Overlooked because he played alongside Lawrence Taylor, Carson did most of the dirty work in that linebacking core. Super Bowl winner. But we would be remiss to not acknowledge some of the top performers from that earlier era. Born April 20 . Top 13 Indiana High School Players of all Time, The 6 greatest Indiana Highschool pure Shooters, The 8 greatest IHSAA Championship Games in History. How NFL Players Have Evolved | Stadium Talk He was never the most athletic player on the field, but he was always the hardest working. 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. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. Peter Boulware was the pass rusher alongside Ray Lewis. Top 13 Cincinnati Reds Starting Pitchers of all time. . Im only going to be looking at players drafted in 1970 or later. He would give it his all on every single down of every single play. The Best Linebackers of All-Time - Sports Central He was very solid in coverage, good against the run, and had no real weaknesses. McAdams was a two-time All-American . If you take away his last three seasons, where he was slowing down, he averaged 12.4 sacks per season, which is just remarkable. He started his career out with the Packers, if they would have used him correctly he would have been higher on this list. Steelers all-time 53-man roster: '70s legends, 'Killer Bs' headline But perhaps more than the star players, the decade was dominated by dynasty teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, and . He was the notorious leader of one of the greatest defenses to ever make its way onto a football field Pittsburghs famed Steel Curtain.. [3] He also played two different positions, playing ILB and OLB for the Vikings in his career. It will be interesting to see how he can recover. LSU ENDS REGULAR SEASON 27-1LSU women's basketball ties program-best season . AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:30 a.m. EST The 1970s Were the L.A. Rams' Most Dramatic Decade - Los Angeles Magazine Lost Super Bowl 13-16 vs. Baltimore Colts. Hes been amazing. 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. The entire enterprise of Notre Dame basketball, gone strange. He knew how to make big plays. AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:03 a.m. EST | National | wdrb.com Lambert won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. 34, Julian Peterson* (49ers/Seahawks/Lions) (2000-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. . Romanowski might be overrated because of his name, but theres no doubt he was one of the most memorable and feared linebackers of the modern era. If you dont believe me, watch the film, as they say, the film doesnt lie! Brian Urlacher is one of the greatest linebackers of this decade. Nickerson wasnt just a one hit wonder though. Patrick Willis is everything you look for in a linebacker. I think hell climb up this list further in the near future. Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018. Thomas is also third all-time in safeties and fumble returns for touchdowns. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. Suggs is a pass rushing monster with the Ravens. Lambert is said by many to be the best inside linebacker of all-time. He was a very solid 3-4 ILB playing on one of the best LB Cores of all-time, the Dome Patrol. A two-time All-American and a three-year starter for the Vols, Kiner . He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Nickerson wasnt just a one hit wonder though. Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. Swilling was the best pass rusher of the Dome Patrol, but he also forced 36 fumbles to go along with all the sacks. When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus. When you see a list of greatest linebackers, Isiah Robertson very rarely even gets brought into the discussion. Patrick Willis has made the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro team every single year hes been in the NFL. Boulware had at least seven sacks every year he played other than his last season in the NFL. ONeal should get more recognition as one of the best pass rushers to play the game. In his time in the NFL, he intercepted 25 passes and returned six of them for touchdowns with three of those in 2002 alone. 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 . In that career he played both 4-3 OLB and 3-4 ILB. Brooking was the face of the Falcons defense for nearly a decade, and is a well-rounded player. 9. In 1985, a trophy awarded to the best linebacker in college football was named in his honor. In 2007, he racked up a remarkable 17 sacks in only 12 games. Mills was more of the tackler of the bunch, racking up 1,142 tackles in his career. 1970 Dallas Cowboys Roster & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com 2, Ray Lewis* (Ravens) (1996-Present) *Eleven-time Pro Bowler *Seven-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He should still improve this season with Ndamukong Suh in front of him to help free him up. 5.) He was always around the ball. In 1993 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker, Nickerson piled up an astounding 214 tackles. Here is my ranking of the top 10 Giants linebackers, along with some honorable mentions. Next were Defensive end Jack Youngblood and Joe Greene who each had 18 votes. He had less than seven sacks in a season only once. Not only did he change the way defenses are run, but he changed the way offensive schemes are run as well. AP. T&Cs apply. Although still early in his career, Demarcus Ware deserves to be this high on the list. Wagers only accepted in CO. For full terms and conditions, click here. This team was widely regarded as having one of the best defenses of all-time. His best days were with the Bears and Redskins, but he had an impact everywhere he went. He was also the fastest linebacker of the bunch and excelled in pass coverage. FCK Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, Hamilton vs Arbroath Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, Paderborn vs FC St. Pauli Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live, Andorra vs Las Palmas Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, AGF vs Horsens Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream Time,, Southend Utd vs Barnet Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live Stream, Kawasaki vs Shonan Bellmare Prediction, Head-To-Head, Live. Willis could potentially end up in the top 10, or even top five of this list by the time his career is over. No. Other Links > Football > Player Rankings by Position > Top Ranked Linebackers . 