Top 10 Linebackers of All Time | NFL Highlights - YouTube Lanier was one of two Hall of Famers in the Kansas City linebacker corps during his era, alongside Bobby Bell, but it was Lanier who led the defense from his middle linebacker spot. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the top pick for Commanders General Manager Martin Mayhew, left, and . Brugler had both Wisconsin's Nick Herbig and Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o ranked ahead of Williams. Super Bowl I champion No player has been as consistent on the defensive side of the ball, start to finish, as Ray Lewis was in his 17 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens. After being considered by most teams too small, the Boston Patriots selected Nick Buoniconti with the teams 13th round selection. 1976 Defensive Player of the Year It was a good fit. However, it is often looked past how important the middle linebacker position is to the defensive side of the ball with many teams using this position to help command the defense. For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). Born: June 28, 1936 (Wheeling, West Virginia), High school: Warwood High School (Wheeling, West Virginia), NFL career: 15 seasons (1958-60, 1961-73), Teams: Chicago Bears (1958-59), Dallas Cowboys (1961-73), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1971), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (1970), six-time Pro Bowl (1965-69, 1971), six-time Pro Bowl (1966-71). The Greatest Steelers Linebackers of All Time The Steelers are known for hard-hitting, relentless defense. Born: Aug. 17, 1949 (New Orleans, Louisiana), Died: Dec. 6, 2018 (age 69, Dallas, Texas), High school: Covington High School (Covington, Louisiana), Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1971-78), Buffalo Bills (1979-82), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1971-77), six-time All-Pro (1971, 1973-77), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1971). College Football's Top 50 Linebackers of the BCS Era Related:NFL Teams With Most Hall of Famers. Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears (1965-73)Hall of Fame, Class of 1979 Born: Sept. 1, 1960 (Seattle, Washington), High school: Edina West High School (Edina, Minnesota), Career highlights: Six-time Pro Bowl (1985-87, 1989, 1991, 1993), four-time All-Pro (1985-87, 1989). London Fletcher, St. Louis Rams (1998-2001), Buffalo Bills (02-06), Washington Redskins (07-12) On offense, he played center, and on defense, he was a linebacker, where he earned a reputation as one of the most devastating tacklers of all time. NEW! Les Richter was an amazing football player and had size and speed that could have landed him on NFL rosters in any era. During his playing days he helped lead the Chiefs to win Super Bowl IV 23-7 over the Minnesota Vikings in a game that many gave the Chiefs zero chance of winning. Born: Aug. 13, 1941 (Fort Bragg, North Carolina), High school: Hampton High School (Hampton, Virginia), Team: Washington Football Team (formerly Washington Redskins), Career highlights: Nine-time Pro Bowl (1966-69, 1972-76), six-time All-Pro (1969, 1972-76), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011). Lambert, who the Pittsburgh Steelers selected with the 46th pick during the 1974 NFL draft, showcased his abilities during his rookie season in route to helping solidify the Steelers defense and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Behind Lawrence Taylor, Andre Tippett was the most dominant NFL linebacker in the 1980s. Vince Lombardis leader on defense, Nitschke (No. During his AFL career, Buoniconti earned six AFL All-Star honors and five First Team All-AFL. 2 Time Super Bowl Champion (VII, VIII) American Football League All Time Team 9.) It didn't slow Mills' production, and he made three Pro Bowls and five Pro Bowls despite spending his first five seasons elsewhere. James Harrison Pittsburgh 2002, '04-12, '14-17; Cincinnati 2013; New England 2017 4-time All-Pro, 5-time Pro Bowler Super Bowl. The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Posted 8 Days Ago 1. Butkus punished ball carriers and crushed spirits. Karl Mecklenburg was a throwaway pick by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL draft and ended up being one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history and definitely the greatest pure inside linebacker. Super Bowl XXXV champion Super Bowl X champion 25 Greatest Middle Linebackers in NFL History Chicago Bears: 15 greatest linebackers of all time - Da Windy City Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (1996-2008) Keeping all aspects of the job in mind, we rank the top 25 greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. 1970 Defensive Player of the Year Bernard is physically similar to Williams at 6-foot-1, 228 pounds and played outside linebacker in 4-3 looks and was off-the-ball when he subbed in for Matt Milano at times last season. He was so well regarded by those around him that when the Giants faced the Broncos in the Super Bowl, Carson walked out to face nine Broncos captains thinking he was one of three, but head coach Bill Parcells and his teammates decided to send Carson out by himself as a show of respect. Something else inside of Lambert, best defined by the toothless, screaming pictures of him during games when he took out his dentures, made him the toughest. 