Actually what the dome patrol did in 1992 was a repeat of what already happened. The Steel Curtain linebackers, Lambert, Ham and Russell, made a combined 24 pro bowls. AT least 2 times, possibly 3, all three started at linebacker in the Pro Bowl. Not just once. Along with Greene and Greenwood on the DL and Blount at corner and Wagner at Safety. White was a back up on the DL and Edwards was a back up at Safety. That is 7 out of 11 starting Steelers on defence for the AFC in the Pro Bowl. Back then the AFC wore red and white along with their team helmets. There would be 7 black helmets out on the field starting for the AFC. That will never be repeated, PERIOD!!!!!!! The doom patrol only averaged 3 pro bowls each. The Steel Curtain averaged 8 pro bowls each. No contest who is had the best. We can't forget the 4 Superbowl Championships for Lambert and Ham and 2 for Russell. Not even a playoff win for the doom patrol doesn't look very good at all. Sure the Steel Curtain had the best overall team in history supporting them and the doom patrol didn't have much support helping them. But a very big part of being considered the best is by the number of championships won. The Steel Curtain linebackers were all pro for almost a decade. No contest, they are the greatest linebackers in the history of football.
@@t74guard78 How was it a repeat of it already happening? You mention 3 linebackers for the Steelers going to the pro bowl in the same year. I didn't know 3 equaled 4 now did it?
Uh, the 2006 Ravens. Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott, and Adalius Thomas. Did I mention that crew also had Peter Boulware and Jarrett Johnson as well?
Farrior, Foote/Timmons, Woodely and of course Harrison were a great corps as well. From 2007-2012 Steelers were a top 5 defense (often first in yards/g). Two AFC championships and a super bowl.
There was a time when Greg Lloyd was the best LB in the NFL. I dunno if he has the full career to go to the HOF, but, he was easily one of the best outside LBs in the mid 90s.
Lloyd and James Harrison were two of the scariest men to ever play. Bill Romanowski too. He broke Dave Meggett's pinky in a pileup in the 1990 NFC championship game.
The Saints might be the greatest linebackers unit. The Steelers are right up there. But taking into account the Saints linebackers didn't have a good front four, yes the Saints were the greatest!
@Harry Engel They were. Solely because of Bob Lilly. The rest of the guys were good solid players but Lilly is the HOFer and he changed games on the line. If Lilly isn't there, I'd have to say the LB core was better, but Lilly was the most important piece of that defense.
It's just Chuck Howley and Lee Roy Jordan are so underrated they weren't even on the NFL Top 10 underrated list and Howley I think is the most underrated player ever. I'd like to see a segment on them.
@Harry Engel Well Harvey belongs, but you were talking about the LATE 60s and early 70s. Harvey was drafted 73. DPOY in 77. He was with Randy and Too Tall. Now George Andrie was dominant in the 60s, then sadly stopped being Pro Bowl level. Jethro was solid, but not a Pro Bowler. Whereas they had Lee Roy Jordan and Howley as the linebackers then, so it was Lilly that was the difference maker. The rest played off of his greatness. Lifetime Cowboys fan here. Yourself?
@Harry Engel Harry, he's a five time first team all-pro, one second team all-pro, Super Bowl MVP, has an amazing story of how he came back from an injury, Dallas traded for him, he becomes a key to that team and he has not one time been a Hall of Fame finalist, is never mentioned by SNF or MNF announcers, and is relegated to a trivia question because he won a Super Bowl MVP for a losing team. That is an outrage. I can't make a stronger case imo for being underrated.
So glad the mid 90s Steelers were on this list. They didn’t win a Super Bowl and so were often overshadowed by the 70’s Steel Curtain, but they were an absolute force. On a fun note, I turned 11 in 1992, and thats when I started to religiously follow the Steelers. There was no social media, so any info you could get about the league was awesome. My young mind just kind of assumed that every team had linebackers like that. That it was the NFL standard. I laugh looking back at this wonderful defense.
