Top 3 all-time LBs per club (1 Viewer)

[Despyzer]

I picked up the TSN Preview guide and noticed that they selected the top three LBs of all time for each franchise. They didn't do any other position.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens - 1.Ray Lewis, 2. Jamie Sharper, 3. Peter Boulware

Buffalo Bills - 1. Cornelius Bennett, 2. Darryl Talley, 3. Mike Stratton

Cincinnati Bengals - 1. Bill Bergey, 2. Jim LeClair, 3. Reggie Williams

Cleveland Browns - 1. Clay Matthews, 2. Walt Michaels, 3. Jim Houston

Denver Broncos - 1. Tom Jackson, 2. Randy Gradishar, 3. Karl Mecklenberg

Houston Texans - 1. DeMeco Ryans, 2. Jamie Sharper, 3. Kailee Wong

Indianapolis Colts - 1. Mike Curtis, 2. Ted Hendricks, 3. Don Shinnick

Jacksonville Jaguars - 1. Kevin Hardy, 2. Mike Peterson, 3. Daryl Smith

Kansas City Chiefs - 1. Willie Lanier, 2. Bobby Bell, 3. Derrick Thomas

Miami Dolphins - 1. Zach Thomas, 2. Nick Buonicontti, Bryan Cox

New England Patriots - 1. Andre Tippett, 2. Steve Nelson, 3. Ted Johnson

New York Jets - 1. Mo Lewis, 2. Larry Grantham, 3. Greg Buttle

Oakland Raiders - 1. Matt Millen, 2. Ted Hendricks, 3. Dan Conners

Pittsburgh Steelers - 1. Jack Ham, 2. Jack Lambert, 3. Greg Lloyd

San Diego Chargers - 1. Junior Seau, 2. Shawne Merriman, 3. Donnie Edwards

Tennessee Titans - 1. George Webster, 2. Robert Brazille, 3. Keith Bulluck

NFC

Arizona Cardinals - 1. Dale Meinert, 2. Bill Koman, 3. Eric Hill

Atlanta Falcons - 1. Tommy Nobis, 2. Jessie Tuggle, 3. Keith Brooking

Carolina Panthers - 1. Sam Mills, 2. Kevin Greene, Mark Fields

Chicago Bears - 1. **** Butkus, 2. Mike Singletary, 3. Brian Urlacher

Dallas Cowboys - 1. Lee Roy Jordan, 2. Chuck Howley, 3. DeMarcus Ware

Detroit Lions - 1. Joe Schmidt, 2. Wayne Walker, 3. Chris Spielman

Green Bay Packers - 1. Ray Nitschke, 2. Dave Robinson, 3. Fred Carr

Minnesota Vikings - 1. Scott Studwell, 2. Matt Blair, 3. Jeff Sielman

New Orleans Saints - 1. Rickey Jackson, 2. Sam Mills, 3. Vaughan Johnson

New York Giants - 1. Lawrence Taylor, 2. Sam Huff, 3. Harry Carson

Philadelphia Eagles - 1. Chuck Bednarik, 2. Bill Bergey, 3. Seth Joyner

St. Louis Rams - 1. Les Richter, 2. Isiah Reynolds, 3. Jack Reynolds

San Francisco 49ers - 1. Dave Wilcox, 2. Ken Norton Jr., 3. Patrick Willis

Seattle Seahawks - 1. Lofa Tatupu, 2. Julian Peterson, 3. Chad Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1. Derrick Brooks, 2. Richard "Batman" Wood, 3. Hardy Nickerson

Washington Redskins - 1. Chris Hamburger, 2. Sam Huff, 3. LaVar Arrington

Things I found interesting:

Jamie Sharper, Sam Mills, Sam Huff, and Ted Hendricks were among the three best for more than one team.

Some teams seem to have a real knack for finding and/or developing LBs, others obviously don't.

Many of these guys played together. Did teams just get it right at the right time or did these guys raise each others games?

Any homers have a differing opinion?

Anyone have an interest in ranking the top ten and the bottom ten?

 

[bro1ncos]

As a Bronco homer I would list theirs as:

Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Al Wilson

Tom Jackson was a great inspirational player that was a very good LB because of his heart, he didn't have the talent to be great, IMO.