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That Steelers linebacking core could easily be the best of all-time, and it was led by Jack Lambert and Jack Ham. 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. Carson did most of the dirty work in that linebacking core. He knew how to make big plays. He has already had three 100 tackle seasons in his first three years, and also has already forced 10 turnovers (four INTs, six forced fumbles). Lambert and Ham also won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. Sam Huff. List of All Buffalo Bills Linebackers, Ranked Best to Worst 2022 NFL Linebacker Rankings and Tiers | NFL News, Rankings and - PFF What Terry Fontenot said about Marcus Mariota release, the quarterback I have combined outside and inside linebackers on the list and factored in the players ability to stop the run, drop into coverage and leadership. No. National Football League 1970s All-Decade Team - Wikipedia Top 30 Linebackers in the NFL since 1970! He led the Eagles in tackles in his time with the team. No. Jeremiah The Axeman Trotter has been a very recognizable name over the past decade. Keith Bulluck WAS the Titans defense, and has been every year hes been there. Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), three-time Pro Bowl (1970-72), two . No. Featuring 2018-2019 Raiders and some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Raiders LBs include Ted Hendricks, Khalil Mack, Rod Martin, Sam Wiliams, and Greg Biekert. Rickey Jackson doesnt always get the credit he deserves, but hes a top 10 linebacker of the modern era. Kirkland was an all-around better linebacker, he was a 300lb linebacker whose coverage skills were vastly underrated. [3] The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1970s - AinsworthSports.com He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. That is just unheard of. Lewis was the leader of the 2000 Super Bowl-winning Ravens team. He also had 1,173 tackles in his career. 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. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme. Defensive MVP in 2002. Blair was outstanding in coverage, along with being a great tackler. Won Conference Championship 17-10 vs. San Francisco 49ers. 25 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History - AthlonSports.com The next year at the Pro Bowl, Thomas remembered him by name. Next up, we look at a much better-rated unit in the linebackers. Jack Lambert was the teammate of Jack Ham who took the inside linebacker duties. Even now, you can tell what kind of person he is by his charity work with the REACH Foundation that he started. He was 73. Ham had outstanding speed. Robertson is one of the most underrated players in NFL history. How NFL Players Have Evolved. Eleven Pro Bowls. With rule changes being what they have been, The number one pick was obvious. A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. Earl Campbell called Williams the toughest linebacker he ever played against. He was always around the ball. Rickey Jackson was one of the fastest linebackers in the game, but he was also one of the hardest hitters. 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. The Minnesota Vikings did an outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974. NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019). Joey Porter may be the most vocal linebacker on this list. AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:03 a.m. EST. Simpson in 1973 or Terry Bradshaw's two Super Bowl MVP performances. 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. He was also a big hitter and very intimidating on the field of play. Peterson is another versatile linebacker who has played both inside and outside linebacker. Mecklenburg finished his career with 79 sacks, which is great for an ILB, and also ranks 2nd all-time in Broncos history. 21. He also finished his career with 17 INTs. His 32 career INTs lead the way for linebackers. Thats an amazing number as well. Matt Blair was a very intimidating linebacker, and helped the Vikings get to two Super Bowls in his career. He already has 57.5 sacks in his short career, along with 16 forced fumbles. 7, Rickey Jackson (Saints/49ers) (1981-1995) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 2nd Team All-Pro. The line was the backbone of the Steelers dynasty, which won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) in six years.. 10. Woodrow Lowe, Alabama (1972-75) Respected as college football's top linebacker in the early 1970s, Lowe was the first . He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. In only 11 seasons, Thomas had 126.5 sacks, and an NFL record 41 forced fumbles. Franchise Encyclopedia. He did it in 2000 and again in 2003. Hes also had at least 83 tackles in every year other than his rookie season. In this Article . But he proved them wrong and was a key piece on the Broncos Super Bowl winning team. 2011 Butkus Award winner for nation s best linebacker at Boston College. Derrick Thomas still holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single NFL game with seven, against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990. Kevin Greene will always be known as one of the craziest and talented pass rushers in NFL history. He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. Over the course of his two-year Ohio State career, Lee accumulated 147 tackles. But before you come to a conclusion, let's take a look at the facts. A late 12th round pick Mecklenburg finished his career with 79 sacks, which is great for an ILB, and also ranks 2nd all-time in Broncos history. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1970s He took up blockers and threw his body around a lot. Thomas is also third all-time in safeties and fumble returns for touchdowns. 1. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? 22, Chris Spielman (Lions/Bills) (1988-1997) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 1970 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees No. No. The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Punter Ray Guy was the leading vote-getter for the 1970s All-Decade Team, receiving 24 of a possible 25 votes. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. He was just a great all-around player who could do it all. He was also the fastest linebacker of the bunch and excelled in pass coverage. Quinto was a regular at both inside and outside linebacker for head coach Ron Gladnick's Saints. Chicago Bears: Top 10 linebackers in franchise history - NFL Spin Zone Robert Brazile- Tums all time neutralizer. Spielman had seven straight 100 tackle seasons, and did it eight out of nine years. 