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Which NFL team has the strongest starting linebacker unit?

Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:42 pm
Posted by TTsTowel
RIP Bow9den/Coastie
Member since Feb 2010
91653 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:42 pm
*I preface this by saying I am aware of some listed players being injured*

1) San Francisco 49ers - Aldon Smith, Navarro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Ahmad Brooks
2) Denver Broncos - Wesley Woodyard, DJ Williams, Von Miller
3) Houston Texans - Connor Barwin, Brooks Reed, Bradie James, Brian Cushing
4) Cincinnati Bengals - Vontaze Burfict, Rey Maualuga, Manny Lawson
5) Baltimore Ravens - Courtney Upshaw, Terrell Suggs, Dannell Ellerbe, Ray Lewis
6) Arizona Cardinals - Quentin Groves, Daryl Washington, Paris Lenon, Sam Acho
7) Pittsburgh Steelers - James Harrison, Laurence Timmons, Larry Foote, LaMar Woodly

I'm not saying the Denver Broncos have the best corp of linebackers, but Von Miller leads the league in sacks now (13, had 3 more today), Wesley Woodyard is the best NFL linebacker nobody has heard of (I've been raving about him this year: 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 88 tackles, and a forced fumble), and DJ Williams just returned from suspension. This is one of the best Denver Broncos' defenses we've seen in a while.

I'd say Denver probably has the best set of 43 linebackers, while the 49ers have the best set of 34 linebackers. I think the 34 defense gives teams an advantage because of the number of linebackers they can field.
Posted by TigerBwoy
0.4 miles from Tiger Stadium
Member since Oct 2009
6345 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:51 pm to
If I had to pick a unit, it would be the 49ers.
quote:


Navarro Bowman, Patrick Willis


It's insane that these two dudes play on the same team.

And, I think that pair plays run/pass equally as well as good, or better than any other pair on that list.

2nd place isn't far behind the 49ers though, and for me, it's a toss up between the Broncos and Ravens.
Posted by VerlanderBEAST
Member since Dec 2011
18986 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:54 pm to
LMAO at the Steelers being #7

1.Steelers(have been the best since the Kendra Bell, Jason Gildon, Joey Porter days)
2.49ers
3.Bears
This post was edited on 11/18/12 at 8:57 pm
Posted by MagillaGuerilla
Nick Fairley Fan Club, Founder
Member since Nov 2009
35446 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:55 pm to
quote:

5) Baltimore Ravens - Courtney Upshaw, Terrell Suggs, Dannell Ellerbe, Ray Lewis



FYI Jameel McClain is a regular starter and Upshaw isn't. Paul Kruger starts over him.

And I'd extend it to 10 with Chicago, Dallas, and Seahawks. All have top 10 defenses and at least 2 LBs each that are on PFF's most efficient tackler list.

I'd have to pick the 49ers...
This post was edited on 11/18/12 at 8:56 pm
Posted by DrVinnyBoombatz
Lubbock
Member since Oct 2011
3128 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:58 pm to
Dallas, before Sean Lee got injured, had one of the top units. Especially with the emergence of Bruce Carter. But Ware, Spencer, Carter, and Sims are still a top 10 unit.
Posted by Lester Earl
Member since Nov 2003
278674 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:02 pm to
are you a broncos fan?
Posted by Dupont3
Keithville
Member since Nov 2011
1729 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:06 pm to
49ers or Steelers.

The Ravens are hurt but they are up ther me when Lewis is healthy.
Posted by wildtigercat93
Member since Jul 2011
112369 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:07 pm to
Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Donte hightower

Deffinitly one of the biggest/best against the run

But im bias of course

Oh and SEC SEC SEC
This post was edited on 11/18/12 at 9:09 pm
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75266 posts
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:08 pm to
Jets
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