Top 10 Linebackers In The NFL [2009 Edition]

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 Ware
Demarcus 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 Urlacher
Urlacher 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 Willis
As 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 Merriman
It'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 Lewis
Lewis 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 Porter
He 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 Harrison
NFL 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 Morrison
A 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 Beason
The 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 Farrior
Underrated 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.


--

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]: