No. Thats over 10 sacks per season, which is outstanding. But we would be remiss to not acknowledge some of the top performers from that earlier era. Cox was also a vocal leader of the teams he played for, directing his defenses to success. Less of a nod goes to pass rushers, linebackers and safeties. He even made the Pro Bowl in a year that he only started eight games and also a year in which he only started nine games. The offense, meanwhile, scored 29 points a game. Jackson tallied up 128 sacks in his career, but even thats not his most impressive number. No. 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. He could do it all. No. He also had at least 99 tackles in seven years of his 12-year career, which is outstanding. Named to NFL's All-Decade Team for 1970s and 1980s. Thomas' remarkable personality was also recognized by being awarded the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award in 1993. ONeal should get more recognition as one of the best pass rushers to play the game. 1970 NFC Champion. Banks was a player that any coach would want on their team. Lewis stats at this point of his career are 1,349 tackles, 36.5 sacks, and 28 INTs. Jason Gildon (Steelers/Jaguars): - Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro. Lofa Tatupu didnt take any time breaking into the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. Linebacker Jack Ham and Tight end Dave Casper each received 20 votes. The entire enterprise of Notre Dame basketball, gone strange. Butkus nasty disposition and ability to blow up anyone standing in his path, made him one of the most feared players in the history of the game. He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. All Rights Reserved. A five-time pro bowler, Wilson was one of the best linebackers in the league during the early 2000s. Depending on the day, you might view Ham as the best player on the Steel Curtain defense or the 4th best, and it's . He was also the first player to have a TE or RB used for chip blocking on, and overall changed the way offensive lineman block. Anything you asked him to do, he would do. Over the past decade, virtually every stage of the offensive evolution has increased stress on linebackers, putting them in a bind and asking them to account for multiple things on the same play. Armstead didnt particularly stand out at anywhere, but he wasnt a weak link anywhere either. Ill take into account Pro Bowls, All-Pros (1st and 2nd team), stats, team success, players success, intimidation factor, and reputation, along with many other factors to make this list. . He may have been undersized, but he made up for it with his mind and his hustle. Chad Brown played a very long NFL career, especially for a linebacker. 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. Kirkland had 10 tackles and a key sack of Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? Jeremiah The Axeman Trotter has been a very recognizable name over the past decade. Mo Lewis was another very consistent and solid player. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. 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. 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. Ray Lewis is the highest-ranked active player on this list, and the top middle linebacker on it. 6 - Carl McAdams. NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019). Peterson is another versatile linebacker who has played both inside and outside linebacker. Over the course of his two-year Ohio State career, Lee accumulated 147 tackles. Jack Ham, Linebacker. Dennis Onkotz 1967 - 1969. Lambert wasnt just great on the inside, he was an outstanding coverage linebacker. He also had 1,173 tackles in his career. Wright, Seattle Seahawks. Woodrow Lowe, Alabama (1972-75) Respected as college football's top linebacker in the early 1970s, Lowe was the first . Williams recorded 16 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries (a franchise record). With time to spare in the NFL offseason, I’ll take a look at the top 50 linebackers in the NFL in the modern era. In 1993 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker, Nickerson piled up an astounding 214 tackles. Over his career, Brooking has racked up 962 tackles and 12 INTs. That is just unheard of. Hes also great against the run and is a turnover forcing monster. No. He was a dominating force in the NFL during that stretch of time. Next up on the docket for my top Redskins players series are the linebackers. He ran a 4.6 40 yard dash, which is outstanding for a linebacker, especially at that time period. Randy Gradishar may be the single-most deserving player of a spot in Canton. The Top Ranked Linebackers of the 1960s 10, Junior Seau (Chargers/Dolphins/Patriots) (1990-2009) *Twelve-time Pro Bowler *Six-time All-Pro 1st Team *Three-time All-Pro 2nd Team. In 1985, a trophy awarded to the best linebacker in college football was named in his honor. The leader of the Dome Patrol comes in at No. I know, how can I rate Kirkland over Greene? 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 defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. 