Couple things that stuck out at me:

- Patrick Willis (although great) has only done it for 1 year and the niners have had some decent LB over the years.

- There are some teams that have had consistently bad LB corps.

 

[Chase Stuart]

As a Bronco homer I would list theirs as:Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Al WilsonTom Jackson was a great inspirational player that was a very good LB because of his heart, he didn't have the talent to be great, IMO.Couple things that stuck out at me:- Patrick Willis (although great) has only done it for 1 year and the niners have had some decent LB over the years.- There are some teams that have had consistently bad LB corps.

Yes. It's absurd that a three time Pro Bowler, and two time SB champion (Haley) was bumped off the list for Willis.

 

[jetmonkey]

LaVar Arrington is just ridiculous.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Also ludicrous that Bruschi isn't on that list.

 

[Bri]

As a Bronco homer I would list theirs as:Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Al WilsonTom Jackson was a great inspirational player that was a very good LB because of his heart, he didn't have the talent to be great, IMO.Couple things that stuck out at me:- Patrick Willis (although great) has only done it for 1 year and the niners have had some decent LB over the years.- There are some teams that have had consistently bad LB corps.

Yes. It's absurd that a three time Pro Bowler, and two time SB champion (Haley) was bumped off the list for Willis.

Julian Peterson for SEA too

 

[Chase Stuart]

NFC

St. Louis Rams - 1. Les Richter, 2. Isiah Reynolds, 3. Jack Reynolds

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1. Derrick Brooks, 2. Richard "Batman" Wood, 3. Hardy Nickerson

Where's Isiah Robertson? Six Pro bowl berths??And not a big complaint, but Wood ahead of Nickerson??

 

[Jason Wood]

Before opening the thread I said Bednarik, Bergey and was torn between Joyner and Maxie Baughan. Looks they got it right.

 

[The Keyboard of Reason]

I picked up the TSN Preview guide and noticed that they selected the top three LBs of all time for each franchise. They didn't do any other position.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens - 1.Ray Lewis, 2. Jamie Sharper, 3. Peter Boulware

