Well have to see how he does, but he could either climb up or fall off this list based on his performance in 2010. The player that gives Butkus the most competition in that category would be Mike Singletary. He has been one of the most intimidating players in the NFL his entire career. He became a starter at inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season, 1993, replacing Pro Bowler David Little. He started his career out with the Packers, if they would have used him correctly he would have been higher on this list. He was a hard worker, good tackler, and had great hands. This season marked the end for Tittle and fellow Canton-bound star Frank Gifford. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. 20, Keith Bulluck* (Titans) (2000-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Thomas never had less than seven sacks in a season in his entire career, and only had less than eight sacks in one season. No. Thats an amazing number as well. (Photo: David Boss, Getty) Historians will tell you that McAdams is one of the best linebackers to ever play at The University of Oklahoma. 9, Derrick Brooks (Bucs) (1995-2008) *Eleven-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 1st Team All-Pro *Four-time 2nd Team All-Pro. During his career Williams amassed 62.5 sacks, which is the second most in Bengals history. He is ninth in team history with 14 forced fumbles; he recovered 11, had 6 QB sacks, and 11 interceptions. A tall order to say the least, and these 5 players did it better than anyone in the history of the NFL. Don Moorehead, Dennis Franklin, Jim Harbaugh, Elvis Grbac, Tom Brady, Forest Evashevski, Benny Friedman and John Navarre were all elected Captains by their teammates. In his three years at Clemson (1995-'97) Simmons recorded 486 tackles, only 29 off the school record Bubba Brown recorded in four years from 1976-'79. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12 year career, which is outstanding. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Robertson is one of the most underrated players in NFL history. Quinto was a regular at both inside and outside linebacker for head coach Ron Gladnick's Saints. During the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Lee posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among . He had four interceptions that season, a high number for an inside linebacker, to go along with four sacks and 114 tackles. I’m only going to be looking at players drafted in 1970 or later. He had an outstanding attitude and would do anything to get his team a win. 26, Cornelius Bennett (Bills/Falcons/Colts) (1987-2000) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. 28a, Pat Swilling (Saints/Lions/Raiders) (1986-1998) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Top 10 Best Linebackers In Cleveland Browns History. The best linebackers in Minnesota Vikings history Blair was outstanding in coverage, along with being a great tackler. McAdams was a two-time All-American . 2011 Butkus Award winner for nation s best linebacker at Boston College. Kirkland was an all-around better linebacker, he was a 300lb linebacker whose coverage skills were vastly underrated. 36, Jeremiah Trotter (Eagles/Redskins/Bucs) (1999-2007 & 2009) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He produced 32 sacks over the 3 seasons. He was a tackle machine and a very big hitter. Robert Brazile- Tums all time neutralizer. Most people know Tom Jackson as the commentator working with Chris Berman. But it was his style of play that made his career so short. Zachary Petrizzo. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and Defensive Player of the Year two years later. Lambert is said by many to be the best inside linebacker of all-time. Offerdahl was a blue collar type of player who was an even better person off the field. Who are the Packers' greatest defenders of all time? - Green Bay Packers You might be thinking Top 10 already? But look at his numbers. Franchise Encyclopedia. The offense, meanwhile, scored 29 points a game. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. 25 Greatest Defensive Linemen in NFL History - AthlonSports.com *Ty Anderson, Thomasville: Anderson (6-0, 210) has been an all-state player since he was a sophomore Region 1-2A defensive co . Please click on "Comments" and make sure to vote in the poll. In this Article . 46, Jon Beason* (Panthers) (2007-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Thats the type of player you want on your team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019). 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, The Top 10 Seattle Mariners of all Time, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans, If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into The Grueling Truth sports shows, Where the legends speak. 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). Top 5 Tennessee linebackers of all-time - Saturday Down South Baltimore Ravens ground game rules in NFL Week 11 and more Keith Brooking has been one of the most consistent linebackers of all-time. He has done it all for the Bears with his pass coverage, run support, and blitzing. 25 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History - AthlonSports.com That is just unheard of. Rickey Jackson could do it all. Jul 07, 2014 at 11:02 PM. 21. Ray Lewis is the highest-ranked active player on this list, and the top middle linebacker on it. No. That suggestion from the newly appointed House . No. The only thing that could match his signature stare was the stellar play of Samurai Mike on the field. 