Former VP of Player Personnel Gil Brandt's Top 10 Defensive Tackles of All Time! The former Green Bay Packers middle linebacker was a key member of the team and the leader on the defensive side of the football that helped the Packers win five NFL Championships and Super Bowl I and II Championships. 5 Patrick Willis Patrick L. Willis is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Injuries cut Luke Kuechly's career short, like they did with quite a few great linebackers. Mills, just 5-foot-9, played in the Canadian Football League and then was one of the USFL's greatest players before making the leap to the NFL. Kendricks has also recorded 100 plus tackles in each of the past five seasons. Mack, who holds the NCAA records for forced fumbles and tackles for loss, became the first player in NFL history to make All-Pro at two different positions in 2015 when he was a first-team defensive end and outside linebacker. With the combination of speed and power, he is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play in NFL history. He beat a double-murder charge before the 2000 season following the stabbing deaths of two men in a fight after a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. He was 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. That year was the first of two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards for Singletary, who won again in 1988. Mar 23. 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year Mike Singletary was the player at the heart of perhaps the greatest defense of all time the 1985 Chicago Bears, who went 15-1 in the regular season and blew out the New England Patriots, 46-10, in the Super Bowl. Nitscke's style of play was pure dominance in the middle of the field He was known for his ability to dole out hard hits, but his athleticism was always underestimated, and he ended his career with 25 interceptions. There's a lot of reasons to love the way Dave Robinson played football mainly because he was a winner. The 1976 Defensive Player of the Year helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII, XIV). One of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history, Swilling finished his career with 107.5 sacks but no playoff wins. In all, he was a two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Year and played in five Super Bowls, losing every time to set an NFL record. 2-time NFL Championship Game winner13. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Bergey became one of the NFL's best linebackers in Philly, where he made five consecutive All-Pro teams and was the foundation for the "Gang Green" defense that made the playoffs in each of his last three seasons, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 1980. 3-time first-team All-Pro The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Buoniconti would go on to register 32 interceptions over his career between the AFL and NFL. Born: April 18, 1962 (Titusville, Florida), High school: Astronaut High School (Titusville, Florida), Teams: Chicago Bears (1984-87), Washington Football Team (1988-92), Houston Oilers (1993), Arizona Cardinals (1994), New York Jets (1995), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1986, 1991), three-time Pro Bowl (1986, 1987, 1992), three-time All-Pro (1986, 1991, 1992), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992). Nobis was the first overall pick in the 1966 NFL draft and the first player picked by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? He played with an amazing amount of fire and determination without bringing much attention to himself. Along with his overflowing trophy case, Lewis posted 41.5 sacks, 31 INTs returned for 503 yards and three TDs, 19 forced fumbles, 20 fumble recoveries and one safety in the regular season; and six forced fumbles, two INTs returned for 54 yards and one TD, and two sacks in the playoffs. George was known for his ability to play the defensive line as well as dropping back disrupting the passing lanes of opposing quarterbacks. Born: Jan. 9, 1969 (Oceanside, California), Died: May 2, 2012 (age 43, Oceanside, California), High school: Oceanside High School (Oceanside, California), Teams: San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (2003-05), New England Patriots (2006-09), Career highlights: 12-time Pro Bowl (1991-2002), 10-time All-Pro (1991-2000), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2015). It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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). They play fast from sideline to sideline. Born: May 1, 1925 (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Died: March 21, 2015 (age 89, Richland, Pennsylvania), High school: Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1949, 1960), eight-time Pro Bowl (1950-54, 1956, 1957, 1960), 10-time All-Pro (1950-57, 1960, 1961), NFL 100th Anniversary Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1967). Seth Joyner's career was a story in resilience. Jack Lambert played 11 seasons all for the Steelers and won four Super Bowls as the starting linebacker and heart of the "Steel Curtain" defense with fellow Hall of Famers Mean Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Ham and Donnie Shell. Te'o didn't come out of nowhere as a senior. 2-time NFL Championship Game winner That didn't matter. Poll : Are these the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All-Time? He was selected to the 1990s All-Decade team. He was in The Monkees' cult-favorite film "Head" and also in the original "The Longest Yard" starring Burt Reynolds. However, we're here to give this the good old college try, so let's dive in! 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). 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). 3 on the all-time list, Baltimore Ravens, 1996-2012 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 13 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Recorded 41.5 sacks and 1562 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1958-1972 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Detroit Lions, 1953-1965 Two-time NFL champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1971-1982 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1958-1959; Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1973 One-time NFL champion Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times, Chicago Bears, 1952-1966; Los Angeles Rams 1966 One-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1974 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2008 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 1,297 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Colts, 1969-1973; Green Bay Packers, 1974; Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1975-1983 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1965-1973 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs, 