Thats amazing consistency. The Best of Tommy Brady at Michigan . When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus. Ham had outstanding speed. He was the quintessential linebacker and easily the greatest of his era. The Raiders defeated the Eagles 27-10. Teamwork and Leadership from Karl Mecklenburg NFL Motivational Keynote Speaker. Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 2nd round . No. Siemon was always a good player, but never a great player. 47, Fredd Young (Seahawks/Colts) (1984-1990) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. This team was widely regarded as having one of the best defenses of all-time. He had 1,301 tackles and 25 forced fumbles in his career. 38, Chad Brown (Steelers/Seahawks/Patriots) (1993-2007) *Three-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro. Thats over 10 sacks per season, which is outstanding. 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. He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. Who are the Packers' greatest defenders of all time? - Green Bay Packers Hes also had at least 83 tackles in every year other than his rookie season. 10. Singletary was a leader, not only vocally, but by example. Porter will try to continue his success in Arizona and continue to climb up this list. Ray Lewis came into the league and dominated right away. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12-year career, which is outstanding. 19, Harry Carson (Giants) (1976-1988) *Nine-time Pro Bowler *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He wasnt great at just one aspect he was equally great at everything he did. No. 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. 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. The Greatest Penn State Linebackers of All Time The offense, meanwhile, scored 29 points a game. 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. 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+. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. Those would be accomplishments by themselves, let alone all together. No. 7. Greene was one of the best pass rushers of all time, recording 160 sacks in his career. He had four interceptions that season, a high number for an inside linebacker, to go along with four sacks and 114 tackles. He did it in 2000 and again in 2003. No. Hes on pace to not only break, but shatter the NFL record of 41. 1970 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees Behind the Purple People Eaters of the 70s was one of the best safeties the league has ever seen. Top ten linebackers in Steelers history: Version two - Steelers Sanctuary Super Bowl winner. 10. Jeff Siemon (Vikings) : Four-time Pro Bowler. Briggs does a lot of pass coverage with the Bears, and has had 53 passes deflected already in his career. No. No. The . In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . 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. Patrick Willis is everything you look for in a linebacker. He was a hard worker, good tackler, and had great hands. Lambert is said by many to be the best inside linebacker of all-time. In 1993 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker, Nickerson piled up an astounding 214 tackles. NFL Defensive Rookie of the . Jeremiah The Axeman Trotter has been a very recognizable name over the past decade. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. He should still improve this season with Ndamukong Suh in front of him to help free him up. If Bulluck played on a better team, I believe his stats would be much better and his accomplishments would be a lot more. Greene and Greg Lloyd made one of the best pass rushing duos in NFL history with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Michigan Football Position Greats No. Top 25 SEC LBs of all-time: 15-11. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe 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. 29, Joey Porter* (Steelers/Dolphins/Cardinals) (1999-Present) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 25 Greatest Defensive Linemen in NFL History - AthlonSports.com Sacks and tackles werent recorded until late in his career, but he was a great pass rusher and all round linebacker. 24, Leslie ONeal (Chargers/Rams/Chiefs) (1986-1999) *Six-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports. Even now, you can tell what kind of person he is by his charity work with the REACH Foundation that he started. He took up blockers and threw his body around a lot. Top 13 Indiana High School Players of all Time, The 6 greatest Indiana Highschool pure Shooters, The 8 greatest IHSAA Championship Games in History. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. Fredd Young went a little under the radar due to his short seven year career. Top 30 Linebackers in the NFL since 1970! All while being tasked with avoiding blocks and keeping tabs on the opposing quarterback. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. No. Next: A dangerous combination. 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. Coverage was definitely Bullucks claim to fame, but he was also good at other things. Nickerson wasnt just a one hit wonder though. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? Punter Ray Guy was the leading vote-getter for the 1970s All-Decade Team, receiving 24 of a possible 25 votes. 