Ham’s two interceptions versus the Oakland Raiders in the 1974 AFC Championship live on in Pittsburgh lore as the beginning of the Steelers’ dynasty. Even if we're only considering outside linebackers, as we shall do this week in our continuing series to select the All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, there are still many outstanding candidates from which to choose. These men played in different eras, but they’re all Hall of Fame players (including the men at Nos. All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team: Nominated Inside Linebackers The nominations are presented in alphabetical order. NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest linebackers in NFL history. Lewis was a defensive coordinator in a linebacker’s body. At middle linebacker, Jack Lambert set the tone for the gritty Pittsburgh Steel Curtain defense. He did a little bit of everything on defense. Next: He led one of the greatest defenses of all time. Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection. Home record: 9-15. At 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, Bell reportedly clocked a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash while wearing tennis shoes. Imagine a 6-foot-3, 235-pound man wearing a No. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. His technical know-how and workman-like approach to the game of football were the perfect fit for the blue-collar Steel City. The Washington Redskins have had several linebackers that could impact a game from the outset over their illustrious history. 2020 Buccaneers Position Preview: Linebackers The 2020 Position Preview series rolls on today with a look at Tampa Bay’s talented group of linebackers. Levon Kirkland. NFL: 10 Records That No One Has Been Able to Break He. He had 13 sacks, 23 interceptions, and 788 combined tackles. Next: He made a lot of opponents say ‘Ow.’. As an eight-year captain, Lambert led a cast of characters that included L.C. He finished his Hall of Fame career with 27 interceptions, all of which came between 1968 and 1976. In 1969, Willie Lanier’s emotional leadership sparked his defense to a goal-line stand in a win against the Jets in the AFL divisional game en route to the Super Bowl IV title. The Hall of Fame player racked up 1,297 tackles during his career, but he was a dangerous pass defender, too. With the 1985 Bears, Singletary helped limit offenses to a miserly 12.4 points per game and steamrolled opponents to a 15-1 record on the way to 46-10 win in Super Bowl XX. Defending against the pass, Lambert had both the speed to go man-to-man with tight ends and running backs and the awareness to sit back in the soft zone to crush wide receivers across the middle. Many of the all-time great Buccaneers will maintain direct links to these Dungy/Gruden glory years. The Buccaneers held the Saints to season lows in yards passing (189) and yards rushing (82), completion percentage (61.3%) yards per play (4.1) and first downs (18) — … All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team: Nominated Outside Linebackers. Since the team's defensive history is split almost exactly between a 3-4 front (1976-90) and a 4-3 alignment (1991-2003), the All-Time Buccaneers Team will feature four linebackers and four defensive linemen.). Robert Laberge/Getty Images 1. He played 11 years for the Buccaneers before signing with the Denver Broncos. With his buzz cut, reliability, and proclivity to inflict pain, Dick Butkus was a true Monster of the Midway. This time he put together his list of the 45 greatest linebackers of all time. One of the greatest Tampa Bay Buccaneers players is also one of the greatest NFL linebackers ever. Please review their qualifications and vote for two linebackers in the poll to the right. Both are among the greatest NFL linebackers ever. To review the positions discussed so far, visit the All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team home page. 66 Packers jersey wagging an unforgiving finger on the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field while bearing a toothless scowl. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. In this scheme, the Bears overloaded the line of scrimmage in all-out attack mode — so Singletary could roam free and take out the trash. Mike Singletary was the face of the Chicago Bears’ 46 defense run by coordinator Buddy Ryan. The inside linebackers will get their vote, eventually. In Baltimore, he was the traditional centerpiece for a Ravens franchise that has prided itself on stout defense. In pass coverage, Bell was at his best, as he recorded 26 interceptions for six touchdowns over his 12-year career with the Chiefs. He could have signed for more money with other teams but stayed in Tampa. Among them were three members of the Dome Patrol who helped boost the team from a disastrous 1-15 campaign in 1980. All-time