greatest middle linebackers of all time

greatest middle linebackers of all time

Other than having one of the coolest names in NFL history, Takeo Spikes was also one of the most durable linebackers of all time. Many of the games greatest players have been the man in the middle who called the shots in the huddle before turning into tackling machines and splash-playmakers from sideline-to-sideline once the ball was snapped. This article explores the franchise's top 10 linebackers of all time. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012) 2000 Defensive Player of. These are the greatest linebackers in NFL history. 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. 2-time first-team All-Pro 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. Tippett had his most dominant season in 1985, when he led the Patriots to their first AFC title and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 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. Urlachers legacy was secure after leading Chicago to the NFC title in 200611. His style of play is strikingly similar to Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, who preceded him by a generation in the Windy City. 1-time first-team All-Pro 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. Lambert, who the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with the 46. pick during the 1974 NFL draft, showcased his abilities during his rookie season in route to helping solidify the Steelers defense and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Lambert was a legendary cornerstone piece of the "Steel Curtain" defense in Pittsburgh for 11 seasons (1974-1984). The lineage of great Chicago Bears middle linebackers is clear, with 4 players making this list. 8-time first-team All-Pro Over the last few years, the Bears have featured names like Lance Briggs and Khalil Mack. Hall of Fame, Class of 1986 Porter's 40% forced incompletion rate in 2022 led all Power Five cornerbacks. Born: Jan. 19, 1932 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), High school: Brentwood High School (Brentwood, Pennsylvania), Career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1953, 1957), 10-time All-Pro (1954-63), 10-time Pro Bowl (1954-63), NFL Defensive Most Valuable Player (1960, 1963), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1973). The last 60-minute man in NFL history, Chuck Bednarik dominated on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Eagles. He's also the greatest defensive player of all time. Before Bill George came along, the way the linebacker position was taught kept football in the stone ages every snap, they hit the center or guard right away. Who are the best linebackers in San Francisco 49ers history? 10-time Pro Bowler Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-84)Hall of Fame, Class of 1990 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. 1985 Defensive Player of the Year If you're ever asked what the perfect size, speed and level of skill you would create for an NFL linebacker, Derrick Johnson should come to mind. 5-time first-team All-Pro His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. 1970 Defensive Player of the Year Be the first one to comment on this story. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. 12 on the NFL's all-time list. 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. This is the eighth of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL Draft (April 27-29). 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. Willis' career was cut short due to injuries but his legacy on the field is known. Over his career Nitschke would rack up 25 career interceptions while being named First Team All-Pro in 11 different seasons. It's on Sean McDermott & Co. to coach up whoever mans the middle. 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. Not only is Ray Nitschke one of the best LBs in NFL history, he had an act at making something out of nothing. 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year 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. 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. 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. Samurai Mike had crazy eyes that struck fear into an opposing offense even before he laid the smack down. 66) and Bart Starr (No. 3-time first-team All-Pro Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears (1981-92)Hall of Fame, Class of 1998 Behind Lawrence Taylor, Andre Tippett was the most dominant NFL linebacker in the 1980s. 5-time Pro Bowler Nick Buoniconti, Boston Patriots (1962-68), Miami Dolphins (69-76)Hall of Fame, Class of 2001 Urclacher recorded at least 100 tackles nine times over his career including a career high 153 during the 2002 NFL season. 5-time Pro Bowler24. 5-time first-team All-Pro It is fair to say that Taylor is perhaps the greatest defensive player ever. It's fitting that Khalil Mack now plays for the Chicago Bears. 8-time Pro Bowler There is a reason why he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018. 1978 Defensive Player of the Year The latest in an historic line of Hall of Fame caliber Bears middle linebackers, Urlacher has produced 41.5 sacks, 22 INTs returned for 324 yards and two TDs, 11 forced fumbles and 15 fumble recoveries returned for 177 yards and one TD during his career. Hall of Fame, Class of 2006 Super Bowl XLIII champion23. Join the contest by ranking below. 1988 Defensive Player of the Year 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. 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). 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. He registered a league-leading 20.5 sacks en route to winning Defensive Player of the Year, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl XXI. 4 with 1,501, despite making just one Pro Bowl in his career. He helped lead Florida State to its first national title in 1993 and a decade later put together his greatest NFL seasons, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and leading the Buccaneers to their only Super Bowl win in 2002. 