coverage, run support, and blitzing. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. No. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. But in those three years, hes racked up 328 tackles and seven INTs, all while starting every game of his career. In 2007, he racked up a remarkable 17 sacks in only 12 games. No. He was one of a kind and will always be remembered as one of the best linebackers of all time. Check out the 1970 Minnesota Vikings Roster, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports and more on Pro-Football-Reference.com. His 32 career INTs lead the way for linebackers. Beason has only been in the league for three years now. Rickey Jackson was one of the fastest linebackers in the game, but he was also one of the hardest hitters. Those would be accomplishments by themselves, let alone all together. 7, Rickey Jackson (Saints/49ers) (1981-1995) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 17, Brian Urlacher* (Bears) (2000-Present) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Four-time 1st Team All-Pro. 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. 11, Kevin Greene (Rams/Steelers/Panthers/49ers), (1985-1999) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times. No. Teamwork and Leadership from Karl Mecklenburg NFL Motivational Keynote Speaker. Lamberts best season was in 1976, where he won the Defensive Player of the Year award. 34, Julian Peterson* (49ers/Seahawks/Lions) (2000-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. James Farrior* (Jets/Steelers): Two-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro, one-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 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. Brazile was drafted out of Jackson State and revolutionized linebacker play in the NFL. After a very bad injury in 2008, Shawne Merriman hasnt been the same. He played for a bad team with not much of a surrounding cast, but still excelled. Who knows how many he wouldve had if he played in the entire 16? Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. Banks was a player that any coach would want on their team. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. Mills was more of a complete player than Swilling, although the two are too close to separate one from the other. When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus. Ray Lewis is another one of the three players on the list to win Defensive Player of the Year twice in his career. In only 11 seasons, Thomas had 126.5 sacks, and an NFL record of 41 forced fumbles. Cornerback Mel Blount was added in the . Well have to see how he does, but he could either climb up or fall off this list based on his performance in 2010. No. He was very solid in coverage, good against the run, and had no real weaknesses. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. James Harrison. Jackson tallied up 128 sacks in his career, but even thats not his most impressive number. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. That suggestion from the newly appointed House . No. Top 10 Draft Picks in Broncos History | No. He could do it all. Although still early in his career, Demarcus Ware deserves to be this high on the list. Porter will try to continue his success in Arizona and continue to climb up this list. 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 . From canvas high-tops to social media dominance, the NBA has come a long way. Jack Lambert played middle linebacker. He was a tackling machine for the majority of his career. He had ten seasons with 10+ sacks. Joey Porter. He always tried to better himself and did it effectively. 30, Matt Blair (Vikings) (1974-1985) *Six-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. Linebacker Jack Ham and Tight end Dave Casper each received 20 votes. He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. Peter Boulware was the pass rusher alongside Ray Lewis. As also playing DE should tell you, he was very versatile and could play many different positions. 2. He was one of the most feared players in the game. Ralph Baker - Years with Jets: 11 (1964-74) Baker played in 142 games with the Jets in his 11 seasons, which is tied with Marvin Jones for the 4 th most by a linebacker. 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. He is the only linebacker to ever take the honor. He was the notorious leader of one of the greatest defenses to ever make its way onto a football field Pittsburghs famed Steel Curtain.. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1970s The Steelers went 6-10 in his first season, but along with players like Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca . But Mills did much more than that. He had 885 career solo tackles, which is impressive on a defense filled with swarming the ball, shown by his 1,488 career tackles. Ranking Explanation . Tippett finished his career with 100 sacks. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times. He just goes out every week and hustles. Bill Romanowski (49ers, Eagles, Broncos, Raiders) : Two-time Pro Bowler. They had traded stalwart linebacker Sam Huff in the offseason. Kirkland had 10 tackles and a key sack of Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman. Lewis most notable accomplishment may be starting the Tom Brady era by knocking out Drew Bledsoe on a roll out, giving Tom Brady his first ever NFL action. Marshall wasnt just a pass coverage linebacker though, he also racked up 1,020 tackles during his 11 year NFL career, along with 24 forced fumbles. 5.) No. Hes also great against the run and is a turnover forcing monster. That is the reason you will not find Butkus, Huff, Nitschke etc in these rankings. Select from premium 1970 1979 America of the highest quality. Lewis wasnt as vocal as Cox, but his play was a little better, and lasted for a longer period of time. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. and 2000s. 21. Keith Bulluck WAS the Titans defense, and has been every year hes been there. He has been one of the most intimidating players in the NFL his entire career. Lofa Tatupu didnt take any time breaking into the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1960s He was just a great all-around player who could do it all. That game and his outstanding 1996 season earned Kirkland his first trip to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors after the 1996 season. . Mecklenburg was never a cocky player, but just a guy who would show up on Sundays. 5. He always tried to better himself and did it effectively. Named to NFL's All-Decade Team for 1970s and 1980s. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12 year career, which is outstanding. Sacks and tackles werent recorded until late in his career, but he was a great pass rusher and all-around linebacker. Mike Singletary is one of three players on this list to win Defensive Player of the Year twice in his career. Lewis stats at this point of his career are 1,349 tackles, 36.5 sacks, and 28 INTs. . He left everything he had on the field of play, and even though he was a tenacious player on the field, he was one of the most genuine and nice guys off the field. The longtime backup led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8%), set the Seahawks' single-season passing yards record (4,282) and ranked in the top five in the entire league in both passing .
Thomas Gorman Obituary, Moose Lodge Calendar Of Events, Sharene Guilford Brown, Sam 26000 Floor Plan, Pet Friendly Homes For Rent In Chandler, Az, Articles B