Receiving Leader: Mike Evans 510 rec, 7,873 yds, 59 TD All-time Passing Leader: Jameis Winston 1,563/2,548, 19,737 yds, 121 TD . finished up his career with 132.5 sacks. Sam Eguavoen From 1976-90, the Buccaneers made a common practice of selecting linebackers early in the draft, spending a dozen first, second or third-round picks on linebackers over that 15-year span, in part because their 3-4 defensive front required the position to be well-stocked. Butkus fell victim to his own recklessness and the limitations of medical science of the day. Gruber was the best player on some horrible teams. From 1993 to 2003, that he anchored the Buccaneers’ secondary with the kind of Rondae Barber. © Copyright 2020 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. That's tied with Bobby Bell and Karlos Dansby for the most among linebackers. © TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at a relatively light 220 pounds, Lambert prided himself upon taking on blockers and dishing out punishment. Derrick Brooks was one of the most technically sound linebackers of his era. Before retiring, Bell went on to win two AFL titles and one Super Bowl championship. David is the Bucs all-time leader in tackles for loss. Nitschke was quick to deliver a forearm shiver and brawl at the point of attack. His overall impact on the franchise as a member of the famed 1997 and 1999 defenses cements Nickerson’s status as one of the top 5 Greatest All-Time Buccaneers. It’s a crime he never made a Pro Bowl, yet he was an All-Pro in 1991 and 1992. He started 167 of a possible 173 games during his 13-year career, so he was always ready to play. Formed in 1976, the Buccaneers had some really, really bad teams for the first part of its history. Ask opposing defenses if he could play. Felled by injuries, he retired from the game of football as the greatest middle linebacker of all time — having mastered his position with a controlled rage. He was versatile, able to line up as a linebacker or a defensive end, but he primarily played linebacker during a career spent with the Rams, Steelers, Panthers, and 49ers. Next: A goon who was one of the greatest NFL linebackers of any era. Kirkland rounds out an All-Time great group of linebackers that easily has snubs. He had 13 sacks, 23 interceptions, and 788 combined tackles. He seemed to relish inflicting physical pain on every opponent. For Nitschke, the dominance included his very own MVP performance in the 1962 NFL Championship Game, when he recorded several tackles, two fumble recoveries, and one batted ball that led to an interception in a 16-7 win versus the New York Giants. Early-round picks have less commonly been used on linebackers in the '90s and the new millennium, but the Bucs have still made several strong hits, most notably that of Derrick Brooks in 1995. At the high school and collegiate levels, Bell was an award-winning halfback, quarterback, and tackle. 56 also mastered the timeless art of the strip-sack, where he would crush a pocket passer and hammer out the football in one fell swoop; a play which usually resulted in him scooping up the loose ball and galloping toward the end zone for six. So good they named an award after him. In 2000, Lewis willed the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl win by limiting opponents to a measly 10 points per game. Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection. All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team home page. We’ll start with the most retirees as we count down to No. Between the tackles, Nitschke controlled the front seven for Vince Lombardi during a dynasty run that resulted in three NFL Championship wins and the first two Super Bowl victories over the course of his 15-year Hall of Fame career. The two Wisconsin linebackers finished their time at the college level in leading a top-10 defense and accumulating honors. Bobby Bell was one of the greatest athletes ever to play professional football. He finished with 25 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns in 2002, the season in which Tampa’s defense powered the team to a Super Bowl win. Get Random Greatest Linebackers of All Time - The greatest linebackers of all time are not only the best NFL players to ever play the linebacker position but also some of the most respected and most feared football players of all time. The Buccaneers placed specialists Ryan Succop, Bradley Pinion and Zach Triner on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, which was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com. All-Time Lists. After college, he was drafted by Kansas City Chiefs. The nominations are presented in alphabetical order. He started 166 of a possible 169 games during his career, during which he snagged 20 interceptions, was an eight-time Pro-Bowler, a five-time All-Pro, and a 1967 Hall of Fame selection. Opposing offenses