Times change within the NFL, however the one fixed for an amazing protection is the play of elite linebackers – and nothing is extra evident than having that highly effective pressure in the midst of the sphere.
The trendy NFL linebacker has undergone some modifications, with mobility at a premium stage like by no means earlier than.
But really elite linebackers might make an impression no matter period and protection.
In the historical past of the league, linebacker stands out as the place with probably the most depth and has a seemingly limitless listing of elite gamers to select from.
Here are the ten best linebackers in NFL historical past.
10. Derrick Thomas
One of the best Kansas City Chiefs of all time, Thomas performed all 11 seasons of his NFL profession in Kansas City, instilling concern in opposing quarterbacks. He completed with double-digit sack totals seven instances in his profession, together with 20 sacks in simply his second NFL season (1990) to steer the league. Entering the NFL, Thomas made the Pro Bowl in every of his first 9 seasons, recording eight or extra sacks in every of these seasons.
Ultimately, Thomas completed with at the least seven sacks in each NFL season he performed in, made 9 Pro Bowls and earned two first-team All-Pro choices. He additionally completed with 126.5 sacks, which ranks him twenty sixth all-time in NFL historical past.
9. Jack Lambert
After being chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers within the second spherical of the 1974 NFL Draft, Lambert turned the anchor of one of many fiercest defenses in NFL historical past. He gained the beginning center linebacker job as a rookie and by no means gave it up in his 11-year profession, all of which he performed with the Steelers. Lambert earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1974, and later made the Pro Bowl in every of the subsequent 9 seasons. Additionally, he was named First-Team All-Pro in six seasons and was honored because the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1976, when he led the league with eight fumble recoveries.
He completed with 4 Super Bowl rings, all earned throughout his first six years within the league.
8. Junior bucket
Playing an eye-popping 20 NFL seasons, Junior Seau has had exceptional longevity within the league. Most impressively, although, Seau missed simply 5 video games in his first 12 seasons. Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1990, Seau performed for the workforce from 1990 to 2002 earlier than shifting to the Miami Dolphins in 2003 and, lastly, his closing cease, becoming a member of the New England Patriots for the ultimate 4 years of his profession (2006 ). -2009). Over the course of his profession, he recorded 10 or extra tackles in 64 completely different video games, whereas additionally racking up 56.5 sacks and grabbing 18 interceptions.
One of probably the most notable issues, although, was when he helped lead the Chargers to their solely Super Bowl look in 1994, a season during which he posted 155 tackles together with 5.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
7. Chuck Bednarik
One of the final true two-way gamers within the NFL, Bednarik contributed to the Philadelphia Eagles as each a middle on offense and a linebacker on protection throughout his 14-year profession, all spent in Philadelphia. In 1987, the Eagles made certain to have fun him, retiring his No. 60 jersey and naming him the perfect center linebacker in workforce historical past. Most amazingly, regardless of his physicality, Bednarik was an Ironman, enjoying 169 of a attainable 172 video games in his profession.
Over the course of his profession, Bednarik amassed eight Pro Bowls, six First-Team All-Pros and gained two championships with the Eagles. He additionally gained the popularity of getting an award in faculty named after him, “The Bednarik Award”, which is given yearly to the perfect defensive participant within the sport.
6. Derrick Brooks
After starring at Florida in faculty, Brooks stayed at Florida and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, enjoying for the workforce all 14 years of his storied profession. Brooks began all however three video games in his rookie season, then went on to by no means miss a begin for the remainder of his 224-game profession, a exceptional size.
In 2002, Brooks was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, main the league with 173 complete tackles whereas additionally throwing 5 interceptions, together with three returned for touchdowns. His presence was a significant purpose for the workforce’s 2002 Super Bowl victory over the Raiders.
Brooks completed his profession with 11 Pro Bowls, 5 First-Team All-Pros and a Super Bowl title, racking up 1,713 complete tackles, 25 interceptions and 13.5 sacks.
5.Ted Hendricks
A 15-year veteran, Hendricks has performed for 3 completely different franchises. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts earlier than being traded to the Green Bay Packers for one season in 1974, after which spent the remainder of his profession with the Raiders franchise (1975-1983). Hendricks was really a person who made issues occur, and to this present day he’s tied for the NFL report with 4 safeties.
Over the course of his profession, he began 215 consecutive common season video games, made eight Pro Bowls, gained 4 championships and was chosen First or Second-Team All-Pro six instances in his profession. He amassed 26 interceptions to associate with 61 sacks and 16 fumble recoveries.
4. Jack Ham
One of the faces of the Steelers protection through the years, Ham performed all 12 seasons with the Black and Gold. He and fellow Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis are the one two gamers in NFL historical past to complete their careers with at the least 25 sacks, 30 interceptions and 20 fumble recoveries. Ham anchored Pittsburgh’s protection, profitable 4 Super Bowls alongside the way in which.
Ultimately, Ham collected 32 interceptions, 21 fumble recoveries and 25.5 sacks. He additionally earned eight Pro Bowl choices and 6 first-team All-Pros, all in consecutive seasons.
3. Mike Singletary
A Chicago Bears legend, Mike Singletary was drafted by the Bears in 1981 and performed his whole 12-year profession with the workforce. During his time in Chicago, he began 172 video games and completed because the Bears’ main or second tackler in every of his closing 11 seasons with the workforce, accumulating 1,488 profession tackles. All of this occurred whereas lacking simply two video games, each of which got here in 1986.
Singletary gained two Defensive Player of the Year awards, in 1985 and 1988, whereas additionally profitable 10 Pro Bowls and eight First-Team All-Pros. He helped the Bears win the 1985 Super Bowl, during which they held the Patriots to simply 7 speeding yards.
2. Dick Butkus
Perhaps probably the most well-known linebacker of all time, Dick Butkus performed his whole nine-year profession with the Chicago Bears, lastly getting his quantity 51 retired by the workforce in 1994. Surprisingly, Butkus began his profession with a bang , incomes first place. -Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl in his rookie season. He would make the Pro Bowl in every of his first eight seasons and accumulate First Team All-Pro honors 4 extra instances in his profession.
Butkus collected 22 interceptions, whereas additionally gathering 27 fumble recoveries and demolishing opposing quarterbacks for a complete of 11 sacks. Additionally, he additionally had two seasons during which he positioned within the prime 5 for the league’s MVP award.
1. Ray Lewis
No participant was extra feared in his prime in the midst of the sphere than Ray Lewis. Lewis was a tackling machine, main the Baltimore Ravens in tackles in 12 of the 14 years he performed for the workforce, the one workforce he performed for. Starting in 1998, the third season of Lewis’ profession, the Ravens didn’t permit a 100-yard rush till the 2002 season, an indicator of Baltimore’s distinctive run protection. Additionally, Lewis additionally had a nostril for the ball, throwing 31 interceptions in his profession, the fifth-most linebackers of all time.
At the time of his retirement, Lewis held the Ravens’ workforce information in seasons performed (17), profession video games (228), and opponent fumble recoveries (20), whereas additionally recording probably the most tackles (2,643) and holding the single-season report for many tackles (225). His fairytale profession led to 2012 with the workforce profitable its second Super Bowl.
Honorable Mentions:
- Chuck Howley
- Luca Kuechly
- Brian Urlacher
- Bill George
- Joe Schmidt
- Ray Nitschke
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