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. LT finished his career with 142 sacks, averaging nearly 11 sacks per season. Eddie Johnson. He wasnt very vocal, but his play did all the talking for him. Top 10 Draft Picks in Broncos History | No. As also playing DE should tell you, he was very versatile and could play many different positions. No. Not only did he change the way defenses are run, but he changed the way offensive schemes are run as well. Running back Larry Csonka of the Miami Dolphins is brought down by linebacker Henry Davis of . He was blue collar player who was a great leader on defense and could do everything well on a football field. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. The best linebackers in Minnesota Vikings history Gary Reasons (1984-91) Gary Reasons, a fourth-round draft pick from Northwestern State, was a key . Lloyd will always be remembered as the lightning quick pass rusher from the Blitzburgh days. Robert Brazile. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports. Punter Ray Guy was the leading vote-getter for the 1970s All-Decade Team, receiving 24 of a possible 25 votes. Those would be accomplishments by themselves, let alone all together. Singletary was one of the key leaders of the famous 85 Bears defense, arguably the greatest defense in the history of the NFL. He had ten seasons with 10+ sacks. 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 . Here's a list of the Packers' top 10 all-time defensive players since 1950, when unlimited substitution was restored to the NFL, paving the way for two-platoon football. He would always be found around the ball, and around the play. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. Jul 07, 2014 at 11:02 PM. Two years later, the Giants sunk to 1-12-1. This season marked the end for Tittle and fellow Canton-bound star Frank Gifford. Lofa Tatupu* (Seahawks) : Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro. Steel Curtain - Wikipedia Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. He always tried to better himself and did it effectively. Lewis wasnt as vocal as Cox, but his play was a little better, and lasted for a longer period of time. He finished his career with 1,106 tackles and 627 assisted tackles as well. Next: A dangerous combination. The Steelers went 6-10 in his first season, but along with players like Hines Ward, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca . Keith Brooking has been one of the most consistent linebackers of all-time. Detroit Lions History: Top 5 Linebackers - SideLion Report 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. They surrendered only 20 points in that game, and seven of them were off a blocked punt. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and Defensive Player of the Year two years later. 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. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . Zach Thomas would be the perfect linebacker, no matter what style of defense you play. NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s - DEFENSE - pfhof He did it in 2000 and again in 2003. Discuss this article along with many other quality articles, discussions, and much more at: http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=54444. Minnesota Vikings reporter suggests All-Pro defender a likely 2023 cap During his career Williams amassed 62.5 sacks, which is the second most in Bengals history. Penn State football all-time defense | Who are the greatest defensive A five-time pro bowler, Wilson was one of the best linebackers in the league during the early 2000s. He could play zone and man. The Best of Tommy Brady at Michigan . Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. 29, Joey Porter* (Steelers/Dolphins/Cardinals) (1999-Present) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Wilber Marshall had the whole package. Ranking Explanation . Lawrence Taylor of course, is regarded as the best 3-4 linebacker ever, . Playing 20 seasons in the NFL is amazing at any position. Call it foreshadowing, but you will see some of his teammates higher up on this list. 10. Who were the linebackers for the Steel Curtain defense? - Quora Tribute to Elvis 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 could do it all. He was the type of player that you would want your kids to look up to. He had 885 career solo tackles, which is impressive on a defense filled with swarming the ball, shown by his 1,488 career tackles. For a four-year span with Seattle, Young was arguably the best Seahawks linebacker of all-time. Wilson recorded 560 tackles and 21.5 sacks as a member of the Broncos. Jackson was not just a coverage linebacker, he was also a good pass rusher and a very hard worker off the field. 2013 MAC Hall of Fame Inductee: Western Michigans John Offerdahl. He may be one of the most hated players, but man can he play football. Ham is the only linebacker other than Tom Jackson to have seven INTs in a single season. The second member of the Dome Patrol comes off the board at No. Some of you will say hes too low. Baltimore Ravens ground game rules in NFL Week 11 and more He tried to get in your head before you even took a step on the field of play. There is a reason the award given to the best linebacker in high school, college and the NFL each year is named after Butkus. 16, Robert Brazile (Oilers) (1975-1984) *Seven-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Four-time 2nd Team All-Pro. I know, how can I rate Kirkland over Greene? The Greatest Penn State Linebackers of All Time He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. These are the newest members of GHSF Daily's Georgia Power 100. Jeff Siemon (Vikings) : Four-time Pro Bowler. Its too bad Fredd Youngs career had to end prematurely due to injuries. Undersized height wise, but an overabundance of heart made him more than a handful to deal with. He also had 1,173 tackles in his career. James Harrison. Still, he was a very solid MLB for many years. They had traded stalwart linebacker Sam Huff in the offseason. LaVar Arrington. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . No. Demarcus Ware has only played five seasons in the NFL, but already hes one of the best of this era. Jason Gildon (Steelers/Jaguars): - Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro. 10 Tom Jackson. No. But in those three years, hes racked up 328 tackles and seven INTs, all while starting every game of his career.