Top linebackers of the 1980s (1 Viewer)

[Doug Drinen]

Here are five of the six six of the seven linebackers from the NFL's all-80s team:

Mike Singletary

Lawrence Taylor

Ted Hendricks

Jack Lambert

Andre Tippett

Carl Banks

Without looking it up, can you name the seventh guy?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Wilson?

 

[Sweet Love]

Randy White? Can't remember whether he played long enough in the 80's to be considered.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Randy White? Can't remember whether he played long enough in the 80's to be considered.

I think he was more of a DL.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

My other guess is Marshall. I thought I remembered their being 2 Giants and 2 Bears.

 

[Doug Drinen]

Not Wilson or Marshall.

Randy White did indeed make the all-80s team, but at DT, not LB.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Bennett? Or was he on the 90s team?

 

[Doug Drinen]

Bennett? Or was he on the 90s team?

Bennett did make the 90s team, but not the 80s team.

 

[Bri]

HOFer Harry Carson

 

[Doug Drinen]

Not Carson.

 

[Zigg]

Here are five of the six linebackers from the NFL's all-80s team:Mike SingletaryLawrence TaylorTed HendricksJack LambertAndre TippettCarl BanksWithout looking it up, can you name the sixth guy?

Did you name all 6 by accident, or are we trying to name the 7th guy?

 

[Jene Bramel]

I cheated. I was a bigger fan of one of this guy's teammates.

 

[Doug Drinen]

Did you name all 6 by accident, or are we trying to name the 7th guy?

[lammey]Because I can count[/lammey]Sorry. I guess there are seven and I named six. There is still an unnamed guy.

 

[Bob Henry]

A couple guesses

Robert Brazile

Karl Mecklenburg

 

[Doug Drinen]

A couple guessesRobert BrazileKarl Mecklenburg

Brazile was all-70s. Mecklenburg probably would have been my choice, but it wasn't him either.

 

[Jene Bramel]

A couple guessesRobert BrazileKarl Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg probably would have been my choice, but it wasn't him either.

 

[Zigg]

Rickey Jackson?

 

[Doug Drinen]

If not Mecklenburg, Rickey Jackson would have been my choice. But not him either.

 

[Jeff Haseley]

Doug - couple guesses here. Matt Millen? Fredd Young? AJ Duhe? Duhe may be a longshot.

 

[Doug Drinen]

I was a big Fredd Young fan. He was a special teams monster before becoming a (very good) starting LB.

But not Millen, Young, or Duhe.

 

[Jeff Haseley]

Last guess - Chip Banks? If its not him, I give up. Kyle Clifton? LOL

 

[Doug Drinen]

Chip Banks would also have been a fine choice, but no dice. Also not Clifton.

 

[Jene Bramel]

The other name that came to mind first for me was Clay Matthews when I noticed this list earlier this year. Both he and Jackson were very good players throughout the 1980s, rather than playing only half the decade like Mecklenburg or Marshall.

I'm hoping to get some more background on this guy after he's named.

 

[thejag]

Brian Bosworth?

 

[thejag]

Matthews and Banks were my first thoughts.

I always think of Lambert more as a 70s guy.

 

[Doug Drinen]

The other name that came to mind first for me was Clay Matthews when I noticed this list earlier this year.

Matthews is yet another guy who would have been a reasonable selection, but wasn't. Alas, the Boz didn't make it either.

 

[Doug Drinen]

I always think of Lambert more as a 70s guy.

Me too. He made the 70s team as well.It seems that playing the whole decade wasn't a requirement. Ted Hendricks' last season was 1983. LeRoy Selmon made the team at DL, and his last season was 1984. Likewise, Carl Banks didn't really become relevant until 85 or 86, but he still made it. But the mystery LB did play for the whole decade.

 

[The Royal Jack]

The guy has an impressive resume but honestly I had never heard of him.

 

[GreedoShotFirst]

Neal Olkewicz??

 

[JohnDoe]

Throwing out some guesses: Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Sam Mills, Scott Studwell

 

[Saints-Man]

Sam Mills or Harry Carson.

I am surprised to see Jack Lambert on that list. I associate him more with the 70's and the Steelers championship teams than I do the 80's.

 

[Doug Drinen]

Not Olkewicz, Gradishar, Mills, Studwell, or TJ.

 

[Portis 26]

Reggie Williams

 

[Yenrub]

Pat Swilling of the Saints?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Pat Swilling of the Saints?

That was the first name I thought of before I opened the thread, but his career started in 1986. Pro Bowl 1989-1993, All-Pro 1991 & 1992. Top ten in sacks '87, '89, '91 (led league plus int TD), '95. More of a 90s guy.Guess again, eh.

 

[ALF]

Curiosity got the best of me so I looked. Would never of guess who it was.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I got curious and looked it up as well. I have heard of every guy on the whole 1980's team except this guy

 

[BigRed]

Have to admit I went "who" like most people who look it up will.

 

[Duckboy]

Would have guessed Carson or Mecklenburg. Would not have guessed the answer.

 

[Bankerguy]

One of the New Orleans guys is my guess.

 

[On The Rocks]

I don't know what I am more suprised by...the fact I have no idea who the 7th guy is or the fact that Chris Spielman wasn't named to the all 90's team.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

At least ESPN finally got an anchor that played the game.....

 

[Zoomanji]

Who?!?! Not who I expected

 

[shredhead]

If the 7th is not Randy gradishar, then I question the integrity of the people who made the list.

 

[Bankerguy]

Wow....I had to look it up too. Never heard of the dude.

 

[GreedoShotFirst]

Not Olkewicz, Gradishar, Mills, Studwell, or TJ.

01I was kidding about Olki, but man that dude could deliver the mail.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

Tim Harris??

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I looked it up, then checked pro-football-reference to see his stats/draft info/etc. and STILL don't remember this guy.

 

[John Cena]

Carson and Marshall would be my top guesses

How about Jerry Robinson?

 

[Liquid Tension]

Here are five of the six six of the seven linebackers from the NFL's all-80s team:

Mike Singletary

Lawrence Taylor

Ted Hendricks

Jack Lambert

Andre Tippett

Carl Banks

Without looking it up, can you name the seventh guy?

Harry Carson?