1989-1999 Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 126.5 career sacks, which ranks No. An important part of the Buffalo defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. An all-time great Packer/NFL player. Jordan had one of the signature moments in Cowboys history when he picked off Cincinnati quarterback Ken Anderson three times in one quarter, all within five minutes, and returned one of those 31 yards for a touchdown. Today, all four men are enshrined in the Pro. 2009 NFL Butkus Award winner Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. Darryl Talley was a physical and athletic marvel during his playing career, and his consistency was truly something to behold. Manage Settings Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (1996-2008) Off the field, Lewis' career was almost over before it started. At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, his combination of speed and athleticism would make the Hall of Famer even more valuable in today's league than he was in his era. Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. 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). Robertson's size, speed and athleticism often made the difference in games for the Rams. His talent has already made him a rich, rich man. When it comes to which linebacker should be at the top of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time, Mike Singletary is well worth consideration for the slot. You may have never heard of Joe Schmidt, but he was the single most dominant NFL linebacker through the 1950s and the early part of the 1960s. Bill Forester is one of the greatest examples of Vince Lombardi's genius as a coach. Kuechly made seven Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro teams, and in 2012, he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Hardy Nickerson, Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (93-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (02) 1988 Defensive Player of the Year His 1,018 career tackles are No. 2-time first-team All-Pro Brooks, like so many players on this list, played his entire career with just one team. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012)2000 Defensive Player of the Year His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. 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. The six-year, $141 million extension he signed with the Bears in 2018 was the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. He was extremely productive from his rookie season in 1981 to his final season in 1993. 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. The Greatest Steelers Linebackers of All Time The Steelers are known for hard-hitting, relentless defense. The Pittsburgh Steelers follow the script: The Steelers take Joey Porter Jr. to open up Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the New York Jets, and it was long enough ago that the Jets were actually pretty good. Mills, who died of cancer in 2005, is one of the most beloved players in the history of both the Saints and the Panthers. His play on the field was filled with passion and talent that helped him become one of the best to play the game. For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. Lewis recorded 2,059 career tackles, 41.5 sacks, 31 interceptions and forced 17 fumbles. His ability to diagnose plays and shut them down wasn't matched by many. #NBCSports #NFL #ProFootballTalk Subscribe to NBC Sports: https://www.youtube.c. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Tight Ends All-Time. 10-time Pro Bowler According to Pro Football Reference, Taylor recorded either a fumble recovery, an interception, or double-digit sacks each season of his career. Fortunato also is the only player on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1950s that was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 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. Analysis: Nothing against this group of . 6-time Pro Bowler12. The two Bears greats played together for Fortunato's final two seasons, which meant Butkus broke all of Fortunato's records just years after he set them. April 19, 2023 5 PM PT. In addition to having the greatest linebacker of All-Time in Ray Lewis, 20 years of Ravens football has seen some incredible linebackers. For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). How would you rank the greatest Middle Linebackers in history? This article explores the franchise's top 10 linebackers of all time. For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-84)Hall of Fame, Class of 1990 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. 2003 Defensive Player of the Year 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. 1-time first-team All-Pro Bulluck played mainly on special teams his first two seasons with the Titans before a breakout season in 2002. He started 167 of a possible 173 games during his 13-year career, so he was always ready to play. Middle linebackers are the quarterbacks of the defense, the nerve center of a stop-unit. There is a reason why he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018. He led the league in combined tackles in 2016 and 2019, and in solo tackles in 2017. 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. Others to know: Rashee Rice (SMU), Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss), A.T. Perry (Wake Forest) Linebacker. 8-time Pro Bowler14. Both players led their team to a Super Bowl, and for Gradishar, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, the year the Broncos won an AFC title. The 10-time All-Pro earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards in six seasons (1981-1982, 1986). Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. Keith Brooking was an understated, dominant player for two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. "Dr. Doom" terrorized opposing offenses for 10 NFL seasons and was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Over his career Willis racked up 865 tackles to go with 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. Born: Sept. 1, 1965 (Compton, California), High school: Verbum Dei High School (Los Angeles), Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1987-92), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993-99), Jacksonville Jaguars (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (2002), Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl (1993, 1996-99), four-time All-Pro (1993, 1996, 1997, 1999), NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. Hall of Fame, Class of 2011 How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? The duo even led the team to the Super Bowl in 2006, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 2005, 2006, 2010), eight-time Pro Bowl (2000-03, 2005, 2006, 2010, 20110, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). Almost 50 years after he retired, Bell's nine defensive touchdowns are still tied for the most in NFL history for a linebacker alongside fellow Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. Donnie Edwards was an undersized linebacker who made plays all over the field during a 13-year career in the NFL, first for the Kansas City Chiefs, then for his hometown San Diego Chargers. 