I have been a Steeler fan ever since Franco snatched the ball out of the air and they won their first Playoff game. Nobody compares to the Steel Curtain. The 74 draft brought 4 hall of fame players to Pittsburgh. Talk about getting your money's worth. Don't remember any team since then having such an incredible draft. Swann, Lambert, Webster and Stallworth were the first 4 Steeler picks that year. Those were the best years ever. Steelers of the 70's are unmatched in the history of the NFL. Many times I have made the mistake of comparing that team with more recent Steelers teams and find myself feeling let down by them. That is unfair to do to the more recent Steeler teams because nobody can be compared to the Steel Curtain. There are 9 hall of fame members that played together on that team and they are impossible to live up to. At least 2 more on that defence should be in the HOF but still aren't yet. Russell and Greenwood should be someday. I loved watching that defence just stuff other teams. 3 and punt, 3 and punt, 3 and punt the whole game. The fact that the Steelers are the only franchise to have 2 sets of linebacker corps in the top 10 shows how amazing their defences have been over the years. Lambert, Ham and Russell are the best set of linebackers that played together in the history of the NFL. 24 pro bowls between them is unmatched by any other linebacker corps ever. Nobody else comes close.
I'm not a Chiefs fan, not remotely, but turn on film of Bobby Bell. He is one of those players I wonder out loud if they couldn't play every era. Could I plug him into my defense today. Yeah, probably. He's the type of player who gets romanticized in this modern game if he was doing what he did then today. He never gets mentioned enough as maybe one of the best to do it despite being a hall of famer and top 100 member of all time by the general media. I hate to keep prattling on about this for those who may get annoyed, but he's one of those great players who gets taken for granted i think in the modern day.
Bobby Bell is one of those great athletes who, despite his greatness, is strangely overlooked. Playing in 1) a city that was not a great media center (NYC, LA, Chicago) in 2) the upstart AFL rather than in the already established (and biased) NFL causes him to be undersung to some degree. The AFL was looked down on as being inferior to the older league. But Bobby Bell did everything at a superior level at a time when there were shorter rosters and players were required to fill multiple roles. He played in kick coverage AND was the Chiefs's long snapper on kicks. All this on top of his great ability as a run and pass defender. A fantastic player who stood out on a defense loaded with them, including fellow Hall of Famers Buchanan, Culp, Lanier, Robinson, Thomas. Jerry Mays was also All-Time AFL at defensive end.
@@timothysanders6582 It wasn't just Madden that said that. Were you even alive back then? Ham was considered the best Linebacker ever. And he's STILL the best all around linebacker of all time.
@@algini12 I'm 50 something and what's yo point? Athletically, Intellectually, and Physically, LT was better. And u talking to a true Steelers Fanatic who loves Jack Ham but he wasn't better than Lawrence Taylor Period.
The Raiders ran a 3-4 defense in 1983 and they forgot middle linebacker Rob Nelson #51 and two time Super Bowl Champion! The Raiders in the early eighties were so talented defensively, they could've run a 3-4 or a 4-3!
Carl Banks was a pretty solid All Big Ten OLB at Michigan State He was New York’s third overall draft pick in 1984 Filling in for Former all pro linebacker Brad Van Pelt
Banks and "The Intimidator" Dave Wilcox were the best ever at stuffing tight ends. Mark Bavaro practiced against Banks he said he was thankful he did not have face him in games.
God I miss these top tens when they were about analysis, history, and great football. Today it’s comedians....most spots go go guys within last 15 years. Analysis is meh.
Orange Fox EXACTLY. The older Top Tens episodes were fantastic-it was about analysis of teams, players, positions, and it celebrated the wonderful players and teams in football history. The new Top Tens are AWFUL-C and D-list comedians who know NOTHING about football, and non-football media members just making unfunny comments. And almost every entry is about some player team in the last 10-12 years. It’s unwatchable
@@nujeru99 I agree with you completely on everything. Their some stupid people who commentate on subjects they have no knowledge about on the newer episodes especially on subjects that require expert/ intermediate analysis like in this episode you want former players,coaches,scouts, GM's or sports reporters who saw those line-backing corps in action. Their is this D- List English comedian on some segments who is not funny at all he makes me cringe I fucking hate that guy. I can imagine if they did this episode now it would have some libby comedian poking fun at the orange crush or dome patrols name not understanding those names were more about punishing and putting fear along with sending guys on stretchers at time when football was gladiator unlike than flanderized PC culture of 2020.