1970 Defensive Player of the Year 5-time first-team All-Pro 8-time Pro Bowler The best high school, college and NFL linebackers are annually presented with the Butkus Award, named in honor of . I think thats largely due to the NFL not keeping sacks and tackles numbers during his career. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) At New Mexico State, the once-treasured men's basketball program has been suspended for the season due to a fatal shooting and a gruesome allegation of locker-room . Teamwork and Leadership from Karl Mecklenburg NFL Motivational Keynote Speaker. Call it foreshadowing, but you will see some of his teammates higher up on this list. T&Cs apply. Jackson tallied up 128 sacks in his career, but even thats not his most impressive number. 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. 30, Matt Blair (Vikings) (1974-1985) *Six-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and Defensive Player of the Year two years later. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter has returned to the NFL . Lewis was the leader of the 2000 Super Bowl winning Ravens team. 23. Boulware had at least seven sacks every year he played other than his last season in the NFL. He was unstoppable in goal line situations especially. In 1976, Jackson had seven INTs. He already has 57.5 sacks in his short career, along with 16 forced fumbles. In his time in the NFL, he intercepted 25 passes and returned six of them for touchdowns with three of those in 2002 alone. 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 knew how to make big plays. He was never the most athletic player on the field, but he was always the hardest working. This season marked the end for Tittle and fellow Canton-bound star Frank Gifford. Linebacker U Penn State Tradition Jack Ham as a Steeler. Jackson had 40 forced fumbles, just one short of the NFL record. Bill Parcells considered Carson the best all-around linebacker he ever coached, which is very high praise from someone who has coached a ton of linebackers in his day. 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. He should still improve this season with Ndamukong Suh in front of him to help free him up. Thomas was one of the most instinctive linebackers of all-time. Opponents thought Kirkland would not be as adept in pass coverage as the fast Lloyd, but they quickly found out that Kirkland was just as fast and quick. No. He may have actually been crazy. In only five seasons, Wares already totaled up 64.5 sacks, including 20 in 2008. Ranking Explanation . Brown was a very versatile linebacker. Peppers' 159.5 career sacks rank fourth on the all-time list. 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. Linebacker Jack Ham and Tight end Dave Casper each received 20 votes. During the five year stretch from 1991-1995 where he made five consecutive Pro Bowls, Lloyd was one of, if not the, most dominating linebackers in the NFL. He was unstoppable in goal-line situations especially. A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. Who knows how many he wouldve had if he played in the entire 16? The . He racked up a staggering 1,181 tackles, and 1,131 of them in his first nine seasons. 47, Fredd Young (Seahawks/Colts) (1984-1990) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. 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. Behind the Purple People Eaters of the 70s was one of the best safeties the league has ever seen. It will be interesting to see how he can recover. Next were Defensive end Jack Youngblood and Joe Greene who each had 18 votes. No. No NFL team has enjoyed the consistent level of success the Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed since the AFL-NFL merger of 1970. A truly great linebacker must be able to read the offense, set the defensive scheme, play the run with cat-like instincts and defend the pass with the utmost precision. Bryce Paup was an outstanding pass rusher in the 1990s. More Team Info. 12 sacks and three picks. James Farrior* (Jets/Steelers): Two-time Pro Bowler, one-time 1st Team All-Pro, one-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Both . No. 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 . 10. Mills was more of the tackler of the bunch, racking up 1,142 tackles in his career. [a][4]. The two-time All-American helped the Cornhuskers win back-to-back national titles in 1970 and '71 . SRS: 6.97 (5th of 26), SOS: 1.40. In 1976, Jackson had seven INTs. Answer: Two of the three were constants for all four Super Bowls and ended up in the Hall of Fame. He had over 1,000 tackles, over 70 sacks, and over 30 forced fumbles in his career. No. 25, Karl Mecklenburg (Broncos) (1983-1994) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Three-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro Karl "The Albino Rhino" Mecklenburg was the definition of a blue collar player. Lewis stats at this point of his career are 1,349 tackles, 36.5 sacks, and 28 INTs. Zachary Petrizzo. 26, Cornelius Bennett (Bills/Falcons/Colts) (1987-2000) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. Baker recorded 19 .