Dr.Cheesenstein
Footballguy
SO who are your top 5? And reasons why.
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Your Top 5 LBs in the NFL (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dr.Cheesenstein
- Start date
SO who are your top 5? And reasons why.
fridayfrenzy
Footballguy
FF or actual skill?
, needs their head examined.Dr.Cheesenstein
Footballguy
Skillfully.
diesel7982
Footballguy
Are we talking now or 2000?
Weiner Dog
Footballguy
Vilma
Urlacher
Lewis
Bulluck
Peterson
Urlacher
Lewis
Bulluck
Peterson
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Brian Urlacher
Keith Bulluck
Ray Lewis
Jonathan Vilma
Donnie Edwards
Keith Bulluck
Ray Lewis
Jonathan Vilma
Donnie Edwards
Assuming we're talking NFL, not fantasy....Lewis is top 10 if not top 5. Skills have definitly declined a significant amount since 2000. But back then he was #1 by far.
Peterson has the talent, but he needs to show me he can stay healthy and produce at a high level for more than 1-2 seasons in a row. He'll be top 5 someday soon.
1. Urlacher (call him overrated all you want)
2. Vilma
3. Bulluck
4. Lewis
5. Edwards
others close: Farrier, Porter, Tatupu, Spikes, Merriman, Barnett, Peterson
I wish I could still have Bruschi on this list. For all the heart and desire he brings to the game he would be top 5 if it weren't for the stroke.
Honorable mention to Brooks and Z.Thomas also
Wadsworth
Footballguy
I'm a Jags fan so I'm inclined to agree with Mike Peterson, he didn't even make the Pro Bowl last season. And looking at aposulli's post with the line, "Peterson has the talent, but he needs to show me he can stay healthy and produce at a high level for more than 1-2 seasons in a row." I'm guessing he thought it was Julian. Obviously Seattle thinks it Julian based on that contract. Mike P has played very well for the Jags the last two season, I guess I'm just surprised anyone noticed.Mike
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GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
Barnett sucks, but his numbers may go up as teams avoid the other side of the field with Rocky Dennis manning that side.
I did think it was Julian that was mentioned. Guy has immense talent, which doesn't exactly translate into fantasy #s being a SSLB.Mike on the other hand is a fantasy beast, which comes with being a MLB when playing in front of stud DTs like Stroud and Henderson. He never was a amazing fantasy performer without those guys, so I wonder about his talent level. Still should probly be included on my fringe list.I'm a Jags fan so I'm inclined to agree with Mike Peterson, he didn't even make the Pro Bowl last season. And looking at aposulli's post with the line, "Peterson has the talent, but he needs to show me he can stay healthy and produce at a high level for more than 1-2 seasons in a row." I'm guessing he thought it was Julian. Obviously Seattle thinks it Julian based on that contract. Mike P has played very well for the Jags the last two season, I guess I'm just surprised anyone noticed.
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tombonneau
Footballguy
Donnie Edwards? Really? I realize the guy makes lots of tackles, and is an above-avg LB, but if he was as elite as people think, not only would SD not be looking to dump him (ya ya I know Coach vs. GM in SD, but a GM won't cut a Top 5 LB out of spite), but somebody would be offering up at least a 3rd for the dude.
As is, he will likely be cut and signed to a moderate contract.
As is, he will likely be cut and signed to a moderate contract.
Wadsworth
Footballguy
Using NFL.com's tackle stats, which are weak but good enough for this, Mike had over 100 tackles in 3 of 4 seasons in indy without Henderstroud in front of him. Including years with 159 and 137 tackles. He only played 9 games in the one season with indy that he missed 100 tackles. In fact he had 2 seasons in indy with more tackles than he's ever had in Jacksonville. His overall play has been better for the Jags, but he was doing quite well for himself before joining them.I did think it was Julian that was mentioned. Guy has immense talent, which doesn't exactly translate into fantasy #s being a SSLB.Mike on the other hand is a fantasy beast, which comes with being a MLB when playing in front of stud DTs like Stroud and Henderson. He never was a amazing fantasy performer without those guys, so I wonder about his talent level. Still should probly be included on my fringe list.I'm a Jags fan so I'm inclined to agree with Mike Peterson, he didn't even make the Pro Bowl last season. And looking at aposulli's post with the line, "Peterson has the talent, but he needs to show me he can stay healthy and produce at a high level for more than 1-2 seasons in a row." I'm guessing he thought it was Julian. Obviously Seattle thinks it Julian based on that contract. Mike P has played very well for the Jags the last two season, I guess I'm just surprised anyone noticed.
obxlegends
Footballguy
Anyone remember a guy named Derrick Brooks?
harrycarey
Footballguy
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Dirk Digler
Footballguy
I was just going to say that. Absolutely rediculous he isn't mentioned as one of the best LB's in the game... he's getting older but.... still top 5 overall.Anyone remember a guy named Derrick Brooks?