@Harry Engel yes that's him he fucking sucks ass. He may work as a RU-vidr but his commentary on football is absolutely laughable know it's not laughable at all he is not even funny any shape or form.
A reason why I wish that we get a redux of this series. No comedians. Just people that know and understand the sport. I actually got to appreciating sports thanks to a YTer named UrinatingTree and I got into liking this series.
Easily one of my favorite videos of theirs, mostly because since I played LB and know a lot about the players on this list. Blitzing the QB, making the pick, or knocking the shit out of someone, LBs rule
they got the list wrong, you can take your pick but the bears of the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s all could have been number one, ill take Butkus, singletary, marshall etc. over any core of linebackers they put up there
49ers and Bill Walsh believed the foundation of a defense is the DL and DBs; and he spent his draft capital on DL and DBs. Jim Mora's philosophy is to get the best linebackers for the Saints. When Jimmy Mora went to coach the 49ers, he brought his Dad's philosophy with him, and Niners started investing in linebackers; like Patrick Willis, Navaro Bowman. Today, the a solid piece of the Niners D is the linebackers Warner, Al-Shaair, and Greenlaw.
Those Big Blue Wrencking Crew Giants Linebackers were the best that I've ever seen on the most underrated defence that I've ever seen. Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, Pepper Johnson and Steve DeOssie were absolute maniacs. This is the ONLY team to beat Montana's 49ers TWICE in the playoffs (the first time was an absolute shellacking of 49-3) and beat Kelly's Bills at their peak in the Super Bowl. The feats speak for themselves.
Yes. Good memories of my youth. They seemed to have Montana's number in those days, and I think they knocked him out of both of the playoff games that you refer to. And don't get me started on Reasons' fake punt in Jan 1991.
One nobody talks about is the Ravens of 05-06. Ray Lewis, Adalius Thomas, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott. 06 all 4 went to the Pro Bowl. They were just brutal and relentless.
I actually like the changes. If these rules were around in the 60s and 70s, you wouldn't have so many players messed up today. And not only still hard-hitting, it's more athletic, and more importantly it's safer.
In the AFC championship in 1977 Joe Rizzo was assigned the great Raiders hall of fame tight end Dave Casper. Bob Swenson said Rizzo couldn't handle Casper alone so he had to help. Swenson and Casper had some great battles.
Vaughn was seriously underrated. I remember watching a game against the Rams where he absolutely unloaded on Pete Holohan. The crack of helmuts was unmistakeable.
That Giants linebacking corps was otherworldly. Banks, Carson, Reasons, Pepper Johnson, would have been superstars on any other team but were kind of in the shadows next to Taylor. Literally didn't matter!
I felt bad for Pittsburgh in early 96. Neil O'Donnell should have wore a Dallas uniform that game. I remember one of those ints he threw right to Dallas when he had a wide open receiver down field for the go ahead touchdown. Pittsburgh defense did their job and some by shutting down Emmitt Smith(and all of Dallas) on the ground and kept Irvin in check. The only thing Dallas offense did great which is very crucial is they had no turnovers. Also O'Donnell was sacked 4 times(One was on the centers bad snap) for like 32 yards of loss and they were absolute drive killers. And I always felt bad for the Saints because they had a bad ass defense every year it seemed but every one of the players on offense was named Neil O'Donnell those same years LOL.
Pittsburgh always has elite linebackers. Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Joey Porter, James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, Lamar Woodley, James Farrior, Bud Dupree, Ryan Shaizier, TJ Watt, Devin Bush...and that's off the top of my head
@@algini12 Kirkland was a monster. I remember Chad Brown too. Early 90's was when I became a huge fan of football and the Steelers in first grade and my dad had me watch the NFL films 70's teams a hundred times haha
The Ray Lewis vs Bam Morris collision at 4:00 is a great signature hit for his collection. Randy Gradishar in one of most noticeable HOF snubs imo. 7:10 That 77 team of course lost to the Cowboys in the SB , but what a murderers row of playoff opponents that they went 2-1 against. 70’s Steelers 70’s Raiders 70’s Cowboys All 3 teams still at their peaks.