10. That is just unheard of. 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. Bet with your head, not over it. In 2008, Suggs even had two INTs, both of which he returned for touchdowns. Zachary Petrizzo. Jack Ham, Linebacker. 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). 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. He was also the first player to have a TE or RB used for chip blocking on him, and overall changed the way offensive lineman block. Minnesota Vikings reporter suggests All-Pro defender a likely 2023 cap Most known for his antics like spitting in other players faces, Romanowskis play sometimes gets overshadowed. He did everything. Thats amazing consistency. He totaled 28 INTs in his career while he also racked up 1,045 tackles. Peterson is another versatile linebacker who has played both inside and outside linebacker. Love him or hate him, Lewis has earned the title of greatest middle linebacker of all time. Mills racked up 1,142 tackles in his career. No. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? Lamberts signature toothless snarl struck fear into the hearts of the opposition and lends credence to his legendary status as one of the toughest players all-time. During the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Lee posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among . If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org. Top 9 Most Underrated Running Backs in NFL History, QB Derek Carr to visit Jets on Saturday after leaving Raiders, Top 9 Worst Draft Picks in Bengals History, Super Bowl XIX: Montana and Walsh establish dominance, The 5 Greatest Quarterbacks Who Never Won a Championship, Top 11 Single Game Performances in NCAA Football History, Top 10 College football's greatest true freshman seasons of all time, Top 10 Two Year Runs in College Football History, where do the Georgia Bulldogs rank, NCAA FB Championship TCU vs Georgia: Odds, Tips and Predictions 01/09/23, Georgia vs. TCU National Championship: Preview & Prediction, Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh facing possible suspension from the NCAA, The night Cassius Clay shook up the world, Boxing Paul vs Fury: Odds, Tips and Predictions 02/26/23, Matias vs. Ponce: Cant Miss Scrap Brings Heat To Chilly Minneapolis. He finished his career with 1,106 tackles and 627 assisted tackles as well. The player that gives Butkus the most competition in that category would be Mike Singletary. 22, Chris Spielman (Lions/Bills) (1988-1997) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. NFLs Merchants of Menace Cornelius Bennett and Bruce Smith. Thomas' remarkable personality was also recognized by being awarded the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award in 1993. Paul Naumoff. And here are the 25 greatest linebackers in NFL history: 25. 10 Best Linebackers in Steelers History (+Honorable Mentions) 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 . He had five INTs in a season twice in his career. Thomas was the best linebacker of the 1990s, and one of the best pass rushers of all-time. Steelers by the decade: 1970s - Pittsburgh Steelers From his time at USC, Lott . Rickey Jackson was one of the fastest linebackers in the game, but he was also one of the hardest hitters. 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). Ham had outstanding . The second member of the Dome Patrol comes off the board at No. We started off with a rough one the wide receivers. Joey Porter may be the most vocal linebacker on this list. Here's 8 Ways NBA Has Changed That Modern Fans Don't Realize Punter Ray Guy was the leading vote-getter for the 1970s All-Decade Team, receiving 24 of a possible 25 votes. Check out the 1970 Minnesota Vikings Roster, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports and more on Pro-Football-Reference.com. credit : - yahoo. But it was his style of play that made his career so short. Simpson in 1973 or Terry Bradshaw's two Super Bowl MVP performances. Chicago Bears: Top 10 linebackers in franchise history - NFL Spin Zone The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. Thats fine, he played enough linebacker to be considered this high. *Ty Anderson, Thomasville: Anderson (6-0, 210) has been an all-state player since he was a sophomore Region 1-2A defensive co . His best days were with the Bears and Redskins, but he had an impact everywhere he went. 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. Over his career, Brooking has racked up 962 tackles and 12 INTs. Next up, we look at a much better-rated unit in the linebackers. 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. 18, Andre Tippett (Patriots) (1982-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 30, Matt Blair (Vikings) (1974-1985) *Six-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. Robert "Dr. Doom" Brazile is another one of those underrated linebackers. Next were Defensive end Jack Youngblood and Joe Greene who each had 18 votes. 