Average Mass Of A Baseball In Kg, Horse With A White Mane And Tail, Sister Wives 2021 Death, I Love You 3000 Text Art Copy And Paste, Oxnard Crime News, Articles G

The best high school, college and NFL linebackers are annually presented with the Butkus Award, named in honor of arguably the greatest linebacker possibly the best defensive player to ever put on a helmet. Urlachers legacy was secure after leading Chicago to the NFC title in 200611. 1-time Pro Bowler Please logout and login again. 8-time Pro Bowler We know this. While quarterbacks have their hands on every play on offense to lead their teams to victory, it's much tougher for players to control the game by sheer force of will. Super Bowl II champion 2-time NFL Championship Game winner Born: April 6, 1973 (San Diego, California), High school: Chula Vista High School (Chula Vista, California), Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1996-2001, 2007-08), San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2004), Pro Bowl (2002). Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions (1953-65) 9-time Pro Bowler 1972 NFL Man of the Year They spoke of intensity, determination, and an undying will. An all-time great Packer/NFL player. - http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000816217. 1978 Defensive Player of the Year Here is every player who has ever held the position of New Orleans Saints starting linebacker. Analysis: Nothing against this group of . Jack Lambert played 11 seasons all for the Steelers and won four Super Bowls as the starting linebacker and heart of the "Steel Curtain" defense with fellow Hall of Famers Mean Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Ham and Donnie Shell. The 37 sacks he collected in kelly green puts Joyner atop that list of Eagles' linebackers 1. Nick Buoniconti was just 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds but destroyed opponents with sheer will and ferocity, helping lead the Dolphins to two Super Bowl wins and the only undefeated season in NFL history in 1972. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. Bobby Wagner has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL for almost a decade at this point, winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. Those are both more than Mecklenburg's career totals, and Gradishar played two fewer seasons. Gary Reasons (1984-91) Gary Reasons, a fourth-round draft pick from Northwestern State, was a key . Born: Dec. 23, 1948 (Johnstown, Pennsylvania), High school: Bishop McCourt High School (Johnstown, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Four-time Super Bowl champion (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979), eight-time Pro Bowl (1973-80), eight-time All-Pro (1973-80), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988). Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. Super Bowl I champion 2005, 2006, 2010), eight-time Pro Bowl (2000-03, 2005, 2006, 2010, 20110, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). In the NFL, he was a model of consistency for 14 seasons and earned postseason honors in 10 of 11 seasons and started 135 consecutive games at one point. Ron Rivera must win in 2023. The Commanders have done all they can There's a lot of reasons to love the way Dave Robinson played football mainly because he was a winner. Other than having one of the coolest names in NFL history, Takeo Spikes was also one of the most durable linebackers of all time. Born: Dec. 15, 1940 (Springfield, Massachusetts), Died: July 30, 2019 (age 78, Bridgehampton, New York), High school: Cathedral High School (Springfield, Massachusetts), Teams: Boston Patriots (1962-68), Miami Dolphins (19690-74, 1976), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1972, 1973), two-time Pro Bowl (1972, 1973), two-time All-Pro (1972, 1973), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2001). This stroke of genius created not only the middle linebacker position, but the 4-3 defense. 52 whose off-the-charts football IQ, spiritual leadership and on-field accomplishments are unmatched. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. All Rights Reserved. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. During his playing days he helped lead the Chiefs to win Super Bowl IV 23-7 over the Minnesota Vikings in a game that many gave the Chiefs zero chance of winning. Those bad teams likely cost him any shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. An important part of the Buffalo defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? The race for the best linebacker in NFL history can be narrowed down to five people: the aforementioned Butkus, Lewis, and Singletary, along with Jack Lambert and Willie Lanier. Born: Jan. 19, 1932 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), High school: Brentwood High School (Brentwood, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1953, 1957), 10-time All-Pro (1954-63), 10-time Pro Bowl (1954-63), NFL Defensive Most Valuable Player (1960, 1963), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1973). FP - TopX: Greatest Middle Linebacker of All Time Report: Cardinals decline to pick up Isaiah Simmons' 5th-year option He helped lead Florida State to its first national title in 1993 and a decade later put together his greatest NFL seasons, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and leading the Buccaneers to their only Super Bowl win in 2002. 