3-time first-team All-Pro ranked by. In addition to having the greatest linebacker of All-Time in Ray Lewis, 20 years of Ravens football has seen some incredible linebackers. 2003 Defensive Player of the Year The six-year, $141 million extension he signed with the Bears in 2018 was the largest contract for a defensive player in NFL history. Others: Darien Butler, Amari Burney, Kana'i Mauga , Drake Thomas. 6-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. 10-time Pro Bowler With the third-most sacks in NFL history, there's no question Kevin Greene belongs among the best linebackers of all-time. After the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have four Alabama linebackers - Will Anderson Jr., Christian Harris, DeMeco Ryans and Henry To'oTo'o - except Ryans is the head coach and . 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. Born: March 28, 1930 (Mingo Junction, Ohio), Died: Nov. 6, 2017 (age 87, Natchez, Mississippi), High school: Mingo High School (Mingo, Ohio), Career highlights: NFL champion (1963), six-time All-Pro (1958, 1963-66), five-time Pro Bowl (1958, 1962-65), NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, PFR 1960s All-Decade Team. No, Sensei Tippett! NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Super Bowl IX champion Joe Fortunato's greatest teammate, fellow linebacker Dick Butkus, also became perhaps the greatest impediment to Fortunato's long-term legacy. Great middle linebackers are the captains of the defense. 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. 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. He was 74 years old. Super Bowl XXXV champion Posted 8 Days Ago 1. 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). 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. In his short time in the league, Willis made seven Pro Bowls, six All-Pro teams and banked over $50 million in career earnings. Your login session has expired. Only a handful of players can say they truly defined their positions in NFL history. Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick that the Lions weren't even sure would be able to make their roster. Sam Huff, New York Giants (1956-63), Washington Redskins (64-69) Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) 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). #NBCSports #NFL #ProFootballTalk Subscribe to NBC Sports: https://www.youtube.c. Hall of Fame, Class of 1973 To his teammates, his eyes stood for leadership. It's hard to claim that anyone other than the great Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker ever. Hall of Fame, Class of 2011 Eight of those he made the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl, with back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1969 and 1970. Here are my top 10 linebackers: 1. Lambert, who the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with the 46th pick during the 1974 NFL draft, showcased his abilities during his rookie season in route to helping solidify the Steelers defense and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year award. With this responsibility and how important the game has evolved, the MLB position has produced many great players over the years. And he is the only middle linebacker to win multiple Super Bowls and multiple Defensive Player . Wilber Marshall was one of the greatest pass coverage linebackers of the modern era. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. By Eddie Brown. High school: White Deer High School (Pampa, Texas), Teams: Miami Dolphins (1996-2007), Dallas Cowboys (2008), Career highlights: Seven-time All-Pro (1998-99, 2001-03, 2005, 2006), seven-time Pro Bowl (1999-2003, 2005, 2006), AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year (1996), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. A little-known fact about Talley: He's the cousin of Baseball Hall of Famer and Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter. 7-time Pro Bowler18. He returned to play the rest of the season with a specially made helmet because his jaw was wired shut. Here is every player who has ever held the position of San Francisco 49ers starting linebacker. The 10-time All-Pro earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards in six seasons (1981-1982, 1986). It's actually confounding why more of a Hall of Fame case hasn't been made for Thomas. Welcome to draft season! Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). Will Levis lands with the Tennessee Titans: Will Levis' slide ends early on Day 2, with the Titans trading up to Pick 33 to grab the signal-caller. Not many linebackers can boast the athleticism of Urlacher, who set the single-season Bears record with 153 tackles in 2002 and owns the team's career tackles record with 1,361. The Top Ten Greatest NFL Middle Linebackers of all Time 10.) How tough was the "City Champ"? 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). He started all 26 games at middle linebacker the last two seasons. Zach Thomas, Miami Dolphins (1996-2007), Dallas Cowboys (08) His 10 All-Pro selections are tied for the NFL career record alongside Lawrence Taylor. 1976 Defensive Player of the Year Being the son of a former heavyweight boxing champion might be a burden for some, but Ken Norton Jr. embraced it. Brazile is often credited for being the first outside linebacker to define how the game was played in a 3-4 defense while rushing the passer, although sacks weren't an official NFL statistic until his last three seasons. 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. Jackson retired in the top three in NFL history for sacks (128) and fumble recoveries (28). His ability to diagnose plays and shut them down wasn't matched by many. 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. 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. 1. 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). The two-time Super Bowl champ is one of the greatest overall defenders in NFL history. Brooks, like so many players on this list, played his entire career with just one team. 6-time first-team All-Pro Dont forget Rays dance.2. With the combination of speed and power, he is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play in NFL history. How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. High school: Champion High School (Champion Township, Ohio), Career highlights: Seven-time Pro Bowl (1975, 1977-79, 1981-83), six-time All-Pro (1977-81, 1983), seven-time All-AFC (1976-79, 1981-83), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1978). 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. Karlos Dansby was tall for an NFL inside linebacker at 6-foot-4, and he made plays all over the field. Kevin Greene. He played 13 seasons for his hometown San Diego Chargers and became perhaps the greatest sports icon in the history of San Diego alongside Padres Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. Play in a Super Bowl. 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. 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. Richter didn't miss a game in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and made seven All-Pro teams. Former VP of Player Personnel Gil Brandt's Top 10 Defensive Tackles of All Time! The Ravens have always been known as a defensive minded team. Owen Pappoe, Auburn. For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. Seau recorded 1,849 career tackles over his career to go along with 56.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 18 interceptions. Copyright 2023 FanRankings. 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. But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. 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. Bobby Bell could do it all. His 1,077 career tackles put him in the NFL's top 10 career list. Howley fixed that one minor blip in his resume when he helped lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory in 1970. Quite simply, if you saw No. Born into abject poverty in rural Tennessee, he was working full-time in the cotton fields by the time he was 10 years old and had to flee his home with his sisters at 17 to get away from his violent, alcoholic father. 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). Robinson's name has been somewhat lost to history because he played next to the great Ray Nitschke, on Nitschke's left side. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Ranking the best Middle Linebackers in the history of the NFL such as Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, and many more, By Fan Rankings | October 23, 2021 - 07:34 PM. 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. 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. It was the second title in franchise history for the Bucs, and the three-time NFL All-Pro doesn't seem to be slowing down even in his 10th season. Robertson died in a car accident in 2018, at 69 years old. One of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history, Swilling finished his career with 107.5 sacks but no playoff wins. Pappoe is a well-rounded linebacker whose speed stands out as a major strength of his on tape. Born: Feb. 9, 1945 (South Dayton, New York), High school: South Dayton High School (South Dayton, New York), Teams:Cincinnati Bengals (1969-73), Philadelphia Eagles (1974-80), Career highlights:Five-time Pro Bowl (1969, 1974, 1976-78), five-time All-Pro (1974-78). But what sets the great ones apart from the rest of the pack? Super Bowl I champion 8-time Pro Bowler 55, Seau went on to become a legend in San Diego. After being selected with the third overall pick, Butkus would go on to make eight Pro Bowl teams during his nine year career. Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears (1965-73)Hall of Fame, Class of 1979 Super Bowl XXXV MVP It was a good fit. Born: Feb. 22, 1991 (Fort Pierce, Florida), High school: Westwood High School (Fort Pierce, Florida), Teams: Oakland Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-present), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2016), three-time All-Pro (2015, 2016, 2018), five-time Pro Bowl (2014-19), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Arguably USCs most notable No. Super Bowl XXIX champion22. Les Richter was an amazing football player and had size and speed that could have landed him on NFL rosters in any era. Their versatility sets them apart from any other position player in the sport. Sam Huff almost left his rookie training camp with the New York Giants when coaches couldn't find a position for him. 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. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. He posted nine straight seasons with at least 100 tackles and played in all 16 regular-season games for the last 12 seasons of his career. 1 Ray Lewis Lewis is widely considered one of the greatest middle linebackers of all time. He played with an amazing amount of fire and determination without bringing much attention to himself. High school: Maggie L. Walker (Richmond, Virginia), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1969), six-time Pro Bowl (1970-75), eight-time All-Pro (1968-75), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986). 1973 Defensive Player of the Year Super Bowl XX champion 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. Born: Dec. 27, 1959 (Birmingham, Alabama), High school: Barringer High School (Newark, New Jersey), NFL career: 11 seasons (1982-88, 1990-93), Career highlights: NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985), four-time All-Pro (1985-88), five-time Pro Bowl (1984-88), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008). It worked, and Connor never put his hand in the dirt again during a Hall of Fame career. A study of his brain revealed he had a severe case of CTE, which can cause rage, amnesia and severe depression. April 19, 2023 5 PM PT. But it was his leadership in four Super Bowl wins that moves Lambert ahead of Dick Butkus as sacrilegious as that may seem.3. Robertson's size, speed and athleticism often made the difference in games for the Rams. The on-field brains behind Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryans famed 1985 Bears defense, Singletary is undeniably one of the greatest to ever play the position.5. Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time Photos Home 100 Greatest Photos Game Galleries Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time NFL.com senior analyst and personnel. High school: Colony High School (Ontario, California), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2013), six-time Pro Bowl (2014-19), six-time All-Pro (2014-19), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. Mike Singletary was the best of the bunch. 7-time first-team All-Pro The big-play machine from Waco, Texas, was one of the greatest linebackers in Longhorns program history. Chad Brown was the type of player who could do almost anything on the defensive front. Singletary recorded 1,488 career tackles to go along with seven interceptions and 19 sacks over his career. He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. Brooking was incredibly consistent throughout his career. Related:NFL Teams With Most Hall of Famers. 5-time first-team All-Pro Over his career, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to two Super Bowl championships while being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. They changed the way football is played on every level. That didn't matter. 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. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. Willis played just eight seasons in the NFL, but that's kind of misleading. The duo even led the team to the Super Bowl in 2006, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Bell was as much of a winner as anyone who ever played the sport. Super Bowl XL champion Gradishar also was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. "I'm Samurai Mike, I stop 'em cold," was the start of his "Super Bowl Shuffle" verse. He's a rangy, sideline-to-sideline tackler, and though he lacks size and . George was known for his ability to play the defensive line as well as dropping back disrupting the passing lanes of opposing quarterbacks. All Rights Reserved. Generations of linebackers have played in the NFL and defined the game. Two players of the four players with more tackles, Ray Lewis and Junior Seau, are in the Hall of Fame. Those bad teams likely cost him any shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Super Bowl XXXVIII champion 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). Chris Hanburger's path to NFL stardom as an outside linebacker was as unusual as any ever taken. Les Richter, Los Angeles Rams (1954-62) 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. Nick Buoniconti Nick Buoniconti played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. One thing Spikes never did? He might have been the most intimidating human being to ever step on a football field. He won an NFL championship for Chicago in 1963. London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) They spoke of intensity, determination, and an undying will. The Arizona Cardinals have declined to pick up linebacker Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year contract option, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Over his career Willis racked up 865 tackles to go with 20.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and eight interceptions. The 13-time. Keith Brooking was an understated, dominant player for two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. 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. 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. 2020 Stats: 69 Solo, 0 Sacks, 0 FF, 3 INT. Willie Lanier played in an era of football best defined by his hitting style which mainly consisted of him trying to put the crown of his helmet through your sternum. 1-time first-team All-Pro 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Bear Bryant called him one of the best players he ever coached at Alabama, where Jordan won a national title in 1961. 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. Born: Dec. 15, 1940 (Springfield, Massachusetts), Died: July 30, 2019 (age 78, Bridgehampton, New York), High school: Cathedral High School (Springfield, Massachusetts), Teams: Boston Patriots (1962-68), Miami Dolphins (19690-74, 1976), Career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1972, 1973), two-time Pro Bowl (1972, 1973), two-time All-Pro (1972, 1973), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2001). His talent has already made him a rich, rich man. Introduction 8-time Pro Bowler Edwards' name jumps off the page when you look at the NFL career leaders list for tackles, where he clocks in at No. Starters: Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo. 6-time Pro Bowler21. 8-time Pro Bowler20. 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year Here is every player who has ever held the position of New Orleans Saints starting linebacker. 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.

Hull High School Football Coaches, Nanea Golf Club Membership Cost, Matt Costello Scottish Actor, Articles G