Chris Simms and Mike Florio draft their top middle linebackers of all time. Brooking was incredibly consistent throughout his career. And that dance. He returned to play the rest of the season with a specially made helmet because his jaw was wired shut. But he'll always be best known for his role on the Bears' Super Bowl-winning team of 1985 that featured arguably the best defense in NFL history. Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick that the Lions weren't even sure would be able to make their roster. The No. 1-time Pro Bowler Born: May 1, 1925 (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Died: March 21, 2015 (age 89, Richland, Pennsylvania), High school: Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1949, 1960), eight-time Pro Bowl (1950-54, 1956, 1957, 1960), 10-time All-Pro (1950-57, 1960, 1961), NFL 100th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1967). He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. Hall of Fame, Class of 2011 10-time Pro Bowler Two players of the four players with more tackles, Ray Lewis and Junior Seau, are in the Hall of Fame. Chuck Bednarik, Philadelphia Eagles (1949-62)Hall of Fame, Class of 1967 George realized this allowed the quarterback to easily drop passes right over his head, so he began to try and read the play and react, dropping into coverage at times when he realized it was a pass play. After being selected with the third overall pick, Butkus would go on to make eight Pro Bowl teams during his nine year career. They spoke of intensity, determination, and an undying will. The league's top prospects stepped into the NFL Photo studio for Draft portraits. Here are five of the top undrafted free-agent signings since the draft ended: Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Minnesota Vikings Linebacker was a key position of need for the Vikings but they didn't use any . With this responsibility and how important the game has evolved, the MLB position has produced many great players over the years. This article explores the franchise's top 10 linebackers of all time. Randy Gradishar, Denver Broncos (1974-83) Drew Sanders, Arkansas. 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. There were a lot of strong defensive players that played next to Mike Singletary with the Bears. Fletcher carved out a 16-year NFL career, including a Super Bowl win with the Rams in his second season. He finished his career with over 2,000 tackles (2,039), which is second on the NFL's all-time list, and set the NFL record for linebackers with 215 consecutive starts. They have the ability to rush the passer while also stepping back into coverage and shutting down passing lanes for opposing quarterbacks. In 11 dominant NFL seasons, Dave Wilcox only missed one game due to injury and confounded opposing offenses with his ability to elude blocks at the most basic level. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. Bell was as much of a winner as anyone who ever played the sport. Here is every player who has ever held the position of San Francisco 49ers starting linebacker. Those bad teams likely cost him any shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mills, just 5-foot-9, played in the Canadian Football League and then was one of the USFL's greatest players before making the leap to the NFL. The first Hall of Famer to go in as a player primarily for the Saints, Rickey Jackson was the leader of the famed "Doom Patrol" linebacker corps in New Orleans and is one of the toughest players in NFL history. Super Bowl VI champion17. Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. These all-time greats have electrified crowds with their energy and leadership and delivered on the field as some of the NFL's best defensive players ever. Lewis was the face of the franchise and the energizer of the defensive dominance. 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. 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). 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. 1988 Defensive Player of the Year He was in The Monkees' cult-favorite film "Head" and also in the original "The Longest Yard" starring Burt Reynolds. An important part of the Buffalo defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. Robinson's name has been somewhat lost to history because he played next to the great Ray Nitschke, on Nitschke's left side. 6-time Pro Bowler12. 7-time first-team All-Pro Singletary also was named NFC Player of the Year three times during his career. Ham, with the size of a free safety, was as quick as any running back or wide receiver in the 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and recorded a gaudy 32 interceptions and 53 takeaways in his career while helping the Steelers win four Super Bowl. 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 Greatest Steelers Linebackers of All Time The Steelers are known for hard-hitting, relentless defense. Willie Lanier played in an era of football best defined by his hitting style which mainly consisted of him trying to put the crown of his helmet through your sternum. Willis played just eight seasons in the NFL, but that's kind of misleading. Born: May 3, 1941 (Mount Holly, New Jersey), High school: Moorestown High School (Moorestown, New Jersey), Teams: Green Bay Packers (1963-72), Washington Redskins (1973-74), Career highlights: Three-time NFL champion (1965-67), two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), three-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1967, 1969), three-time All-Pro (1967-69), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013). Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. He's been nothing but consistent since those days of Seahawks dominance in the league. Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears (1965-73)Hall of Fame, Class of 1979 This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. Super Bowl XIII champion 1 Ray Lewis Lewis is widely considered one of the greatest middle linebackers of all time. Sori-Marin is more of a traditional two-down middle linebacker with good size 6-2, 236 pounds for the position. In addition, Seau was named First Team All-Pro in six different seasons including three straight from 1992 to 1994. pic.twitter.com/wy2S8g98pb. He might have been the most intimidating human being to ever step on a football field. The two-time Super Bowl champ is one of the greatest overall defenders in NFL history. 