You are 100 percent CORRECT SIR!!! And how Gradishar is not in HOF is well, just criminal, heresy!!! If lambert wasnt playing back then Gradishar wouldve been the man everyone remembered.Im serious here, also a Steeler fan since 73, he and Jackson NEVER got the credit they so richly deserve BUT just ask the men they hit !!! They Im sure have the complete and total respect from their opponents. That 77 orange crush is one of the best to ever walk on an NFL Field.
Yes youre spot on, being an Steeler fan, Ill always give credit where it is due: That 77 Broncos team I think was one of the greatest teams not to win a SB. Unfortunately for Broncos fans they ran into an cowboys team that was just running down hill all season. Lyle Alzado not in HOF , To this day is just an insult, an literally UNJUST done to man whom was an outstanding football er his whole life. God Bless you Lyle Alzado !!! You are missed
@@kevinc4632 Alazado is not in the hall of fame for admission of taking steroids while playing even though I feel more players were on them than previously known. The pounding the players took between the 70's and 80's was incredible I know alot players were taking steroids to heal faster an get an edge in some way to stay playing in league that stands for "Not For Long" if you don't tough it out with injuries or figure a way to gain an edge with everyone being so close in skill.
Everyone likes to talk about LT, (as well they should) but people forget that between him and Carson they had 2 Hall of Famer's for 7 years then when Harry retired Pepper Johnson took his place and also became an All Pro in 1990.
I know everyone loves giving Joe Gibbs credit for winning 3 Super Bowls with 3 different quarterbacks, but not enough people credit LT with making sure Washington needed so many quarterbacks in that 10 year span.
Most of the Lombardi era Packers were underrated. Bart Starr, Jerry Kramer, Fuzzy Thurston, Forest Gregg, Max McGee, and on. All devalued and underrated. The only exceptions were Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung and it could be argued that their value was only related to the great blocking the front line gave. It is a tribute to the greatness of Vince Lombardi that players who might not have done much on other teams excelled on the Packers and were the first to win 3 consecutive NFL Championships.
2:00 The Purple Pain Defense! 6:28 The Orange Crush! Defense. 10:12 The Team of the 80s Decades! 14:01 The Blitzburgh Defense! 17:02 The Vince Lombardi's Packers. 20:42 Da Monsters of 'Da Midway! 24:02 The Redwood Forest! 28:08 The Big Blue Wrecking Crew! 32:50 The Steel Curtain! 38:18 The Dome Patrol!
@@1retdGIThe Dome Patrol is not made up. They were our Drew Brees on defense back in the day. EVERYTHING Roger Craig said was true. If we had an offense, we could've won maybe 2 Super Bowls in the 80s
The Dome Patrol played in the old NFC West: the Rams, Fail-cons, and 49ers (with Montana and Young). The games between New Orleans and San Francisco were brutal. That's why the Saints didn't make the playoffs often in the 90s.
Steelers:: Andy Russell, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham combined 24 pro bowls, 16 All pro season and 10 Super Bowl Rings. My math here might be off but I got these figures from they're bios. These great 3 had a combined 70 interceptions during an era when offenses ran the football. Not to shabby for 3 men whom never weighed more than 225 lbs. Lambert played the bulk of career at 210, ham 220 and Russell at 225lbs. To have those careers when they were surrounded by Hall of Famers in front and behind them is incredible. In my humble opinion and being a Steeler Fan since 1972 these 3 Steeler linebackers are THE BEST outright. 10 Super Bowl Rings btwn them says it all. Thank you
Totally agree. Whenever talking about great linebackers they are always compared to the 70's Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers. They are the the Greatest.
@Jeffrey Stark even with those points in mind he should still be mentioned either way because he filled in Carsons shoes very well maybe even better cause he was much more athletic and versatile
And Gary Reasons. Honest to god that hit against Bobby Humphrey in '89 vs. the Broncos is the most epic goal line stand ever. This is coming from a Broncos fan, nothing but respect!
To have all 4 of the 80's Saints voted to the pro bowl is unprecedented and probably will never happen again. For me they have to be number one, hell they had Bobby Herbert at QB and Eric Martin at WR if they had more weapons and a better offensive bowl they would have won a Superbowl for sure. Wayne Martin, Dave Waymer and Toi Cook weren't too shabby either in 1988-1992. If they'd had Drew Brees back then and some great offensive weapons then they'd have won at least 2 or 3 Superbowls that defense was a great one for 4-5 years.
