Greatest linebackers in NFL history (1 Viewer)

[MSUSousaphone]

.......trying to figure out which of Bobby Wagner's family members wrote this.....

 

[saintmdterps]

One other factor to consider; can you imagine Butkus, Curtis, etc with the off-season training regimen that today's players have?

I had a mildly demented patient some years ago who was in her 80's. She hears us talking about football and says "My cousin played football" We ask if he played in college or the pro's? She responds, "Yes, he played in the NFL for quite a while. Maybe you heard of him? His name was Arthur Donovan"

He cousin was Artie Donovan, HOF O-lineman for the Baltimore Colts. We about fell over.

This story is relevant to the post because I remember Donovan describing his off-season training routine as "Getting a couple pizza pies, a case of beer, then sitting under a tree and blowing up"

 

[Randy Jones]

This list is flawed in that they are comparing rush specialists to every down lbs. Some of those guys were 1 trick ponies.

 

[faceman]

One other factor to consider; can you imagine Butkus, Curtis, etc with the off-season training regimen that today's players have?

I had a mildly demented patient some years ago who was in her 80's. She hears us talking about football and says "My cousin played football" We ask if he played in college or the pro's? She responds, "Yes, he played in the NFL for quite a while. Maybe you heard of him? His name was Arthur Donovan"

He cousin was Artie Donovan, HOF O-lineman for the Baltimore Colts. We about fell over.

This story is relevant to the post because I remember Donovan describing his off-season training routine as "Getting a couple pizza pies, a case of beer, then sitting under a tree and blowing up"

You need to read the book "Fatso" by Donovan if you are a fan of NFL history. The stories he tells in the book and on
several appearances on the tonight show with Johnny Carson are classics. My favorite was the Colts practiced on a
field surrounded by high grass. The grass was also home for rattlesnakes. When a ball landed in the grass, we sent the
equipment manager after it. He had a wooden leg and we figured he had a 50% greater chance of not getting bit.

 

[onanygivensunday]

I get your point because it’s always been tough to compare players out of 3-4 vs 4-3 for both lineman and LBs. They just have different assignments. but what’s the alternative? Count them as lineman? That list would be most suspicious if it did not include Taylor, would it not?

My idea is to rank just the middle LBers by themselves... and also rank what I call the Sack Artists by themselves, regardless of whether or not they played with their hand in the dirt or played outside in 3-4 schemes.

So Taylor, Miller, Greene, White, Suggs and the like would all be ranked together... and a second ranking of the likes of Butkus, Lewis, George, Lanier and Wagner. Two lists.

 

[Zack Lee]

My idea is to rank just the middle LBers by themselves... and also rank what I call the Sack Artists by themselves, regardless of whether or not they played with their hand in the dirt or played outside in 3-4 schemes.

So Taylor, Miller, Greene, White, Suggs and the like would all be ranked together... and a second ranking of the likes of Butkus, Lewis, George, Lanier and Wagner. Two lists.

I could see that as well. I think the key for me however is to just realize that the purpose of these things is never more than for the sake of conversation. It’s just not possible to reach consensus when comparing different generations and yet people will argue like it’s absolutely possible. Best example for us is with QBs. I’m just glad we had one that is a legit part of the conversation

 

[UFCSaint]

You need to read the book "Fatso" by Donovan if you are a fan of NFL history. The stories he tells in the book and on
several appearances on the tonight show with Johnny Carson are classics. My favorite was the Colts practiced on a
field surrounded by high grass. The grass was also home for rattlesnakes. When a ball landed in the grass, we sent the
equipment manager after it. He had a wooden leg and we figured he had a 50% greater chance of not getting bit.

I used to love his appearances on Letterman.

 

[NOFALCONS10]

1) Scott Shanle
2)Ray Lewis
3)Lawrence Taylor
4)Kevin Greene
5)Jack Lambert

 

[moe1967]

Vaughan Johnson​

 

[St.Dan]

Rickey won a championship with the Niners, Super Bowl XXIX.

Yeah….that one almost doesn’t count. He played only fraction of the snaps. Also, the Niners eventually got dinged by the league for violating the salary cap. They had a ton of veteran castoffs riding the bench (mostly) in an effort to cash in and win a ring. Toi Cook was also on that team.

 

[IceHot]

One other factor to consider; can you imagine Butkus, Curtis, etc with the off-season training regimen that today's players have?

I had a mildly demented patient some years ago who was in her 80's. She hears us talking about football and says "My cousin played football" We ask if he played in college or the pro's? She responds, "Yes, he played in the NFL for quite a while. Maybe you heard of him? His name was Arthur Donovan"

He cousin was Artie Donovan, HOF O-lineman for the Baltimore Colts. We about fell over.

This story is relevant to the post because I remember Donovan describing his off-season training routine as "Getting a couple pizza pies, a case of beer, then sitting under a tree and blowing up"

D-Lineman actually. Played with one of history's best all-time defensive front 4. Speaking of which I wonder what Big Daddy Lipscomb would have done with heroin and coke replaced with proper diet, athletic training, and modern technique.

Its almost a shame Art was so good at storytelling. It really overshadows how good he was at taking on the double team.

 

[joejr]

Yeah….that one almost doesn’t count. He played only fraction of the snaps. Also, the Niners eventually got dinged by the league for violating the salary cap. They had a ton of veteran castoffs riding the bench (mostly) in an effort to cash in and win a ring. Toi Cook was also on that team.

It counts just like any other game. He has a ring & the niners have a Super Bowl championship. He also started the game. Congratulations to Cook too I didn't know he was on that team. Rickey was the only reason I watched the game because I knew the niners were gonna kill the chargers.

 

[Randy Jones]

Ok. Finally got through this highly flawed list. How do you rate the best lbs of all time and leave off Ray Nitschke. 11 time first team All Pro 5 times second team all pro. 50 year All time team and 75 year All time team. Tommy Nobis should also be in here.

 

[OneBigEasy!!]

Vaughan Johnson​

Highly Underated!!! RIP “Meat”

 

[boo-boo]

Everyone always talks about how old guys couldn't play with guys today due to rules. How about putting these new guys in the past eras.

The game back then was alot more brutal and alot funner to watch.