Buffalo Bills - 1. Cornelius Bennett, 2. Darryl Talley, 3. Mike Stratton

Cincinnati Bengals - 1. Bill Bergey, 2. Jim LeClair, 3. Reggie Williams

Cleveland Browns - 1. Clay Matthews, 2. Walt Michaels, 3. Jim Houston

Denver Broncos - 1. Tom Jackson, 2. Randy Gradishar, 3. Karl Mecklenberg

Houston Texans - 1. DeMeco Ryans, 2. Jamie Sharper, 3. Kailee Wong

Indianapolis Colts - 1. Mike Curtis, 2. Ted Hendricks, 3. Don Shinnick

Jacksonville Jaguars - 1. Kevin Hardy, 2. Mike Peterson, 3. Daryl Smith

Kansas City Chiefs - 1. Willie Lanier, 2. Bobby Bell, 3. Derrick Thomas

Miami Dolphins - 1. Zach Thomas, 2. Nick Buonicontti, Bryan Cox

New England Patriots - 1. Andre Tippett, 2. Steve Nelson, 3. Ted Johnson

New York Jets - 1. Mo Lewis, 2. Larry Grantham, 3. Greg Buttle

Oakland Raiders - 1. Matt Millen, 2. Ted Hendricks, 3. Dan Conners

Pittsburgh Steelers - 1. Jack Ham, 2. Jack Lambert, 3. Greg Lloyd

San Diego Chargers - 1. Junior Seau, 2. Shawne Merriman, 3. Donnie Edwards

Tennessee Titans - 1. George Webster, 2. Robert Brazille, 3. Keith Bulluck

NFC

Arizona Cardinals - 1. Dale Meinert, 2. Bill Koman, 3. Eric Hill

Atlanta Falcons - 1. Tommy Nobis, 2. Jessie Tuggle, 3. Keith Brooking

Carolina Panthers - 1. Sam Mills, 2. Kevin Greene, Mark Fields

Chicago Bears - 1. **** Butkus, 2. Mike Singletary, 3. Brian Urlacher

Dallas Cowboys - 1. Lee Roy Jordan, 2. Chuck Howley, 3. DeMarcus Ware

Detroit Lions - 1. Joe Schmidt, 2. Wayne Walker, 3. Chris Spielman

Green Bay Packers - 1. Ray Nitschke, 2. Dave Robinson, 3. Fred Carr

Minnesota Vikings - 1. Scott Studwell, 2. Matt Blair, 3. Jeff Sielman

New Orleans Saints - 1. Rickey Jackson, 2. Sam Mills, 3. Vaughan Johnson

New York Giants - 1. Lawrence Taylor, 2. Sam Huff, 3. Harry Carson

Philadelphia Eagles - 1. Chuck Bednarik, 2. Bill Bergey, 3. Seth Joyner

St. Louis Rams - 1. Les Richter, 2. Isiah Reynolds, 3. Jack Reynolds

San Francisco 49ers - 1. Dave Wilcox, 2. Ken Norton Jr., 3. Patrick Willis

Seattle Seahawks - 1. Lofa Tatupu, 2. Julian Peterson, 3. Chad Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1. Derrick Brooks, 2. Richard "Batman" Wood, 3. Hardy Nickerson

Washington Redskins - 1. Chris Hamburger, 2. Sam Huff, 3. LaVar Arrington

Things I found interesting:

Jamie Sharper, Sam Mills, Sam Huff, and Ted Hendricks were among the three best for more than one team.

Some teams seem to have a real knack for finding and/or developing LBs, others obviously don't.

Many of these guys played together. Did teams just get it right at the right time or did these guys raise each others games?

Any homers have a differing opinion?

Anyone have an interest in ranking the top ten and the bottom ten?

I cant really comment about Sam Huff on the Giants, but I think Carl Banks should be on the list for the NY Giants. He might not have been at the elite level for as many years as one would like, but during peak I believe he was better than Taylor (and Taylor was amazing)

 

[Tenacious D]

Wilbur Marshall > Singletary or Urlacher

 

[dgreen]

LaVar Arrington is just ridiculous.

Monte Coleman should be the third. Ken Harvey and Wilbur Marshall are also more deserving, playing just one fewer season in Washington than Lavar.

 

[Bri]

I cant really comment about Sam Huff on the Giants, but I think Carl Banks should be on the list for the NY Giants. He might not have been at the elite level for as many years as one would like, but during peak I believe he was better than Taylor (and Taylor was amazing)

Banks is just knocked out in a numbers game, not enough spots. Huff's a HOFerhttp://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=102

I too was a big fan of Banks

 

[Chachi]

As a Bronco homer I would list theirs as:Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Al WilsonTom Jackson was a great inspirational player that was a very good LB because of his heart, he didn't have the talent to be great, IMO.Couple things that stuck out at me:- Patrick Willis (although great) has only done it for 1 year and the niners have had some decent LB over the years.- There are some teams that have had consistently bad LB corps.

Yes. It's absurd that a three time Pro Bowler, and two time SB champion (Haley) was bumped off the list for Willis.

Keena Turner should be on here instead, over Willis OR Norton, I don't remember Wilcox so I can't say anything there.

 

[SSOG]

As a Bronco homer I would list theirs as:Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Al WilsonTom Jackson was a great inspirational player that was a very good LB because of his heart, he didn't have the talent to be great, IMO.

Disagreed. I think Gradishar should be the no-brainer #1, but I'd put Jackson #2 ahead of Mecklenberg. I think Jackson's broadcasting career has caused a lot of people to forget just how good he really was when he was at his peak.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

As a Bronco homer I would list theirs as:

Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Al Wilson

Tom Jackson was a great inspirational player that was a very good LB because of his heart, he didn't have the talent to be great, IMO.

Disagreed. I think Gradishar should be the no-brainer #1, but I'd put Jackson #2 ahead of Mecklenberg. I think Jackson's broadcasting career has caused a lot of people to forget just how good he really was when he was at his peak.

Jackson was a fantastic player. Mike Ditka's another whose playing career has been overshadowed by what he's done since retirement.As others have said, Arrington shouldn't be on the Skins list - Coleman should. And I'd put Marshall above LaVar also.

My dark horse #3 for the Raiders would be Phil Villipiano (sp?).

 

[bro1ncos]

I agree that TJ's career has been tainted, so to speak, by his media career. My remarks weren't meant to disparage him.

