10 Greatest linebackers of all time

vincentvega

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what do you guys think about this list? thoughts ...??


http://wallstcheatsheet.com/sports/the-10-greatest-nfl-linebackers-of-all-time.html/?a=viewall

6. Mike Singletary
Mike Singletary and his unblinking stare were the face of the 46 Chicago Bears defense. In Buddy Ryan’s 46, the Bears overloaded the line of scrimmage in all out attack mode — so Singletary could roam free and take out the trash. As a 6-foot, 230-pound bowling ball of intensity, Singletary owned the box from tackle-to-tackle to blast ball carriers into the next week. Over the course of his 12-year career, Singletary earned 10 consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl alongside two AP Defensive Player of the Year awards.

With the 1985 Bears, Mike Singletary helped limit offenses to a miserly 12.4 points per game and steamroll opponents to a 15-1 record. In Super Bowl XX, Singletary reveled in his type of party, when he put in work to shut down the overmatched Patriots in a 46-10 blowout. The 1985 Chicago Bears, of course, are often referenced as the greatest defensive team of all time.


2.Dick Butkus
With his buzz cut, reliability, and proclivity to inflict pain, Dick Butkus (left) was a true Monster of the Midway. Butkus was the first in the line of Hall of Fame worthy Chicago middle linebackers, which has grown to include Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. Throughout his career, Butkus stalked the line of scrimmage in his oversized No. 51 jersey and grotesque padding — to blow up ball carriers and strike fear in the hearts of the opposition.

Dick Butkus, however, was never part of a winning regime. Butkus never appeared in any Championship Game, during his nine-year career as a Chicago Bear. At linebacker for the Bears, Butkus could not rely upon a man-eating defensive line to clog up space so he could roam free and make plays. As the team’s lone playmaker, Dick Butkus was still able to answer the bell time and time again. Between 1965 and 1972, Butkus was sent off to the Pro Bowl after each season and was recognized as a first-team All-Pro on five separate occasions.

In 1973, Butkus fell victim to his own recklessness and the limitations of medical science of the day. Dick Butkus, felled by injuries, retired from the game of football as the greatest middle linebacker of all time — having mastered his position with a controlled rage
 

bearmick

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I hate these lists for LBers because I hate comparing pass rushing 3-4 OLBs like LT to MLBers like Butkus or Ray Lewis. It's so apples and oranges. But in terms of their respective impact on the game, it's hard to argue with that top 3.
 

NCChiFan

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I agree with bearmick... Stupid to try and compare OLB in a 3-4 with even OLB's in a 4-3 much less a MLB...

Hard to argue with the top 2-3 though, all were huge game changers.
 

Nail Polish

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I agree with bearmick... Stupid to try and compare OLB in a 3-4 with even OLB's in a 4-3 much less a MLB...

Hard to argue with the top 2-3 though, all were huge game changers.

Plus, different era's affect as well
 

policeman

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Singletary seems high to me at 6.

Agreed- I think that 'stare' gets him a bit more recognition than he may have deserved. Always thought he was a bit over rated. And while I wouldn't put Urlacher on this list- if given the chance between him and Singletary- I think I'd take Urlacher.
 

NCChiFan

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Agreed- I think that 'stare' gets him a bit more recognition than he may have deserved. Always thought he was a bit over rated. And while I wouldn't put Urlacher on this list- if given the chance between him and Singletary- I think I'd take Urlacher.

And that one playoff stop against Dickerson.
 

FirstTimer

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Agreed- I think that 'stare' gets him a bit more recognition than he may have deserved. Always thought he was a bit over rated. And while I wouldn't put Urlacher on this list- if given the chance between him and Singletary- I think I'd take Urlacher.

Singletary did win DPOY twice. I think a guy like Willie Lanier is too low on this list.
 

BearsFan51

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The greatest myth about. Lawrence Taylor is that he was some pass rushing demon from hell. Taylor took advantage of an era where linebackers were still being single blocked by backs and TEs. So Taylor took advantage of beating under sized players rather than having to constantly beat the left tackle.
 

Bigfoot

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Ommy since you had the honor of watching these great players from the past. Who would you say was the best LB of all time.
 

Omeletpants

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With the exception of his first two years in the league Lawrence Taylor never dropped back and played LB. He was a downfeild rusher for over 10 years. He never covered RBs or TEs all about the pass rush.

No matter what they call you if you rush the qb every play you are a DE
 

sevvy

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I love threads like this. It gives the fucking forum tryhards an opportunity to flex their dicks.
 

FirstTimer

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The greatest myth about. Lawrence Taylor is that he was some pass rushing demon from hell. Taylor took advantage of an era where linebackers were still being single blocked by backs and TEs. So Taylor took advantage of beating under sized players rather than having to constantly beat the left tackle.

You're overstating a myth that tries to disprove another myth. Taylor raped and pillaged whoever was in his way.
 

FirstTimer

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With the exception of his first two years in the league Lawrence Taylor never dropped back and played LB. He was a downfeild rusher for over 10 years. He never covered RBs or TEs all about the pass rush.

No matter what they call you if you rush the qb every play you are a DE

Early front runner for worst football post of 2015
 

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