best linebackers of the 1970s

Jack Ham, Linebacker. He was a tackle machine and a very big hitter. Mike Singletary. Seau was the definition of consistency. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. No. No. McAdams was a two-time All-American . Super Bowl XX champion. Wright has been one of the most reliable linebackers in the NFL since entering the league as a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State . Dick Butkus: one of the fiercest and best linebackers the NFL has ever seen, Butkus was a Pro Bowler every year except his final season while also garnering five All-Pro selections for the Bears. Of the five LBs chosen to the 1950s All-Decade Team the others were Bednarik, Fortunato, George, and Huff Schmidt made the most Pro Bowls (nine) and the most all-pro teams (seven first-team, nine altogether). NFLs Merchants of Menace Cornelius Bennett and Bruce Smith. The best LB in the NFL today comes in at No. Lamberts best season was in 1976, where he won the Defensive Player of the Year award. Willis could potentially end up in the top 10, or even top five of this list by the time his career is over. Please click on "Comments" and make sure to vote in the poll. 25. Brooks wasnt just a pass coverage linebacker, but he also played the run well. Kirkland was an all-around better linebacker, he was a 300lb linebacker whose coverage skills were vastly underrated. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. 17, Brian Urlacher* (Bears) (2000-Present) *Six-time Pro Bowler *Four-time 1st Team All-Pro. No. 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. 34, Julian Peterson* (49ers/Seahawks/Lions) (2000-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 10. 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. In only five seasons, Wares already totaled up 64.5 sacks, including 20 in 2008. In his time in the NFL, he intercepted 25 passes and returned six of them for touchdowns with three of those in 2002 alone. I’m only going to be looking at players drafted in 1970 or later. Williams has received numerous honors, including selection to the NFL All-Rookie Team (1976), the Byron Whizzer White Award for Humanitarian Service (1985), the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (1986), and Sports Illustrateds Co-Sportsman of the Year (1987). 43, Keith Brooking* (Falcons/Cowboys) (1998-Present) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Simpson in 1973 or Terry Bradshaw's two Super Bowl MVP performances. Best of the Packers: Top 10 linebackers since 1960 - Dairyland Express Thats amazing consistency. Two years later, the Giants sunk to 1-12-1. Swilling was the best pass rusher of the Dome Patrol, but he also forced 36 fumbles to go along with all the sacks. 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 also the first player to have a TE or RB used for chip blocking on him, and overall changed the way offensive lineman block. Both . No. Mike Singletary was the leader of the most dominating defense the NFL has ever seenthe 1985 Bears. Matt Blair was a very intimidating linebacker, and helped the Vikings get to two Super Bowls in his career. Those are remarkable numbers, especially when he is still going strong. A five-time pro bowler, Wilson was one of the best linebackers in the league during the early 2000s. Rickey Jackson could do it all. But it was his style of play that made his career so short. Junior Seau finished his career with 1,524 tackles, the highest total on this list. He has done it all for the Bears with his pass coverage, run support, and blitzing. Countdown 119: Top 10 Linebackers in NFL History - Sports H2H The Best of Tommy Brady at Michigan . Ham is the only linebacker other than Tom Jackson to have seven INTs in a single season. 50, Bryan Cox (Dolphins/Bears/Jets/Patriots/Saints) (1991-2003). Sam Huff. 20, Keith Bulluck* (Titans) (2000-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 3, Mike Singletary (Bears) (1981-1992) *Ten-time Pro Bowler *Seven-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Armstead didnt particularly stand out at anywhere, but he wasnt a weak link anywhere either. Top 10 Washington Football Team LBs of All Time - Sports Articles The Minnesota Vikings did an outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974. Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018. No. Baltimore Ravens ground game rules in NFL Week 11 and more 27. His 1989 rookie season was one of the best the NFL has ever seen. Dennis Onkotz 1967 - 1969. He should be in the Hall of Fame. In 1993 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker, Nickerson piled up an astounding 214 tackles. Young was a fierce hitter, and would always stick his nose in the middle of the play. Porter will try to continue his success in Arizona and continue to climb up this list. He would always be found around the ball, and around the play. He was a hard worker, good tackler, and had great hands. Here's 8 Ways NBA Has Changed That Modern Fans Don't Realize Top 25 SEC LBs of all-time: No. 5-1 - Saturday Down South 48, Terrell Suggs* (Ravens) (2003-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Lawrence Taylor. 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 . He holds the NFL record for the most Pro Bowl selections by a middle linebacker (13). Randy Gradishar Joins The Speer Wealth Team. *Ty Anderson, Thomasville: Anderson (6-0, 210) has been an all-state player since he was a sophomore Region 1-2A defensive co . Swilling was the best pass rusher of the Dome Patrol, but he also forced 36 fumbles to go along with all the sacks. He has played the role of pass rusher and coverage linebacker in his career, and has excelled at both. Top 30 Linebackers in the NFL Since 1970 - The Grueling Truth He was very athletic, a great tackler, and he could cover. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989. Chris Spielman was a tackle machine during his 10 years in the NFL. 20 greatest linebackers in NFL history - Franchise Sports He was also a good pass rusher, and a good coverage man as well. 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Lambert is said by many to be the best inside linebacker of all-time. Theres not much Brooks doesnt have. He recently missed most of last season with surgery. He was blue collar player who was a great leader on defense and could do everything well on a football field. Joey Porter. No. The two-time All-American helped the Cornhuskers win back-to-back national titles in 1970 and '71 . Nine All-Pros. He could play zone and man. Woodrow Lowe, Alabama (1972-75) Respected as college football's top linebacker in the early 1970s, Lowe was the first . Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. But we would be remiss to not acknowledge some of the top performers from that earlier era. Gradishar was the silent assassin of the team. 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. Offensive Coordinator: Jim Myers. He wasnt great at just one aspect he was equally great at everything he did. These were the players who were great players, but not quite good enough to be placed inside the top 50. Over his career, he totaled 1,271 tackles, 12 INTs, and 19 forced fumbles. 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. He led the Eagles in tackles in his time with the team. Bet with your head, not over it. He is ninth in team history with 14 forced fumbles; he recovered 11, had 6 QB sacks, and 11 interceptions. Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Fredd Young went a little under the radar due to his short seven year career. That is just unheard of. No. Some of you will say hes too low. 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. Mills was more of a complete player than Swilling, although the two are too close to separate one from the other. He ran a 4.6 40 yard dash, which is outstanding for a linebacker, especially at that time period. The exhibit features the Fleet's classic collection set in five themed galleries representing the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. No. Randy Gradishar played along with Tom Jackson in the Denver Broncos Orange Crush defense. But Mills did much more than that. Lambert won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. In that career he played both 4-3 OLB and 3-4 ILB. and 2000s. Mecklenburg was never a cocky player, but just a guy who would show up on Sundays. No. Gradishar was the silent assassin of the team. Detroit Lions History: Top 5 Linebackers - SideLion Report His sacks are the main reason hes this high, but he was also a great all-around player.

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