Don Moorehead, Dennis Franklin, Jim Harbaugh, Elvis Grbac, Tom Brady, Forest Evashevski, Benny Friedman and John Navarre were all elected Captains by their teammates. St. Nickerson wasnt just a one hit wonder though. 6, Jack Ham (Steelers) (1971-1982) *Eight-time Pro Bowler *Six-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. With time to spare in the NFL offseason, Ill take a look at the top 50 linebackers in the NFL in the modern era. Brooks was the leader of that defense, but his surrounding cast was just too good to rank him higher. He also had 20 INTs, three of which he returned for touchdowns. No. Bryan Cox was an all-around package at linebacker. Even now, you can tell what kind of person he is by his charity work with the REACH Foundation that he started. Lewis most notable accomplishment may be starting the Tom Brady era by knocking out Drew Bledsoe on a roll out, giving Tom Brady his first ever NFL action. In 1993 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker, Nickerson piled up an astounding 214 tackles. Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. No. Sacks and tackles werent recorded until late in his career, but he was a great pass rusher and all round linebacker. Briggs should only continue to move up this list, as he takes over as the star linebacker spot in Chicago. Eleven Pro Bowls. 42, Chip Banks (Browns/Chargers/Colts) (1982-1992) *Four-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st team All-Pro. He became a starter at inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season, 1993, replacing Pro Bowler David Little. He took them to the AFC Championship game in 1998, where they fell victim to John Elways Super Bowl winning Broncos. Paul Naumoff. 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. Derrick Thomas was on pace to absolutely shatter NFL records before his tragic death in 2000. Thomas is also third all-time in safeties and fumble returns for touchdowns. Check out the 1970 Minnesota Vikings Roster, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports and more on Pro-Football-Reference.com. 17 Reasons why Jordan is greater than Lebron, 16 Reasons why Lebron is greater than Jordan, The 18 greates Coaches in College Football History, The Top 21 Offensive Linemen in NFL History, The Top 10 Seattle Mariners of all Time, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans, If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into The Grueling Truth sports shows, Where the legends speak. Cornelius Bennett was just a great all-around player. *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro. Sam Huff. Al Wilson was an outstanding MLB for the Broncos. But it was his style of play that made his career so short. 3 hours ago. The exhibit features the Fleet's classic collection set in five themed galleries representing the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He did it in 2000 and again in 2003. Jack Ham might be the best coverage linebacker of all-time. Theres not much Brooks doesnt have. Overlooked because he played alongside Lawrence Taylor, Carson did most of the dirty work in that linebacking core. 2011 Butkus Award winner for nation s best linebacker at Boston College. 15, Zach Thomas (Dolphins/Cowboys) (1996-2008) *Seven-time Pro Bowler *Five-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Kirkland had 10 tackles and a key sack of Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman. Punter Ray Guy was the leading vote-getter for the 1970s All-Decade Team, receiving 24 of a possible 25 votes. When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus. Let me start out by saying that yes, I know that he was only a linebacker for half his career and DE the other half. It seemed like he knew where the ball was going at all times. Blair was also one of the greatest special teams players of all-time! A shot of Jameson for Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey. In only 11 seasons, Thomas had 126.5 sacks, and an NFL record of 41 forced fumbles. No. 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. No. He tried to get in your head before you even took a step on the field of play. 25. Peter Boulware was the pass rusher alongside Ray Lewis. He could do it all. He even made the Pro Bowl in a year that he only started eight games and also a year in which he only started nine games. Theres not much Brooks doesnt have. Who knows how many he wouldve had if he played in the entire 16? He could do it all. 5. The 1970s had many great moments by individual players such as the NFL's first 2,000-yard season by O.J. Select from premium 1970 1979 America of the highest quality. Nine All-Pros. He also ranks third all . He finished his career with 1,106 tackles and 627 assisted tackles as well. How NFL Players Have Evolved. He was 73. No. Eddie Johnson. Keith Bulluck WAS the Titans defense, and has been every year hes been there. Tribute to Elvis 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. The most obvious change from 1920 to today is the size of players, but there also have been many changes in the schemes . In 1976, Jackson had seven INTs. He totaled 28 INTs in his career while he also racked up 1,045 tackles. Cox was also a vocal leader of the teams he played for, directing his defenses to success. The defense was ranked right up there along with the 1985 Bears, and Steelers teams of the 1970s. Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #47 gets a hold of Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields #1 during the second half of a game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium . Comic-Con Museum named best pop culture museum by USA Today. 