The Linebacker has long been one of my favorite positions to watch. Growing up a Chargers fan during the nineties, I like many of you, had to suffer through some bad years. Sure there were bright spots; the 94 season was one of them. But really, being a Chargers fan was about being a fan of the players. Guys like Rodney Harrison, Normand Hand, Natrone Means, heck even Curtis Conway! But for me personally there wasn't any Charger or player in the NFL who I loved to watch as much as Junior Seau. He was worth the price of admission. He could fire up the crowd like no other with his lightning bolt fist pump thing he did. Naturally I've become pretty fond of watching linebackers play, and Junior had a lot to do with it. So it was a lot of fun looking around at each team and coming up with what I feel are the top 10 linebackers in the league.
Here are the top 10 linebackers in the NFL, according to BoltHype:
[UPDATED for the 2009 Regular season]
1. Demarcus WareDemarcus Ware is now without question the best linebacker in the NFL. Amazing pass rush skills, yes...but Ware is not one dimensional. He can do it all.
2. Brian UrlacherUrlacher didn't have his best season in 2008, but you can blame his defensive line for not keeping him clean. He has the talent to be the league's best defensive player.
3. Patrick WillisAs someone who already has over 300 tackles in his first 2 seasons, Willis figures to be among the NFL's leading tacklers for years and a perennial All-Pro.
4. Shawne MerrimanIt's hard to drop Merriman down this low, when he could potentially be ranked as high as #1. The sackmaster needs to bounce back from an injury year.
5. Rey LewisLewis is getting older and has certainly lost a step, but he makes up for it with his on-field leadership and his experience. He'll still put you into the ground.
6. Joey PorterHe does a lot of talking on the field, but just check his stats... the man produces. Porter is one of the more savy pass rushers in the game.
7. James HarrisonNFL fans were introduced to the pitbull that James Harrison is on the football field. The reigning Defensive Player of the year plays with a chip on his shoulder.
8. Kirk MorrisonA bright spot on a disappointing team, Morrison is the leader of a very underrated defensive unit. Always around the ball, he shows veteran instincts at a young age.
9. Jon BeasonThe Carolina Panthers have a heat-seaking missile in Jon Beason. Active and aggressive, Beason has 200+ tackles in two seasons and plays well in coverage.
10. James FarriorUnderrated and behind the shadow of many great Steeler defenders, Farrior is the stabilizer in the middle of that unit. He deserves to be mentioned among the better inside linebackers in the NFL.
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So what do you guys think? Any glaring omissions? Someone ranked way too high? Share your thoughts in the comments below [Keep in mind that the list has been updated since it was originally published last year]:
San Diego Union - Tribune
36 comments:
Lofa Tatupu should be in the top ten
Patrick Willis should also be on there.. I agree with damonster.. Lofa should also be in the top 10 also.. and don't for get about Burgess from Oakland..
Jason Taylor isn't even a LB?
Jason Taylor is not a LB he is a defensive end. Tayler whould probably number one in the top defensive ends. Lofa Tatupu should be in the top ten and also dallas cowboys new addition of Zack Thomas.
Jason Taylor plays LB in the 3-4 defense. He would play linebacker on a 3-4 team and D End on a 4-3...just like Demarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman would. But the Dolphins are going to the 3-4 full time this season, and assuming Taylor remains on the team, he'll be playing linebacker.
Ok, so once again, since he has never played in a 3-4 as a LB, He is STILL a DE, Im not willing to say he would be in the top 10 LB's just because Miami switched their Defense... There is alot more responibility to playing LB in the 3-4 that differs from playing DE in a 4-3...
Leave it to a Charger fan to capitalize "offense" in the Shawn Merriman write-up. Is this a blog or the work of a 3rd grader? GO BRONCOS!!!
@Bronco Fan
what if I were to tell you... both?
Ray lewis not in top 10? wow... lol I mean of course he's getting older... but still... Ray Lewis...
Ray Lewis is too good not to be in the top 10..... he is a future hall of famer.
wow what a crime Jon Beason should be in the top 10 he is the best MLB in the league after Ray Lewis
Well I mean Ray Lewis, James Farrior, James Harrison, Joey Porter and Lofa Tatupu have to be in the Top 10 no?
Excuse me but second the best MLB or ILB in the NFL is James Farrior.
to the 2 retards that cant read....Patrick Willis is #3 and Jon Beason is #9......a little education can go a long way!
haha to the retard that posted that last one...this is an updated post. This same article was up last year with different linebackers in different places. Thats why they said that. The author just updated it for this year and the same comments were still on it.
3 to four of you should learn to read.
Ok... LOL! I guess I should learn to read a little deaper into it too.
How about a list of the Top Ten CHARGER linebackers of all-time?!? We've had some very interesting players here, even if you exclude the one that was probably the Greatest linebacker to have ever played the game, Junior Seau. Any takers or voters? Speak now gentlemen (and possible ladies), or forever hold your tongues.
And how about a list of the Ten Worst linebackers to play here? Or is that too cruel?
Many have labored in relative obscurity here, but there have been some wonderful players at the position: Donnie Edwards, Marty Schottenheimer (joke: Marty was a 7th-round draft pick as a linebacker for Pittsburgh), or maybe Lowe? Merriman's a given as Great, but besides him..., hmmm.
Demeco Ryans should be in the top ten, he's the best coverage MLB next to Urlacher and he racks up 100+ tackles every year, not to mention the only real other talent on that front seven is Mario Williams. Farrior is old, he played in one of the best defenses in the league for the last couple years and he's never done anything spectacular, i can't believe he's on the top ten. Seriously, that team pushes everything to the midddle because of their superb play by outside LBs, thats why he racks up 90 tackles a year. I say you move Ray to number ten, take Farrior off the list, put Ryans in and have Tatupu as an Honorable mention.
i think jon beason deserves to be on this list
where is terrell suggs????
Yo beason is on the list and so is Willis are you people blind!
CHAD GREENWAY AND EJ HENDERSON BOIIIIII!!!!!
we goin to the superbowl..
GOOOOO VIKINGS!!!!!
let's not forget jerod mayo of the patriots!
There are some great linebackers on this list. Ray Lewis is good and has great leadership, but I do agree that he should be replaced with Lofa Tatupu. With James Farrior, he is good but as the author said its hard to judge someones greatness when they are on a DEFENSE that has so many players that make so many plays. He has Harrison and Troy P around him. Demeco Ryans is another MLB that could arguably be on this list too.
p willis #1 he is back 2 back pro bowler
james harrison should be in top three
man ray lewis should be in #1:) u all know what i am saying ?
Demarcus Ware!! Its not even a question whethers hes the best LB in the league, he has everything.
merriman on this list thats a joke and im a hardcore maryland fan..
where in hades is demecco ryans?
also urlacher at two? for real?
this list is a joke...
Kirk Morrison... Raiders all the way
london fletcher should be up there because he has been the league leader in tackles for the last decade.
Beware of Demarcus Ware
Keith Bulluck bitches, long overlooked
now that elvis dumerville is a LB...he should at least round out the top 10
#1 sack leading LB not on the list?
carlos dansby?
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