best linebackers of the 1970s

Peppers' 159.5 career sacks rank fourth on the all-time list. He may have been undersized, but he made up for it with his mind and his hustle. Depending on the day, you might view Ham as the best player on the Steel Curtain defense or the 4th best, and it's . Chicago 1981-92. The most obvious change from 1920 to today is the size of players, but there also have been many changes in the schemes . He was never the most athletic player on the field, but he was always the hardest working. 32, John Offerdahl (Dolphins) (1986-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 10, Junior Seau (Chargers/Dolphins/Patriots) (1990-2009) *Twelve-time Pro Bowler *Six-time All-Pro 1st Team *Three-time All-Pro 2nd Team. Randy Gradishar may be the single-most deserving player of a spot in Canton. His 32 career INTs lead the way for linebackers. Gary Reasons (1984-91) Gary Reasons, a fourth-round draft pick from Northwestern State, was a key . Thomas did everything you asked out of a linebacker. Jack Ham might be the best coverage linebacker of all time. Other Links > Football > Player Rankings by Position > Top Ranked Linebackers . Atlante vs Raya2 Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream Time, Date, Team News, lineup news, Odds, Stats, Betting Tips Trends, Where To Watch Live Score Mexican Liga de Expansin MX 2023 Telecast Today Match Details March 3, Club Tijuana vs Atlas Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, Wydad AC vs Vita Club Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, U Cluj vs Farul Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream Time,, Top 10 Best Football Agents In The World | 2023 Updates, Top 10 Most Successful Retired Soccer Players 2023, FC Magdeburg vs 1. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12-year career, which is outstanding. Kirkland had great speed and agility for a big man. 8. No. Robert Brazile. He was said to have the fastest 10 yard burst of any player on the team, and that included receivers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, and runningback Franco Harris. More from Green Bay Packers. No. He became a starter at inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season, 1993, replacing Pro Bowler David Little. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. Lambert wasnt just great on the inside, he was an outstanding coverage linebacker. He is still active, and is a starter, but he might be on his way out of San Diego. With rule changes being what they have been, The number one pick was obvious. A five-time pro bowler, Wilson was one of the best linebackers in the league during the early 2000s. No. 12 sacks and three picks. He had four interceptions that season, a high number for an inside linebacker, to go along with four sacks and 114 tackles. He finished his career with 132.5 sacks. His best days were with the Bears and Redskins, but he had an impact everywhere he went. Wagers only accepted in CO. For full terms and conditions, click here. Tippett was a big reason to why so many teams value pass rushing OLBs in todays game. And here are the 25 greatest linebackers in NFL history: 25. He may have actually been crazy. 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). No. This team was widely regarded as having one of the best defenses of all-time. 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. 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. Jack Ham might be the best coverage linebacker of all-time. Thats fine, he played enough linebacker to be considered this high. Brian Urlacher is one of the greatest linebackers of this decade. Seau was the definition of consistency. That is just unheard of. These are the newest members of GHSF Daily's Georgia Power 100. Paul Krause | S. The NFL's all-time leader in interceptions spent 12 of his 16 years in Minnesota. He has speed, size, toughness, instincts, vision, patience, and football smarts. Jack Lambert was the teammate of Jack Ham who took the inside linebacker duties. Robertson is one of the most underrated players in NFL history. He had 885 career solo tackles, which is impressive on a defense filled with swarming the ball, shown by his 1,488 career tackles. 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. The nine-time Pro Bowl player, two-time All-Pro, and Hall of Fame is one of the all-time sacks leaders with 126.5, and he also forced 41 fumbles during his 11-year career. Undersized height wise, but an overabundance of heart made him more than a handful to deal with. The best LB in the NFL today comes in at No. The Pittsburgh Steelers are second with all-time players in four decades. You could stick him on any TE in the league, even some slot receivers, and he would take them out of the game. No. 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. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. Jan 25, 1981; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders players Mickey Marvin (65), Willie Jones (90), Rod Martin (53), Ted Hendricks (83) and Raymond Chester (88) on the field against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl XV at the Superdome. A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. 