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Which NFL team has the strongest starting linebacker unit?
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:42 pm
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.
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 on 11/18/12 at 8:51 pm to TTsTowel
If I had to pick a unit, it would be the 49ers.
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.
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 on 11/18/12 at 8:52 pm to TigerBwoy
Niners and Broncos are at the top of my list for sure. Bowman and Willis are just absolute sickos.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:53 pm to TigerBwoy
quote:You're not lying. Willis, himself, is a football freak.
It's insane that these two dudes play on the same team.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:54 pm to TTsTowel
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
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 on 11/18/12 at 8:55 pm to TTsTowel
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 on 11/18/12 at 8:55 pm to VerlanderBEAST
quote:I had the intention of listing them, and totally forgot.
3.Bears
Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Nick Roach.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 8:58 pm to TTsTowel
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 on 11/18/12 at 9:01 pm to MagillaGuerilla
quote:I wasn't sure about McClain and Ellerbe in the middle. I knew Ray Lewis got hurt, and I was guessing at which started the position inside with him. With UpShaw, I just looked here and went by this. I was surprised he has so little sacks this year.
FYI Jameel McClain is a regular starter and Upshaw isn't. Paul Kruger starts over him.
Totally forgot about the Bears, but they have a legit set of linebackers. Everyone knows their name. I know Wagner has played well for Seattle. I remember him playing against Auburn with Utah State. Don;t know too much about any others. I know KJ Wright played at State. Cowboys are another good one. DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Bruce Carter, and Ernie Sims is a good set. They're even missing Sean Lee and I think he was the leader of the defense if I am not mistaken.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:06 pm to TTsTowel
49ers or Steelers.
The Ravens are hurt but they are up ther me when Lewis is healthy.
The Ravens are hurt but they are up ther me when Lewis is healthy.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:07 pm to Dupont3
Pats have good ones in Mayo,Spikes and Hightower.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:07 pm to TTsTowel
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
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 on 11/18/12 at 9:09 pm to TTsTowel
quote:
I wasn't sure about McClain and Ellerbe in the middle. I knew Ray Lewis got hurt, and I was guessing at which started the position inside with him. With UpShaw, I just looked here and went by this. I was surprised he has so little sacks this year.
They have rotated starters since Suggs is back, both of them have picked up a few starts. He was playing the RUSH position earlier with little success and now he plays more of a runstopping position. I think that's his role, he's never gonna be a sack artist. But a balanced 34 OLB like Jarrett Johnson and Anthony Spencer.
quote:
Totally forgot about the Bears, but they have a legit set of linebackers. Everyone knows their name. I know Wagner has played well for Seattle. I remember him playing against Auburn with Utah State. Don;t know too much about any others. I know KJ Wright played at State. Cowboys are another good one. DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Bruce Carter, and Ernie Sims is a good set. They're even missing Sean Lee and I think he was the leader of the defense if I am not mistaken.
Seahawks are a younger group that hasn't been established nationally yet. It's not a highly covered team and it causes them to get overlooked.
They were talking up the combo of Sean Lee and Bruce Carter being Dallas' Willis and Bowman earlier this year...
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:11 pm to Paul Allen
quote:
Jets
Maybe if going by slowest combined 40 times
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:11 pm to Lester Earl
quote:Yes, I thought that was obvious since I always start the game threads, why?
are you a broncos fan?
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:13 pm to MagillaGuerilla
quote:
Seahawks are a younger group that hasn't been established nationally yet. It's not a highly covered team and it causes them to get overlooked.
This, and they're overshadowed by their insane Secondary, which may be the best in the league.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:13 pm to TT9
quote:How exactly do the Pats field these 3?
Pats have good ones in Mayo,Spikes and Hightower.
I ask because I know Hightower, Mayo, and Spikes all played MLB in college from what I can remember.
Posted on 11/18/12 at 9:17 pm to TTsTowel
quote:
How exactly do the Pats field these 3?
I ask because I know Hightower, Mayo, and Spikes all played MLB in college from what I can remember.
From when I've watched them this year, they put Spikes at MLB, Hightower as Sam, and Mayo as Jack since he has the most agility/speed of the 3.
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