1969 Defensive Player of the Year While some of the linebackers on this list probably wouldn't even get a second look in today's NFL because of their size, Wilcox (who's the father of Cal head coach Justin Wilcox) is actually the opposite. 5-time Pro Bowler It's on Sean McDermott & Co. to coach up whoever mans the middle. One other cool thing about Robinson was what he said about Green Bay Packers coach Dan Devine when he left the team after the 1972 season to play for Washington: "Lombardi was the best coach I ever had. ranked by. Chad Brown was the type of player who could do almost anything on the defensive front. 1-time first-team All-Pro Be the first one to comment on this story. His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons. Bennett was convicted of rape in 1997 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, but still allowed to play in the NFL for four more seasons. This is the eighth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL Draft (April 27-29). Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. Injuries cut Luke Kuechly's career short, like they did with quite a few great linebackers. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds, Robert Brazile dominated on the field and had one of the greatest nicknames ever. Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Tight Ends All-Time. Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the 1959 season with the Chicago Bears. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time Photos Home 100 Greatest Photos Game Galleries Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time NFL.com senior analyst and personnel. Featuring NO Saints and some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Saints LBs include Rickey Jackson, Joe Federspiel, Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, and Scott Fujita. Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press. Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 NFL Draft! 10-time Pro Bowler That is the highest among all linebackers. 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. His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); The Chicago Bears middle linebacker is just one of many great middle linebackers that have played in the NFL and for the team. High school: Champion High School (Champion Township, Ohio), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (1975, 1977-79, 1981-83), six-time All-Pro (1977-81, 1983), seven-time All-AFC (1976-79, 1981-83), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1978). NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Quite simply, if you saw No. 54 out there, you knew the team at least had a chance to win because of him. Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears (1981-92)Hall of Fame, Class of 1998 For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode, After being considered by most teams too small, the Boston Patriots selected Nick Buoniconti with the teams 13. round selection. 2003 Defensive Player of the Year Will Levis lands with the Tennessee Titans: Will Levis' slide ends early on Day 2, with the Titans trading up to Pick 33 to grab the signal-caller. 5 Patrick Willis Patrick L. Willis is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is both a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the 100th Anniversary Team. Super Bowl X champion 6. London Fletcher represents one of the great underdog stories in NFL history. 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). Brian Urlacher Brian Urlacher played for the Chicago Bears from 2000 to 2012. A post shared by BostonPride91 (@bostonpride91). During his AFL career, Buoniconti earned six AFL All-Star honors and five First Team All-AFL. Posted 8 Days Ago 1. No NFL team has the linebacker tradition of the Bears, who boast Hall of Famers Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Urlacher and Mack, a future Hall of Famer, among their all-time greats. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. High school: Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Florida), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2000, 2012), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (2000), 13-time Pro Bowl (1997-2001, 2003, 2004, 2006-11), 10-time All-Pro (1997-2001, 2003, 2004, 2008-10), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2003), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). The Ravens have always been known as a defensive minded team. Born into abject poverty in rural Tennessee, he was working full-time in the cotton fields by the time he was 10 years old and had to flee his home with his sisters at 17 to get away from his violent, alcoholic father. He led the league in combined tackles in 2016 and 2019, and in solo tackles in 2017. Dont forget Rays dance.2. The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker, Bill George is the one single man that is known for creating the middle linebacker position. Ranking the top linebackers to ever suit up in the National Football League is far from easy. Brown played on two teams that came up just short of winning a Super Bowl, with the Pittsburgh Steelers losing in the big game following the 1995 season and the New England Patriots following the 2007 season. A notorious freelancer, Seau notched 56.5 sacks, 18 INTs returned for 238 yards, 11 forced fumbles, 18 fumble recoveries and one TD while winning two AFC titles with the 1994 Chargers and 2007 Patriots.8. Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). 7-time first-team All-Pro 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. Joe Fortunato's greatest teammate, fellow linebacker Dick Butkus, also became perhaps the greatest impediment to Fortunato's long-term legacy. Robinson won three consecutive state championships in high school, then repeated a version of that feat in the NFL, winning three consecutive championships with one NFL title and two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers. Along with his overflowing trophy case, Lewis posted 41.5 sacks, 31 INTs returned for 503 yards and three TDs, 19 forced fumbles, 20 fumble recoveries and one safety in the regular season; and six forced fumbles, two INTs returned for 54 yards and one TD, and two sacks in the playoffs. . Please logout and login again. The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. 