2009 NFL Butkus Award winner He's also already made six All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls and banked almost $100 million in career earnings. With the third-most sacks in NFL history, there's no question Kevin Greene belongs among the best linebackers of all-time. 8-time Pro Bowler George died in a car accident in 1982, at 53 years old. 54 out there, you knew the team at least had a chance to win because of him. This article explores the franchise's top 10 linebackers of all time. He only played on teams with winning records three times in his career and only made two playoff appearances. Ray Lewis For starters, Lewis has the most combined tackles in NFL history (2,059). Pappoe is a well-rounded linebacker whose speed stands out as a major strength of his on tape. After being selected with the third overall pick, Butkus would go on to make eight Pro Bowl teams during his nine year career. There's a lot of reasons to love the way Dave Robinson played football mainly because he was a winner. Edwards' name jumps off the page when you look at the NFL career leaders list for tackles, where he clocks in at No. It is hard not to put Ray Lewis at the top of this list as the top Middle Linebacker All-Time. Lee Roy Jordan was undersized, at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, but made up for it in talent and drive. Bobby Bell could do it all. That includes Super Bowl wins in 2000 and 2012, with the latter coming in Lewis' final game. Robertson died in a car accident in 2018, at 69 years old. No NFL team has the linebacker tradition of the Bears, who boast Hall of Famers Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Urlacher and Mack, a future Hall of Famer, among their all-time greats. Nobis was the first overall pick in the 1966 NFL draft and the first player picked by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. But what sets the great ones apart from the rest of the pack? Lambert's size and speed and ability to control a game from the middle linebacker position made him one of the greatest players of all time. Report: Cardinals decline to pick up Isaiah Simmons' 5th-year option Cornelius Bennett forced a trade from the Colts to the Bills after being drafted in 1987 and was one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the next decade-plus. 2-time first-team All-Pro But for all his individual success, he never made the playoffs.4. Super Bowl VII champion In 11 dominant NFL seasons, Dave Wilcox only missed one game due to injury and confounded opposing offenses with his ability to elude blocks at the most basic level. They have the ability to rush the passer while also stepping back into coverage and shutting down passing lanes for opposing quarterbacks. Hall of Fame, Class of 1982 And he is the only middle linebacker to win multiple Super Bowls and multiple Defensive Player . Kuechly made seven Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro teams, and in 2012, he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The former Miami Hurricanes star was known for his ability to read defenses and his off the field preparation including studying game film to learn about his opponents. Lee Roy Jordan, Dallas Cowboys (1963-76) Willis' career was cut short due to injuries but his legacy on the field is known. Johnson, at 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, was a high school star in Central Texas at Waco High before becoming an All-American at the University of Texas and an NFL All-Pro. High school: Worthing High School (Houston), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1985), 10-time Pro Bowl (1983-82), nine-time All-Pro (1983-91), two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1988), three-time NFC Player of the Year (1984, 1985, 1988), NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (1998). Sadly, Mecklenburg's post-football life has been defined by his battle with brain injuries sustained playing football, and he's part of several concussion-related lawsuits against the NFL. Be the first one to comment on this story. George racked up 18 career interceptions over his career while helping lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL Championship. Nobis played in relative anonymity for his entire NFL career but still put up monster numbers on some really bad teams. 2-time Pro Bowler Willie Lanier played in an era of football best defined by his hitting style which mainly consisted of him trying to put the crown of his helmet through your sternum. 6-time Pro Bowler12. Howley fixed that one minor blip in his resume when he helped lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory in 1970. His talent has already made him a rich, rich man. Kendricks has also recorded 100 plus tackles in each of the past five seasons. Born: Nov. 26, 1953 (Florence, South Carolina), High school: Wilson High School (Florence, South Carolina), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1986), nine-time Pro Bowl (1978, 1979, 1981-87), six-time All-Pro (1978, 1981, 1982, 1984-86), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006). If Dolphins fans felt like they were having flashbacks when Zach Thomas came along to play middle linebacker in the mid-1990s, it's because it wasn't the first time they'd seen an undersized, dominant player leading their defense. In one of the greatest single rounds for any team in NFL draft history, the Rams used their two 1971 first-round picks on Robertson and NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Jack Youngblood. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. He led the University of Minnesota to a national title in 1960, then won two AFL championships and a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs. Karl Mecklenburg, Denver Broncos (1983-94) Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time Photos Home 100 Greatest Photos Game Galleries Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time NFL.com senior analyst and personnel. He was extremely productive from his rookie season in 1981 to his final season in 1993. High school: Clarkstown High School North (New City, New York), Teams: Tennessee Titans (2000-09), New York Giants (2010), Career highlights:Three-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2003, 2007), Pro Bowl (2003). Born: Sept. 29, 1966 (Jacksonville, Illinois), High school: Westchester High School (Los Angeles), Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1988-93) San Francisco 49ers (1994-2000), Career highlights: Three-time Super Bowl champion (1992-94), three-time Pro Bowl (1993, 1995, 1997), two-time All-Pro (1993, 1995). Seau recorded 1,849 career tackles over his career to go along with 56.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 18 interceptions. 1-time first-team All-Pro That was the first of five consecutive seasons with at least 120 tackles. The Best New Orleans Saints Linebackers of All Time - Ranker 5-time first-team All-Pro Ron Rivera must win in 2023. The Commanders have done all they can 6. Featuring some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best Bills LBs include Sam Rogers, Keith Ellison, Shane Conlan, and John Holecek. Paup was a complete linebacker, who was especially great at rushing the passer. Over his career, Lewis helped lead the Ravens to two Super Bowl championships while being named Super Bowl XXXV MVP. High school: Pahokee High School (Pahokee, Florida), Teams: New Orleans Saints (1981-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994-95), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1994), six-time Pro Bowl (1983-86, 1992, 1993), five-time All-Pro (1984-86, 1992, 1993), Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010). Born: April 16, 1982 (Coral Gables, Florida), High school: Coral Gables Senior High School (Coral Gables, Florida), Teams: New York Jets (2004-07), New Orleans Saints (2008-13), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2009), three-time Pro Bowl (2005, 2009, 2010), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2004). Keith Brooking was an understated, dominant player for two teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. Super Bowl XXXIV champion25. Bills middle linebacker race hinges upon where third-round pick Dorian Richter, who died of a brain aneurysm in 2010, had a lengthy career in motorsports after his football career was over and is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Lambert hauled in 28 INTs and scooped up 17 fumble recoveries. Over his career, Bednarick helped guide the Eagles to two NFL Championships while being named to eight Pro Bowl teams and selected eight times as a First Team All-Pro.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); When considering great middle linebackers it is hard to look past another Chicago Bear All-Pro who racked up a pretty solid NFL career. He's not someone who is up for Hall of Fame consideration but his contribution to the game kept defenses afloat on playoff teams for an extended period of time. Fans of the Dallas Cowboys feel the same way about him after he helped lead them to their first Super Bowl win in 1971, the same year he set a team record with 21 tackles. His ability to diagnose plays and shut them down wasn't matched by many. Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick that the Lions weren't even sure would be able to make their roster. His production would not slow as he helped from the Steelers Steel Curtain defense and helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. He beat a double-murder charge before the 2000 season following the stabbing deaths of two men in a fight after a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. How deep was Nitschke in pop culture during his career? After the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have four Alabama linebackers - Will Anderson Jr., Christian Harris, DeMeco Ryans and Henry To'oTo'o - except Ryans is the head coach and . High School: Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas, Texas), Career highlights: Four-time Pro Bowl (1959-62), five-time All-Pro (1959-63), two-time NFL champion (1961, 1962). 6-time Pro Bowler21. Copyright 2023 FanRankings. 5 Patrick Willis Patrick L. Willis is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. For Fortunato, it was Dick Butkus, and for Gradishar, it was Karl Mecklenburg. Les Richter, Los Angeles Rams (1954-62) Introduction An important part of the Buffalo defense, the LB position includes middle or inside linebackers and outside (strong side or weakside) linebackers. Fortunato, who was named one of the Bears 100 Greatest Players, did accomplish one thing that Butkus never would. They changed the way football is played on every level. Over his career, Urlacher was an eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro while racking up 1,086 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 22 interceptions. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. They paled in comparison but were great players in their own right most notably Wilber Marshall. Junior Seau was one of the best players of his generation and one of the best middle linebackers to play the game. He doesn't have overwhelming traits, but he has filled in capably as a . Pat Swilling was part of perhaps the finest assembly of linebackers in NFL history the New Orleans Saints' famous "Dome Patrol" of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Ravens have always been known as a defensive minded team. It is hard to look past Jack Lambert as one of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time based on his career resume and his play on the football field. NFL Draft best available players for Buffalo Bills: Drew Sanders Lewis was the face of the franchise and the energizer of the defensive dominance. They often are the quarterbacks of the defense, and many of them possess physical talents few have ever seen on a football field. Lambert averaged 146 tackles through his first 10 seasons, but only played a handful of games in his 11th season because of a toe injury that led to his retirement. A post shared by Juan Diaz (@juandiaz0620). Take a look at the best photos from the red carpet. Willis, who the 49ers selected during the 2007 NFL draft was as good as any middle linebacker to play the position and one that was gifted with all the athletic abilities to stop the run, cover running backs and tight ends in passing situations and one that could get to the quarterback. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears (2000-12)2005 Defensive Player of the Year The four-year starter for the University of Colorado became a star in the NFL as well, first for the Pittsburgh Steelers, then for the Seattle Seahawks. He was selected to the 1990s All-Decade team. 45:47. Tales of Butkus' exploits would make you think he played several decades in the NFL, but his career was just nine seasons. Inducted into the Hall of Fame as recently as 2016, Greene's career was arguably underrated. One other cool thing about Robinson was what he said about Green Bay Packers coach Dan Devine when he left the team after the 1972 season to play for Washington: "Lombardi was the best coach I ever had. The latest in an historic line of Hall of Fame caliber Bears middle linebackers, Urlacher has produced 41.5 sacks, 22 INTs returned for 324 yards and two TDs, 11 forced fumbles and 15 fumble recoveries returned for 177 yards and one TD during his career. Free and Easy-to-Use Mock Draft Simulator. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. 1-time Pro Bowler 8-time Pro Bowler He might have been the most intimidating human being to ever step on a football field. 5-time NFL Championship Game winner Donnie Edwards was an undersized linebacker who made plays all over the field during a 13-year career in the NFL, first for the Kansas City Chiefs, then for his hometown San Diego Chargers. His production on the field helped earn Seau one Defensive Player of the Year award while being selected to the Pro Bowl team in 12 straight seasons. 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft, Bednarik led the Eagles to a championship in 1949 and in 1960, where he made the game-saving tackle as time ran out. . The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived! Modern football fans might be seeing the name Hardy Nickerson for the first time, but the old heads know him as one of the more dominant linebackers of his era who had the misfortune of playing most of his career with mediocre teams. When it comes to which linebacker should be at the top of the Top 10 Middle Linebackers All-Time, Mike Singletary is well worth consideration for the slot. Featuring 2018-2019 SF 49ers and some of the greatest NFL linebackers of all time, the best 49ers LBs include Mike Walter, Dave Wilcox, Keena Turner, Willie Harper, and Julian Peterson. Porter's 40% forced incompletion rate in 2022 led all Power Five cornerbacks. Veteran A.J. Born: Nov. 18, 1964 (Spring Valley, New York), High school: Spring Valley High School (Spring Valley, New York), Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1986-93), Arizona Cardinals (1994-96), Green Bay Packers (1997), Denver Broncos (1998), Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (1998), three-time Pro Bowl (1991, 1993, 1994), three-time All-Pro (1991-93). If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. owley missed the rest of 1959 and all of 1960 before attempting a comeback in 1961 with the Cowboys, where he became a six-time Pro Bowler and the only player to win Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors while playing on the losing team. Sam Huff, New York Giants (1956-63), Washington Redskins (64-69) Born: April 6, 1973 (San Diego, California), High school: Chula Vista High School (Chula Vista, California), Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1996-2001, 2007-08), San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Career highlights: Two-time NFL All-Pro (2002, 2004), Pro Bowl (2002). Top 10 NFL linebackers of all time | The TwinSpires Edge But he'll always be best known for his role on the Bears' Super Bowl-winning team of 1985 that featured arguably the best defense in NFL history. Born: Jan. 9, 1969 (Oceanside, California), Died: May 2, 2012 (age 43, Oceanside, California), High school: Oceanside High School (Oceanside, California), Teams: San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (2003-05), New England Patriots (2006-09), Career highlights: 12-time Pro Bowl (1991-2002), 10-time All-Pro (1991-2000), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992), NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame (2015). And that dance. But it's worth pointing out that he was much more than a football player. Ranking 49ers' undrafted rookies, who are led by do-everything Jack He was a two-time Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants, who he played for during each of his 13 NFL seasons. On paper, Gradishar's resume was much better than Mecklenburg's career accolades. 