7. Thats right, seven. 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. LT was the most intimidating player ever to put on an NFL uniform. In the 2017-18 NFL season, the current Buffalo Bills starting LBs and backup LBs are Lorenzo Alexander, Deon Lacey, Matt Milano, and Tanner Vallejo. If you dont believe me, watch the film, as they say, the film doesnt lie! 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. 23. Nine All-Pros. 43, Keith Brooking* (Falcons/Cowboys) (1998-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. In only five seasons, Wares already totaled up 64.5 sacks, including 20 in 2008. In this Article . He took up blockers and threw his body around a lot. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . (Photo: David Boss, Getty) Historians will tell you that McAdams is one of the best linebackers to ever play at The University of Oklahoma. Thomas did everything you asked out of a linebacker. So while there were outstanding linebackers in previous years, like Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke, they will not be on this list. He did everything. 49, Vaughn Johnson (Saints/Eagles) (1986-1994) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. The Steelers began their 1976 season 1-4 and lost their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw.For the nine games remaining in the season, the Steelers . His swinging the axe celebration sums up his style of play and tenacity on the field. Coverage was definitely Bullucks claim to fame, but he was also good at other things. He was a tackle machine and a very big hitter. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. 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. Trotter was a complete, all-around linebacker. Jackson had 40 forced fumbles, just one short of the NFL record. Isiah Robertson, nicknamed The Playmaker, was known for coming up with the big plays in the biggest games. Pat Swilling was an outstanding pass rusher in his career, totaling up 107 sacks in his career and 101.5 sacks in a 10 year period throwing out his rookie year and last season of his career. 10. Both . He left everything he had on the field of play, and even though he was a tenacious player on the field, he was one of the most genuine and nice guys off the field. . Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Thats an amazing number as well. He started his career out with the Packers, if they would have used him correctly he would have been higher on this list. Anything you asked him to do, he would do. Hes also great against the run and is a turnover forcing monster. 9-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler. No. 50, Bryan Cox (Dolphins/Bears/Jets/Patriots/Saints) (1991-2003). No. He was Lawrence Taylor before Taylor was. No. 9, Derrick Brooks (Bucs) (1995-2008) *Eleven-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 1st Team All-Pro *Four-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Blair was outstanding in coverage, along with being a great tackler. He also played a big role in one of the most dominant performances by a defense in Super Bowl history. Who knows how many he wouldve had if he played in the entire 16? (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). Franchise Encyclopedia. He could play zone and man. He led the team in tackles five of the 11 season he played for them. 3 hours ago. Let me start out by saying that yes, I know that he was only a linebacker for half his career and DE the other half. Ray Lewis is another one of the three players on the list to win Defensive Player of the Year twice in his career. Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week. thegruelingtruth.com is available in the following countries: The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. Ralph Baker - Years with Jets: 11 (1964-74) Baker played in 142 games with the Jets in his 11 seasons, which is tied with Marvin Jones for the 4 th most by a linebacker. [a][4]. 13, Greg Lloyd (Steelers/Panthers) (1988-1998) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro. That is the reason you will not find Butkus, Huff, Nitschke etc in these rankings. The player that gives Butkus the most competition in that category would be Mike Singletary. A tall order to say the least, and these 5 players did it better than anyone in the history of the NFL. Mike Singletary had the whole package. Lambert is said by many to be the best inside linebacker of all-time. 2011 Butkus Award winner for nation s best linebacker at Boston College. Willis could potentially end up in the top 10, or even top five of this list by the time his career is over. NFL Strength Of Schedule Rankings 2022-2023, NFL 2022 season finisher picture, standings: Chargers can secure billet on Monday, Packers stay alive for trump card, Cardinals versus Marauders score, focal points: Tom Brady directs late rebound