View Full Version : Very Best post-merger linebacker
football junkie
08-26-2006, 08:40 PM
A CCN post gave me the idea for this thread while I was reading my Junior Seau HOF thread.
In your opinion, who is the very best post AFL/NFL merger linebacker? As usual I will withhold my opinion so as not to unduly influence the voting.
Willie
08-26-2006, 09:27 PM
It's Butkus or Taylor.
Both are on my top ten all time players list.
Butkus was a middle linebacker with no weakness.
Taylor was an outside linebacker. He did have one weakness. You could run at him.
I think I'll vote for Butkus because he really had no weakness.
BigStelly
08-27-2006, 05:28 PM
I say Junior Seau but then again many others could be justified as well, Urlacher, Taylor, Lewis would all be good choices.
RedSoxVT92
08-31-2006, 07:58 PM
Went with Lawrence Taylor. A great outside linebacker who was great at rushing the QB and had great speed. Only one of four defensive players to win NFL MVP, 3 time defensive MVP, and 10 time pro bowler. Had great stats, as he had 1,088 career tackles, 142 sacks, 9 interceptions, 33 forced fumbles, 34 fumble return yards, 11 fumble recoveries, 134 return yards and 2 touchdowns. He was so great and dominated the field that the opposing team had to reconfigure there offensive plays just because of L.T. The most feared player of the game. To me he is an easy choice here.
football junkie
08-31-2006, 09:21 PM
I agree. I don't think there has ever been a more dynamic, disruptive and dominant defensive player in NFL history than Lawrence Taylor.
One play that will always resonate with me was one in an early 80's game between Detroit and the Giants. As the clock was winding down, the Lions were driving, needing a touchdown to win. They got the ball down to the three, and the Lion QB, I think it was Eric Hipple, threw a short screen pass that LT was all over before anyone had a chance to react. He returned it 97 years for a touchdown, and to me, he had already decided that was how the game was going to turn out. He knew he was getting that ball.
soberdennis
09-09-2006, 01:35 AM
I would hardly call Nitschke a post Merger LB. Butkus was more PM than Ray was.
My vote goes for LT. He changed the game forever.