2005 Comeback Player of the Year That is the highest among all linebackers. Williams was the seventh-best linebacker by Brugler and was not on his Top 100. The duo even led the team to the Super Bowl in 2006, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Buoniconti, who was also a practicing attorney, died in 2019 at 78 years old. Super Bowl XXVII champion 5-time first-team All-Pro Brazile is often credited for being the first outside linebacker to define how the game was played in a 3-4 defense while rushing the passer, although sacks weren't an official NFL statistic until his last three seasons. They paled in comparison but were great players in their own right most notably Wilber Marshall. We asked 50 experts to vote for the NFL's all-time greatest edge rusher, cornerback and kicker. He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. The 10-time All-Pro earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards in six seasons (1981-1982, 1986). Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (1996-2008) The Packers were an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball with the defensive playing a key role in the teams success. Tiania Baul "Junior" Seau was a football unicorn a linebacker who played 20 seasons in the NFL and dominated almost every step of the way. Born: Aug. 13, 1941 (Fort Bragg, North Carolina), High school: Hampton High School (Hampton, Virginia), Team: Washington Football Team (formerly Washington Redskins), Career highlights: Nine-time Pro Bowl (1966-69, 1972-76), six-time All-Pro (1969, 1972-76), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011). He played with an amazing amount of fire and determination without bringing much attention to himself. 1. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. 8-time Pro Bowler20. Alongside Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson, Swilling wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. 3-time Pro Bowler 7-time first-team All-Pro Bear Bryant called him one of the best players he ever coached at Alabama, where Jordan won a national title in 1961. The big-play machine from Waco, Texas, was one of the greatest linebackers in Longhorns program history. 45:47. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. During his career, Singletary won two Defensive Player of the Year awards, was named to 10 Pro Bowl teams and was selected as a First Team All-Pro in seven different seasons. Over his career, Bednarick helped guide the Eagles to two NFL Championships while being named to eight Pro Bowl teams and selected eight times as a First Team All-Pro.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); When considering great middle linebackers it is hard to look past another Chicago Bear All-Pro who racked up a pretty solid NFL career. Born: Aug. 17, 1949 (New Orleans, Louisiana), Died: Dec. 6, 2018 (age 69, Dallas, Texas), High school: Covington High School (Covington, Louisiana), Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1971-78), Buffalo Bills (1979-82), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1971-77), six-time All-Pro (1971, 1973-77), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1971). Lambert hauled in 28 INTs and scooped up 17 fumble recoveries. During his AFL career, Buoniconti earned six AFL All-Star honors and five First Team All-AFL. It is hard to look past Jack Lambert as one of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time based on his career resume and his play on the football field. But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. He's been nothing but consistent since those days of Seahawks dominance in the league. Born: Sept. 1, 1960 (Seattle, Washington), High school: Edina West High School (Edina, Minnesota), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1985-87, 1989, 1991, 1993), four-time All-Pro (1985-87, 1989). Born: Jan. 25, 1985 (Bruceton, Tennessee), High school: Central High School (Bruceton, Tennessee), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (2007-13), six-time All-Pro (2007-12), NFL 2010s All-Decade team, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2007). Others to know: Rashee Rice (SMU), Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss), A.T. Perry (Wake Forest) Linebacker. Ray Lewis's impact on the game back then still influences today's middle linebackers. In his short time in the league, Willis made seven Pro Bowls, six All-Pro teams and banked over $50 million in career earnings. Raiders post-draft depth chart: Will any of the rookies be Week 1 He's a rangy, sideline-to-sideline tackler, and though he lacks size and . Super Bowl VIII champion Bobby Bell could do it all. Hall of Fame, Class of 2011 High school: Pahokee High School (Pahokee, Florida), Teams: New Orleans Saints (1981-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994-95), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1994), six-time Pro Bowl (1983-86, 1992, 1993), five-time All-Pro (1984-86, 1992, 1993), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010). Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it? Great middle linebackers are the captains of the defense. The NFL's Top 50 Linebackers of the Modern Era Like Lewis, Lawrence Taylor is also one of the most feared defenders in NFL history. 25 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History - AthlonSports.com Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. NEW! The Best Buffalo Bills Linebackers of All Time - Ranker Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Born: Oct. 27, 1929 (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Died: Sept. 30, 1982 (Rockford, Illinois), High School: Central High School (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Teams: Chicago Bears (1952-65), Los Angeles Rams (1966), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), eight-time All-Pro (1955-61, 1963), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1974). Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. Bednarik, who the Philadelphia Eagles selected with the first overall pick in the 1949 NFL Draft, helped build the Eagles into a defensive power house. A post shared by BostonPride91 (@bostonpride91). Devine was the worst. He took his skills as a free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won two Super Bowls. Sam Huff, New York Giants (1956-63), Washington Redskins (64-69) 8-time Pro Bowler Singletary also was named NFC Player of the Year three times during his career. Over his career, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to two Super Bowl championships while being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. April 19, 2023 5 PM PT. On the football field Chuck Bednarik was one of the toughest players to play the game and possibly the best tackler to set forth on a football field. Joe Fortunato's greatest teammate, fellow linebacker Dick Butkus, also became perhaps the greatest impediment to Fortunato's long-term legacy. The 13-time. Isaiah Simmons' 5th-year option declined by Arizona Cardinals, per report 6-time Pro Bowler12. The on-field brains behind Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryans famed 1985 Bears defense, Singletary is undeniably one of the greatest to ever play the position.5. Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 NFL Draft! Pat Swilling was part of perhaps the finest assembly of linebackers in NFL history the New Orleans Saints' famous "Dome Patrol" of the late 1980s and early 1990s. His 0-6 record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win. Joyner was unbelievably productive in different aspects of the game, with over 1,000 career tackles and 52 career sacks, and he was a standout on the great Philly defenses of the late 1980s and early 1990s alongside Reggie White under head coach Buddy Ryan. Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. By the time Tommy Nobis left the University of Texas, he was as famous as any player in the NFL, having already appeared on the cover of Life, Sports Illustrated and Time magazines for his accomplishments. Perhaps the most dominant defensive player of his generation, like so many other great linebackers on this list, Khalil Mack has had the misfortune of playing on some truly horrendous teams throughout the early portion of his career with the Raiders and the Bears. 15) are the only Lombardi players whose numbers were retired.6. 10. It is hard not to put Ray Lewis at the top of this list as the top Middle Linebacker All-Time. The Greatest Steelers Linebackers of All Time The Steelers are known for hard-hitting, relentless defense. Brooking was incredibly consistent throughout his career. Ranking 49ers' undrafted rookies, who are led by do-everything Jack Briggs ended up making approximately $52.2 million in career earnings. High school: Vocational High School (Chicago), Career highlights: Eight-time Pro Bowl (1965-72), eight-time All-Pro (1965-72), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1969, 1970), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1983). Here's a crazy thing about James Farrior. David cashed in with a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season. It worked, and Connor never put his hand in the dirt again during a Hall of Fame career. Top 5 Middle Linebackers of All-Time - Sportskeeda 10 Best Linebackers in Steelers History (+Honorable Mentions) Over his career, Urlacher was an eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro while racking up 1,086 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 22 interceptions. Much like Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato, Randy Gradishar doesn't have the legacy he should be because of the player he directly preceded. Les Richter was an amazing football player and had size and speed that could have landed him on NFL rosters in any era. The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time In four seasons, Willis has 594 total tackles, 15 sacks, made the Pro Bowl every year, and three times has been named a first-team All-Pro linebacker. 10-time Pro Bowler His NFL career was punctuated by big hits and big wins, including three consecutive Super Bowl wins with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers in the early 1990s. He started all 26 games at middle linebacker the last two seasons. #NBCSports #NFL #ProFootballTalk Subscribe to NBC Sports: https://www.youtube.c. Isiah Robertson was one of the stars on the Los Angeles Rams' defenses that won six consecutive NFC West titles. Not bad for a former third-round draft pick out of Arizona. NFL: Ranking the 10 Best Middle Linebackers - Bleacher Report High School: Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas, Texas), Career highlights: Four-time Pro Bowl (1959-62), five-time All-Pro (1959-63), two-time NFL champion (1961, 1962). He was an 8-time All-Pro and 9-time Pro-Bowler. High school: Worthing High School (Houston), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1985), 10-time Pro Bowl (1983-82), nine-time All-Pro (1983-91), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1988), three-time NFC Player of the Year (1984, 1985, 1988), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1998). The league's top prospects stepped into the NFL Photo studio for Draft portraits. 1-time Pro Bowler Urclacher recorded at least 100 tackles nine times over his career including a career high 153 during the 2002 NFL season. Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. He led the NFL in tackles three times (1997, 1999, 2001) during his 17 years in Baltimore. That would end up being an anomaly in Dansby's career. Take a look at how all 47 of his selections stack up. His play on the field was filled with passion and talent that helped him become one of the best to play the game. And Farrior, nicknamed "The Ultimate Farrior" by fans, was a huge part of that. Join the contest by ranking below. He posted nine straight seasons with at least 100 tackles and played in all 16 regular-season games for the last 12 seasons of his career. Take a look at some of the best photos of Aaron Rodgers from throughout the years! Mike Singletary was the best of the bunch. Sori-Marin is more of a traditional two-down middle linebacker with good size 6-2, 236 pounds for the position. Notre Dame Top 5 Linebackers - Sports Illustrated It's hard to claim that anyone other than the great Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker ever. If you want to know where the modern concept of an outside linebacker came from, start with George Connor. In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. 