9-time Pro Bowler Bednarik, who the Philadelphia Eagles selected with the first overall pick in the 1949 NFL Draft, helped build the Eagles into a defensive power house. If Lawrence Taylor is the Michael Jordan of NFL linebackers, Carson was his Scottie Pippen. No questions asked. Modern football fans might be seeing the name Hardy Nickerson for the first time, but the old heads know him as one of the more dominant linebackers of his era who had the misfortune of playing most of his career with mediocre teams. On paper, Gradishar's resume was much better than Mecklenburg's career accolades. David cashed in with a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season. 2 overall pick in 1981 out of North Carolina led the Giants to two Super Bowl wins, was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1986 the last defensive player to win that award. 2009 NFL Butkus Award winner Buoniconti would go on to register 32 interceptions over his career between the AFL and NFL. During that time Kendricks has broken up 40 passes as a linebacker which is tops in the NFL. Renowned for his elite combination of size and speed, Tippett was scary coming off the edge and racked up 100 career sacks, which is still the Patriots' franchise record. High school: Matoaca High School (Chesterfield, Virginia), Teams:New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (2002-11), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2005, 2008), two-time Pro Bowl (2004, 2008), two-time NFL All-Pro (2004, 2008). His NFL career was punctuated by big hits and big wins, including three consecutive Super Bowl wins with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers in the early 1990s. After being considered by most teams too small, the Boston Patriots selected Nick Buoniconti with the teams 13th round selection. 4 with 1,501, despite making just one Pro Bowl in his career. The 1976 Defensive Player of the Year helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). High school: Vale High School (Vale, Oregon), Career highlights: Four-time All-Pro (1967, 1971-73), seven-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1968-73), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000). 8-time Pro Bowler 1-time first-team All-Pro But he'll always be best known for his role on the Bears' Super Bowl-winning team of 1985 that featured arguably the best defense in NFL history. "Dr. Doom" terrorized opposing offenses for 10 NFL seasons and was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. London Fletcher represents one of the great underdog stories in NFL history. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time 10.) In one of the greatest single rounds for any team in NFL draft history, the Rams used their two 1971 first-round picks on Robertson and NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Jack Youngblood. Born: April 18, 1973 (Pensacola, Florida), High school: Booker T. Washington High School (Pensacola, Florida), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2002), nine-time All-Pro (1997-2005), 11-time Pro Bowl (1997-2006, 2008), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2002), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014). "I'm Samurai Mike, I stop 'em cold," was the start of his "Super Bowl Shuffle" verse. Arguably USCs most notable No. He was extremely productive from his rookie season in 1981 to his final season in 1993. Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. The Packers were an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball with the defensive playing a key role in the teams success. Lanier collected three All-Pro mentions and eight spots in a Pro Bowl,. 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. His talent has already made him a rich, rich man. Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. Take a look at some of the best photos of Aaron Rodgers from throughout the years! Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the top pick for Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, left, and . Lambert is a member of the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team, the 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, and the league's 100th Anniversary Team. His production on the field helped earn Seau one Defensive Player of the Year award while being selected to the Pro Bowl team in 12 straight seasons. High school: Vocational High School (Chicago), Career highlights: Eight-time Pro Bowl (1965-72), eight-time All-Pro (1965-72), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1969, 1970), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1983). . For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft, Bednarik led the Eagles to a championship in 1949 and in 1960, where he made the game-saving tackle as time ran out. Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. Les Richter was an amazing football player and had size and speed that could have landed him on NFL rosters in any era. Zach Thomas brought a certain attitude to defenses as a middle linebacker, both in college at Texas Tech and in the NFL, that was evident from the moment he stepped on the field. Only a handful of players can say they truly defined their positions in NFL history. 1988 Defensive Player of the Year From the likes of Mike Singletary to Nick Bouniconti to Chuck Bednarik to Ray Lewis, the middle linebacker position is loaded with talent making the top choice a difficult selection. