Randy Gradishar Joins The Speer Wealth Team. 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. 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. The transition from college football to the NFL . 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. Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018. Cox was also a vocal leader of the teams he played for, directing his defenses to success. Mike Singletary is one of three players on this list to win Defensive Player of the Year twice in his career. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. No. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. No. [3] LT was the most intimidating player ever to put on an NFL uniform. No. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times. He was a very solid 3-4 ILB playing on one of the best LB Cores of all-time, the Dome Patrol. Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. He totaled 28 INTs in his career while he also racked up 1,045 tackles. Rickey Jackson was one of the fastest linebackers in the game, but he was also one of the hardest hitters. 32, John Offerdahl (Dolphins) (1986-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. Junior Seau finished his career with 1,524 tackles, the highest total on this list. Playing 20 seasons in the NFL is amazing at any position. He produced 32 sacks over the 3 seasons. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports. Taylor changed the way football is played today. So while there were outstanding linebackers in previous years, like Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke, they will not be on this list. He would always be found around the ball, and around the play. 12. Known as quite possibly the most sound tackler in school history, Ham was an extremely fundamental linebacker who was the captain of the 1970 Penn State defense. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? Next up on the docket for my top Redskins players series are the linebackers. He ran a 4.6 40 yard dash, which is outstanding for a linebacker, especially at that time period. He also ranks third all . The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Thomas did everything you asked out of a linebacker. Kevin Greene will always be known as one of the craziest and talented pass rushers in NFL history. He was also the fastest linebacker of the bunch and excelled in pass coverage. 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 . 10. Since Donnie Shell finally cracked the Hall of Fame, I would say the . No. No. 48, Terrell Suggs* (Ravens) (2003-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Paul Naumoff. Here Are 8 Ways NBA Has Changed That Modern Fans Don't Realize. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . Isiah Robertson, nicknamed The Playmaker, was known for coming up with the big plays in the biggest games. 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. 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. Carson did most of the dirty work in that linebacking core. 50, Bryan Cox (Dolphins/Bears/Jets/Patriots/Saints) (1991-2003). AP. How NFL Players Have Evolved. Thomas is also third all-time in safeties and fumble returns for touchdowns. He also took over Lloyds role in pass coverage as the only linebacker in the Steelers nickel defense. He played in 10 playoff games and had two INTs and three fumble recoveries in them. For a four-year span with Seattle, Young was arguably the best Seahawks linebacker of all-time. Hes going into his first healthy season again in three years. Answer: Two of the three were constants for all four Super Bowls and ended up in the Hall of Fame. From his time at USC, Lott . Dick Butkus: one of the fiercest and best linebackers the NFL has ever seen, Butkus was a Pro Bowler every year except his final season while also garnering five All-Pro selections for the Bears. He was one of the most feared players in the game. He also had 1,173 tackles in his career. No. That Steelers linebacking core could easily be the best of all-time, and it was led by Jack Lambert and Jack Ham. Coverage was definitely Bullucks claim to fame, but he was also good at other things. Jack Ham might be the best coverage linebacker of all time. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . 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 . Despite the bad taste he left when leaving the team, James Harrison belongs on the upper half of the top ten linebackers in Steelers history. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1960s 9. No. The Chicago Bears have the most all-time great linebackers. Pittsburgh 2002, '04-12, '14-17; Cincinnati 2013; New England 2017. No. 18, Andre Tippett (Patriots) (1982-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. No. With time to spare in the NFL offseason, Ill take a look at the top 50 linebackers in the NFL in the modern era. Paul Krause | S. The NFL's all-time leader in interceptions spent 12 of his 16 years in Minnesota. He was always around the ball. He would give it his all on every single down of every single play. No. The offense, meanwhile, scored 29 points a game. Mecklenburg finished his career with 79 sacks, which is great for an ILB, and also ranks 2nd all-time in Broncos history. SRS: 6.97 (5th of 26), SOS: 1.40. Most known for his antics like spitting in other players faces, Romanowskis play sometimes gets overshadowed. The thing about Derrick Thomas that is the most remarkable was how nice of a person he was off the field. 1970s All-decade team. He has been one of the most intimidating players in the NFL his entire career. 