1.
Dick Butkus
He went to the Pro Bowl 8 consecutive times, and was one of the most feared defenders of all time. Experts believe if his career hadn't been cut short by injuries he could've been the greatest of all time.
563 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 7 comments
Comments:
Best of monsters of the midway
Added 8 years ago by guest, 0 points
This list all depends on how you compare eras. Great for his era,but keeping it honest probably would not make NFL team today.
Added 8 years ago by guest, 0 points
everyone was scared of him...and for good reason.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
Rings are NOT a measure of a player. They are a measure of a TEAM.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 3 points
Dick Butkus was the best ever. There's no way around it. He was great on the blitz, he was great in coverage, and he was an absolute BEAST in the run game.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 1 point
A great player for 5 years but the last 4 were played on heart and reputation . Injuries snuffed out a great career and because of that, does not merit being ahead of Lanier or Taylor. Ham and Lambert were terrific but really not top 10 players at this position.
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points
NO RINGS,great but not the greatest by any means.
Added 12 years ago by tgod3neg, -4 points
2.
Willie Lanier
452 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 2 comments
Comments:
Helmet had a shock absorbing foam pad designed to protect him from concusssions-not to reinforce the helmet ( made by MacGregor).
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points
Lanier was flat out brutal. His helmet had a raised plastic portion in the middle to re-inforce it
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points
3.
Jack Lambert
Had almost 1,500 career tackles in helping the Steelers to 4 Superbowl championships in the 70s. Was named to 9 consecutive Pro Bowls. What the stats don't show was that he was such a hard hitting violent maniac on the field opposing players questioned his sanity and actually feared for their safety when he was out there.
412 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 1 comment
Comments:
The Players did Fear him he was not one of these 250 LB linebackers, he was just the best
Added 11 years ago by guest, -2 points
4.
Lawrence Taylor
Revolutionized the position with his speed and versatility. Forced opposing teams to adjust their whole offensive scheme to deal with him. Won 2 Superbowl Championships, and an NFL MVP award (very rare for a defensive player). He totaled over 1,000 tackles and had a whopping 142 sacks.
277 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 6 comments
Comments:
He would have been delt with much easier in todats game. Do you honestly think he would have lined up on the edge and teams would have let him run freely and just hope the back picks him up.
Added 8 years ago by guest, 1 point
Great LB, but total joke when compared to Reggie White as greatest pass rusher. Reggie almost ALWAYS got doubled by two 300lb O-lineman, while LT went against one RB or FB.
Added 8 years ago by guest, 7 points
You actually think he was the first defensive player that required opposition to alter their game plans?
Educate yourself.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 5 points
"only player on this list that required an entire gameplan designed to deal with...." what are you? 12? matbe not, but you ARE ignorant.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 5 points
The most dominating player of his era.ONLY player on this list that required an entire game plan designed to deal with him.To vote him lower than #1 is a result of your prejudice and not any knowledge on your part of the game.
Added 12 years ago by tgod3neg, -11 points
take away his coke and his not better than lanier.
Added 14 years ago by pony, 18 points
5.
Bobby Bell
207 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
6.
Chuck Bednarik
204 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
7.
Bill Bergey
125 points - added 12 years ago by redbarron80 - 1 comment
Comments:
too low on this list
Added 10 years ago by guest, 18 points
8.
Jack Ham
98 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
9.
Ray Lewis
98 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 1 comment
Comments:
higher comon best linebacker of alltime
Added 12 years ago by guest, -1 points
10.
Ray Nitschke
A tough guy legend from the early days of football, Ray was the linchpin and captain of a Packers defense that won 5 NFL Championships and the first two Superbowls.
95 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 1 comment
Comments:
If you ask Butkus who he thinks was the toughest, he will say Nitschke
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
11.
Ted Hendricks
92 points - added 14 years ago by donhutson -
12.
Derrick Brooks
Outstanding leader, tackler, pass defender, and blitzer. He was the leader of the Tampa Bay defense during their super bowl run and dynasty defense years. 9 times all pro, 11 pro bowls, pro bowl mvp, super bowl champion, team captain just to mention some honors..
84 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
13.
Mike Singletary
We all remember the Crazy-Eyed captain of the 1985 Bears defense, one of the greatest of all time. Singletary was the picture of durability and production, registering 1,488 career tackles while missing only 2 games in his entire career.
79 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
14.
Derrick Thomas
70 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
15.
Brian Urlacher
Played Safety in College but was TOO BIG to be a safety in the NFL so the bears moved him to linebacker and he is one of the most feared linebackers in today's game
68 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
16.
Seth Joiner
67 points - added 12 years ago by redbarron80 -
17.
Junior Seau
67 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
18.
ray nitscke
63 points - added 13 years ago by 14nehlin - 1 comment
Comments:
You have him in here twice
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points
19.
mike curtis
top 20 at least secon best linebacker to wear a baltimore jersey
59 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
20.
Bill Romanowski
This guy was a beast on the field. Lots of controversy but no one messed with him.
53 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
over rated
Added 10 years ago by guest, 2 points
21.
Zach Thomas
46 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
22.
Sam Huff
46 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 1 comment
Comments:
Should be in top 10
Added 8 years ago by guest, 1 point
23.
Clay mathews
42 points - added 13 years ago by 14nehlin - 2 comments
Comments:
He is going to be one of the best
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points
big play clay!!1
Added 13 years ago by 13nehlin, 0 points
24.
Cornelius Bennett
Bennett was a five time Pro Bowler, being elected in 1988, and 1990–1993, and won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award twice (1988 and 1991). 1,190 Tackles,
71.5 Sacks and 7 Interceptions
37 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
25.
Kevin Greene
36 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
26.
Seth Joyner
34 points - added 10 years ago by ibew98 -
27.
Ricky Jackson
33 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
28.
Harry Carson
31 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 - 1 comment
Comments:
My favorite for his intensity, intelligence and character
Added 11 years ago by guest, 1 point
29.
Patrick Willis
Obviously AWESOME
28 points - added 11 years ago by guest -
30.
Andre Tippett
28 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
31.
Tommy Nobis
Great Linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
25 points - added 14 years ago by RichmondRob -
32.
randy gradishar
underated leader of on of the greatest defenses in nfl history orange crrush
19 points - added 11 years ago by kylekohner@ymail.com -
33.
Robert Brazile
Brazile was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons, was All-Pro 5 straight seasons (1976-80)[5] and was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1970s. He is the only linebacker from the 1970s All-Decade Team not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
18 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
34.
Andy Russell
he was a out standing LB during his Nfl career
17 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
35.
Joey Porter
he is great
16 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
36.
Nick Buoniconti
7 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
37.
Jessie Tuggle
average well over 100 tackles during his career.
2 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
38.
Christopher Green
silent killer
2 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
39.
Dave Wilcox
2 points - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
40.
Greg Lloyd
Ask Marino he will tell. Just plain nasty banner at old three rivers enough said
1 point - added 6 years ago by guest -
41.
Roy Winston
1 point - added 15 years ago by pxc0 -
42.
Isaiah Robertson
L.T. learned his craft by watching The Rams OLB
-2 points - added 12 years ago by guest -
43.
Bill
-18 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
44.
Christiano Ronaldo
-27 points - added 13 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Does CR7 play football americano
Added 8 years ago by guest, -7 points
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