best linebackers of the 1970s
Robert "Dr. Doom" Brazile is another one of those underrated linebackers. He would give it his all on every single down of every single play. Thats nearly 13 sacks per season. 20 greatest linebackers in NFL history - Franchise Sports 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. Seau is one of the Chargers' all-time great players, and will go to Canton five years after he retires like he should. Robertson was one of the NFLs most athletic linebackers. That truly shows what kind of person he was off the field. Over the course of his two-year Ohio State career, Lee accumulated 147 tackles. Fredd Young went a little under the radar due to his short seven year career. He knew how to make big plays. Kirkland was an all-around better linebacker, he was a 300lb linebacker whose coverage skills were vastly underrated. He was very athletic, a great tackler, and he could cover. The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. No. Top 13 Cincinnati Reds Starting Pitchers of all time. Top 25 SEC LBs of all-time: 10-6. 2013 MAC Hall of Fame Inductee: Western Michigans John Offerdahl. Thomas' remarkable personality was also recognized by being awarded the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award in 1993. Call 1-800-522-4700. 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. Keith Brooking has been one of the most consistent linebackers of all-time. 28b, Sam Mills (Saints/Panthers) (1986-1997) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 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 . Bryan Cox was an all-around package at linebacker. Shawne Lights Out Merriman was the face of NFL linebackers for a three year stretch. 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 . He was also a good pass rusher, and a good coverage man as well. But, if you didnt know, Jackson was once an outstanding linebacker for the Denver Broncos Orange Crush defense. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. There is a reason the award given to the best linebacker in high school, college and the NFL each year is named after Butkus. His best season was his first year with the Bills where he had 17.5 sacks, 70 tackles, two INTs, and three forced fumbles. He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. The former college basketball star is considered one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. He had less than seven sacks in a season only once. Sacks and tackles werent recorded until late in his career, but he was a great pass rusher and all round linebacker. 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. 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. Schmidt stood out in an era of great middle linebackers. He took up blockers and threw his body around a lot. But before you come to a conclusion, let's take a look at the facts. 22, Chris Spielman (Lions/Bills) (1988-1997) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Linebacker Jack Ham and Tight end Dave Casper each received 20 votes. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? Cox was also a vocal leader of the teams he played for, directing his defenses to success. Rickey Jackson doesnt always get the credit he deserves, but hes a top 10 linebacker of the modern era. 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. And here are the 25 greatest linebackers in NFL history: 25. We started off with a rough one the wide receivers. T&Cs apply. Steelers by the decade: 1970s - Pittsburgh Steelers Hes had 92 sacks and 23 forced fumbles so far in his career. He was the type of player that you would want your kids to look up to. Cornelius Bennett was just a great all-around player. No. *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. In the words of Vikings' head coaching legend Bud Grant, "Paul personified the term free safety.". Peppers' 159.5 career sacks rank fourth on the all-time list. LT was the most intimidating player ever to put on an NFL uniform. Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 2nd round . The Steelers had lost their emotional leader, outside linebacker Greg Lloyd, at the start of the season to a knee injury, but Kirkland took over the mantle of leadership. Peterson is another versatile linebacker who has played both inside and outside linebacker. Robertson is one of the most underrated players in NFL history. 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. If Bulluck played on a better team, I believe his stats would be much better and his accomplishments would be a lot more. Well have to see how he does, but he could either climb up or fall off this list based on his performance in 2010. AP. *Ty Anderson, Thomasville: Anderson (6-0, 210) has been an all-state player since he was a sophomore Region 1-2A defensive co . Bergey became one of the NFL's best linebackers in Philly, where he made five consecutive All-Pro teams and was the foundation for the "Gang Green" defense that made the playoffs in each of his last three seasons, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 1980. . 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 . Suggs will only continue to climb this list the longer he plays, since hes in the middle of his prime right now. He recently missed most of last season with surgery. Born April 20 . Trotter was a complete, all-around linebacker. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. Sam Huff. 1970 NFC Champion. 