12 on the NFL's all-time list. "Dr. Doom" terrorized opposing offenses for 10 NFL seasons and was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He joined the military for two years out of high school before going to play football for the University of North Carolina. His production on the field helped earn Seau one Defensive Player of the Year award while being selected to the Pro Bowl team in 12 straight seasons. Hall of Fame, Class of 2006 An eighth-round pick by the Eagles in 1986 out of UTEP, he was actually cut during his first training camp before being resigned during the season. Once drafted, Buoniconti became one of the teams best defensive players despite his lack of size. He might have been the most intimidating human being to ever step on a football field. A study of his brain revealed he had a severe case of CTE, which can cause rage, amnesia and severe depression. A post shared by Juan Diaz (@juandiaz0620). The No. Born: Dec. 29, 1936 (Elmwood Park, Illinois), Died: March 8, 1998 (age 61, Venice, Florida), High school: Proviso East High School (Mayfield, Illinois), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), three-time NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965), Pro Bowl (1964), seven-time All-Pro (1962-67, 1969), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1978). 3-time Pro Bowler You may have never heard of Joe Schmidt, but he was the single most dominant NFL linebacker through the 1950s and the early part of the 1960s. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. New York native and former Syracuse star Keith Bulluck helped define the early years of the Tennessee Titans as part of the team that came within one yard of winning a Super Bowl. We'll find out in 2024, when he'll be on the ballot for the first time. 5-time Pro Bowler15. His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. His play at the position earned him five selections as a First Team All-Pro and helped him win the 1969 and 1970 Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was 74 years old. Drew Sanders, Arkansas. 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year Baltimore Ravens: Top 10 Linebackers Of All Time - Ebony Bird The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time 10.) Lance Briggs did one thing that's highly unusual for an NFL linebacker in the modern era he played his entire career for the same team. Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). A two-way player who also played center on offense, Bednarik was in the middle of the action on both sides of the ball ask Frank Gifford.9. Nobis played in relative anonymity for his entire NFL career but still put up monster numbers on some really bad teams. Junior Seau was one of the best players of his generation and one of the best middle linebackers to play the game. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Jack Ham was one of the smartest players to ever take a snap in the NFL, on offense or defense, and had a reputation for never being out of position, never being fooled by offensive trickery and making huge plays. Born: Feb. 9, 1945 (South Dayton, New York), High school: South Dayton High School (South Dayton, New York), Teams:Cincinnati Bengals (1969-73), Philadelphia Eagles (1974-80), Career highlights:Five-time Pro Bowl (1969, 1974, 1976-78), five-time All-Pro (1974-78). Super Bowl XXIX champion22. James Farrior, New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (02-11) 2003 Defensive Player of the Year The two Bears greats played together for Fortunato's final two seasons, which meant Butkus broke all of Fortunato's records just years after he set them. 10 of the Best Linebackers of All-Time | NFL Linebackers - WagerLab Owen Pappoe, Auburn. For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). The six-year, $141 million extension he signed with the Bears in 2018 was the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. 5-time first-team All-Pro All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Super Bowl XXXIX champion, The foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the 1959 season with the Chicago Bears. Backups: Luke Masterson, Curtis Bolton. High school: Excel High School (Excel, Alabama), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1973), five-time Pro Bowl (1967-69, 1973, 1974), two-time All-Pro (1969, 1973). On offense, he played center, and on defense, he was a linebacker, where he earned a reputation as one of the most devastating tacklers of all time. He had five INT's in a season twice in his career. Despite a 101-year history, the Cardinals haven't produced a Hall of Famer at linebackerbut they've still had plenty of . His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. But it was his leadership in four Super Bowl wins that moves Lambert ahead of Dick Butkus as sacrilegious as that may seem.3. 2 Time Super Bowl Champion (VII, VIII) American Football League All Time Team 9.) Related:NFL Teams With Most Hall of Famers. Bryce Paup was an outstanding pass rusher in the 1990's. His best season was his first year with the Bills where he had 17.5 sacks, 70 tackles, two INTs, and three forced fumbles. However, we're here to give this the good old college try, so let's dive in! Lambert's size and speed and ability to control a game from the middle linebacker position made him one of the greatest players of all time. Who Is the Greatest Middle Linebacker in NFL History?