I do think he was made a lot better because he played by the 2 other LBers on your list. Like I said, I just think he was a player with a lot more heart then actual talent. I would equate him to a couple guys like Greg Kragen or Wayne Chrebet or Tom Waddle.

 

[obxlegends]

AFC

Cincinnati Bengals - 1. Bill Bergey, 2. Jim LeClair, 3. Reggie Williams

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles - 1. Chuck Bednarik, 2. Bill Bergey, 3. Seth Joyner

Things I found interesting:

Jamie Sharper, Sam Mills, Sam Huff, and Ted Hendricks were among the three best for more than one team.

Let's also add Bill Bergey to this list.

 

[Doug Drinen]

Here is what my Approximate value method says.

NOTE: only seasons since the merger (1970) are counted. That's why you don't see Butkus et al

The number after each player is a meaningless unitless number. If you see a '+' after the number, it means that he debuted before 1970, but still had enough post-1970 value to make the list without including his pre-1970 seasons.

Arizona Cardinals

LB E.J. Junior 52

LB Mark Arneson 51

LB Freddie Joe Nunn 47

Atlanta Falcons

LB Jessie Tuggle 74

LB Keith Brooking 62

LB Greg Brezina 60+

Baltimore Ravens

LB Ray Lewis 123

LB Peter Boulware 60

LB Adalius Thomas 52

Buffalo Bills

LB Cornelius Bennett 71

LB Darryl Talley 64

LB Shane Conlan 50

Carolina Panthers

LB Sam Mills 36

LB Kevin Greene 32

LB Lamar Lathon 31

Chicago Bears

LB Mike Singletary 124

LB Brian Urlacher 92

LB Lance Briggs 56

Cincinnati Bengals

LB Reggie Williams 74

LB Jim LeClair 59

LB Glenn Cameron 45

Cleveland Browns

LB Clay Matthews 90

LB Charlie Hall 51

LB Chip Banks 48

Dallas Cowboys

LB Bob Breunig 65

LB D.D. Lewis 63+

LB Lee Roy Jordan 61+

Denver Broncos

LB Randy Gradishar 92

LB Karl Mecklenburg 91

LB Tom Jackson 87

Detroit Lions

LB Chris Spielman 66

LB Paul Naumoff 60+

LB Charlie Weaver 55

Green Bay Packers

LB Fred Carr 66+

LB John Anderson 59

LB Mike Douglass 50

Houston Texans

LB Jamie Sharper 25

LB Kailee Wong 24

LB Jay Foreman 21

Indianapolis Colts

LB Duane Bickett 60

LB Stan White 48

LB Ted Hendricks 48+

Jacksonville Jaguars

LB Kevin Hardy 46

LB Mike Peterson 38

LB Daryl Smith 31

Kansas City Chiefs

LB Derrick Thomas 105

LB Willie Lanier 75+

LB Jim Lynch 50+

Miami Dolphins

LB Zach Thomas 111

LB John Offerdahl 57

LB Nick Buoniconti 52+

Minnesota Vikings

LB Matt Blair 75

LB Jeff Siemon 72

LB Scott Studwell 69

New England Patriots

LB Andre Tippett 90

LB Steve Nelson 70

LB Tedy Bruschi 66

New Orleans Saints

LB Rickey Jackson 106

LB Pat Swilling 79

LB Sam Mills 74

New York Giants

LB Lawrence Taylor 139

LB Harry Carson 93

LB Jessie Armstead 68

New York Jets

LB Mo Lewis 88

LB Kyle Clifton 56

LB Marvin Jones 52

Oakland Raiders

LB Ted Hendricks 75+

LB Rod Martin 74

LB Phil Villapiano 73

Philadelphia Eagles

LB Bill Bergey 69+

LB Jeremiah Trotter 62

LB Seth Joyner 61

Pittsburgh Steelers

LB Jack Ham 119

LB Jack Lambert 114

LB Greg Lloyd 89

San Diego Chargers

LB Junior Seau 120

LB Woodrow Lowe 56

LB Billy Ray Smith 43

San Francisco 49ers

LB Keena Turner 59

LB Charles Haley 55

LB Ken Norton 53

Seattle Seahawks

LB Chad Brown 55

LB Keith Butler 50

LB Rufus Porter 47

St. Louis Rams

LB Isiah Robertson 90

LB Jack Reynolds 69

LB Jim Youngblood 57

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LB Derrick Brooks 134

LB Hardy Nickerson 70

LB Shelton Quarles 56

Tennessee Titans

LB Robert Brazile 86

LB Gregg Bingham 65

LB Keith Bulluck 56

Washington Redskins

LB Chris Hanburger 91+

LB Neal Olkewicz 58

LB Harold McLinton 54+

 