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, '88) Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. Randy Gradishar may be the single-most deserving player of a spot in Canton. No. Top 5 Tennessee linebackers of all-time - Saturday Down South Edmunds will have to clean up the missed tackles and improve in coverage to rise toward where most slot him currently a top-10 linebacker on this list next season. Ray Lewis came into the league and dominated right away. He was a tackle machine and a very big hitter. He is not only the greatest linebacker in NFL history, hes one of the games greatest players period. 31, Tom Jackson (Broncos) (1973-1986) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 1953-65, Detroit Lions. Thats amazing consistency. Reese, GM of Titans' Super Bowl team, dies at 73 O. J. Simpson and Lynn Swann were next with 22 and 21 votes, respectively. In 1993 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker, Nickerson piled up an astounding 214 tackles. 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. As an outside linebacker, he put a lot of pressure on opponents' quarterbacks. 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. Gradishar was the silent assassin of the team. More Team Info. Jack Ham might be the best coverage linebacker of all time. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12-year career, which is outstanding. He was selected late in the 12th Round, and nobody expected much out of him. He was one of the most feared players in the game. 10 Best Linebackers in Steelers History (+Honorable Mentions) Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018. He knew how to make big plays. 6 - Carl McAdams. Hardy Nickerson makes it this high on the list mainly because of one ridiculous season he had. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNzd9Xd0who, No. Ranking the 10 best linebackers in Raiders history With rule changes being what they have been, The number one pick was obvious. The offense, meanwhile, scored 29 points a game. Jack Lambert was the teammate of Jack Ham who took the inside linebacker duties. 17, Brian Urlacher* (Bears) (2000-Present) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Four-time 1st Team All-Pro. Cornerback Mel Blount was added in the . No. Rickey Jackson was one of the fastest linebackers in the game, but he was also one of the hardest hitters. But, theres no doubt that hes been one of the top linebackers in the NFL, and still is today. These are the newest members of GHSF Daily's Georgia Power 100. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. He produced 32 sacks over the 3 seasons. 25, Karl Mecklenburg (Broncos) (1983-1994) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Three-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro Karl "The Albino Rhino" Mecklenburg was the definition of a blue collar player. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. 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 . 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. Lofa Tatupu didnt take any time breaking into the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. I have combined outside and inside linebackers on the list and factored in the players ability to stop the run, drop into coverage and leadership. Who were the linebackers for the Steel Curtain defense? - Quora Top 10 Linebackers in Miami Dolphins history - Phin Phanatic 4, Derrick Thomas (Chiefs) (1989-1999) *Nine-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 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 running back Franco Harris. Are you ready for some football history? and Jack Ham played as . Chad Brown played a very long NFL career, especially for a 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. No. Over his career, Brooking has racked up 962 tackles and 12 INTs. Ham had outstanding speed. Tribute to Elvis The . He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He played in 10 playoff games and had two INTs and three fumble recoveries in them. 1. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme. Mo Lewis was another very consistent and solid player. Hes been amazing. Playoffs: Won Divisional Round 5-0 vs. Detroit Lions. Taylor changed the way football is played today. Top 30 Linebackers in the NFL since 1970! Taylor changed the way football is played today. Suggs is a pass rushing monster with the Ravens. 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. He had an outstanding attitude and would do anything to get his team a win. No. Jul 07, 2014 at 11:02 PM. 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. . Brooks wasnt just a pass coverage linebacker, but he also played the run well. 25 Greatest Defensive Linemen in NFL History - AthlonSports.com Chuck Drazenovich. In his time in the NFL, he intercepted 25 passes and returned six of them for touchdowns with three of those in 2002 alone. His 32 career INTs lead the way for linebackers. Jack Lambert played middle linebacker. Nickerson wasnt just a one hit wonder though. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. Williams was the heart and soul of two Super Bowl defenses. AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:30 a.m. EST The Greatest Penn State Linebackers of All Time Depending on the day, you might view Ham as the best player on the Steel Curtain defense or the 4th best, and it's . Lewis wasnt as vocal as Cox, but his play was a little better, and lasted for a longer period of time. No. Jeremiah The Axeman Trotter has been a very recognizable name over the past decade. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. The Best of Tommy Brady at Michigan . 40, Bryce Paup (Packers/Bills/Jaguars/Vikings) (1990-2000) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme.