greatest middle linebackers of all time

And that dance. Nobis was the first overall pick in the 1966 NFL draft and the first player picked by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. Super Bowl XXXIV champion25. Who are the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All Time? Nick Buoniconti Nick Buoniconti played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. Forester was a nondescript linebacker for his first six seasons with the Packers, until Lombardi was hired in 1959 and the SMU product's career took off. 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. George racked up 18 career interceptions over his career while helping lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL Championship. In a testament to the influence that karate had in the U.S. in the 1980s and what a freak of nature Tippett is he's also a sixth-degree black belt. Over his career Willis racked up 865 tackles to go with 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. The last 60-minute man in NFL history, Chuck Bednarik dominated on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. He won an NFL championship for Chicago in 1963. That didn't matter. Starters: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo. Mike Singletary was the player at the heart of perhaps the greatest defense of all time the 1985 Chicago Bears, who went 15-1 in the regular season and blew out the New England Patriots, 46-10, in the Super Bowl. The 13-time Pro-Bowler holds the record for most career solo tackles (1,568) and the record for most tackles in a season (156). If you want to know where the modern concept of an outside linebacker came from, start with George Connor. 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year Born: April 18, 1962 (Titusville, Florida), High school: Astronaut High School (Titusville, Florida), Teams: Chicago Bears (1984-87), Washington Football Team (1988-92), Houston Oilers (1993), Arizona Cardinals (1994), New York Jets (1995), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1986, 1991), three-time Pro Bowl (1986, 1987, 1992), three-time All-Pro (1986, 1991, 1992), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992). There were a lot of strong defensive players that played next to Mike Singletary with the Bears. NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Chad Brown was the type of player who could do almost anything on the defensive front. Lanier was one of two Hall of Famers in the Kansas City linebacker corps during his era, alongside Bobby Bell, but it was Lanier who led the defense from his middle linebacker spot. When it comes to which linebacker should be at the top of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time, Mike Singletary is well worth consideration for the slot. Over his career, Lanier made a name for himself for his aggressive tackling abilities earning him the nickname Contact. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. High school: Vale High School (Vale, Oregon), Career highlights: Four-time All-Pro (1967, 1971-73), seven-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1968-73), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000). By Eddie Brown. We asked 50 experts to vote for the NFL's all-time greatest edge rusher, cornerback and kicker. His style of play is strikingly similar to Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, who preceded him by a generation in the Windy City. But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Once drafted, Buoniconti became one of the teams best defensive players despite his lack of size. 5-time NFL Championship Game winner 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. No player has been as consistent on the defensive side of the ball, start to finish, as Ray Lewis was in his 17 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. Something else inside of Lambert, best defined by the toothless, screaming pictures of him during games when he took out his dentures, made him the toughest. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. 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. Super Bowl XIII champion Jordan had one of the signature moments in Cowboys history when he picked off Cincinnati quarterback Ken Anderson three times in one quarter, all within five minutes, and returned one of those 31 yards for a touchdown. 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. 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. Modern football fans might be seeing the name Hardy Nickerson for the first time, but the old heads know him as one of the more dominant linebackers of his era who had the misfortune of playing most of his career with mediocre teams. Super Bowl XXXV champion Harry Carson is perhaps the most respected defensive player and teammate in the history of the NFL. 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). Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Jackson only missed two games in his 13 seasons with the Saints in 1989 because of a car accident. The six-year, $141 million extension he signed with the Bears in 2018 was the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. Posted 8 Days Ago 1. Featuring 2018-2019 SF 49ers and some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best 49ers LBs include Mike Walter, Dave Wilcox, Keena Turner, Willie Harper, and Julian Peterson. The latest in an historic line of Hall of Fame caliber Bears middle linebackers, Urlacher has produced 41.5 sacks, 22 INTs returned for 324 yards and two TDs, 11 forced fumbles and 15 fumble recoveries returned for 177 yards and one TD during his career. He only played six games in his final season before retiring because of a nagging toe injury. Eight of those he made the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl, with back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1969 and 1970. Buoniconti would go on to register 32 interceptions over his career between the AFL and NFL. 6-time Pro Bowler21. 