Linebackers are the heart and soul of any good defense. They’re the ones who make the big hits and stop the other team from scoring. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
Karlos Dansby
Karlos Dansby is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. Dansby is also one of the league’s most versatile linebackers, capable of playing inside or outside. He’s currently a free agent, but there’s no doubt that he’ll be snapped up by another team soon.
James Farrior
James Farrior may not be a household name, but he was one of the best linebackers of his generation. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion, and he played for some of the best teams in NFL history. Farrior was a key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers teams that won Super Bowls XL and XLIII, and he was also a key member of the New York Jets team that went to the AFC Championship Game in 2009.
Takeo Spikes
Takeo Spikes is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s. He was also a First-team All-Pro in 2003. Takeo Spikes was a force to be reckoned with on the field. He was a hard hitter and had a great nose for the ball. He was also a smart player who knew how to read offenses and make plays. Takeo Spikes was a true leader on defense and helped his teams to many victories.
Lance Briggs
Lance Briggs is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the All-Pro team four times. He played his entire career with the Chicago Bears, and was a key member of their defense that helped them win Super Bowl XLI.
Briggs was an outstanding player both against the run and the pass. He was quick and explosive, and had a great nose for the ball. He was also a very good tackler, and could often be seen making big hits on opposing players.
Briggs was a true leader on defense, and was always one of the first players to congratulate his teammates after a big play. He will go down as one of the all-time greats at his position, and will be remembered as one of the best players in Bears history.
Chad Brown
One of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, Chad Brown was a 6-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All Pro during his 14 year career. A 3rd round pick out of Pittsburgh in 1993, Brown quickly established himself as one of the best young linebackers in the league. He would go on to play for the Steelers, Seahawks, Patriots, and Raiders, amassing over 1,000 tackles and 60 sacks during his career. Brown was a key member of some great defenses during his career, and will always be remembered as one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game.
What do NFL Linebackers Do?
When it comes to playing defense in the NFL, linebackers are some of the most important players on the field. They are responsible for stopping the run and getting to the quarterback on passing plays. In order to be successful, linebackers must be fast, strong, and smart.
The first responsibility of a linebacker is to stop the run. This means that they need to be able to shed blocks and make tackles in the running game. They also need to be able to read the offense and anticipate where the ball is going.
On passing plays, linebackers need to be able to drop back into coverage or rush the quarterback. They need to have good instincts and be able to make quick decisions.
Overall, linebackers need to be versatile players who can do a little bit of everything. They are the backbone of a good defense and can make or break a game.