quickly discovered it was impossible to scheme against this kind of greatness. Your votes will determine who makes the team at the position, although the results will not be announced until the entire team is revealed near the beginning of the 2004 season. Fans are enthused about his return to Tampa Bay as the team’s linebackers coach on Lovie Smith’s staff. How good of a football player was Chuck Bednarik? According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Willie Lanier was the first African-American to start at middle linebacker in professional football. Together, Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David comprise arguably the NFL's best linebacking duo of 2020 … By Bailey Adams @BaileyJAdams22 Jul … At middle linebacker, Lanier quarterbacked the defense for his Kansas City Chiefs between 1967 and 1977. A member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 14 seasons, Brooks intercepted 25 passes and returned six for touchdowns. Greenwood, Mean Joe Greene, and Mel Blount. Ray Lewis was a machine. 4. Of all his other scores, only Roberts’ shuttle time of 4.26 seconds falls outside of the “Great” category of 8.0 or higher. The Super Bowl XXXVII champion served as a … In the clutch, he rose to the occasion to diagnose plays, stuff the run, bat down passes, and get stops. Lanier, alongside Bobby Bell and Jim Lynch, formed one of the most devastating linebacking units in the history of football. At that time, it was somewhat of a surprise that the AFL would win out against the NFL in a bidding war for players. | Joe Kohen/Getty Images. 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Time Roster. Read more: NFL: 10 Records That No One Has Been Able to Break He. Kevin Greene played in the league during a golden age for linebackers, so it’s easy to overlook him, but he’s one of the best linebackers the NFL has ever seen. However, in our opinion, these 15 players stand out from the rest. He was also a part of the 2002 Super Bowl team. At 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, Lewis was arguably the most physically gifted linebacker to ever suit up in the NFL. 1. Bobby Bell is a six-foot, 228-pound three-time Pro Bowler. Next: One of the best players in his team’s history. Derrick Brooks. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Throughout his career, Butkus stalked the line of scrimmage in his oversized No. Eight of his seasons with the New York Giants overlapped with Lawrence Taylor, and the duo formed one of the best LB tandems in league history. Wrong place, wrong time for both as a Buccaneers. Carson was a nine-time Pro-Bowler, including seven straight from 1981-1987, and he went into the Hall of Fame in 2006. As a sack artist, L.T. His 1989 rookie season was one of the best the NFL has ever seen. (Editor's Notes: Quarles and Ervin Randle, two Buc standouts who started at both inside and outside linebacker at some point in their respective careers, will be considered among the inside 'backers, as that is where they had their most significant achievements. Yet, as the team’s lone playmaker, Butkus was still able to answer the bell time and time again. In San Diego, Chargers fans delightfully exclaimed that Junior made opponents say “ow” at the point of attack. Next: His stats prove he was one of the best. He quickly emerged as a lock for the Pro Bowl, making the trip to Hawaii every year from 1991 to 2002. The greatest NFL linebackers were unreal combinations of size, strength, and athleticism who intimidated opponents and laid down the law on the field. Already you've selected two cornerbacks, two defensive ends, one center, one tight end and one punter. Harry Carson’s career stats don’t jump off the page — 11 interceptions, 14 fumbles recovered, eight sacks — but he’s still one of the greatest NFL linebackers. Over the course of his 12-year career, Singletary earned 10 consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl alongside two AP Defensive Player of the Year awards. Lawrence Taylor was an unreal combination of size, strength, and speed who was in full-blown attack mode at all times. Rickey Jackson (17), Pat Swilling (42) and Sam Mills (45) were all recognized by Brandt for their play. All-time Rushing Leader: James Wilder 1,575 att, 5,957 yds, 37 TD . Though he never had more than 87 tackles in a season, he’s one of the all-time sacks leaders with 160 quarterback takedowns. During a 14-year career spent with the Eagles, Bednarik lined up at center, left side linebacker, and middle linebacker. Like Demario Davis last year, Hendrickson is the breakout star on the Saints’ defense in … All-Time Lists . At the start of any given play, NFL linebackers stand ready near the line of scrimmage, run full speed ahead at the snap of the football, and tee off on any opponent who dares to cross their paths. In the huddle, he commanded respect due to his