Jackson had 40 forced fumbles, just one short of the NFL record. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. Swilling was the best pass rusher of the Dome Patrol, but he also forced 36 fumbles to go along with all the sacks. These were the players who were great players, but not quite good enough to be placed inside the top 50. NFL Defensive Rookie of the . Most people know Tom Jackson as the commentator working with Chris Berman. 49, Vaughn Johnson (Saints/Eagles) (1986-1994) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Spielman had seven straight 100 tackle seasons, and did it eight out of nine years. He also is the only linebacker to ever win a Super Bowl MVP and be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in the same season (2000). The line was the backbone of the Steelers dynasty, which won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) in six years.. Brooks wasnt just a pass coverage linebacker, but he also played the run well. T&Cs apply. But we would be remiss to not acknowledge some of the top performers from that earlier era. He had 885 career solo tackles, which is impressive on a defense filled with swarming the ball, shown by his 1,488 career tackles. Al Wilson was an outstanding MLB for the Broncos. [3] Johnson wasnt very flashy, but he was very solid all-around, which is why he sneaks onto the list. No. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12-year career, which is outstanding. Junior Seau finished his career with 1,524 tackles, the highest total on this list. The best LB in the NFL today comes in at No. Derrick Thomas was on pace to absolutely shatter NFL records before his tragic death in 2000. No. Chris Spielman was a tackle machine during his 10 years in the NFL. He was said to have the fastest 10 yard burst of any player on the team, and that included receivers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, and runningback Franco Harris. He finished his career with 1,106 tackles and 627 assisted tackles as well. He had less than seven sacks in a season only once. Taylor changed the way football is played today. 5, Jack Lambert (Steelers) (1974-1984) *Nine-time Pro Bowlers *Seven-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He had four interceptions that season, a high number for an inside linebacker, to go along with four sacks and 114 tackles. Although he only played three full seasons, he made five Pro Bowls. Thats an outstanding number. He also took over Lloyds role in pass coverage as the only linebacker in the Steelers nickel defense. He started his career out with the Packers, if they would have used him correctly he would have been higher on this list. 10. Isiah Robertson, nicknamed The Playmaker, was known for coming up with the big plays in the biggest games. The player that gives Butkus the most competition in that category would be Mike Singletary. In the 2017-18 NFL season, the current Buffalo Bills starting LBs and backup LBs are Lorenzo Alexander, Deon Lacey, Matt Milano, and Tanner Vallejo. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. That suggestion from the newly appointed House . Bet with your head, not over it. But in those three years, hes racked up 328 tackles and seven INTs, all while starting every game of his career. He took up blockers and threw his body around a lot. Lewis stats at this point of his career are 1,349 tackles, 36.5 sacks, and 28 INTs. Briggs should only continue to move up this list, as he takes over as the star linebacker spot in Chicago. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. These are the newest members of GHSF Daily's Georgia Power 100. A late 12th round pick Mecklenburg finished his career with 79 sacks, which is great for an ILB, and also ranks 2nd all-time in Broncos history. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme. The entire enterprise of Notre Dame basketball, gone strange. He was never the most athletic player on the field, but he was always the hardest working. 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. In 1976, Jackson had seven INTs. Select from premium 1970 1979 America of the highest quality. The National Football League 1970s All-Decade Team is a list of National Football League (NFL) players selected by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Eddie Johnson. He was very solid in coverage, good against the run, and had no real weaknesses. He was Terrell Suggs before Suggs got to Baltimore. Brooks wasnt just a pass coverage linebacker, but he also played the run well. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. 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. There is a reason the award given to the best linebacker in high school, college and the NFL each year is named after Butkus. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. They had traded stalwart linebacker Sam Huff in the offseason. 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. No. 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 . The former college basketball star is considered one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. 10. Lofa Tatupu didnt take any time breaking into the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. Bryce Paup was an outstanding pass rusher in the 1990s. Julian Peterson has had a very well-rounded NFL career to this point, and its still going on. Matt Blair was a very intimidating linebacker, and helped the Vikings get to two Super Bowls in his career. 6 - Carl McAdams. Randy Gradishar may be the single-most deserving player of a spot in Canton. No. Still, its an amazing number. Brooks was the leader of that defense, but his surrounding cast was just too good to rank him higher. credit : - yahoo. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? No. Super Bowl winner. He also ranks third all . Quinto was a regular at both inside and outside linebacker for head coach Ron Gladnick's Saints. Nickerson wasnt just a one hit wonder though. Ray Lewis is the top MLB of the modern era and is easily the linebacker of the 2000s. Tippett was a big reason to why so many teams value pass rushing OLBs in todays game. No. Over the course of his career he racked up over 1,000 tackles, 52.5 sacks, and 14 INTs, all of which are very good numbers. Jul 07, 2014 at 11:02 PM. Linebacker U Penn State Tradition Jack Ham as a Steeler. Lambert won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. He did it once in 1985 and again in 1988. He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. Zach Thomas is exactly what you want in a player and a linebacker. 