[Doug Drinen]

I used the p-f-r player linking tool to link the original list for easy research purposes.

Baltimore Ravens - 1.Ray Lewis, 2. Jamie Sharper, 3. Peter Boulware

Buffalo Bills - 1. Cornelius Bennett, 2. Darryl Talley, 3. Mike Stratton

Cincinnati Bengals - 1. Bill Bergey, 2. Jim LeClair, 3. Reggie Williams

Cleveland Browns - 1. Clay Matthews, 2. Walt Michaels, 3. Jim Houston

Denver Broncos - 1. Tom Jackson, 2. Randy Gradishar, 3. Karl Mecklenberg

Houston Texans - 1. DeMeco Ryans, 2. Jamie Sharper, 3. Kailee Wong

Indianapolis Colts - 1. Mike Curtis, 2. Ted Hendricks, 3. Don Shinnick

Jacksonville Jaguars - 1. Kevin Hardy, 2. Mike Peterson, 3. Daryl Smith

Kansas City Chiefs - 1. Willie Lanier, 2. Bobby Bell, 3. Derrick Thomas

Miami Dolphins - 1. Zach Thomas, 2. Nick Buonicontti, Bryan Cox

New England Patriots - 1. Andre Tippett, 2. Steve Nelson, 3. Ted Johnson

New York Jets - 1. Mo Lewis, 2. Larry Grantham, 3. Greg Buttle

Oakland Raiders - 1. Matt Millen, 2. Ted Hendricks, 3. Dan Conners

Pittsburgh Steelers - 1. Jack Ham, 2. Jack Lambert, 3. Greg Lloyd

San Diego Chargers - 1. Junior Seau, 2. Shawne Merriman, 3. Donnie Edwards

Tennessee Titans - 1. George Webster, 2. Robert Brazille, 3. Keith Bulluck

NFC

Arizona Cardinals - 1. Dale Meinert, 2. Bill Koman, 3. Eric Hill

Atlanta Falcons - 1. Tommy Nobis, 2. Jessie Tuggle, 3. Keith Brooking

Carolina Panthers - 1. Sam Mills, 2. Kevin Greene, Mark Fields

Chicago Bears - 1. **** Butkus, 2. Mike Singletary, 3. Brian Urlacher

Dallas Cowboys - 1. Lee Roy Jordan, 2. Chuck Howley, 3. DeMarcus Ware

Detroit Lions - 1. Joe Schmidt, 2. Wayne Walker, 3. Chris Spielman

Green Bay Packers - 1. Ray Nitschke, 2. Dave Robinson, 3. Fred Carr

Minnesota Vikings - 1. Scott Studwell, 2. Matt Blair, 3. Jeff Sielman

New Orleans Saints - 1. Rickey Jackson, 2. Sam Mills, 3. Vaughan Johnson

New York Giants - 1. Lawrence Taylor, 2. Sam Huff, 3. Harry Carson

Philadelphia Eagles - 1. Chuck Bednarik, 2. Bill Bergey, 3. Seth Joyner

St. Louis Rams - 1. Les Richter, 2. Isiah Reynolds, 3. Jack Reynolds

San Francisco 49ers - 1. Dave Wilcox, 2. Ken Norton Jr., 3. Patrick Willis

Seattle Seahawks - 1. Lofa Tatupu, 2. Julian Peterson, 3. Chad Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1. Derrick Brooks, 2. Richard "Batman" Wood, 3. Hardy Nickerson

Washington Redskins - 1. Chris Hamburger, 2. Sam Huff, 3. LaVar Arrington

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Doug, how does Butkus not make Top 3 with the Bears? I haven't read up on your method (probably wouldn't understand it anyway) - is it because his career was too short? Or maybe, stats weren't available?