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. After leaving Chicago, Marshall proved he was elite by winning a Super Bowl and NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Washington Football Team (then known as the Redskins). The Pittsburgh Steelers follow the script: The Steelers take Joey Porter Jr. to open up Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. 2-time NFL Championship Game winner Born: Nov. 12, 1980 (Los Angeles, California), High school: Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove, California), Career highlights: Three-time NFL All-Pro (2005, 2006, 2009), seven-time Pro Bowl (2005-11). No NFL team has the linebacker tradition of the Bears, who boast Hall of Famers Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Urlacher and Mack, a future Hall of Famer, among their all-time greats. All Rights Reserved. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. A two-way player who also played center on offense, Bednarik was in the middle of the action on both sides of the ball ask Frank Gifford.9. 3-time first-team All-Pro Born: Oct. 27, 1929 (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Died: Sept. 30, 1982 (Rockford, Illinois), High School: Central High School (Waynesburg, Pennsylvania), Teams: Chicago Bears (1952-65), Los Angeles Rams (1966), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), eight-time All-Pro (1955-61, 1963), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1974). Vilma, who also won a national championship at the University of Miami in 2001, also is well-known for taking the NFL to court following a yearlong suspension in "Bountygate. Fans of the Dallas Cowboys feel the same way about him after he helped lead them to their first Super Bowl win in 1971, the same year he set a team record with 21 tackles. Super Bowl XXI champion16. Bill George, Chicago Bears (1952-65), Los Angeles Rams (66)Hall of Fame, Class of 1974 Poll : Are these the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All-Time? Super Bowl I champion Talley was on all four of Buffalos AFC title teams that lost in the Super Bowl and finished his career with 1,252 tackles, 38.5 sacks and 29 takeaways. Born: June 3, 1959 (Neptune City, New Jersey), Died: April 18, 2005 (age 45, Charlotte, North Carolina), High school: Long Branch High School (Long Branch, New Jersey), Teams: New Orleans Saints (1986-94), Carolina Panthers (1995-97), Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996), three-time All-Pro (1991, 1992, 1996). That year was the first of two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards for Singletary, who won again in 1988. These are the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Over his career, Urlacher was an eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro while racking up 1,086 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 22 interceptions. The 13-time Pro-Bowler holds the record for most career solo tackles (1,568) and the record for most tackles in a season (156). Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. Spikes is one of just seven linebackers in NFL history to register over 200 career starts, and he never had less than 70 tackles in 15 NFL seasons. Play in a Super Bowl. Super Bowl XIV championThe foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Lambert expanded the job description of the middle backer dropping into pass coverage as smooth as a safety while remaining the sledgehammer enforcer of an old-school middle man. The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker, Bill George is the one single man that is known for creating the middle linebacker position. His ability to diagnose plays and shut them down wasn't matched by many. High school: East Coweta High School (Sharpsburg, Georgia), Teams: Atlanta Falcons (1998-2008), Dallas Cowboys (2009-11), Denver Broncos (2012), Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (2001-05), two-time All-Pro (2002, 2004). They play fast from sideline to sideline. He led the NFL in tackles three times (1997, 1999, 2001) during his 17 years in Baltimore. 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. He won an NFL championship for Chicago in 1963. High school: Woodlawn High School (Birmingham, Alabama), Teams: Arizona Cardinals (2004-09, 2013, 2017), Miami Dolphins (2010-12), Cleveland Browns (2014-15), Cincinnati Bengals (2016). Howley fixed that one minor blip in his resume when he helped lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory in 1970. Born: May 3, 1941 (Mount Holly, New Jersey), High school: Moorestown High School (Moorestown, New Jersey), Teams: Green Bay Packers (1963-72), Washington Redskins (1973-74), Career highlights: Three-time NFL champion (1965-67), two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), three-time Pro Bowl (1966, 1967, 1969), three-time All-Pro (1967-69), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013). Here are five of the top undrafted free-agent signings since the draft ended: Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Minnesota Vikings Linebacker was a key position of need for the Vikings but they didn't use any . Devine was the worst. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Born: Dec. 29, 1936 (Elmwood Park, Illinois), Died: March 8, 1998 (age 61, Venice, Florida), High school: Proviso East High School (Mayfield, Illinois), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1966, 1967), three-time NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965), Pro Bowl (1964), seven-time All-Pro (1962-67, 1969), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1978). Jackson retired in the top three in NFL history for sacks (128) and fumble recoveries (28). Brian Urlacher Brian Urlacher played for the Chicago Bears from 2000 to 2012. It is hard not to put Ray Lewis at the top of this list as the top Middle Linebacker All-Time. Featuring 2018-2019 SF 49ers and some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best 49ers LBs include Mike Walter, Dave Wilcox, Keena Turner, Willie Harper, and Julian Peterson. How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? 1-time first-team All-Pro 5-time Pro Bowler24. Be the first one to comment on this story. Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. This stroke of genius created not only the middle linebacker position, but the 4-3 defense. 1978 Defensive Player of the Year 7-time Pro Bowler18. Hardy Nickerson, Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (02) Tales of Butkus' exploits would make you think he played several decades in the NFL, but his career was just nine seasons. 15) are the only Lombardi players whose numbers were retired.6. High school: Lovington High School (Lovington, New Mexico), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2005), five-time All-Pro (2001, 2002. Bernard is physically similar to Williams at 6-foot-1, 228 pounds and played outside linebacker in 4-3 looks and was off-the-ball when he subbed in for Matt Milano at times last season. Williams was the seventh-best linebacker by Brugler and was not on his Top 100. The lineage of great Chicago Bears middle linebackers is clear, with 4 players making this list. Brooks, like so many players on this list, played his entire career with just one team. Ray Lewis's impact on the game back then still influences today's middle linebackers. Willis' career was cut short due to injuries but his legacy on the field is known. He's not someone who is up for Hall of Fame consideration but his contribution to the game kept defenses afloat on playoff teams for an extended period of time. Off the field, Lewis' career was almost over before it started. NFL Championship Game MVP (1962) George died in a car accident in 1982, at 53 years old. 6-time Pro Bowler21. Lewis recorded 2,059 career tackles, 41.5 sacks, 31 interceptions and forced 17 fumbles. Forester was a nondescript linebacker for his first six seasons with the Packers, until Lombardi was hired in 1959 and the SMU product's career took off. Marshall wasn't just a pass coverage linebacker though,. Ranking the top linebackers to ever suit up in the National Football League is far from easy. It was a good fit. 2020 Stats: 69 Solo, 0 Sacks, 0 FF, 3 INT. Bobby Bell could do it all. The most famous member of the No Name Defense, Buoniconti is alleged to be the ringleader of the 1972 Dolphins annual champagne toast when the last undefeated team loses each season.10. That includes Super Bowl wins in 2000 and 2012, with the latter coming in Lewis' final game. On the field, Butkus recorded 22 career interceptions to go along with 27 fumble recoveries. 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). Who are the best linebackers in San Francisco 49ers history? Briggs ended up making approximately $52.2 million in career earnings. Today, all four men are enshrined in the Pro. Super Bowl XXXIV champion25. 1. It is fair to say that Taylor is perhaps the greatest defensive player ever. Ray Nitschke, Green Bay Packers (1958-72)Hall of Fame, Class of 1978 12-time Pro Bowler Bennett was convicted of rape in 1997 and sentenced to 60 days in jail, but still allowed to play in the NFL for four more seasons. 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. The 1990 Pro Football Hall of Famer was so elite throughout his career that he was a member of four of the most prestigious all-time teams in NFL history. Check out Gil's list here! Lambert's size and speed and ability to control a game from the middle linebacker position made him one of the greatest players of all time. 1972 NFL Man of the Year Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (03-05), New England Patriots (06-09)1992 Defensive Player of the Year 13-time Pro Bowler Here is every player who has ever held the position of New Orleans Saints starting linebacker. Born: July 12, 1970 (Pasadena, California), High school: John Muir High School (Pasadena, California), Teams:Pittsburgh Steelers (1993-96, 2006), Seattle Seahawks (1997-2004), New England Patriots (2005, 2007), Career highlights: Three-time Pro Bowl (1996, 1998, 1999), two-time NFL All-Pro (1996, 1998), Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team. Taylor's dominance changed the way football is played on every level, from how offensive lines block to the way teams teach how to rush the quarterback. Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the 1959 season with the Chicago Bears. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. High School: Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas, Texas), Career highlights: Four-time Pro Bowl (1959-62), five-time All-Pro (1959-63), two-time NFL champion (1961, 1962).
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