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 . Lloyd will always be remembered as the lightning quick pass rusher from the Blitzburgh days. No. I think hell climb up this list further in the near future. Isiah Robertson, nicknamed The Playmaker, was known for coming up with the big plays in the biggest games. . He played in 10 playoff games and had two INTs and three fumble recoveries in them. Hardy Nickerson may not have the name recognition as many of the other linebackers on this list, but he deserves to be this high. Thats the type of player you want on your team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Quinto was a regular at both inside and outside linebacker for head coach Ron Gladnick's Saints. No. He had four interceptions that season, a high number for an inside linebacker, to go along with four sacks and 114 tackles. Singletary was a leader, not only vocally, but by example. Top 25 SEC LBs of all-time: 10-6. The most obvious change from 1920 to today is the size of players, but there also have been many changes in the schemes . Andre Tippett may have been outshined by Lawrence Taylor playing basically the same position at the same time frame, but theres no mistaking what Tippett did on the field. Beason may be the most controversial player on this list. 24, Leslie ONeal (Chargers/Rams/Chiefs) (1986-1999) *Six-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. His swinging the axe celebration sums up his style of play and tenacity on the field. Thats fine, he played enough linebacker to be considered this high. More from Green Bay Packers. Thats over 10 sacks per season, which is outstanding. He has played the role of pass rusher and coverage linebacker in his career, and has excelled at both. Lambert was a Pro Bowler in all but his rookie season and his final pro season, totaling nine selections. Randy Gradishar played along with Tom Jackson in the Denver Broncos Orange Crush defense. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. He had 885 career solo tackles, which is impressive on a defense filled with swarming the ball, shown by his 1,488 career tackles. He knew how to make big plays. He was just a great all-around player who could do it all. . He could do it all. He was a dominating force in the NFL during that stretch of time. Still, its an amazing number. Taylor is one of only two defensive players (DT Alan Page, 1971) in the history of the NFL to be named NFL MVP. He took them to the AFC Championship game in 1998, where they fell victim to John Elways Super Bowl winning Broncos. Super Bowl winner. The former college basketball star is considered one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. Those would be accomplishments by themselves, let alone all together. Chuck Drazenovich. Derrick Thomas still holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single NFL game with seven, against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990. If you dont believe me, watch the film, as they say, the film doesnt lie! Steve Kiner (1966-69): Tennessee fans didn't have to wait long after Emanuel left to find the next superstar linebacker. Wilson recorded 560 tackles and 21.5 sacks as a member of the Broncos. That truly shows what kind of person he was off the field. He knew how to make big plays. Briggs has made five straight Pro Bowls for the Bears, and that streak still continues. 1970 Robert E. Lee Generals (13-0) Jim Chafin's team allowed just seven points a game and held 10 of its 13 opponents to 10 points or less. Jack Ham had the whole package as a linebacker. He recently missed most of last season with surgery. No. Ware has made four consecutive Pro Bowls and has had three consecutive All-Pro seasons. 29, Joey Porter* (Steelers/Dolphins/Cardinals) (1999-Present) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Seau is one of the Chargers' all-time great players, and will go to Canton five years after he retires like he should. Mike Singletary had the whole package. NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019). A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. He had less than seven sacks in a season only once. 27. Jason Gildon (Steelers/Jaguars): - Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro. He could do it all. He was also a big hitter and very intimidating on the field of play. 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He also played a big role in one of the most dominant performances by a defense in Super Bowl history. Thomas' remarkable personality was also recognized by being awarded the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award in 1993. 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. 1970 NFC Champion. Bill Romanowski (49ers, Eagles, Broncos, Raiders) : Two-time Pro Bowler. Punter Ray Guy was the leading vote-getter for the 1970s All-Decade Team, receiving 24 of a possible 25 votes. Taylor changed the way football is played today. The Minnesota Vikings did an outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974. Seau was the definition of consistency. Baker recorded 19 . Lambert is said by many to be the best inside linebacker of all-time. Pat Swilling. Hes had 92 sacks and 23 forced fumbles so far in his career. The second member of the Dome Patrol comes off the board at No. 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 . 100th NFL Anniversary team. He was the quintessential linebacker and easily the greatest of his era. Thats amazing consistency. Dennis Onkotz was a two time first team All American on the great Penn State teams of 1968 and 1969. Julian Peterson has had a very well-rounded NFL career to this point, and its still going on.