 

[Hersh]

I found it interesting that Hardy Nickerson, Chad Brown, and Kevin Greene made a team's list AFTER they played for the Steelers and were only a shell of their former self!

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Doug, how does Butkus not make Top 3 with the Bears? I haven't read up on your method (probably wouldn't understand it anyway) - is it because his career was too short? Or maybe, stats weren't available?

Probably because a majority of his career was before 1970. Here's Doug's statement about his linebacker evaluation:

Here is what my Approximate value method says.

NOTE: only seasons since the merger (1970) are counted. That's why you don't see Butkus et al

The number after each player is a meaningless unitless number. If you see a '+' after the number, it means that he debuted before 1970, but still had enough post-1970 value to make the list without including his pre-1970 seasons.

Butkus' first year was 1965 and his last was in 1973. I imagine, even though he had a great season in '70, that's why.

 

[5Rings]

As a Bronco homer I would list theirs as:Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Al WilsonTom Jackson was a great inspirational player that was a very good LB because of his heart, he didn't have the talent to be great, IMO.Couple things that stuck out at me:- Patrick Willis (although great) has only done it for 1 year and the niners have had some decent LB over the years.- There are some teams that have had consistently bad LB corps.

Yes. It's absurd that a three time Pro Bowler, and two time SB champion (Haley) was bumped off the list for Willis.

Just as absurd as putting Haley in over Keena Turner

 

[Despyzer]

Just as absurd as putting Haley in over Keena Turner

I'm not a big 49ers fan. Show me how this would be absurd.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I find Matt Millen as the #1 Raider LB to be a little silly, but putting LaVar Arrington on the list for the Redskins takes the silly cake.

 

[Boston]

Ranking Ted Johnson over Bruschi, Vrabel and Willie McGinest is just plain stupid. Johnson was a high quality run-stopper when he was healthy but he was nowhere near the all around player (or playmaker) that the other three were. In all honesty I have to question the football acumen of anyone who feels that Johnson was that good of a player.

 

[The Jacket]

Great trio for KC, but I would put Thomas at the top, I think. Lanier was phenomenal in his own right, but Thomas simply too over too many games.

 

[gump]

I found it interesting that Hardy Nickerson, Chad Brown, and Kevin Greene made a team's list AFTER they played for the Steelers and were only a shell of their former self!

Hardy was the leader of one of the best defenses in NFL history in Tampa, and made the Pro Bowl 4 times in Tampa...his only 4. He was also on the all-decade team of the 90's...and spent 7 years with the Bucs in that decade.

 

[gump]

3 of the #1 are from Alabama...and you could argue a 4th in DT.

Linebacker U baby!

 

[The Keyboard of Reason]

Here is what my Approximate value method says.

NOTE: only seasons since the merger (1970) are counted. That's why you don't see Butkus et al

The number after each player is a meaningless unitless number. If you see a '+' after the number, it means that he debuted before 1970, but still had enough post-1970 value to make the list without including his pre-1970 seasons.

