Long-time scout Gil Brandt has been treating us with his lists of the best football players that he's had the pleasure to witness. Last week it was the defensive linemen. This week it's the linebackers.
1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Derrick Thomas
3. Dick Butkus
4. Ray Nitschke
5. Ted Hendricks
6. Derrick Brooks
7. Bobby Bell
8. Ray Lewis
9. Bill George
10. Kevin Greene
11. Chuck Howley
12. Jack Ham
13. Junior Seau
14. Joe Schmidt
15. Dave Robinson
A fine list. I'd like to see Bulldog Turner and Chuck Bednarik on it but it's a fine list.
The biggest surprise on the list is likely Chuck Howley. With Dave Robinson finally getting his Hall of Fame nod in 2013 it left Howley as the only one of Brandt's linebackers not honored in Canton. That's assuming that Ray Lewis is inducted soon after he's eligible. There's plenty of debate over Howley's Hall of Fame candidacy. It's obvious where Brandt stands on the issue. That's no surprise seeing as Howley played 13 years with Brandt's Dallas Cowboys. 6 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pros say he's not wrong.
Personally I'd have Jack Ham and Joe Schmidt closer to the Top-5.
Other than Turner and Bednarik, I'm surprised that Jack Lambert and Willie Lanier didn't make the cut but who does Brandt bump? And it's his list, not mine. Here's mine.
1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Jack Ham
3. Ray Nitschke
4. Dick Butkus
5. Joe Schmidt
6. Derrick Brooks
7. Bobby Bell
8. Bulldog Turner
9. Willie Lanier
10. Chuck Bednarik
11. Jack Lambert
12. Ted Hendricks
13. Ray Lewis
14. Bill George
15. Junior Seau
At least that's how I see the best linebackers today.
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