6-time Pro Bowler12. 5-time Pro Bowler24. 2020 Stats: 69 Solo, 0 Sacks, 0 FF, 3 INT. Take a look at how all 47 of his selections stack up. The lineage of great Chicago Bears middle linebackers is clear, with 4 players making this list. No, Sensei Tippett! Brooks, like so many players on this list, played his entire career with just one team. Great middle linebackers are the captains of the defense. Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. 8-time Pro Bowler Hall of Fame, Class of 1986 It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. Karl Mecklenburg was a throwaway pick by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL draft and ended up being one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history and definitely the greatest pure inside linebacker. Over his career, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to two Super Bowl championships while being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. However, we're here to give this the good old college try, so let's dive in! Not bad for a former third-round draft pick out of Arizona. The two-time Super Bowl champ is one of the greatest overall defenders in NFL history. Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys (1963-76) Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. Born: Dec. 27, 1959 (Birmingham, Alabama), High school: Barringer High School (Newark, New Jersey), NFL career: 11 seasons (1982-88, 1990-93), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985), four-time All-Pro (1985-88), five-time Pro Bowl (1984-88), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008). In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. This stroke of genius created not only the middle linebacker position, but the 4-3 defense. Junior Seau was one of the best players of his generation and one of the best middle linebackers to play the game. Here are my top 10 linebackers: 1. His 160 sacks is the most among linebackers. His 10 All-Pro selections are tied for the NFL career record alongside Lawrence Taylor. Quite simply, if you saw No. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Analysis: Nothing against this group of . 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. 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. The Ravens have always been known as a defensive minded team. Related:NFL Teams With Most Hall of Famers. Born: March 28, 1930 (Mingo Junction, Ohio), Died: Nov. 6, 2017 (age 87, Natchez, Mississippi), High school: Mingo High School (Mingo, Ohio), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), six-time All-Pro (1958, 1963-66), five-time Pro Bowl (1958, 1962-65), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, PFR 1960s All-Decade Team. 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). For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). 1. Super Bowl XXVII champion Super Bowl X champion These are the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Born: Sept. 20, 1943 (San Antonio, Texas), Died: Dec. 13, 2017 (age 74, Marietta, Georgia), High school: Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, Texas), Career highlights: NFL Rookie of the Year (1966), five-time Pro Bowl (1966-68, 1970, 1972), two-time All-Pro (1967, 1968), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. 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. If Bobby Wagner continues a few more years having the career he's had through his first nine seasons, you can start to make some very concrete arguments for him one day being a Hall of Famer. 9-time Pro Bowler 1-time first-team All-Pro 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. That would end up being an anomaly in Dansby's career. 3-time Pro Bowler 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. 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. He was a two-time Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants, who he played for during each of his 13 NFL seasons. Lambert was a legendary cornerstone piece of the "Steel Curtain" defense in Pittsburgh for 11 seasons (1974-1984). If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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). From the likes of Mike Singletary to Nick Bouniconti to Chuck Bednarik to Ray Lewis, the middle linebacker position is loaded with talent making the top choice a difficult selection. David cashed in with a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season. 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. He's also the greatest defensive player of all time. 8-time first-team All-Pro Cornelius Bennett forced a trade from the Colts to the Bills after being drafted in 1987 and was one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the next decade-plus. Porter's 40% forced incompletion rate in 2022 led all Power Five cornerbacks. Bulluck played mainly on special teams his first two seasons with the Titans before a breakout season in 2002. 