I have my idea of who is pro footballs greatest linebacker. He played in the AFL many years ago. He was the guy who created the angle system that modern linebackers use today. He also was the first sideline to sideline MLB. He's a 1st ballot hall of famer. He's also an NFL ambassodor. Yet he's not mentioned much by the media because he played in the AFL. I'll say his name after I hear what you all think about your favorite LB. This can be inside or outside LB. The player doesn't have to be an allpro. All he has to be is your favorite linebacker.
2007-05-15 02:17:11 · 18 answers · asked by Big Sam D 4 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Known of you guys are football historians. Willie Lanier is who he's talking about in his answer. He is considered in football circles as the greatest pure linebacker to ever play. Ray Lewis plays in the same manner. He was solid 6'1 245 and fast. He was the defensive leader of the greatest defense that no one has ever heard of because the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs. No one knows much about them or him because they were one of those AFL teams that came in a proved that they could beat the NFL in the superbowl. He revlusionized the game. He is the prototype that football use to gauge Inside linebackers. Are they smart, fast, have good leverage and can they cover out of the back field. He had 4 Ints in the 1969 superbowl. Read up guys
2007-05-15 04:53:43 · answer #1 · answered by Phame 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There have been so many great LB's I don't think you can narrow it down to just one. I'm not sure who you're reffering to in your question but this is my list below:
By far the most prolific, the meanest, most intense linebackers:
Dick Butkus (60's)
Jack Lambert (70's)
Lawrence Taylor (80's)
Nobody struck fear into the hearts of QB's and RB's than these three men. They are easily the greatest LB's of their respective decades.
The 90's saw some great LB's as well. Two of the best:
Ken Norton Jr.
Junior Seau
Today Brian Urlacher is easily the best LB in the business.
As far as a great LB who is not very well known:
David Wilcox (1964 - 1974 San Francisco 49ers - also drafted by Houston Oilers of the AFL) Nicknamed “The Intimidator” for aggressive style of play. He's considered by many to be finest outside linebacker of his era.
By the way: for the guys above - Charles Haley and Reggie White were not Linebackers, they were Defensive Ends.
2007-05-15 03:32:20 · answer #2 · answered by blue26 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best LB of all time is the original LT, Lawrence Taylor. Say what you want about the off field issues, attitude and the drugs, but LT changed linebacking forever.
Now my FAVORITE linebacker of all time is Sam Mills. He was a guy who just played great football, very humble, very professional. I hated to see him leave the Saints and he will always be remembered by loyal Saints fans. He went on to play for Carolina for a few years and he eventually died from cancer. We lost a GREAT MAN that day who just happened to be an outstanding NFL Middle Linebacker.
2007-05-15 03:34:05 · answer #3 · answered by Quiet Storm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Greatest trio I ever saw is a toss-up between Lambert, Ham & Russell of the Steelers & Caffey, Robinson, & Nitschke of the Packers. To me, the greatest all around MLB has to be Jack Lambert. He pass covered like a corner, stopped the run like a psychotic brick wall & never weighed more than 220lbs. during his entire carrier. The guy never missed games, played hurt & turned a Super Bowl around against the Cowboys by suplexing Cliff Harris after Harris tried to intimidate the Steeler's kicker (Gerrella). Jack had a habit of rising to the occasion & playing above himself & taking the Steel Curtain with him. A great leader!
2007-05-15 09:10:01 · answer #4 · answered by preacher55 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well right now i'd say ray lewis is the best. all time definitely lawrence taylor. but my fave was the trio of linebackers for the saints, rickey jackson, sam mills, and pat swilling in the late 80's and early 90's. they carried a bad saints team to the playoffs a couple of times. and all 3 were pro bowlers at the same time. thats the best corps i can remember. and if you add vaughn johnson, that makes FOUR pro bowl linebackers on the saints, in 1992.
2007-05-15 02:51:05 · answer #5 · answered by jizdepski 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Middle Linebacker? Butkus is the definitive guy at the position. Outside linebacker? I hated the guy (mainly because he beat my Bears) but Lawrence Taylor has to be at the top of a very short list.-
2007-05-15 02:38:27 · answer #6 · answered by tornadomediaman 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White are the best linebackers to ever play the game...period...OK, so Reggie White was actually a DE, but he did line up at LB sometimes...Taylor was the best...
2007-05-15 03:26:56 · answer #7 · answered by Terry C. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well as a duo I used to love Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene. Yeah it was great with the two and not sure either would have been the best on their own they were great with each other, now I wouldn't say they were the greatest though. Honestly I doubt that I saw the greatest though, started watching in like the mid-90s.
2007-05-15 02:27:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My all-time favorite is Lawrence Taylor. My favorite currently is Al Wilson, former MLB for the Denver Broncos.
GO BRONCOS!!
2007-05-15 06:08:40 · answer #9 · answered by Ro Daddy 56 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is 100% Jack Lambert. He was a beast when game time hit and would never let up. He played a mental game as well as a physical getting into the QBs head before the play got off screaming and hollaring "IM GOING TO RIP YOUR HEAD OFF!!!"
2007-05-15 02:49:41 · answer #10 · answered by Yeezy 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