Best Linebacking Corps
I saw these clips from NFL films ranking the best linebacking corps–we’re talking a unit and not individual linebackers. I’ll post the youtube videos the various crews in a bit, but I’ll give others time to make their predictions. Btw, these episodes were made in the early 2000s, I believe. Personally, I agree with the first pick. Also, just a hint, there are one or two groups that I never saw.
#10 2000 Ravens
I’m going to give you three groups that you probably won’t get:
#9 Denver Broncos–”Orange Crush”
#6 Green Bay Packers
#4 KC Chiefs
You guys have a chance of filling in the rest. C’mon. (Chin, where are you, man?)
I don’t really know too many linebacking groups off the top of my head. I could only think of one that probably made this group: Giants’ LT, Gary Reason, Harry Carson, and Pepper Johnson. I’m not even sure these 4 guys played together at the same time.
A group that I think won’t make the list, but were very good: Patriots’ Vrabel, Bruschi, Adalius Thomas, and Junior Seau – not sure if Seau was playing with the other 3 though… I think Chad Brown was on the team once too.
Oh I also remember the Saints had a good group too back in the 90′s. But for the life of me I cannot think of their names, I think it was Sam Mills and Swilling and couple good but not HOF guys…
I always thought Pepper played with that Giants crew, but he came after. (Carl Banks was the fourth.) Btw, the Giants crew made the list.
I think the Patriots linebacking corps with Vrabel, Bruschi in the earlier years (before Seau got there) were a little better. Btw, this NFL list was made in the early 2000 or before then.
The New Orleans crew–with Vonn Johnson and Ricky Jackson (did he get in the Hall of Fame?)–also made the list. Man, I love Sam Mills–not just for his play, but he just seemed really intelligent. He’s one of those guys (like Pepper Johnson) that made the whole defense better. Mills did it at Carolina, too. Plus, he so small. The Field Mouse!
To give you one last hint, think of good-to-great defenses. The remaining linebackers will be very familiar to you.
#8 Raiders of the early 80s
To be honest, I don’t think of the linebackers when I think of this defense. It’s the d-line or the dbs that come to mind.
#7 90s Steelers–Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Chad Brown and Levon Kirkland
Kirkland was a freak. 270 pound middle linebacker!? Check out the over-the-shoulder interception. They don’t even feature Chad Brown in the clip, which is a bit strange.
#5 ’85 Chicago Bears: Wilbur Marshall, Otis Wilson and Mike Singletary
#3 NY Giants: LT, Carl Banks, Gary Reasons and Hary Carson
#2 Pittsburgh Steelers: Andy Russell, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert
#1 New Orleans Saints: Ricky Jackson, Pat Swilling, Vaughan Johnston and Sam Mills
Watch the hit by Vaughan Johnson’s hit on Roger Craig. (Love Randy Cross’ anecdote, too). I agree with this pick, too. They didn’t have the d-line like the Steelers, Giants, Bears, etc.