6, Jack Ham (Steelers) (1971-1982) *Eight-time Pro Bowler *Six-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. 1. Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. Woodrow Lowe, Alabama (1972-75) Respected as college football's top linebacker in the early 1970s, Lowe was the first . As an outside linebacker, he put a lot of pressure on opponents' quarterbacks. Taylor changed the way football is played today. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1970s Top 10 Best Linebackers In Cleveland Browns History. Simpson in 1973 or Terry Bradshaw's two Super Bowl MVP performances. Blair was outstanding in coverage, along with being a great tackler. Jason Gildon (Steelers/Jaguars): - Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro. Jackson was the vocal leader of that defense. His 32 career INTs lead the way for linebackers. 46, Jon Beason* (Panthers) (2007-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Other Links > Football > Player Rankings by Position > Top Ranked Linebackers . Mills was more of the tackler of the bunch, racking up 1,142 tackles in his career. He was also a big hitter and very intimidating on the field of play. Mike Kolen 1970-77. Keith Bulluck WAS the Titans defense, and has been every year hes been there. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. No. 22, Chris Spielman (Lions/Bills) (1988-1997) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 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. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. 10, Junior Seau (Chargers/Dolphins/Patriots) (1990-2009) *Twelve-time Pro Bowler *Six-time All-Pro 1st Team *Three-time All-Pro 2nd Team. He had 1,301 tackles and 25 forced fumbles in his career. Eleven Pro Bowls. Cornelius Bennett was just a great all-around player. Holdovers from the National Football League 1960s All-Decade Team were Bob Lilly, Dick Butkus, Merlin Olsen, Larry Wilson, and Jim Bakken, which made them the first players to make multiple All-Decade teams in NFL history. Tribute to Elvis Rickey Jackson could do it all. [a][4]. Chuck Drazenovich. Brooking was the face of the Falcons defense for nearly a decade, and is a well-rounded player. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. We started off with a rough one the wide receivers. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. He did everything. 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. Bulluck was one of the best pass coverage linebackers in NFL history. Lost Super Bowl 13-16 vs. Baltimore Colts. 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. He was a good pass rusher, having at least 5.5 sacks in 10 straight years, but he was also good against the run and in coverage. Zachary Petrizzo. 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. Butkus nasty disposition and ability to blow up anyone standing in his path, made him one of the most feared players in the history of the game. Theres not much Brooks doesnt have. 47, Fredd Young (Seahawks/Colts) (1984-1990) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. Thomas was the best linebacker of the 1990s, and one of the best pass rushers of all-time. Still, he was a very solid MLB for many years. Republican Rep. James Comer suggested during a right-wing podcast earlier this week that President Joe Biden's deceased son Beau Biden should have been investigated in connection with a long-settled case on "campaign donations" from a backer who was eventually indicted. 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 . Bill Romanowski (49ers, Eagles, Broncos, Raiders) : Two-time Pro Bowler. He had five INTs in a season twice in his career. In the words of Vikings' head coaching legend Bud Grant, "Paul personified the term free safety.". He may have been undersized, but he made up for it with his mind and his hustle. Fredd Young went a little under the radar due to his short seven year career. Paul Krause | S. The NFL's all-time leader in interceptions spent 12 of his 16 years in Minnesota. In only 11 seasons, Thomas had 126.5 sacks, and an NFL record of 41 forced fumbles. That is the reason you will not find Butkus, Huff, Nitschke etc in these rankings. Any coach would be lucky to have a player like Karl Mecklenburg on their roster. 7. The middle linebacker also recorded 52 tackles for loss, which is fourth all-time in Clemson history. Derrick Thomas was on pace to absolutely shatter NFL records before his tragic death in 2000. Greene was one of the best pass rushers of all-time, recording 160 sacks in his career. He was a very solid 3-4 ILB playing on one of the best LB Cores of all-time, the Dome Patrol. A tall order to say the least, and these 5 players did it better than anyone in the history of the NFL. The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). 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. Jack Lambert was the teammate of Jack Ham who took the inside linebacker duties. Their greats span the decades of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. Next up on the docket for my top Redskins players series are the linebackers. Known as quite possibly the most sound tackler in school history, Ham was an extremely fundamental linebacker who was the captain of the 1970 Penn State defense. He would always be found around the ball, and around the play. Spielman was a great leader and intense player who always gave everything he had. 1. Mecklenburg was never a cocky player, but just a guy who would show up on Sundays. Mills, along with Swilling, was another member of that Dome Patrol defense. Over his nine-year career, he had 2,049 tackles, although this number is solo and assisted because he played before solo tackles were an official stat.
Who Is Committing Knife Crime In London,
Yeti Founders Divorce,
Articles B