as Tampa Sound moves beyond Arizona in OT, NFL would need to pay a robust $12MILLION to switch all its counterfeit fields over completely to grass as association faces developing commotion from players to switch all arenas to normal surfaces, NFL takes action against utilization of electronic gadgets during games, Packers versus Lions score: Detroit plays spoiler, closes Green Straights offered for postseason compartment, Top 10 Hottest NFL Wives In 2023 | NFL WAGs, The Best Quarterbacks In The NFL Right Now, The Coolest Players in the NFL Right Now, Ranked, 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 88), 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1967, 83). Bulluck was one of the best pass coverage linebackers in NFL history. Over the course of his two-year Ohio State career, Lee accumulated 147 tackles. Gambling Problem? When you see a list of greatest linebackers, Isiah Robertson very rarely even gets brought into the discussion. He was also the fastest linebacker of the bunch and excelled in pass coverage. 23, Isiah Robertson (Rams/Bills) (1971-1982) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. No. He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. 44, Jessie Armstead (Giants/Redskins) (1993-2003) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Brazile was drafted out of Jackson State and revolutionized linebacker play in the NFL. No. 48, Terrell Suggs* (Ravens) (2003-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. His sacks are the main reason hes this high, but he was also a great all-around player. 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. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. Merriman still has the potential to be a great player again. [1][2] The squad consists of first- and second-team offensive, defensive, and special teams units, as well as a first- and second-team head coaches. Urlacher was the leader of those great Bears defenses of the 2000s, including when they got to the Super Bowl only to lose to Peyton Manning and the Colts. ONeal should get more recognition as one of the best pass rushers to play the game. They had traded stalwart linebacker Sam Huff in the offseason. He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. Randy Gradishar Joins The Speer Wealth Team. He was a tackling machine for the majority of his career. He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. 2013 MAC Hall of Fame Inductee: Western Michigans John Offerdahl. Lawrence Taylor of course, is regarded as the best 3-4 linebacker ever, . He led the Eagles in tackles in his time with the team. Lewis was the leader of the 2000 Super Bowl-winning Ravens team. He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Find 1970 1979 America stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. If you take away his last three seasons, where he was slowing down, he averaged 12.4 sacks per season, which is just remarkable. 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 . 9. Super Bowl winner. 38, Chad Brown (Steelers/Seahawks/Patriots) (1993-2007) *Three-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro. Tippett finished his career with 100 sacks. All while being tasked with avoiding blocks and keeping tabs on the opposing quarterback. He was just a great all-around player who could do it all. . He was a good pass rusher, having at least 5.5 sacks in 10 straight years, but he was also good against the run and in coverage. Hes on pace to not only break, but shatter the NFL record of 41. Zach Thomas would be the perfect linebacker, no matter what style of defense you play. 7, Rickey Jackson (Saints/49ers) (1981-1995) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Blair was also one of the greatest special teams players of all-time! Its too bad Fredd Youngs career had to end prematurely due to injuries. He also took over Lloyds role in pass coverage as the only linebacker in the Steelers nickel defense. Overlooked because he played alongside Lawrence Taylor, Carson did most of the dirty work in that linebacking core. Zach Thomas is exactly what you want in a player and a linebacker. Baltimore, with 2,038 rushing yards through its first 10 games of the season, is the seventh team since 1970 and first since the 1978 New England Patriots (2,029 rushing yards) with at least 2,000 . Thats amazing consistency. Jack Lambert played middle linebacker. His best season was his first year with the Bills where he had 17.5 sacks, 70 tackles, two INTs, and three forced fumbles. 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. Brown was a very versatile linebacker. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. He was the type of player that you would want your kids to look up to. Seau is one of the Chargers' all-time great players, and will go to Canton five years after he retires like he should. He was also a good pass rusher, and a good coverage man as well. 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.

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best linebackers of the 1970s