Arizona Cardinals

LB E.J. Junior 52

LB Mark Arneson 51

LB Freddie Joe Nunn 47

Atlanta Falcons

LB Jessie Tuggle 74

LB Keith Brooking 62

LB Greg Brezina 60+

Baltimore Ravens

LB Ray Lewis 123

LB Peter Boulware 60

LB Adalius Thomas 52

Buffalo Bills

LB Cornelius Bennett 71

LB Darryl Talley 64

LB Shane Conlan 50

Carolina Panthers

LB Sam Mills 36

LB Kevin Greene 32

LB Lamar Lathon 31

Chicago Bears

LB Mike Singletary 124

LB Brian Urlacher 92

LB Lance Briggs 56

Cincinnati Bengals

LB Reggie Williams 74

LB Jim LeClair 59

LB Glenn Cameron 45

Cleveland Browns

LB Clay Matthews 90

LB Charlie Hall 51

LB Chip Banks 48

Dallas Cowboys

LB Bob Breunig 65

LB D.D. Lewis 63+

LB Lee Roy Jordan 61+

Denver Broncos

LB Randy Gradishar 92

LB Karl Mecklenburg 91

LB Tom Jackson 87

Detroit Lions

LB Chris Spielman 66

LB Paul Naumoff 60+

LB Charlie Weaver 55

Green Bay Packers

LB Fred Carr 66+

LB John Anderson 59

LB Mike Douglass 50

Houston Texans

LB Jamie Sharper 25

LB Kailee Wong 24

LB Jay Foreman 21

Indianapolis Colts

LB Duane Bickett 60

LB Stan White 48

LB Ted Hendricks 48+

Jacksonville Jaguars

LB Kevin Hardy 46

LB Mike Peterson 38

LB Daryl Smith 31

Kansas City Chiefs

LB Derrick Thomas 105

LB Willie Lanier 75+

LB Jim Lynch 50+

Miami Dolphins

LB Zach Thomas 111

LB John Offerdahl 57

LB Nick Buoniconti 52+

Minnesota Vikings

LB Matt Blair 75

LB Jeff Siemon 72

LB Scott Studwell 69

New England Patriots

LB Andre Tippett 90

LB Steve Nelson 70

LB Tedy Bruschi 66

New Orleans Saints

LB Rickey Jackson 106

LB Pat Swilling 79

LB Sam Mills 74

New York Giants

LB Lawrence Taylor 139

LB Harry Carson 93

LB Jessie Armstead 68

New York Jets

LB Mo Lewis 88

LB Kyle Clifton 56

LB Marvin Jones 52

Oakland Raiders

LB Ted Hendricks 75+

LB Rod Martin 74

LB Phil Villapiano 73

Philadelphia Eagles

LB Bill Bergey 69+

LB Jeremiah Trotter 62

LB Seth Joyner 61

Pittsburgh Steelers

LB Jack Ham 119

LB Jack Lambert 114

LB Greg Lloyd 89

San Diego Chargers

LB Junior Seau 120

LB Woodrow Lowe 56

LB Billy Ray Smith 43

San Francisco 49ers

LB Keena Turner 59

LB Charles Haley 55

LB Ken Norton 53

Seattle Seahawks

LB Chad Brown 55

LB Keith Butler 50

LB Rufus Porter 47

St. Louis Rams

LB Isiah Robertson 90

LB Jack Reynolds 69

LB Jim Youngblood 57

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LB Derrick Brooks 134

LB Hardy Nickerson 70

LB Shelton Quarles 56

Tennessee Titans

LB Robert Brazile 86

LB Gregg Bingham 65

LB Keith Bulluck 56

Washington Redskins

LB Chris Hanburger 91+

LB Neal Olkewicz 58

LB Harold McLinton 54+

Jesse Armstead wasn't even close to Banks peak value; not even close. There is nothing that speaks to a linebacker who went through a few years where he "never" gave ground when he tackled the runner. Seriously, I have never seen a linebacker give up almost no yardage after impact than Banks did during his peak years. When he hit a guy the guy almost never fell forward for a yard or 2. Now compare that to Zack Thomas who gets a ton of tackles but they are always a yard or 2 after impact.

 

[massraider]

The Sporting News has really gone downhill.

 

[Doug Drinen]

Jesse Armstead wasn't even close to Banks peak value; not even close. There is nothing that speaks to a linebacker who went through a few years where he "never" gave ground when he tackled the runner. Seriously, I have never seen a linebacker give up almost no yardage after impact than Banks did during his peak years. When he hit a guy the guy almost never fell forward for a yard or 2. Now compare that to Zack Thomas who gets a ton of tackles but they are always a yard or 2 after impact.

What you say may be true. It's almost impossible to argue against statements like that. But nobody besides you seemed to have noticed Banks' dominance at the time.Banks made one pro bowl. There was only one season where he was named to any sort of all-pro team. Armstead made five pro bowls and was thrice named first- or second-team all-pro by the AP.

 

[Tenacious D]

But nobody besides you seemed to have noticed Banks' dominance at the time.

