greatest middle linebackers of all time

Buoniconti would go on to register 32 interceptions over his career between the AFL and NFL. Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions (1953-65) 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. But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. Mar 23. Tales of Butkus' exploits would make you think he played several decades in the NFL, but his career was just nine seasons. April 19, 2023 5 PM PT. Be the first one to comment on this story. 15) are the only Lombardi players whose numbers were retired.6. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Fortunato, who was named one of the Bears 100 Greatest Players, did accomplish one thing that Butkus never would. Staff writer. Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-84)Hall of Fame, Class of 1990 Other than having one of the coolest names in NFL history, Takeo Spikes was also one of the most durable linebackers of all time. 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. Karl Mecklenburg, Denver Broncos (1983-94) NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Much like Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato, Randy Gradishar doesn't have the legacy he should be because of the player he directly preceded. Arizona had until May 2 to make a final . Despite a 101-year history, the Cardinals haven't produced a Hall of Famer at linebackerbut they've still had plenty of . 12 on the NFL's all-time list. Kendricks has graded at 91.7 over the last two years according to PFF. 2-time Pro Bowler They spoke of intensity, determination, and an undying will. His 1,018 career tackles are No. Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). The 37 sacks he collected in kelly green puts Joyner atop that list of Eagles' linebackers 1. 1-time first-team All-Pro The Packers were an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball with the defensive playing a key role in the teams success. Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it? 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). By the time Tommy Nobis left the University of Texas, he was as famous as any player in the NFL, having already appeared on the cover of Life, Sports Illustrated and Time magazines for his accomplishments. The No. Super Bowl XXXIX champion, The foreman of the Steel Curtain defense, Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys (1963-76) Super Bowl XXI champion16. His 10 All-Pro selections are tied for the NFL career record alongside Lawrence Taylor. That includes Super Bowl wins in 2000 and 2012, with the latter coming in Lewis' final game. He doesn't have overwhelming traits, but he has filled in capably as a . We'll find out in 2024, when he'll be on the ballot for the first time. Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. 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. It's on Sean McDermott & Co. to coach up whoever mans the middle. 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. 6-time Pro Bowler21. He was one of the most feared players in the sport in his prime. He only played on teams with winning records three times in his career and only made two playoff appearances. The lineage of great Chicago Bears middle linebackers is clear, with 4 players making this list. Joyner capped his career off by winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final season. We asked 50 experts to vote for the NFL's all-time greatest edge rusher, cornerback and kicker. After being selected with the third overall pick, Butkus would go on to make eight Pro Bowl teams during his nine year career. His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); The Chicago Bears middle linebacker is just one of many great middle linebackers that have played in the NFL and for the team. 2 Time Super Bowl Champion (VII, VIII) American Football League All Time Team 9.) 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). The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. 1976 Defensive Player of the Year They changed the way football is played on every level. On offense, he played center, and on defense, he was a linebacker, where he earned a reputation as one of the most devastating tacklers of all time. Joe Fortunato's greatest teammate, fellow linebacker Dick Butkus, also became perhaps the greatest impediment to Fortunato's long-term legacy. It is hard not to put Ray Lewis at the top of this list as the top Middle Linebacker All-Time. Others: Darien Butler, Amari Burney, Kana'i Mauga , Drake Thomas. Few players in NFL history have captured the public's imagination like Green Bay Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke, who won three NFL championships and two Super Bowl trophies. 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). Veteran A.J. 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). 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. Here are my top 10 linebackers: 1. 15 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Eagles, 1949-1962 Two-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1981-1992 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Green Bay Packers, 1963-1972; Washington Redskins 1973-1974 Three-time NFL champion Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Diego Chargers, 1990-2002; Miami Dolphins, 2003-2005; New England Patriots, 2006-2009 Voted to 12 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Recorded 56.5 career sacks and 1,522 career tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Los Angeles Rams, 1985-1992; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1993-1995; Carolina Panthers, 1996, 1998-1999; San Francisco 49ers, 1997 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Recorded 160 career sacks, which ranks No. Take a look at how all 47 of his selections stack up. He won an NFL championship for Chicago in 1963. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Harry Carson's career stats don't jump off the page 11 interceptions, 14 fumbles recovered, eight sacks but he's still one of the greatest NFL linebackers. The race for the best linebacker in NFL history can be narrowed down to five people: the aforementioned Butkus, Lewis, and Singletary, along with Jack Lambert and Willie Lanier. For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. Bear Bryant called him one of the best players he ever coached at Alabama, where Jordan won a national title in 1961. Poll : Are these the 3 Greatest Middle Linebackers of All-Time? 1985 Defensive Player of the Year Check out Gil's list here! Mike Singletary was the best of the bunch. Born: Aug. 13, 1941 (Fort Bragg, North Carolina), High school: Hampton High School (Hampton, Virginia), Team: Washington Football Team (formerly Washington Redskins), Career highlights: Nine-time Pro Bowl (1966-69, 1972-76), six-time All-Pro (1969, 1972-76), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011). 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). 6. 4-time first-team All-Pro Starters: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo. The last 60-minute man in NFL history, Chuck Bednarik dominated on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. 2-time first-team All-Pro Lanier was one of two Hall of Famers in the Kansas City linebacker corps during his era, alongside Bobby Bell, but it was Lanier who led the defense from his middle linebacker spot. 8-time Pro Bowler No, Sensei Tippett! Hall of Fame, Class of 1982 Take a look at some of the best photos of Aaron Rodgers from throughout the years! 3-time Pro Bowler 52 whose off-the-charts football IQ, spiritual leadership and on-field accomplishments are unmatched. Over his career Nitschke would rack up 25 career interceptions while being named First Team All-Pro in 11 different seasons. A post shared by BostonPride91 (@bostonpride91). Super Bowl XXVII champion High school: Clarkstown High School North (New City, New York), Teams: Tennessee Titans (2000-09), New York Giants (2010), Career highlights:Three-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2003, 2007), Pro Bowl (2003). Super Bowl XXXVI champion Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) Junior Seau was one of the best players of his generation and one of the best middle linebackers to play the game. A name that may have been slotted inside of the top five on the list of middle linebackers if his career was longer is the former San Francisco 49ers great Patrick Willis. 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). 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. His play at the position earned him five selections as a First Team All-Pro and helped him win the 1969 and 1970 Defensive Player of the Year awards. It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. Something else inside of Lambert, best defined by the toothless, screaming pictures of him during games when he took out his dentures, made him the toughest. Over his career, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to two Super Bowl championships while being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. High school: St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati, Ohio), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2013), seven-time Pro Bowl (2013-19), seven-time All-Pro (2013-19), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. 8-time Pro Bowler 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. 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). Once drafted, Buoniconti became one of the teams best defensive players despite his lack of size. 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. He's also the greatest defensive player of all time. Featuring NO Saints and some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Saints LBs include Rickey Jackson, Joe Federspiel, Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, and Scott Fujita. Singletary also was named NFC Player of the Year three times during his career. His 0-6 record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win. Your login session has expired. But it's worth pointing out that he was much more than a football player. Super Bowl VIII champion 1 Ray Lewis Lewis is widely considered one of the greatest middle linebackers of all time. Gradishar also was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. 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. 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. High school: Farmington High School (Farmington, West Virginia), Teams: New York Giants (1956-63), Washington Football Team (1964-67, 1969), Career highlights: NFL champion (1956), six-time All-Pro (1957-61, 1963), five-time Pro Bowl (1958-61, 1964), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1982). Before the turn of the century, two of the best middle linebackers of all time were Lawrence Taylor andJack Lambert. Drew Sanders, Arkansas. Isiah Robertson was one of the stars on the Los Angeles Rams' defenses that won six consecutive NFC West titles. April 30, 2023 at 5:05 p.m. EDT. Before becoming a pop culture reference in Brians Song and an actor in The Longest Yard and Head, Nitschke was one of the most feared men in football. NFL Championship Game MVP (1962) Owen Pappoe, Auburn. Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Cornelius Bennett forced a trade from the Colts to the Bills after being drafted in 1987 and was one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the next decade-plus. Chris Simms and Mike Florio draft their top middle linebackers of all time. 12-time Pro Bowler . The duo even led the team to the Super Bowl in 2006, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (03-05), New England Patriots (06-09)1992 Defensive Player of the Year It's actually confounding why more of a Hall of Fame case hasn't been made for Thomas. 1-time first-team All-Pro 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. 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. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012) 2000 Defensive Player of. George died in a car accident in 1982, at 53 years old. Lambert hauled in 28 INTs and scooped up 17 fumble recoveries. He joined the military for two years out of high school before going to play football for the University of North Carolina. New Orleans Saints, 1986-1994; Carolina Panthers, 1995-1997 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 1,142 career tackles, New Orleans Saints, 1986-1992; Detroit Lions, 1993-1994; Oakland Raiders, 1995-1998 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 107.5 career sacks, New York Giants, 1984-1992; Washington Redskins, 1993; Cleveland Browns, 1994-1995 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to one Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 39.5 career sacks and 826 career tackles, Detroit Lions, 1988-1995; Buffalo Bills, 1996-1997 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Recorded 1,181 career tackles, Miami Dolphins, 1996-2007; Dallas Cowboys, 2008 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 1,100 career tackles, Los Angeles Rams, 1954-1962 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Boston Patriots, 1962-1968; Miami Dolphins, 1969-1976 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cincinnati Bengals, 1969-1973; Philadelphia Eagles, 1974-1980 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice, Chicago Bears, 1955-1966 One-time NFL champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times, St. Louis Rams, 1998-2001; Buffalo Bills, 2002-2006; Washington Redskins, 2007-2013 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to four Pro Bowls Recorded 1,380 career tackles, Washington Redskins, 1965-1978 Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1976-1988 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1956-1963; Washington Redskins 1964-1969 One-time NFL champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers 2002-2012, 2014-2017; Cincinnati Bengals 2013; New England Patriots 2017 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Recorded 84.5 career sacks, 793 tackles, Denver Broncos, 1974-1983 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1981-1985; Miami Dolphins, 1985-1991 Voted to two Pro Bowls, Dallas Cowboys, 1963-1976 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro once, San Francisco 49ers, 2007-2014 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Recorded 732 tackles in eight career NFL seasons, New England Patriots, 1982-1993 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro twice Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1948-1955 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 2005-2013; Denver Broncos, 2014-2016 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Recorded 138.5 career sacks, which ranks No.

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