1-time first-team All-Pro Super Bowl XXXVIII champion The Chicago Bears great was as good of a run stopper as defender against the pass and one player that could play sideline to sideline. His 0-6 record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win. Play in a Super Bowl. 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. Singletary recorded 1,488 career tackles to go along with seven interceptions and 19 sacks over his career. Born: Sept. 20, 1943 (San Antonio, Texas), Died: Dec. 13, 2017 (age 74, Marietta, Georgia), High school: Thomas Jefferson High School (San Antonio, Texas), Career highlights: NFL Rookie of the Year (1966), five-time Pro Bowl (1966-68, 1970, 1972), two-time All-Pro (1967, 1968), NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. 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. In 11 dominant NFL seasons, Dave Wilcox only missed one game due to injury and confounded opposing offenses with his ability to elude blocks at the most basic level. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. Mecklenburg anchored Denver's defense with safety Steve Atwater and helped lead Denver to three AFC titles, but the Broncos lost all three of those Super Bowls. In addition, Lewis was a two time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time First Team All-Pro and a 13 time Pro Bowler. Introduction Karlos Dansby was tall for an NFL inside linebacker at 6-foot-4, and he made plays all over the field. For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode, After being considered by most teams too small, the Boston Patriots selected Nick Buoniconti with the teams 13. round selection. Klein was signed as the insurance policy. 1978 Defensive Player of the Year He was an 8-time All-Pro and 9-time Pro-Bowler. Then, he starred at the University of Nebraska, before returning to Florida, where he's been one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last decade. 7-time Pro Bowler19. After being selected during the 1967 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Morgan State, Willie Lanier helped solidify the Kansas City Chiefs defense in route to becoming one of the best middle linebackers to play the position. They spoke of intensity, determination, and an undying will. The Packers were an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball with the defensive playing a key role in the teams success. He finished his career with over 2,000 tackles (2,039), which is second on the NFL's all-time list, and set the NFL record for linebackers with 215 consecutive starts. Lambert hauled in 28 INTs and scooped up 17 fumble recoveries. Levis has supreme arm talent and an ultra . 1973 Defensive Player of the Year They often are the quarterbacks of the defense, and many of them possess physical talents few have ever seen on a football field. James Farrior, New York Jets (1997-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (02-11) Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. Johnson, at 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, was a high school star in Central Texas at Waco High before becoming an All-American at the University of Texas and an NFL All-Pro. That's what linebackers do. He was so well regarded by those around him that when the Giants faced the Broncos in the Super Bowl, Carson walked out to face nine Broncos captains thinking he was one of three, but head coach Bill Parcells and his teammates decided to send Carson out by himself as a show of respect. 52 whose off-the-charts football IQ, spiritual leadership and on-field accomplishments are unmatched. Willis played just eight seasons in the NFL, but that's kind of misleading. Analysis by Sam Fortier. If the Professional Football Hall of Fame and its esteemed members and voters would like to actually live up to its name, then those parties should think of a way to add Sam Mills to their brethren. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. High school: Kathleen High School (Lakeland, Florida), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2000, 2012), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (2000), 13-time Pro Bowl (1997-2001, 2003, 2004, 2006-11), 10-time All-Pro (1997-2001, 2003, 2004, 2008-10), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2003), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2018). 8-time Pro Bowler 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. 5-time Pro Bowler15. Behind Lawrence Taylor, Andre Tippett was the most dominant NFL linebacker in the 1980s. On the football field Chuck Bednarik was one of the toughest players to play the game and possibly the best tackler to set forth on a football field. 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. Brugler had both Wisconsin's Nick Herbig and Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o ranked ahead of Williams. Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears (1981-92)Hall of Fame, Class of 1998 He started all 26 games at middle linebacker the last two seasons. Backups: Luke Masterson, Curtis Bolton. Born: Aug. 17, 1949 (New Orleans, Louisiana), Died: Dec. 6, 2018 (age 69, Dallas, Texas), High school: Covington High School (Covington, Louisiana), Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1971-78), Buffalo Bills (1979-82), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1971-77), six-time All-Pro (1971, 1973-77), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1971). Owen Pappoe, Auburn. High school: De La Salle High School (Chicago), Career highlights: Five-time All-Pro (1950-53, 1955), four-time Pro Bowl (1950-53), NFL 1940s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1975). 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. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Outside Linebackers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Defensive Ends of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Strong Safeties of All Time Rankings. Super Bowl XXXIX champion, The foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. In Forester's final five seasons, he made all four of his Pro Bowls, all five of his All-Pro teams and helped lead Green Bay to its first two NFL titles under Lombardi. 2-time first-team All-Pro He also is the Bills' career leading tackler. A little-known fact about Talley: He's the cousin of Baseball Hall of Famer and Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter. how much copper is produced each year,
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