During his 12-year career he played for Washington, Houston, Arizona and the New York Jets, but he started out with Chicago. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the class of 1966. The Bears have always had a particularly strong middle linebacker, with the following four considered the cream of the crop: Bill… 7. The pair appeared in two Championship games and won one. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images The Bears' tradition of great middle linebackers can be researched back to the invention of the position. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Though nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2020, in his first year of eligibility, he didn’t make the final cut. His speed made him the perfect fit for the Bears’ modified Tampa 2 scheme, which requires the middle linebacker to help the safeties in pass coverage by dropping back between their zones. Overall value to the Bears organization during their playing time, 10 interceptions for 115 yards, 2 touchdowns, 9 interceptions for 91 yards and 1 touchdown, 1 interception for 27 yards and 1 touchdown, 16 interceptions for 256 yards and 5 touchdowns, 16 interceptions for 156 yards and 1 touchdown, 22 interceptions for 324 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tap to unmute. Bears Linebackers. Their greats span the decades of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. That means hours of study before every game. In 1956, the Bears made it to the NFL Championship game only to get drubbed by the New York Giants 47–7. The most commonly used defensive alignment in the NFL, the 4-3 defense, was developed thanks to George’s capability on the defensive end. George is credited by many as being the first-ever true middle linebacker, creating a legacy that future Bears like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher would cement in history. and 2000s. He ran a 4.59-second forty-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2000 at a bodyweight of 258 pounds. He made the Pro Bowl every year from 1954 to 1961 and made seven straight All-Pro rosters from 1955 to 1961. Roquan Smith has a ton of potential. Maybe. Mike Singletary had Wilber Marshall and Otis Wilson. ( Log Out / He has to be smart and know what the offense will do before they do it. Smith was the Bears’ first-round draft pick back in 2018. Visit ESPN to view the Chicago Bears team depth chart for the current season Share. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. He made eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams during his career, and he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2018. Recent Top. 12 is Chuck Howley, who spent just two short years with the Bears. He stood up. One could make a convincing argument that Mike Singletary was the best Bears linebacker in the history of the franchise. The Chicago Bears have the most all-time great linebackers. A first round draft pick of the Chicago Bears, Dick played for them from 1965-1973, and was named All-Pro linebacker seven times. In 1957, he permanently changed position and became the first specialist middle linebacker in the history of the NFL. Wilson played eight seasons in Chicago and started 91 games. However, it was difficult to arrange the top four spots for this ranking of the best Bears linebackers. Former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher will take his rightful place in Canton, Ohio as a member of the Hall of Fame class of 2018. The Raiders drafted Mack with their first-round pick in 2014. All are Hall of Famers, and they well deserve it. They made it to the Super Bowl after the 2006 season but lost to Peyton Manning and a powerful Colts offense. ( Log Out / And though he’s been in the DFW Metroplex since the late ‘90s, he keeps abreast of the development in the Chicago sporting scene through ESPN. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. He never won a championship, made a Pro Bowl, or earned a spot on an All-Pro roster. Copy link. The history of the middle linebacker began in a defensive huddle during the 1954 season. Former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Dick Butkus , who had to quit playing football due to too many injuries and operations on his knees, posing in his shorts with his son. Bill George was a middle guard (teams back then played a standard five-man front). But this linebacker bod is on point.. #middle linebacker #linebacker #football player #gym selfie #Gay #Gay jock #Amsterdam #Netherlands #Inside linebacker #Leggings #Tights #Spandex #under armour. In 1954, in a game against the Eagles (again a revolution begins in a game against the Eagles), the Bears asked George to drop back on a passes. Dick Butkus' tackling style was predicated on intimidating rivals. Where does Khalil Mack rank on a list of the greatest Bears linebackers of all time? As a Bear, Marshall made two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro roster. Many Bears fans hope to see Briggs take his place alongside Urlacher in Canton someday. Growing up in Chicago, Richard Ohlhaber has had for many years the proverbial Bulls and Bears posters in his bedroom wall. However, today he holds a place in the Chicago Bears Ring of Honor. He made seven Pro Bowls and one All-Pro roster while racking up 15 sacks, intercepting 16 passes, and scoring six defensive touchdowns. If given a chance to reside anywhere in the world, Richard would pick Italy. Follow. He was not only the best Bears linebacker of all time, but he just may have been the greatest ever to play the position. Connor played defensive tackle early in his career but shifted to linebacker for his last two seasons. Fortunato and the Bears made it to the NFL Championship game twice. He came into the league in 1984 and saw little action as a rookie. While middle linebacker is one position that’s storied for the Bears, outside linebackers cannot be overlooked. The defensive line of the Chicago Bears has been manned by a long list of legendary defenders. See more ideas about football, chicago bears football, bears football. 10 Best Chicago Bears Linebackers of All Time 1. © JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE. But linebackers who are all brawn and no brains don’t make it very far in professional football. It is physically demanding, as those who play the position need the size and strength to take on offensive linemen, as well as the speed to rush the passer and cover backs out of the backfield. Much is expected of Smith, and he has a long career ahead of him. The certified dog person meanwhile names Cancun, Mexico, as his favorite travel destination. Dick Butkus, 1965-1973 He made five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams during his career. In addition to inventing the outside linebacker, the Chicago Bears invented the middle linebacker. Now, on paper, the Bears appear to have one of the best inside linebacker corps in the league. Mike Singletary was probably the smartest of the bunch, and Brian Urlacher was the most athletic. They each had incredible supporting casts at outside linebacker. He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 1979. Michael Jordan and Walter Payton are his heroes. However, there is another Monster of the Midway I think was even better. George played on the defensive line as a middle guard early in his career. He was the ultimate intimidator who owned the middle of the field. 2017 Inside Linebackers: Jonathan Anderson; Jerrell Freeman; Christian Jones; Nick … Marshall was one of the best outside linebackers of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Over 12 seasons, Briggs started 170 games and quietly put together one of the best careers of any linebacker in Bears history. Then, in 1954, he did something that changed football forever. For more interesting reads about the Chicago Bears, subscribe to this Richard Ohlhaber blog. ( Log Out / mycaffeinatedlife. Urlacher followed Bears middle linebackers Bill George, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary, to the Hall of Fame. If you are a Bears fan, you are a bit spoiled. Butkus was a one-man wrecking machine—one of the most terrifying forces the NFL had ever... 2. During his first two seasons, he started in 26 games, intercepted two passes, and racked up seven sacks. In 59 games, he recorded 16.5 sacks, nine interceptions, and five fumble recoveries. For 12 seasons, Singletary held his post and anyone who crossed his path paid the price. Flanked by great defensive tackles and a system that played to his strengths, Chicago won their lone Super Bowl in 1985. Blessed with physical gifts that he took advantage of, Urlacher helped bring the Bears back to prominence after years of dwelling in the cellar. In fact, except for the Steelers, it is hard to think of another team that has seen as many outstanding linebackers as the Bears.
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