Weiner Dog
Footballguy
Other than being a tackle machine (100+ tackles in every full season played), Peterson can both rush the passer or drop back in coverage. More importantly, he helped guide JAX to a #6 ranking in total defense last year.Peterson is not injury prone. He has played in every single game for six out of his seven career seasons.
At one time, Donnie could hold Peterson's jock...
...not anymore.
I think I was the one who called JULIAN Peterson injury prone.Though I was wrong about MIke Peterson's perf. before he got to Jax, I have to wonder if he really has gotten better since Indy's days. He should be racking up huuuge numbers behind Henderstroud if he was really a top 5 LB.
And what about Donnie Edwards. This guy has gotten BETTER every year of his career it seems. He keeps himself in great shape, and puts up monster #s in a 3/4.
Bizkiteer
Footballguy
How anyone could put Edwards or Peterson down on the list before Zach Thomas is beyond me. Zach Thomas and Ray Lewis have been two of the best LB'ers to play the game. Derrick Brooks would get a nod too. Ray, Zach and Derrick should be on the list...after some could argue Urlacher, Bulluck and so forth. Vilma is great, but I think the some get the nod over him at this point.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
Chances Donnie Edwards gets cut before the 2006 season: 0%My guess is the reason he was(is?) being dangledas trade bait is to show him what his actual value is around the league. I'm a homer and a huge Edwards fan but he's probably kidding himself if he thinks any team out there is willing to pony up a big signing bonus to a LB that's 33yo. He'll play and play well in SD this seasos playing for a new contract in '07 but I doubt he'll be happy with the amount he signs for then either.
Top 5 may be a stretch right now but about a year and a half ago he was top 5 to be sure, and had been longer than most people realize.
BoltBacker
Footballguy
Because there are more skills involved in being one of the best LB's in the game than just tackling. Zack is a great leader and a tackling machine but doesn't offer the versatility that some other guys do. If you want to rush the passer I'd much rather have Peterson do it. If you want to cover a guy out of the backfield I'd much rather have Edwards do it.
Noahs Troopers
Footballguy
There was no 0 after the 5. We're talking top 5, not top 50.
Noahs Troopers
Footballguy
houndirish
Footballguy
It's about time for Antonio Pierce's name to be mentioned.
Blackjacks
Footballguy
Oh how the might have fallen. I don't even see Lavar's name mentioned.
I'd still take Brooks for this season over everyone not named Urlacher. I reall like Vilma as well as the boards seems to but Brooks can just do it all.
I'd still take Brooks for this season over everyone not named Urlacher. I reall like Vilma as well as the boards seems to but Brooks can just do it all.
Merriman > Edwards
Blackjacks
Footballguy
Alittle partial to Miami Hurricane players huh?
Dirk Digler
Footballguy
no order....
Vilma
Lewis
Urlacher
Brooks
ZThomas
Vilma
Lewis
Urlacher
Brooks
ZThomas
Thank you -- agreed. While Merriman isn't one of the top 5 LB's in the league yet, he's not far off, and he's certainly better than Edwards at this point. If some of you other guys haven't seen him play, you're missing out. He's one of the most explosive and electrifying defensive players I've seen in a long time.
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ChargerChick
Footballguy
Donnybrook
Footballguy
I am going with LBs that are still in their prime.
Vilma
Urlacher
Merriman
Keith Bulluck
Pierce – May not be the most physical gifted but may be the most knowledgeable and dedicated.
Honorable mention: Tatupu
Vilma
Urlacher
Merriman
Keith Bulluck
Pierce – May not be the most physical gifted but may be the most knowledgeable and dedicated.
Honorable mention: Tatupu
This_Is_Not_VRR
Footballguy
Tatupu will be top 5 this season. He has a full season under his belt and he's surrounded by a vastly improved defense.
And I can't believe so many people are leaving Brooks off of the list.
And I can't believe so many people are leaving Brooks off of the list.
SoFresh&SoClean
Footballguy
Give my boy Odell a couple of years (around 2 more maybe) and he'll be up there.
As of now:
Urlacher
Spikes
Brooks
Al Wilson
Vilma
As of now:
Urlacher
Spikes
Brooks
Al Wilson
Vilma
I agree, but he's not a top-5 NFL linebacker. Not even sure he's top-10 anymore.
ChampBailey24
Footballguy
No order:
Brian Urlacher
Ray Lewis
Nick Barnett
Mike Peterson
Derrick Brooks
Brian Urlacher
Ray Lewis
Nick Barnett
Mike Peterson
Derrick Brooks