They were not the first set of linebackers that started in a pro bowl from the same team. The Steel Curtain linebackers, Lambert, Ham and Russell did it 2 or 3 years in a row. So what the Saint linebackers did was very precedented cause they only did it once. What the Steel Curtain linebackers did was unprecedented and hasn't happened since or will ever again. 13 pro bowls for 4 linebackers doesn't come close to comparing 24 pro bowls for 3 linebackers. They don't compare at all with Lambert, Ham and Russell. They maybe for you but for the rest of the world and what is actual fact, the Steel Curtain linebackers are without a question, the best in NFL history. A lot of "what if" in your comment. Mine is filled with "what was" or actual facts. Championships are won on defence, everybody knows that. No matter what sport, that is a fact. The Steelers didn't have much of an offence when they won their first 2 SB. The defence is why they won those 2. Sure the next 2 were won with both a great offence and greatest defence. What if this or what if that. hahahahhahahahah Greatness is measured by championships won and the Saints didn't even win a single playoff game with those 4 linebackers let alone a Superbowl.
The early 90s Saints didn’t win much once they got there unfortunately, but this group just taking the longtime _AINT’s to the playoff 3 straight times ( 91-93 ) was a huge accomplishment in itself. Especially in sharing a Division with the (Montana-Young) 49ers during this 3 year stretch. 42:13 Mark Madden is an idiot , didn’t even know if they’d “played” in a playoff game before having his ironclad opinion on their placement.
Alan Cadells comment is spot on. The Steelers defense of the seventies is the greatest ever. Pure talent, performance and longevity. Their backers broke your backs.
Anybody who has played this game at any level was taught to recognize greatness. The 70s Steelers ARE the staple of what all other defenses measures up to. When the 85 Chicago Bears destroyed the NFL on the way to demolishing the New England Patriots, they themselves admitted that they were humbled to be mentioned in the same sentence as the 70s Steelers because the 85 Bears only did it for a short period of time, as all of the rest here as well. And if you think I'm a Steelers fan, I'm one of the biggest haters. The Steelers ruled the 70s. Now for what each of the rest did for a short time, some less than a couple of years. The Steelers did it for close to a decade, winning back to back Super Bowls, TWICE. While the rest only won it once. Baltimore won it twice but not back to back. Tampa won its so fast that it was one and done. Not even the Bill Parcells Giants could win back to back once. Once a lb group wins back to back, then we can have a conversation.
1000% percent agree with this list. I saw those three play week after week. Mora got three of a kind and couldn't get a full house. Maybe the best coordination of any linebacking corp in history. Mora dominated the USFL and brought his guys, who had largely been shunned by the NFL because of their short ( ahem ) comings and molded them into perfection. peace Greene
L.T. was pretty much one type. Pass Rush. Granted, he was one of the best Outside Linebacker ever, but, Dick, Mike, or Ray are ahead. I know they were middle L.B.
I remember the Saints defense back then. The secondary wasn't the best and the offense wasnt much better, but their linebacking core was outstanding. They actually won games because of them having more points than the whole offense put together. They were the reason they won a division title. How many other defenses can say that. Guys talk about Pittsburgh, Chicago, etc.. but they had the whole package. Offense and defense. New Orleans did not. Hats off to the Dome Patrol !!!!!!!!!
@@ryanstatt9910 I think a couple could…..well one at least Rothlisburger . He’s huge and a known meat head both of these are essential traits of a human punching bag but other than maybe him your spot on.
I love listing to comments by Mike Singletary, on the field he is insane (I mean if you heard that OFF the field he would be committed) off the field one of SMARTEST, MOST COGENT, CALMEST men you have ever seen....It is no surprise that he is a LAWYER (and I wouldn't want to argue against him)!
@@fooman2108 Also doing stuff like literally showing your ass to your team isn't usually the thing that will make them rally around you. Mike Singletary might be a hell of a motivator and an okay position coach (Ray Lewis said that he helped him a lot during his brief time in Baltimore), but a head coach he is not.