The NFL noticed. He was on the 80's all-decade team.He and Wilber Marshall were the two most underrated LBs of the 80's to early 90's. Both were just overshadowed by no-brainer HOF teammates. Marshall was on three Pro Bowl teams, twice All-Pro, 1992 Defensive POY, one of only 8 defensive players with (officially) 20/20 for their career (45 sacks/23 picks - also 24 ff over his career), and, unlike most of the 85 Bears, has another SB ring. He was dominant for 8 seasons, until injuries caught up with him and left the game quietly.Marshall was also significant in NFL history as the player that broke through their monopolistic handling of star players in free agency. The Redskins wanted him so badly they gave him a 5yr/$6 mil deal to make him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history and paid two first round picks. After that, the mold was broken on what a team would do in free agency for a star play and the NFLPA had leverage to negotiate less restrictions on player movement.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Jesse Armstead wasn't even close to Banks peak value; not even close. There is nothing that speaks to a linebacker who went through a few years where he "never" gave ground when he tackled the runner. Seriously, I have never seen a linebacker give up almost no yardage after impact than Banks did during his peak years. When he hit a guy the guy almost never fell forward for a yard or 2. Now compare that to Zack Thomas who gets a ton of tackles but they are always a yard or 2 after impact.

What you say may be true. It's almost impossible to argue against statements like that. But nobody besides you seemed to have noticed Banks' dominance at the time.Banks made one pro bowl. There was only one season where he was named to any sort of all-pro team. Armstead made five pro bowls and was thrice named first- or second-team all-pro by the AP.

Thats the difference between knowing football - and knowing stats and the media.Armstead was indeed a stud during his day, but he was no Carl Banks.

 

[BigRed]

Thats the difference between knowing football - and knowing stats and the media.

Bingo, thank you. The Pro Bowl has always been a dicey measure of greatness, but it became laughable when players and fans were allowed to vote. lol @ anyone pointing to that as any kind of justification of greatness.Anyway as a Colt fan, this is a painful topic. LB greatness has been sparse as hell for decades.

 

[sfl49er]

All I know is that when you see the list of these linebackers and think back about the history of the game, there are so many that made this what awesome game what it is today. So many good linebackers--on all teams.

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

i know willie lanier was great but bobby bell is considered a top 5 alltime LB by many and most accounts.

 

[Despyzer]

i know willie lanier was great but bobby bell is considered a top 5 alltime LB by many and most accounts.

... and yet a Chiefs fan came in here and said that DT was better than either of them. I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Some opinions seem to make more sense, other opinions seem to make no sense at all, but there really is no definitive criteria involved. If there was, we wouldn't have much to talk about. No one starts threads about who caught the most balls in 2007 or who scored the most TDs in 1999. There's no discussion to be had there.To add to your point though, The Sporting News agrees with you and ranks Bell as one of the top five OLBs in the history of the league.

 

[5Rings]

Just as absurd as putting Haley in over Keena Turner

I'm not a big 49ers fan. Show me how this would be absurd.

Simply, Keena Turner and Ronnie Lott were the foundation for a very underrated defense that won 4 SBs in a 10 year period. Haley was an excellent player as well for 4-5 years, but most 49er fans (over the age of 30) recognize Keena as the franchise's 2nd best LB after HOF Dave Wilcox.

 

[Despyzer]

Just as absurd as putting Haley in over Keena Turner

I'm not a big 49ers fan. Show me how this would be absurd.

Simply, Keena Turner and Ronnie Lott were the foundation for a very underrated defense that won 4 SBs in a 10 year period. Haley was an excellent player as well for 4-5 years, but most 49er fans (over the age of 30) recognize Keena as the franchise's 2nd best LB after HOF Dave Wilcox.

Okay... I can see how there might be a preference amongst educated, hard-core Niners fans. Now show me how it would be absurd.

 

[MCguidance]

New England Patriots - 1. Mo Lewis

 

[T Bell]

Washington Redskins - 1. Chris Hamburger, 2. Sam Huff, 3. LaVar Arrington

Lavar Arrington? I'd definitely put Wilbur Marshall and maybe even Ken Harvey, Monte Coleman and Neal Olkewicz ahead of Lavar. Lavar was all sizzle but not a lot of steak, and was overrated as a LB - he was all athleticism, but no discipline.

BTW- nobody cares anymore, but Chris Hanburger should be in the HoF.

 

[T Bell]

LaVar Arrington is just ridiculous.

Monte Coleman should be the third. Ken Harvey and Wilbur Marshall are also more deserving, playing just one fewer season in Washington than Lavar.