3-time first-team All-Pro Bednarik, who the Philadelphia Eagles selected with the first overall pick in the 1949 NFL Draft, helped build the Eagles into a defensive power house. 12-time Pro Bowler 3-time first-team All-Pro Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2012) 2000 Defensive Player of. Houston Texans loaded with linebackers from Alabama - al.com 1988 Defensive Player of the Year His production continued in the NFL where he was a two time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Miami Dolphins while earning the Dolphins team MVP award in three different seasons.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); The Chicago Bears middle linebacker is just one of many great middle linebackers that have played in the NFL and for the team. Super Bowl XXXV MVP Buoniconti, who was also a practicing attorney, died in 2019 at 78 years old. Over his career, Bednarick helped guide the Eagles to two NFL Championships while being named to eight Pro Bowl teams and selected eight times as a First Team All-Pro. This list explores these reasons by looking at the three greatest middle linebackers of all time. Tiania Baul "Junior" Seau was a football unicorn a linebacker who played 20 seasons in the NFL and dominated almost every step of the way. One thing Spikes never did? Chuck Bednarik, Philadelphia Eagles (1949-62)Hall of Fame, Class of 1967 Staff writer. Top 10 Linebackers in New York Giants History - Sports Illustrated The 10-time All-Pro earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards in six seasons (1981-1982, 1986). pic.twitter.com/wy2S8g98pb. Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the 1959 season with the Chicago Bears. 8-time Pro Bowler Top 5 Middle Linebackers of All-Time - Sportskeeda It was the second title in franchise history for the Bucs, and the three-time NFL All-Pro doesn't seem to be slowing down even in his 10th season. Over his career, George was an eight time Pro Bowler and eight time First Team All-Pro. He finished his career with 458 tackles, 65.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, nine . Levis has supreme arm talent and an ultra . Buoniconti would go on to register 32 interceptions over his career between the AFL and NFL. Alongside Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson, Swilling wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. Over his career, Lambert recorded 1,479 career tackles with 28 interceptions and 23.5 career sacks. Others: Darien Butler, Amari Burney, Kana'i Mauga , Drake Thomas. Many of the games greatest players have been the man in the middle who called the shots in the huddle before turning into tackling machines and splash-playmakers from sideline-to-sideline once the ball was snapped. Top 10 Middle Linebackers in NFL 2021 Rankings April 30, 2023 at 5:05 p.m. EDT. The best high school, college and NFL linebackers are annually presented with the Butkus Award, named in honor of arguably the greatest linebacker possibly the best defensive player to ever put on a helmet. Urlachers legacy was secure after leading Chicago to the NFC title in 200611. Analysis by Sam Fortier. Mills, just 5-foot-9, played in the Canadian Football League and then was one of the USFL's greatest players before making the leap to the NFL. Super Bowl XIII champion But assistant coach Vince Lombardi tracked him down at the airport and convinced him to come back, and defensive coordinator Tom Landry made the decision to move him to middle linebacker. 9-time Pro Bowler 29) Bryce Paup. Darryl Talley was a physical and athletic marvel during his playing career, and his consistency was truly something to behold. While some of the linebackers on this list probably wouldn't even get a second look in today's NFL because of their size, Wilcox (who's the father of Cal head coach Justin Wilcox) is actually the opposite. Super Bowl XXI champion16. Nitschke died of a massive heart attack in Florida in 1998, when he was 61 years old. He also finished his career with 25 interceptions and 24 sacks. Brown played on two teams that came up just short of winning a Super Bowl, with the Pittsburgh Steelers losing in the big game following the 1995 season and the New England Patriots following the 2007 season. 66) and Bart Starr (No. 13 on the all-time list Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also is the Bills' career leading tackler. The No. Hall of Fame, Class of 1973 The most famous member of the No Name Defense, Buoniconti is alleged to be the ringleader of the 1972 Dolphins annual champagne toast when the last undefeated team loses each season.10. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is both a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team and the 100th Anniversary Team. 8-time first-team All-Pro The two-time Super Bowl champ is one of the greatest overall defenders in NFL history. Here are my top 10 linebackers: 1. Lance Briggs did one thing that's highly unusual for an NFL linebacker in the modern era he played his entire career for the same team. He played 13 seasons for his hometown San Diego Chargers and became perhaps the greatest sports icon in the history of San Diego alongside Padres Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. That year was the first of two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards for Singletary, who won again in 1988. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The Packers were an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball with the defensive playing a key role in the teams success. Sam Huff almost left his rookie training camp with the New York Giants when coaches couldn't find a position for him.