2, Ray Lewis* (Ravens) (1996-Present) *Eleven-time Pro Bowler *Seven-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time - NFL.com 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. Answer: Two of the three were constants for all four Super Bowls and ended up in the Hall of Fame. The thing about Derrick Thomas that is the most remarkable was how nice of a person he was off the field. List of All Buffalo Bills Linebackers, Ranked Best to Worst could hit like a freight train, but it was his finesse and high football IQ that helped him revolutionize the linebacker position. Taylor changed the way football is played today. The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Briggs has made five straight Pro Bowls for the Bears, and that streak still continues. Derrick Thomas was on pace to absolutely shatter NFL records before his tragic death in 2000. Regardless, he definitely deserves the respect for what he accomplished on the field. Eleven Pro Bowls. Mar 3, 2023 Updated 4 min ago. In 2007, he racked up a remarkable 17 sacks in only 12 games. Blair was also one of the greatest special teams players of all-time! Derrick Thomas was on pace to absolutely shatter NFL records before his tragic death in 2000. No. Please click on "Comments" and make sure to vote in the poll. Since Donnie Shell finally cracked the Hall of Fame, I would say the . Shawne Lights Out Merriman was the face of NFL linebackers for a three year stretch. Jackson was most notable for being a pass rusher, but he really did it all. He started his career out with the Packers, if they would have used him correctly he would have been higher on this list. Boulware had at least seven sacks every year he played other than his last season in the NFL. No. Ill take into account Pro Bowls, All-Pros (1st and 2nd team), stats, team success, players success, intimidation factor, and reputation, along with many other factors to make this list. 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. . He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. For most other franchises, a resume like this would make Jack Ham the greatest linebacker in thier history by a wide margin. They surrendered only 20 points in that game, and seven of them were off a blocked punt. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. 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. A shot of Jameson for Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey. In 1984 and 1985, Tippett put up two of the best back-to-back seasons recording 18.5 and 16.5 sacks in them. 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. by Ben Watanabe. He is not only the greatest linebacker in NFL history, hes one of the games greatest players period. After a very bad injury in 2008, Shawne Merriman hasnt been the same. Andre Tippett. 10. He may have been undersized, but he made up for it with his mind and his hustle. He could do it all. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. Derrick Thomas still holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single NFL game with seven, against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990. Paul Naumoff played for 12 seasons from 1967-1978. That suggestion from the newly appointed House . Lewis wasnt as vocal as Cox, but his play was a little better, and lasted for a longer period of time. K.J. Jack Lambert played middle linebacker. Blair was outstanding in coverage, along with being a great tackler. Jackson was not just a coverage linebacker, he was also a good pass rusher and a very hard worker off the field. Thomas is also third all-time in safeties and fumble returns for touchdowns. Next up on the docket for my top Redskins players series are the linebackers. No. Mike Singletary was the leader of the most dominating defense the NFL has ever seenthe 1985 Bears. During his career Williams amassed 62.5 sacks, which is the second most in Bengals history. Brazile was drafted out of Jackson State and revolutionized linebacker play in the NFL. 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 tried to get in your head before you even took a step on the field of play. There was a story of someone meeting Thomas at the Pro Bowl for no longer than 10 minutes. He also played a big role in one of the most dominant performances by a defense in Super Bowl history. 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. Top 10 Linebackers in Miami Dolphins history - Phin Phanatic He also finished his career with 17 INTs. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. It was tied for the best of the day with linebacker Owen Pappoe, of Auburn, and was the second-fastest time from an . The exhibit features the Fleet's classic collection set in five themed galleries representing the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. 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. He is still active, and is a starter, but he might be on his way out of San Diego. He had less than seven sacks in a season only once. The transition from college football to the NFL . Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), three-time Pro Bowl (1970-72), two . He was Lawrence Taylor before Taylor was. 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 . Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times. He had ten seasons with 10+ sacks. 43, Keith Brooking* (Falcons/Cowboys) (1998-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Kirkland had great speed and agility for a big man. (Pro Football Weekly 1975 Defensive Player of the Year, 1970s All-Decade Team, 1994 75th anniversary team), and also the team success (4 Super Bowls).

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best linebackers of the 1970s