Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) 9-time Pro Bowler Arguably USCs most notable No. Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 NFL Draft! After the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have four Alabama linebackers - Will Anderson Jr., Christian Harris, DeMeco Ryans and Henry To'oTo'o - except Ryans is the head coach and . However, it is often looked past how important the middle linebacker position is to the defensive side of the ball with many teams using this position to help command the defense. He took his skills as a free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won two Super Bowls. Your login session has expired. Born: Sept. 1, 1960 (Seattle, Washington), High school: Edina West High School (Edina, Minnesota), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1985-87, 1989, 1991, 1993), four-time All-Pro (1985-87, 1989). Super Bowl XXXV champion Many of the games greatest players have been the man in the middle who called the shots in the huddle before turning into tackling machines and splash-playmakers from sideline-to-sideline once the ball was snapped. Junior Seau was one of the best players of his generation and one of the best middle linebackers to play the game. The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time And that dance. Drew Sanders, Arkansas. While quarterbacks have their hands on every play on offense to lead their teams to victory, it's much tougher for players to control the game by sheer force of will. 7-time Pro Bowler18. It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. It's on Sean McDermott & Co. to coach up whoever mans the middle. Hall of Fame, Class of 2006 Who are the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All Time? - Sportskeeda 9-time Pro Bowler Born: Aug. 25, 1965 (Birmingham, Alabama), High school: Ensley High School (Birmingham, Alabama), Teams: Buffalo Bills (1987-95), Atlanta Falcons (1996-98), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2000), Career highlights: Two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year (1988, 1991), five-time Pro Bowl (1988, 1990-93), three-time All-Pro (1988, 1991, 1992), AFC Defensive Team of the Decade (2000s). Lee Roy Jordan was undersized, at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, but made up for it in talent and drive. He doesn't have overwhelming traits, but he has filled in capably as a . High school: Crestwood High School (Mantua, Ohio), Career highlights: Four-time Super Bowl champion (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979), nine-time Pro Bowl (1975-83), eight-time All-Pro (1975, 1976, 1978-83), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1976), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1974), NFL 100th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990). Here is every player who has ever held the position of San Francisco 49ers starting linebacker. 1976 Defensive Player of the Year It is hard not to put Ray Lewis at the top of this list as the top Middle Linebacker All-Time. Norton's famous nod to his famous father was hitting the goal post pads like a punching bag, similar to how he treated opponents as the star linebacker for two of the best franchises in football for over a decade. This article explores the franchise's top 10 linebackers of all time. 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. 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. Despite a 101-year history, the Cardinals haven't produced a Hall of Famer at linebackerbut they've still had plenty of . April 19, 2023 5 PM PT. Top 30 Linebackers in the NFL Since 1970 - The Grueling Truth The 11 best linebackers in the 2023 NFL Draft, ranked For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. In 1986, he had one of the most dominant NFL seasons ever. Brugler had both Wisconsin's Nick Herbig and Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o ranked ahead of Williams. 10 of the Best Linebackers of All-Time | NFL Linebackers - WagerLab 15) are the only Lombardi players whose numbers were retired.6. Super Bowl XXXVIII champion Best Eagles Linebackers: Top 10 All-Time in Franchise History Veteran A.J. The on-field brains behind Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryans famed 1985 Bears defense, Singletary is undeniably one of the greatest to ever play the position.5. Here is my ranking of the top 10 Giants linebackers, along with some honorable mentions. By Eddie Brown. 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 XLIII champion23. Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys (1963-76) Super Bowl XXI champion16. High school: Clarkstown High School North (New City, New York), Teams: Tennessee Titans (2000-09), New York Giants (2010), Career highlights:Three-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2003, 2007), Pro Bowl (2003). 6-time first-team All-Pro Best Linebackers in the NFL | List of Top NFL Linebackers - Ranker 8-time first-team All-Pro The lineage of great Chicago Bears middle linebackers is clear, with 4 players making this list. Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus is one of those. 1973 Defensive Player of the Year It worked, and Connor never put his hand in the dirt again during a Hall of Fame career. Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. Lance Briggs did one thing that's highly unusual for an NFL linebacker in the modern era he played his entire career for the same team. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. Nickerson had his best years with the Steelers and with the Buccaneers right before those teams started to make deep, consistent playoff runs, but he was a feared player and at his best playing in a 4-3 scheme defense. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Super Bowl XIII champion The Ravens have always been known as a defensive minded team. Two players of the four players with more tackles, Ray Lewis and Junior Seau, are in the Hall of Fame. Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears (1965-73)Hall of Fame, Class of 1979 Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers of All Time Rankings The 15 Greatest NFL Linebackers of All Time - Sportscasting On offense, he played center, and on defense, he was a linebacker, where he earned a reputation as one of the most devastating tacklers of all time. Te'o didn't come out of nowhere as a senior. Richter didn't miss a game in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and made seven All-Pro teams. Joe Fortunato's greatest teammate, fellow linebacker Dick Butkus, also became perhaps the greatest impediment to Fortunato's long-term legacy. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Ranking the best Middle Linebackers in the history of the NFL such as Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, and many more, By Fan Rankings | October 23, 2021 - 07:34 PM. New York native and former Syracuse star Keith Bulluck helped define the early years of the Tennessee Titans as part of the team that came within one yard of winning a Super Bowl. Super Bowl XXIX champion22. "I'm Samurai Mike, I stop 'em cold," was the start of his "Super Bowl Shuffle" verse. He helped lead Florida State to its first national title in 1993 and a decade later put together his greatest NFL seasons, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and leading the Buccaneers to their only Super Bowl win in 2002. Hardy Nickerson, Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (02) David cashed in with a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season. It's actually confounding why more of a Hall of Fame case hasn't been made for Thomas. Off the field, Lewis' career was almost over before it started. He registered a league-leading 20.5 sacks en route to winning Defensive Player of the Year, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl XXI. It is hard to look past Jack Lambert as one of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time based on his career resume and his play on the football field. 45:47. After being selected with the third overall pick, Butkus would go on to make eight Pro Bowl teams during his nine year career. Harry Carson is perhaps the most respected defensive player and teammate in the history of the NFL. High school: Farmington High School (Farmington, West Virginia), Teams: New York Giants (1956-63), Washington Football Team (1964-67, 1969), Career highlights: NFL champion (1956), six-time All-Pro (1957-61, 1963), five-time Pro Bowl (1958-61, 1964), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1982). Super Bowl VIII champion Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. Fletcher carved out a 16-year NFL career, including a Super Bowl win with the Rams in his second season. The big-play machine from Waco, Texas, was one of the greatest linebackers in Longhorns program history. Jackson retired in the top three in NFL history for sacks (128) and fumble recoveries (28). The No. Born: April 6, 1973 (San Diego, California), High school: Chula Vista High School (Chula Vista, California), Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1996-2001, 2007-08), San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2004), Pro Bowl (2002). How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? Bobby Bell could do it all. Who are the best linebackers in San Francisco 49ers history? His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); The Chicago Bears middle linebacker is just one of many great middle linebackers that have played in the NFL and for the team. Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the 1959 season with the Chicago Bears. His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons. The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time 10.) 10. If Lawrence Taylor is the Michael Jordan of NFL linebackers, Carson was his Scottie Pippen. Super Bowl XXXVI champion Ranking the 10 best linebackers in Raiders history Podcast Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC West. It is hard to look past Jack Lambert as one of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time based on his career resume and his play on the football field. Lewis, who was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the teams second first round selection during the 1996 NFL Draft would go on to put together one of the greatest careers of any defensive player to play the game. The best high school, college and NFL linebackers are annually presented with the Butkus Award, named in honor of arguably the greatest linebacker possibly the best defensive player to ever put on a helmet. 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. 2-time NFL Championship Game winner Raiders post-draft depth chart: Will any of the rookies be Week 1 2-time first-team All-Pro Ham, with the size of a free safety, was as quick as any running back or wide receiver in the 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and recorded a gaudy 32 interceptions and 53 takeaways in his career while helping the Steelers win four Super Bowl. Those bad teams likely cost him any shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 6-time Pro Bowler12. Super Bowl XXXIX champion, The foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Tight Ends All-Time. We'll find out in 2024, when he'll be on the ballot for the first time. 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.
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