Today we continue our “Stars and Legends” series with a look
at the best linebackers of the past
and present in the NFL. Once again, we
can’t include everyone on these lists, and this one is not meant to be the
final word on the greatest to play this position. However, these are, at the very least, names
every self-respecting football fan should know.
I’ve split this post into two parts:
today, we look at the Stars.
Patrick Willis (San
Francisco 49ers, 2007 to present):
Willis attended the University of Mississippi and was drafted 11th
overall by the 49ers in 2007. The Associated Press named Willis NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that year. In two of
his first three seasons, Willis led the league in tackles. After four seasons, he has compiled 595 tackles
and 15 sacks. He has been selected to
the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons in the NFL and has been selected to
the Associated Press All-Pro* team three times (in 2008 he was named a “second
team” All-Pro). 
DeMarcus Ware (Dallas
Cowboys, 2005 to present): Ware
attended Troy University and was drafted 11th overall by the Cowboys
in 2005. Through the 2010 season, Ware
has recorded 424 tackles and 82 sacks, leading the league in sacks in 2008 and
2010. In the Cowboys record books, he owns four of the top five season totals in sacks. Ware is also an extremely durable player in such a physical position on the field; he has started in 83 out of 84 games in his young career. He has already earned five trips to the
Pro Bowl and has been named an All-Pro three times (making the second team
twice).
James Harrison (Pittsburgh
Steelers, 2002 to present): Harrison
attended Kent State and was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted rookie in
2002. Aside from drawing attention for
making inflammatory statements about NFL Commission Roger Goodell and teammate
Ben Roethlisberger this past offseason, Harrison has compiled fantastic
statistics during his career in Pittsburgh.
Through the 2010 season, he had 488 tackles and 49 sacks. He won NFL Defensive Player of the Year for
the 2008 season, the first undrafted player to win that award. Harrison has won two Super Bowls (XL and
XLIII), been selected to four Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro four times. He also owns the longest play in Super Bowl
history: a 100-yard interception return
for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.
Ray Lewis (Baltimore
Ravens, 1996 to present): Ray Lewis
attended the University of Miami and since he was drafted 26th
overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 1996, he has helped build the Ravens defense
into a league-dominating powerhouse. He
has a reputation for being a powerful leader and an intimidating opponent. Lewis was on the Super Bowl XXXV championship
team and earned the prestigious title of Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. He’s been selected to the Pro Bowl an
incredible 12 times, an NFL record for an inside or middle linebacker. He also holds middle linebacker records for
most games started, seasons played and interceptions return yards. Lewis is also the quickest player to reach 30
sacks and 30 interceptions, accomplishing that feat in 204 games.*Remember that the “All-Pro” selection means that the player is considered the best in his position that year by sports writers.
