Bill Bergey went from being a star at Arkansas State to a star with the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFL until owner Paul Brown leveraged him for a pair of first-round draft picks and a second-round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. 2-time first-team All-Pro Bobby Wagner has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL for almost a decade at this point, winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. 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. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. Klein was signed as the insurance policy. George died in a car accident in 1982, at 53 years old. Buoniconti would go on to register 32 interceptions over his career between the AFL and NFL. Jackson retired in the top three in NFL history for sacks (128) and fumble recoveries (28). The big-play machine from Waco, Texas, was one of the greatest linebackers in Longhorns program history. Nick Buoniconti Nick Buoniconti played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. 8 on the all-time list, Atlanta Falcons, 1966-1976 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time, Houston Oilers, 1975-1984 Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2018 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1975) NFL 1970s All-Decade Team member Finished career with 48 sacks, 1,281 tackles, and 13 interceptions, Kansas City Chiefs, 1967-1977 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Carolina Panthers 2012-present Voted to Pro Bowl five times, four-time First Team All-Pro NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) 818 career tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, Buffalo Bills, 1987-1995; Atlanta Falcons, 1996-1998; Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2000 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 71.5 career sacks Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Francisco 49ers, 1964-1974 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1974-1984 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 2000-2012 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 41.5 career sacks and 1,040 career tackles, New Orleans Saints, 1981-1993; San Francisco 49ers 1994-1995 One-time NFL champion Voted to six Pro Bowls Recorded 128 career sacks, which ranks No. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. His 0-6 record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win. Poll : Are these the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All-Time? Lambert was a legendary cornerstone piece of the "Steel Curtain" defense in Pittsburgh for 11 seasons (1974-1984). 5-time first-team All-Pro An important part of the Buffalo defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. Lewis recorded 2,059 career tackles, 41.5 sacks, 31 interceptions and forced 17 fumbles. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Robinson won three consecutive state championships in high school, then repeated a version of that feat in the NFL, winning three consecutive championships with one NFL title and two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers. Devine was the worst. Take a look at some of the best photos of Aaron Rodgers from throughout the years! If you could build a middle linebacker from scratch, you'd probably come up with a player that looked a lot like Derrick Brooks. 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). Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears (2000-12)2005 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. In a 16-season career, he recorded an incredible 1,586 tackles. Who Is the Greatest Middle Linebacker in NFL History? He was a second team All-American in 2011 when he racked up career highs with 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks to go with 128 tackles. Who are the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All Time? - Sportskeeda Who are the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All Time? He was a two-time Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants, who he played for during each of his 13 NFL seasons. David cashed in with a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season. Williams was the seventh-best linebacker by Brugler and was not on his Top 100. 2 Time Super Bowl Champion (VII, VIII) American Football League All Time Team 9.) Top 10 Middle Linebackers in NFL 2021 Rankings Willis, who the 49ers selected during the 2007 NFL draft was as good as any middle linebacker to play the position and one that was gifted with all the athletic abilities to stop the run, cover running backs and tight ends in passing situations and one that could get to the quarterback. Here is every player who has ever held the position of San Francisco 49ers starting linebacker. 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). ", Died: June 12, 2010 (age 79, Riverside, California), High school: Fresno High School (Fresno, California), Career highlights: Eight-time Pro Bowl (1954-61), seven-time All-Pro (1955-60), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011). In four seasons, Willis has 594 total tackles, 15 sacks, made the Pro Bowl every year, and three times has been named a first-team All-Pro linebacker. Here are my top 10 linebackers: 1. But it was his leadership in four Super Bowl wins that moves Lambert ahead of Dick Butkus as sacrilegious as that may seem.3. Super Bowl XXI champion16. 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. Posted 8 Days Ago 1. The Packers were an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball with the defensive playing a key role in the teams success. With the combination of speed and power, he is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play in NFL history. He was 74 years old. 8-time Pro Bowler He also is the Bills' career leading tackler. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. The 11 best linebackers in the 2023 NFL Draft, ranked 10 Best Linebackers in Steelers History (+Honorable Mentions) Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. He led the NFL in tackles three times (1997, 1999, 2001) during his 17 years in Baltimore. Robinson's name has been somewhat lost to history because he played next to the great Ray Nitschke, on Nitschke's left side. During that time Kendricks has broken up 40 passes as a linebacker which is tops in the NFL. 45:47. It's hard to claim that anyone other than the great Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker ever. Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it? Lambert averaged 146 tackles through his first 10 seasons, but only played a handful of games in his 11th season because of a toe injury that led to his retirement. In 11 seasons, Bell earned postseason honors eight times and helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win in 1969. 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. 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. He doesn't have overwhelming traits, but he has filled in capably as a . Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus is one of those. 2-time first-team All-Pro 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. Robertson's size, speed and athleticism often made the difference in games for the Rams. High school: Pahokee High School (Pahokee, Florida), Teams: New Orleans Saints (1981-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994-95), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1994), six-time Pro Bowl (1983-86, 1992, 1993), five-time All-Pro (1984-86, 1992, 1993), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010). 10. 1-time first-team All-Pro Hall of Fame, Class of 2006 Super Bowl XXXVI champion One other cool thing about Robinson was what he said about Green Bay Packers coach Dan Devine when he left the team after the 1972 season to play for Washington: "Lombardi was the best coach I ever had. 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 Best New Orleans Saints Linebackers of All Time - Ranker Pappoe is a well-rounded linebacker whose speed stands out as a major strength of his on tape. That would end up being an anomaly in Dansby's career. High school: Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School (Cleveland, Ohio), Teams: St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (2002-06), Washington Football Team (2007-13), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1999), four-time Pro Bowl (2009-12), two-time All-Pro (2011, 2012). Baltimore Ravens: Top 10 Linebackers Of All Time - Ebony Bird Super Bowl XLIII champion23. Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. 10. 4 with 1,501, despite making just one Pro Bowl in his career. Lanier collected three All-Pro mentions and eight spots in a Pro Bowl,. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is both a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the 100th Anniversary Team. 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. Richter was the valedictorian of his class at Cal, then went and served two years in the Army and fought in the Korean War before starting his NFL career. High school: Excel High School (Excel, Alabama), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1973), five-time Pro Bowl (1967-69, 1973, 1974), two-time All-Pro (1969, 1973). 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). High school: East Cleveland Shaw High School (Cleveland, Ohio), Teams: Buffalo Bills (1983-94), Atlanta Falcons (1995), Minnesota Vikings (1996), Career highlights: Four-time AFC champion (1990-93), two-time Pro Bowl (1990, 1991), two-time All-Pro (1990, 1993). To his teammates, his eyes stood for leadership. Not bad for a former third-round draft pick out of Arizona. Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers of All Time Rankings Ray Lewis's impact on the game back then still influences today's middle linebackers. The Greatest Steelers Linebackers of All Time The Steelers are known for hard-hitting, relentless defense. Nick Buoniconti was just 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds but destroyed opponents with sheer will and ferocity, helping lead the Dolphins to two Super Bowl wins and the only undefeated season in NFL history in 1972. 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. Perhaps the most dominant defensive player of his generation, like so many other great linebackers on this list, Khalil Mack has had the misfortune of playing on some truly horrendous teams throughout the early portion of his career with the Raiders and the Bears. 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. Kevin Greene. They play fast from sideline to sideline. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. 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. 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. 2-time NFL Championship Game winner The 37 sacks he collected in kelly green puts Joyner atop that list of Eagles' linebackers 1. His best season was in 2008, when he had over 100 tackles and helped lead the Arizona Cardinals to an NFC championship and into the Super Bowl. It's actually confounding why more of a Hall of Fame case hasn't been made for Thomas. Greatest Linebackers in NFL History By Tony Adame, updated on October 21, 2022 AP Photo Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. 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. They paled in comparison but were great players in their own right most notably Wilber Marshall. NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Few stories rival that of former NFL star Patrick Willis. Lawrence Taylor isn't just the greatest linebacker of all time. 55, Seau went on to become a legend in San Diego.

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