20, Keith Bulluck* (Titans) (2000-Present) *One-time Pro Bowler *One-time 1st Team All-Pro *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. During the five year stretch from 1991-1995 where he made five consecutive Pro Bowls, Lloyd was one of, if not the, most dominating linebackers in the NFL. 10. The Steel Curtain was the defensive line of the 1970s American football team Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He also had 1,173 tackles in his career. 48, Terrell Suggs* (Ravens) (2003-Present) *Three-time Pro Bowler *One-time 2nd Team All-Pro. No. Butkus nasty disposition and ability to blow up anyone standing in his path, made him one of the most feared players in the history of the game. No. 1. He had ten seasons with 10+ sacks. 7. Ham is the only linebacker other than Tom Jackson to have seven INTs in a single season. 1970 NFC Champion. Chad Brown played a very long NFL career, especially for a linebacker. No. For most other franchises, a resume like this would make Jack Ham the greatest linebacker in thier history by a wide margin. Lambert was a Pro Bowler in all but his rookie season and his final pro season, totaling nine selections. Here Are 8 Ways NBA Has Changed That Modern Fans Don't Realize. He should be in the Hall of Fame. No. No. But he proved them wrong and was a key piece on the Broncos Super Bowl winning team. Isiah Robertson, nicknamed The Playmaker, was known for coming up with the big plays in the biggest games. He was Terrell Suggs before Suggs got to Baltimore. He had eight seasons with 10+ sacks. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. 2, Ray Lewis* (Ravens) (1996-Present) *Eleven-time Pro Bowler *Seven-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. Gradishar was the silent assassin of the team. Playing 20 seasons in the NFL is amazing at any position. NFLs Merchants of Menace Andre Tippett. Jackson had 40 forced fumbles, just one short of the NFL record. Jackson was the vocal leader of the orange crush defense. His sacks are the main reason hes this high, but he was also a great all-around player. He also played a big role in one of the most dominant performances by a defense in Super Bowl history. Merriman still has the potential to be a great player again. Spielman had seven straight 100 tackle seasons, and did it eight out of nine years. If you havnt guessed it by now, Lawrence LT Taylor is my top linebacker of the modern era. Kirkland had great speed and agility for a big man. As also playing DE should tell you, he was very versatile and could play many different positions. He was also a big hitter and very intimidating on the field of play. Derrick Brooks may be the most accomplished linebacker on this list. AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:03 a.m. EST. Bill Romanowski (49ers, Eagles, Broncos, Raiders) : Two-time Pro Bowler. Lambert won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s playing in the Steel Curtain. If Bulluck played on a better team, I believe his stats would be much better and his accomplishments would be a lot more. Blair was outstanding in coverage, along with being a great tackler. No. No. 9. No. Andre Tippett. Mills was more of a complete player than Swilling, although the two are too close to separate one from the other. No. Lambert wasnt just great on the inside, he was an outstanding coverage linebacker. Thats over 10 sacks per season, which is outstanding. Ray Lewis is the highest-ranked active player on this list, and the top middle linebacker on it. Briggs has made five straight Pro Bowls for the Bears, and that streak still continues. He has been one of the most intimidating players in the NFL his entire career. In 1985, a trophy awarded to the best linebacker in college football was named in his honor. Both . Willis could potentially end up in the top 10, or even top five of this list by the time his career is over. No. [1][2] The squad consists of first- and second-team offensive, defensive, and special teams units, as well as a first- and second-team head coaches. The Steelers began their 1976 season 1-4 and lost their quarterback, Terry Bradshaw.For the nine games remaining in the season, the Steelers . No. Over the past decade, virtually every stage of the offensive evolution has increased stress on linebackers, putting them in a bind and asking them to account for multiple things on the same play. Most known for his antics like spitting in other players faces, Romanowskis play sometimes gets overshadowed. Brazile was drafted out of Jackson State and revolutionized linebacker play in the NFL. No. He was a tackle machine and a very big hitter. Earl Campbell called Williams the toughest linebacker he ever played against. Randy Gradishar played along with Tom Jackson in the Denver Broncos Orange Crush defense. Robert Brazile. Peppers' 159.5 career sacks rank fourth on the all-time list. I have combined outside and inside linebackers on the list and factored in the players ability to stop the run, drop into coverage and leadership. He may have been undersized, but he made up for it with his mind and his hustle. Jalen Carter, top NFL prospect, posts bond in fatal crash. 1970 Robert E. Lee Generals (13-0) Jim Chafin's team allowed just seven points a game and held 10 of its 13 opponents to 10 points or less. He was a good pass rusher, having at least 5.5 sacks in 10 straight years, but he was also good against the run and in coverage. 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. He is not only the greatest linebacker in NFL history, hes one of the games greatest players period. 18, Andre Tippett (Patriots) (1982-1993) *Five-time Pro Bowler *Two-time 1st Team All-Pro *Two-time 2nd Team All-Pro. 21. He did anything the Bears asked of him, especially stuffing the run. He produced 32 sacks over the 3 seasons. His best days were with the Bears and Redskins, but he had an impact everywhere he went. No. Over his nine-year career, he had 2,049 tackles, although this number is solo and assisted because he played before solo tackles were an official stat. 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