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. Super Bowl IX champion Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. Briggs made seven consecutive Pro Bowls while playing for the Chicago Bears alongside another great linebacker, Brian Urlacher. He's fifth on the NFL career list with 1,734 tackles to go with 17 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries. 2005 Comeback Player of the Year Born: Jan. 9, 1969 (Oceanside, California), Died: May 2, 2012 (age 43, Oceanside, California), High school: Oceanside High School (Oceanside, California), Teams: San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (2003-05), New England Patriots (2006-09), Career highlights: 12-time Pro Bowl (1991-2002), 10-time All-Pro (1991-2000), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2015). A post shared by BostonPride91 (@bostonpride91). He was in The Monkees' cult-favorite film "Head" and also in the original "The Longest Yard" starring Burt Reynolds. 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. 12-time Pro Bowler Introduction An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. His 0-6 record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win. They spoke of intensity, determination, and an undying will. Karlos Dansby was tall for an NFL inside linebacker at 6-foot-4, and he made plays all over the field. 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). During his AFL career, Buoniconti earned six AFL All-Star honors and five First Team All-AFL. He was selected to the 1990s All-Decade team. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Few stories rival that of former NFL star Patrick Willis. 5-time first-team All-Pro 8-time Pro Bowler Nitschke died of a massive heart attack in Florida in 1998, when he was 61 years old. #NBCSports #NFL #ProFootballTalk Subscribe to NBC Sports: https://www.youtube.c. 10-time Pro Bowler The former Green Bay Packers middle linebacker was a key member of the team and the leader on the defensive side of the football that helped the Packers win five NFL Championships and Super Bowl I and II Championships. Jackson retired in the top three in NFL history for sacks (128) and fumble recoveries (28). He was so well regarded by those around him that when the Giants faced the Broncos in the Super Bowl, Carson walked out to face nine Broncos captains thinking he was one of three, but head coach Bill Parcells and his teammates decided to send Carson out by himself as a show of respect. Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. Two players of the four players with more tackles, Ray Lewis and Junior Seau, are in the Hall of Fame. James Farrior, New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (02-11) Your login session has expired. Lee Roy Jordan was undersized, at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, but made up for it in talent and drive. Forester died in 2007 after a long illness. 16 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1981-1993 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Recorded 132.5 career sacks, which ranks No. 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). Arizona had until May 2 to make a final . Nobis played in relative anonymity for his entire NFL career but still put up monster numbers on some really bad teams. There is a reason why he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018. - http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000816217. High school: Washington County High School (Sandersville, Georgia), Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (1998-2002), Buffalo Bills (2003-06), Philadelphia Eagles (2007), San Francisco 49ers (2008-10), San Diego Chargers (2011-12), Career highlights: Two-time Pro Bowl (2003, 2004), NFL All-Pro (2004). Tippett had his most dominant season in 1985, when he led the Patriots to their first AFC title and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). In his short time in the league, Willis made seven Pro Bowls, six All-Pro teams and banked over $50 million in career earnings. Richter was the valedictorian of his class at Cal, then went and served two years in the Army and fought in the Korean War before starting his NFL career. New Orleans Saints, 1986-1994; Carolina Panthers, 1995-1997 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 1,142 career tackles, New Orleans Saints, 1986-1992; Detroit Lions, 1993-1994; Oakland Raiders, 1995-1998 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 107.5 career sacks, New York Giants, 1984-1992; Washington Redskins, 1993; Cleveland Browns, 1994-1995 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 39.5 career sacks and 826 career tackles, Detroit Lions, 1988-1995; Buffalo Bills, 1996-1997 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 1,181 career tackles, Miami Dolphins, 1996-2007; Dallas Cowboys, 2008 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 1,100 career tackles, Los Angeles Rams, 1954-1962 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Boston Patriots, 1962-1968; Miami Dolphins, 1969-1976 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cincinnati Bengals, 1969-1973; Philadelphia Eagles, 1974-1980 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice, Chicago Bears, 1955-1966 One-time NFL champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times, St. Louis Rams, 1998-2001; Buffalo Bills, 2002-2006; Washington Redskins, 2007-2013 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to four Pro Bowls Recorded 1,380 career tackles, Washington Redskins, 1965-1978 Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1976-1988 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1956-1963; Washington Redskins 1964-1969 One-time NFL champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers 2002-2012, 2014-2017; Cincinnati Bengals 2013; New England Patriots 2017 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 84.5 career sacks, 