@@TheTrainFan9 Not sure....I am a firm believer that head coaches are MADE not bred, some guys may (as you say) be great position coaches, but will never get further some manage to change the way they do things and become great head coaches. The exception to that will be Tom Brady who is brilliant, and learns! (how many times have you seen him walk up to the line and pick out the defense and just see the heads hang a little lower knowing that he's ALREADY working on adjusting the offensive play to that specific defensive formation?)
@@fooman2108 Those that cannot do, teach. -some smart dude There's a reason that the best players don't excel off the field. People have a hard time translating their innate talent to teaching others. Jim Harbaugh is the only one that had success as both a player and a coach, but even now he's trending in the wrong direction.
Rod Martin: most underrated linebacker of all-time. He didn't look big but tightends could not drive him off the ball. He helped stuff John Riggins on a 3rd and one in the supebowl. He pushed the tightend Rick Walker into the backfield and Riggins was gang tackled for no gain.
Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and Andy Russell. All them 3 greats behind the front four "steel curtain", with Mel Blount and Co behind them- what a defense! Number one. End of.
@@SphincterOfDoom Is it safe to say the Steelers of the 70's have the most Hall of Famers of any dynasty at this point? Only other team I could think of is Green Bay Packers of the 60's.
I feel like having such a great offensive line would dock them points, like how it docked the 2000s Ravens. The Dome Patrol absolutely deserves the #1 spot because they were the whole fucking team
Fer sure. That Defence.....Damn....How many are wearing Gold jackets??? Espicially class of '74. Lynn, John, Mike, Donnie, AND Jack. Will that EVER happen again? Are there any teams who have 3 in hall from same draft year??? I dunno...
Its kinda bull that they put the 2000 Ravens at 10 because they had a great d-line helping them but the Steelers with arguably the greatest D-Line in the history of football got the #2 spot.
@Harry Engel Oh I agree completely that they should be on the list somewhere. Its just the inconsistency in the way they penalized the 2000 Ravens for having help but not the 70s Steelers when they had a much better D-Line than the Ravens did which bugged me a bit.
You’re right They should’ve been number one The 70s Steelers was like an all star team They were the definition of built different Dude Lewis was awesome, but compare Ham and Lambert to Lewis and who? That’s why.
It's an absolute shame that Randy Gradishar, Greg Lloyd, and Sam Mills aren't in the Hall of Fame. Who is on the HOF voting committee?? How do so many great players keep getting snubbed
I am a 49er fan but if you watch Art Monks HOF induction, you will see over four minutes of people who wondered the same thing as you. It is actually quite incredible. Hopefully those others who deserve their spot in Canton will get their day as well.
It irritates me that average quarterbacks are put in but there are elite players at other positions who get passed over. How is it they have a small group of less than 20 sports writers yet they chose people who knowledge of the players doesn't go much deeper than the QB.
@@SphincterOfDoom you were right! Google says: He has four Super Bowl rings with three different teams -- two with the Raiders, one each with the 49ers and the Redski... Washinton Football Team.
Its funny people talk about how this list was about the linebackers and yet when the number one group was revealed they complain about how they didn’t win anything. Sending 4 Pro Bowler linebackers from the SAME TEAM is not easy
Or how they ignore how the 85 Bears or the 70s Steelers were more of a complete package. The Saints had nothing but the Dome Patrol, no offense, no secondary, etc.
It was mentioned that the Dome Patrol played in three playoff games. They actually played in four playoff games. The video profiled the Saints playoff losses to the 1991 Falcons and 1992 Eagles. However, there was no mention of the Saints 44-10 loss to the 1987 Vikings or the 16-6 loss to the 1990 Bears.
Harry Engel Two things part of what his group wasn’t listed (unless I missed it) and if it’s driving drunk or getting pulled over and finding pot in the ashtray it’s an off field issue if it’s a bomb threat for no other reason then it’s self serving or funny that’s a loose screw that’s needs to be addressed. But he absolutely was a beast on the field no question.
Harry Engel TSA hassled him and he was screaming “I have a bomb I have a bomb. Yeah but in all fairness many people may have the same urge just better impulse control. But your more right then I am because the other problems he had were straight out of the common off field issues handbook.
people forgot that Lawrence Taylor intercepted a pass for a 97-yard touchdown to the house against the Detroit Lions at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1982.