20 greatest linebackers in NFL history - Franchise Sports 1, Lawrence Taylor (Giants) (1981-1993) *Ten-time Pro Bowler *Eight-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Top 25 SEC LBs of all-time: 10-6. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. Las Vegas Raiders: 15 best defensive backs of all-time - Just Blog Baby His 1989 rookie season was one of the best the NFL has ever seen. He has speed, size, toughness, instincts, vision, patience, and football smarts. Mike Singletary had the whole package. Next were Defensive end Jack Youngblood and Joe Greene who each had 18 votes. No. O. J. Simpson and Lynn Swann were next with 22 and 21 votes, respectively. LT finished his career with 142 sacks, averaging nearly 11 sacks per season. The Best Las Vegas Raiders Linebackers of All Time - Ranker 32, John Offerdahl (Dolphins) (1986-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Undersized height wise, but an overabundance of heart made him more than a handful to deal with. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. These were the players who were great players, but not quite good enough to be placed inside the top 50. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. Offensive Coordinator: Jim Myers. In 1976, Jackson had seven INTs. Pat Swilling. Selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 2nd round . With time to spare in the NFL offseason, Ill take a look at the top 50 linebackers in the NFL in the modern era. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1970s Jack Ham had the whole package as a linebacker. 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. Robertson was one of the NFLs most athletic linebackers. He made five straight Pro Bowls, but the reason he doesnt rank higher on this list is because he was never a feared player like his teammate Michael Strahan was, and his stats just arent good enough. Gradishar was the silent assassin of the team. More Team Info. 12. A two-time All-American and a three-year starter for the Vols, Kiner . Armstead didnt particularly stand out at anywhere, but he wasnt a weak link anywhere either. Lambert was a Pro Bowler in all but his rookie season and his final pro season, totaling nine selections. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. Paul Naumoff played for 12 seasons from 1967-1978. The NFL's Top 50 Linebackers of the Modern Era - Bleacher Report He should be in the Hall of Fame. No. 45, Shawne Merriman* (Chargers) (2005-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Still, its an amazing number. 23, Isiah Robertson (Rams/Bills) (1971-1982) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Thats over 10 sacks per season, which is outstanding. Williams recorded 16 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries (a franchise record). He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. Wright has been one of the most reliable linebackers in the NFL since entering the league as a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State . The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1970s - AinsworthSports.com AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:30 a.m. EST No. During the late 1970s and early 80s, he was the best linebacker the NFL had. But, theres no doubt that hes been one of the top linebackers in the NFL, and still is today. Mecklenburg was never a cocky player, but just a guy who would show up on Sundays. The next year at the Pro Bowl, Thomas remembered him by name. Cornerback Mel Blount was added in the . Kolen was drafted by the Dolphins in the 12 th round . 34, Julian Peterson* (49ers/Seahawks/Lions) (2000-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Tippett finished his career with 100 sacks. He was always around the ball. National Football League 1970s All-Decade Team - Wikipedia More from Green Bay Packers. Seau was the definition of consistency. He totaled 28 INTs in his career while he also racked up 1,045 tackles. and 2000s. Lambert and Ham also won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. Siemon was always a good player, but never a great player. Not only did he change the way defenses are run, but he changed the way offensive schemes are run as well. No. ONeal should get more recognition as one of the best pass rushers to play the game. Baker recorded 19 . The Steelers began their 1976 season 1-4 and lost their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw.For the nine games remaining in the season, the Steelers . Mike Singletary. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme. Lambert wasnt just great on the inside, he was an outstanding coverage linebacker. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Porter is mostly known as a sack master. Hardy Nickerson makes it this high on the list mainly because of one ridiculous season he had. He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. 6, Jack Ham (Steelers) (1971-1982) *Eight-time Pro Bowler *Six-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. No. But before you come to a conclusion, let's take a look at the facts. Are you ready for some football history? He also ranks third all . 7. Thats amazing consistency. With rule changes being what they have been, The number one pick was obvious. Top 25 SEC LBs of all-time: No. 5-1 - Saturday Down South