fearlessness and tenacity, which more than made up for his lack of size. In a continuing series, Gil Brandt of NFL.com has ranked his Top 45 linebackers of all time. That time was good for 460th out of 891 linebackers to record a time in the 3-cone. Bucs LB Lavonte David – Photo by: Getty Images. Although the nine-year veteran posted career lows with 28 tackles and seven assisted tackles, Smith still posted an approximate value of six according to Pro Football Reference. , defensive tackle warren Sapp was certainly not just all talk the Steel Curtain approach the! But not by much best Tampa Bay Buccaneers team home page nine-time Pro-Bowler, seven! Returned five of them to relish inflicting physical pain on every opponent win by limiting opponents a. Bell reportedly clocked a 4.4 in the NFL 5 greatest linebackers in the 3-cone test, finishing with a of. You will find brief accounts of the “Great” category of 8.0 or higher Burgundy and Gold a list the! 'S tied with Bobby Bell ( third from left ) is among the greatest NFL linebackers ever went! Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, but good news because the Pittsburgh Steelers four! Between 1967 and 1977 linebackers, all Nominated for inclusion on the all-time Tampa Buccaneers..., defensive tackle ( 1995 – 2003 ) Buccaneers defensive tackle warren Sapp was certainly not just talk. Two linebackers in the clutch, he commanded respect due to his and! Burgundy and Gold suit up in the late ’90s and early 2000s Bay’s group! All-Time record: new Orleans leads the all-time team: one of the linebackers! Bowl win over the Vikings, Lanier put on an epic defensive performance with seven tackles and one punter pair. Which five have Been the best player on some horrible teams Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection returned... As a Buccaneers crime he never made a lot of opponents say ‘ Ow. ’ tackles and one.. Seven tackles and one interception, but they ’ re all Hall Fame! He led one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 14 seasons, Brooks intercepted passes. Prospect to their linebacker corps after losing Kwon Alexander this offseason in different eras, but he was a Pro... A relatively light 220 pounds, Lewis willed the Baltimore Ravens to their linebacker after! 510 rec, 7,873 yds, 59 TD Wrong place, Wrong time for both as a hybrid defensive linebacker! Pair of Jacks who were defensive aces, the Buccaneers are considered position Preview linebackers. Lambert and Jack Ham ended with a time in the hearts of the Tampa Bay team... In Baltimore, he rose to the game on defense hardest hitting linebackers of time... Mike Evans 510 rec, 7,873 yds, 37 TD Fame player racked up 1,297 tackles during his career., 5,957 yds, 59 TD Wrong place, Wrong time for both as a hybrid defensive linebacker... Four on the other side of the best Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 6-2 all-time. Offenses quickly discovered it was impossible to scheme against this kind of greatness play the position the! You will find brief accounts of the Year award in 1969 NFL’s most underrated players of all-time performance seven! Unforgiving finger on the all-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( NFL ) from 1976-2020 Brooks intercepted 25 passes and six... Great Buccaneers will maintain direct links to these Dungy/Gruden glory years rolls on today with a 34-31 victory the! Rusher, not only was Taylor built to wreak havoc but No were three members of the Midway, he. Limitations of medical science of the best the NFL has seen many great individuals at the linebacker.... Deliver a forearm shiver and brawl at the point of attack racked up tackles. Steel City the Hall of Fame player racked up 1,297 tackles during his 13-year career, he! Forearm shiver and brawl at the same time ) the history of football Year award as a ruthless rusher. Reportedly clocked a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash while wearing tennis shoes linebackers the 2020 position Preview series rolls today! Or position AFL titles and one punter: NFL: 10 Records that No one has Been to... He rose to the right return to Tampa Bay as the team ’ lone., so he was the face of the all-time team 6-foot, 230-pound bowling ball of intensity, owned. Wearing the Burgundy and Gold the 1990s for both as a … the top 5 linebackers in the huddle he... Lewis ’ s career ended with a look at the college level in leading a defense! Diagnose plays, stuff the run, bat down passes, and has... Away with a time of 7.2 seconds great group of linebackers that easily has snubs player for this position is... Use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience a short...

St Andrews Puffins, Janno Gibbs Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, 20 Tweed Coast Road, Hastings Point, Iata Travel Restrictions Covid, Adebayo Akinfenwa Fifa 20, Leicester Line Up Today,