As it pertains to the team that's featured around 2:02, I still can't believe that one of their key pieces of the defensive line is no longer here: Tony "The Goose" Siragusa, Sr. passed away in mid-2002. R.I.P., Tony "The Goose" Siragusa, Sr.!...
That dude was the type of man who could simply lay on you and you'd regret putting pads on that morning. Just a absolute pain to block in the run game.
Browns of the late 80's had a nice crew: Clay Matthews, Eddie Johnson and Mike Johnson (3 AFC Championship game appearances). Then after that they got Carl Banks and Pepper Johnson in the mix.
Seeing Ray Nitschke KICK after the RB got by him, both out of frustration the man got by him AND just to try to trip him up (which he almost did) is one of the most dirty LB moved EVER (and was also legal back then. I get it)…and absolutely HILARIOUS! Love it!!!
As a huge Bears fan and my earliest memory of sports was the awesome 85 season, I still think that the list was dead on. Bears had a hall of fame line to help out and was built on aggression, intimidation and skill. Athletisim wasnt the greatest attribute in the lb corp,when a great qb like montana or most famously marino picked them apart, it showed some flaws. that being said, coach ryan adjusted those flaws and made them dominate again, and tore apart the niners and i believe the dolphins in the super bowl if they didnt lose to the pats. The saints who had no offense and really not a great dl or dbs, relied on 4 all pro lbs to carry a team and they did, prob as far as 4 guys could honestly. The steel curtain was awesome but they were stacked on the line and had great dbs much like my bears did, but a healthier qb and was fortunate to play in the 70s and not the over commecialized 80s like the bears did where the egos and media driven behaviors unraveled a dynasty. the only suprise i saw on this list had to be the ravens. they too had a balanced team but their qb was garbage and didnt lift their offense a lot, it was their rookie rb lewis that did. their dline was good but not hof and their dbs were about the same minus an aging woodson. ray lewis, boulware,and sharper really carried that team and won a superbowl, should of been top 5 imo.
“We were the only team running the 3-4 at the time.” Um, Mr. Gradishar, the New England Patriots introduced their 3-4 defense in 1974, also. Not a Cheatriots fan, just an NFL fan/historian.
Hank Stram’s Chiefs also used it in the late 60s/early 70s On the Top 10 Innovations episode, Bobby Bell said they used a 3-4 defense, but called it “Triple Stack”
As a Chicago Bears fan, you know I had to've been all smiles when I saw 20:41-20:47... Albeit the top-5 is a deserving spot on the list for the 1985-1986 Chicago Bears' linebacking corps. to be on, they should be moved up a few more spots--in my opinion, at least...
LT seems always be #3 on nfl lists. Was # 3 on Top ten pass rushers, feared tacklers, linebacker corps. Even on 100 greatest players on all-time LT was at #3 on that list (highest ranked defense player)
Len Flakisinski yeah, Voters of the nfl that named LT mvp (him and Alan page the only defensive players to get that honor btw) just cause they get a hard-on for the pass rush. Ugh and don’t get me started on that grease face sewer biohazard rat mark madden.
Harry Engel It’s no secret that the Nfl voters favor the offense (same for the heisman trophy). And yes JJ Watt was snubbed that year, my proof was the top 100 players of 2014 JJ Watt finished number1. The Reggie White case you made was interesting never thought that before. And also if sacks were counted back in the day, Deacon Jones should have also should of been mvp one season atleast.
@Fries Rice was also hurt by splitting votes with Montana. Both of them had great regular seasons. Rice had 30 AP MVP votes, Montana had 18, Elway had 36
I honestly thought they would be on here. I'm on the opposite side of the country but I loved it when SF was on national television and I got a chance to watch Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman. Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith were underrated but important pieces too. Such a shame that Willis retired so young.
#3 is #1, LT and whomever is best period. Carson, Banks, Reasons, Pepper, Van Pelt, Kelly those days the Giants had great LBs. LT was asked to rush the passer, he could play the run and cover, the defense was designed for LT to rush.
This is an old list but does anyone remember the early 2010s 49ers line backers??? Ahmad Brooks and Alden Smith on the outside and Patrick Wills and Navarro Bowman inside.... everyone feared them...
