This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. He holds the NFL record for the most Pro Bowl selections by a middle linebacker (13). We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times. Nine All-Pros. 10. 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 was the only good player (other than Albert Haynesworth, but even he was only good for 2-3 years) on a generally bad defense and team. Ham had outstanding . The next year, he followed it up with four more interceptions. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. Already in his career, Ware has forced 23 fumbles. A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. 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. He recently missed most of last season with surgery. But Mills did much more than that. No. He wasnt very vocal, but his play did all the talking for him. When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus. credit : - yahoo. The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Thats over 10 sacks per season, which is outstanding. 1970 NFC Champion. If you havnt guessed it by now, Lawrence LT Taylor is my top linebacker of the modern era. They had traded stalwart linebacker Sam Huff in the offseason. 47, Fredd Young (Seahawks/Colts) (1984-1990) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. 21, Patrick Willis* (49ers) (2006-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Born April 20 . Even now, you can tell what kind of person he is by his charity work with the REACH Foundation that he started. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. 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. 19, Harry Carson (Giants) (1976-1988) *Nine-time Pro Bowler *Three-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Eddie Johnson arrived in Cleveland at exactly the right time. Dennis Onkotz was a two time first team All American on the great Penn State teams of 1968 and 1969. 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Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. 39, Peter Boulware (Ravens) (1997-2005) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. If you take away his last three seasons, where he was slowing down, he averaged 12.4 sacks per season, which is just remarkable. Derrick Thomas was on pace to absolutely shatter NFL records before his tragic death in 2000. Simpson in 1973 or Terry Bradshaw's two Super Bowl MVP performances. Hes on pace to not only break, but shatter the NFL record of 41. But, theres no doubt that hes been one of the top linebackers in the NFL, and still is today. That suggestion from the newly appointed House . Williams was the heart and soul of two Super Bowl defenses. He had five INTs in a season twice in his career. Greene and Greg Lloyd made one of the best pass rushing duos in NFL history with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next were Defensive end Jack Youngblood and Joe Greene who each had 18 votes. 9, Derrick Brooks (Bucs) (1995-2008) *Eleven-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 1st Team All-Pro *Four-time 2nd Team All-Pro. He was never the most athletic player on the field, but he was always the hardest working. Over his nine-year career, he had 2,049 tackles, although this number is solo and assisted because he played before solo tackles were an official stat. The 1970s had many great moments by individual players such as the NFL's first 2,000-yard season by O.J. . Call it foreshadowing, but you will see some of his teammates higher up on this list. 1970s A 1-13 record in 1969 gave the Steelers the first overall choice in the 1970 draft, with which Noll addressed the offense by selecting quarterback Terry Bradshaw, another Hall of Famer, after the Steelers won the first selection by winning a coin toss with the Chicago Bears. And here are the 25 greatest linebackers in NFL history: 25. 46, Jon Beason* (Panthers) (2007-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Ray Lewis is the highest-ranked active player on this list, and the top middle linebacker on it. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. Thomas did everything you asked out of a linebacker. Thomas did everything you asked out of a linebacker. His swinging the axe celebration sums up his style of play and tenacity on the field. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. 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. Less of a nod goes to pass rushers, linebackers and safeties. 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. 20, Keith Bulluck* (Titans) (2000-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Paul Krause | S. The NFL's all-time leader in interceptions spent 12 of his 16 years in Minnesota. He was also a big hitter and very intimidating on the field of play. He started all but one game in his last eight seasons, which is very impressive for a linebacker. 10. 25. He was 73. He was Lawrence Taylor before Taylor was. A tall order to say the least, and these 5 players did it better than anyone in the history of the NFL. 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. He just goes out every week and hustles. Brooks is most known for his coverage ability in the Bucs cover-two scheme. Paul Naumoff. Playing 20 seasons in the NFL is amazing at any position. 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, '88) Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. He also ranks third all . Cox was also a vocal leader of the teams he played for, directing his defenses to success. His high sack number was 15 in 2001, a year that he didnt even get voted into the Pro Bowl. No. Young was a fierce hitter, and would always stick his nose in the middle of the play. He wasnt very vocal, but his play did all the talking for him. No. Suggs is a pass rushing monster with the Ravens. James Farrior* (Jets/Steelers): Two-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro, one-time 2nd Team All-Pro. There was a story of someone meeting Thomas at the Pro Bowl for no longer than 10 minutes. He has been one of the most intimidating players in the NFL his entire career. Spielman had seven straight 100 tackle seasons, and did it eight out of nine years. We started off with a rough one the wide receivers. Robertson is one of the most underrated players in NFL history. Republican Rep. James Comer suggested during a right-wing podcast earlier this week that President Joe Biden's deceased son Beau Biden should have been investigated in connection with a long-settled case on "campaign donations" from a backer who was eventually indicted. (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). As part of the Steelers Blitzburgh defense in the 90s, Greg Lloyd was a speedy, undersized pass rusher.Sometimes, he would use his size to his advantage to disguise where he was coming from. 12. 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 . 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. 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. Jessie Armstead was one of the most consistent linebackers on this list. SRS: 6.97 (5th of 26), SOS: 1.40. 37, Wilber Marshall (Bears/Redskins/Oilers/Cardinals/Jets) (1984-1995) *Three-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Of course, prior to 1970, there was only one captain chosen; since 1970, we've had as many as four chosen in a single season. 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. He was also the fastest linebacker of the bunch and excelled in pass coverage. No. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12 year career, which is outstanding. The . Joe Schmidt. Lambert and Ham also won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. Over his nine-year career, he had 2,049 tackles, although this number is solo and assisted because he played before solo tackles were an official stat. Zachary Petrizzo. 2) Jeff Siemon: A key player as the middle linebacker on the team's top defenses in the mid-1970's, Siemon played in 156 games, starting 123, and was selected to four Pro Bowls during his eleven year career with the Vikings. Check out the 1970 Minnesota Vikings Roster, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports and more on Pro-Football-Reference.com. . Offerdahl was a blue collar type of player who was an even better person off the field. 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Cornelius Bennett was just a great all-around player. [3] In only 11 seasons, Thomas had 126.5 sacks, and an NFL record 41 forced fumbles. It may be a bit early to put Jon Beason on this list, but I think his play warrants the selection. LaVar Arrington. Linebacker U Penn State Tradition Jack Ham as a Steeler. To stoke the nostalgia, we talked to some of the key players from the team's winningest, most . He always tried to better himself and did it effectively. Please play responsibly. I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. Not only did he change the way defenses are run, but he changed the way offensive schemes are run as well. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . Carson did most of the dirty work in that linebacking core. His 32 career INTs lead the way for linebackers. 32, John Offerdahl (Dolphins) (1986-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. [3] 3 hours ago. He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. No. No. K.J. He is still active, and is a starter, but he might be on his way out of San Diego. Super Bowl winner. Johnson wasnt very flashy, but he was very solid all-around, which is why he sneaks onto the list. 35, Lance Briggs* (Bears) (2003-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Swilling was the best pass rusher of the Dome Patrol, but he also forced 36 fumbles to go along with all the sacks. After being labeled a bust by many after his first four seasons with the Jets, Farrior broke out with the Steelers and became one of the most consistent players in the league. Mecklenburg finished his career with 79 sacks, which is great for an ILB, and also ranks 2nd all-time in Broncos history.