8-time Pro Bowler 4-time first-team All-Pro 8 on the all-time list, Atlanta Falcons, 1966-1976 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time, Houston Oilers, 1975-1984 Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1975) NFL 1970s All-Decade Team member Finished career with 48 sacks, 1,281 tackles, and 13 interceptions, Kansas City Chiefs, 1967-1977 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Carolina Panthers 2012-present Voted to Pro Bowl five times, four-time First Team All-Pro NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) 818 career tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, Buffalo Bills, 1987-1995; Atlanta Falcons, 1996-1998; Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2000 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 71.5 career sacks Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Francisco 49ers, 1964-1974 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1984 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 2000-2012 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 41.5 career sacks and 1,040 career tackles, New Orleans Saints, 1981-1993; San Francisco 49ers 1994-1995 One-time NFL champion Voted to six Pro Bowls Recorded 128 career sacks, which ranks No. Playing defensive tackle/end for the first two seasons of his NFL career, Connor became a linebacker when Bears head coach George Halas wanted to try and find a way to neutralize Philadelphia running back Steve Van Buren, so he had Connor stand up outside of the tight end to check Van Buren. Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. 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. 6-time first-team All-Pro That's what linebackers do. Richter didn't miss a game in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and made seven All-Pro teams. 4 with 1,501, despite making just one Pro Bowl in his career. 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. The 10-time All-Pro earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards in six seasons (1981-1982, 1986). Here's a crazy thing about James Farrior. Kendricks has graded at 91.7 over the last two years according to PFF. Fletcher, 5-foot-11 and 242 pounds, ran a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine coming out of NCAA Division III John Carroll University, but he still went undrafted. April 19, 2023 5 PM PT. Born: April 18, 1973 (Pensacola, Florida), High school: Booker T. Washington High School (Pensacola, Florida), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2002), nine-time All-Pro (1997-2005), 11-time Pro Bowl (1997-2006, 2008), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2002), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014). Here are my top 10 linebackers: 1. Lanier collected three All-Pro mentions and eight spots in a Pro Bowl,. He joined the military for two years out of high school before going to play football for the University of North Carolina. Born: Feb. 4, 1959 (Williamsburg, Virginia), High school: Lafayette High School (Williamsburg, Virginia), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (1986, 1990), NFL Most Valuable Player (1986), 10-time Pro Bowl (1981-90), 10-time All-Pro (1981-90), three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999). If you want to know where the modern concept of an outside linebacker came from, start with George Connor. Born: Nov. 18, 1964 (Spring Valley, New York), High school: Spring Valley High School (Spring Valley, New York), Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1986-93), Arizona Cardinals (1994-96), Green Bay Packers (1997), Denver Broncos (1998), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1998), three-time Pro Bowl (1991, 1993, 1994), three-time All-Pro (1991-93). In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. Great middle linebackers are the captains of the defense. 15 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Eagles, 1949-1962 Two-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1981-1992 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1963-1972; Washington Redskins 1973-1974 Three-time NFL champion Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Diego Chargers, 1990-2002; Miami Dolphins, 2003-2005; New England Patriots, 2006-2009 Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Recorded 56.5 career sacks and 1,522 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Los Angeles Rams, 1985-1992; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1993-1995; Carolina Panthers, 1996, 1998-1999; San Francisco 49ers, 1997 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Recorded 160 career sacks, which ranks No. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. He was 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. 8-time Pro Bowler Buoniconti, who was also a practicing attorney, died in 2019 at 78 years old. Chris Hanburger's path to NFL stardom as an outside linebacker was as unusual as any ever taken. Talley was on all four of Buffalos AFC title teams that lost in the Super Bowl and finished his career with 1,252 tackles, 38.5 sacks and 29 takeaways. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the top pick for Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, left, and . Kuechly made seven Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro teams, and in 2012, he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) He only played six games in his final season before retiring because of a nagging toe injury. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. 3-time Pro Bowler Forester died in 2007 after a long illness. No, Sensei Tippett! Born: April 16, 1982 (Coral Gables, Florida), High school: Coral Gables Senior High School (Coral Gables, Florida), Teams: New York Jets (2004-07), New Orleans Saints (2008-13), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2009), three-time Pro Bowl (2005, 2009, 2010), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2004). 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). We'll find out in 2024, when he'll be on the ballot for the first time. Klein was signed as the insurance policy. In 1986, he had one of the most dominant NFL seasons ever.
Natwest Mobile Bank Van Timetable, Steve Savor Net Worth, Richard Yuengling Jr Daughters, Wisconsin Bourbon Club, Top Channel Live Atdhe, Articles G