793 tackles, Denver Broncos, 1974-1983 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1981-1985; Miami Dolphins, 1985-1991 Voted to two Pro Bowls, Dallas Cowboys, 1963-1976 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once, San Francisco 49ers, 2007-2014 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 732 tackles in eight career NFL seasons, New England Patriots, 1982-1993 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1948-1955 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 2005-2013; Denver Broncos, 2014-2016 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 138.5 career sacks, which ranks No. In all, he was a two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year and played in five Super Bowls, losing every time to set an NFL record. Super Bowl VIII champion 1969 Defensive Player of the Year Hall of Fame, Class of 2011 And, yeah, he really did. 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. Lambert is a member of the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team, the 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, and the league's 100th Anniversary Team. 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). But what sets the great ones apart from the rest of the pack? Fans of the Dallas Cowboys feel the same way about him after he helped lead them to their first Super Bowl win in 1971, the same year he set a team record with 21 tackles. This article explores the franchise's top 10 linebackers of all time. Willis' career was cut short due to injuries but his legacy on the field is known. ranked by. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012)2000 Defensive Player of the Year They play fast from sideline to sideline. Tales of Butkus' exploits would make you think he played several decades in the NFL, but his career was just nine seasons. Both players led their team to a Super Bowl, and for Gradishar, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, the year the Broncos won an AFC title. The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived! 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: 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). Super Bowl XXXVIII champion 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. Super Bowl XLVII champion 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. Urlachers legacy was secure after leading Chicago to the NFC title in 200611. Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (1996-2008) Putting outside, inside, and middle linebackers in one group gets tricky, and the position (like all positions in the game) has changed considerably over the years. They changed the way football is played on every level. 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. Few players in NFL history have captured the public's imagination like Green Bay Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke, who won three NFL championships and two Super Bowl trophies. Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. He led the University of Minnesota to a national title in 1960, then won two AFL championships and a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. Bernard is physically similar to Williams at 6-foot-1, 228 pounds and played outside linebacker in 4-3 looks and was off-the-ball when he subbed in for Matt Milano at times last season. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012) 2000 Defensive Player of. 1-time first-team All-Pro Lawrence Taylor isn't just the greatest linebacker of all time. Bednarik is most famous for his 1960 tackle of Giants running back Frank Gifford, who was knocked unconscious on the play and out of football for almost two years. 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. Those bad teams likely cost him any shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here is every player who has ever held the position of New Orleans Saints starting linebacker. 15) are the only Lombardi players whose numbers were retired.6. Seau recorded 1,849 career tackles over his career to go along with 56.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 18 interceptions. Richter, who died of a brain aneurysm in 2010, had a lengthy career in motorsports after his football career was over and is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame. High school: East Cleveland Shaw High School (Cleveland, Ohio), Teams: Buffalo Bills (1983-94), Atlanta Falcons (1995), Minnesota Vikings (1996), Career highlights: Four-time AFC champion (1990-93), two-time Pro Bowl (1990, 1991), two-time All-Pro (1990, 1993). Buoniconti, who was also a practicing attorney, died in 2019 at 78 years old. He was 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft, Bednarik led the Eagles to a championship in 1949 and in 1960, where he made the game-saving tackle as time ran out. 8-time Pro Bowler20. Master Your Draft Strategy With Our Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. Play in a Super Bowl. He also was a defensive captain in two of those seasons. Bear Bryant called him one of the best players he ever coached at Alabama, where Jordan won a national title in 1961. All Rights Reserved. He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. 8-time Pro Bowler14. Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears (1965-73)Hall of Fame, Class of 1979 In addition to having the greatest linebacker of All-Time in Ray Lewis, 20 years of Ravens football has seen some incredible linebackers. Gary Reasons (1984-91) Gary Reasons, a fourth-round draft pick from Northwestern State, was a key .

Dawson County Jail Mugshots, Fers Retirement Login, Articles G