There’s something really fascinating about rating the various linebacking corps in the NFL. Just as the fullback has generally disappeared from offensive football with so many offenses going with three-, four- and five-receiver sets, the strongside linebacker has also started to fade into oblivion. The fade is not as drastic as with the fullback because there are still tight ends to be battled in the running game and covered in the passing game. Still, a position that was once second only to defensive tackles in terms of toughness is now a spot full of faceless players who don’t remind anybody of Andre Tippett. As with the defensive line rankings, the prevalence of the 3-4 defense made ranking the league’s linebackers difficult. Teams with four-linebacker sets, as you will see, tend to get ranked much higher because they have the pass rushers. The others... 5. New York Jets: A quick prediction: By the end of the season, Jets fans will love Jason Taylor(notes), the same guy who used to taunt them as a Dolphins star. Taylor may be near the end, but he still has enough athletic ability to cause problems for offenses. Fortunately for him, he joins a deep and smart linebacking corps, which means he won’t have to play a lot. With Bart Scott(notes), David Harris(notes), Calvin Pace(notes) and Bryan Thomas(notes), the Jets have a great mix of players with enough talent to allow head coach Rex Ryan to run all his exotic blitzes. None of these guys are great, but all of them are very good.
That seems a little high, especially when a 35 year old Jason Taylor gets the most mention out of the group.
I'd say that's a fair ranking. We could be ranked anywhere from 10-5 IMO.... Pace had 8 sacks in 12 games, I think his total goes up if he stays healthy and the world will (finally) know David Harris by season's end.
That's the whole point. If some one is claiming the 35 years old back up is really good, then the starters must be pretty good themselves. I would put our LB corp around 5-8 myself.
They ranked us #5 with Bryan Thomas in the starting line up. I would say we got a decent rating for the LB corp as a whole. Pace gets his due credit. Harris may be a little underrated but people are getting to know him more every time he steps on the field. He needs to string together a few (more) monster games to get better recognition.
"None of these guys are great" Give me a freaking break. David Harris was an ALL-PRO last year. He is GREAT.
I do like our lb core of, harris,pace,scott,thomas, and taylor. this guy agrees w/me that dansby is overrated, and that the dolphins will miss porter and taylor this season.
Oh, and yes, I think Pace and JT on the outside with Harris and Scott on the inside is as good as you can get in the NFL
No one is truly great in their rookie season. Evidently, your idea of "great" is extremely different from mine. For me, you have to stand the test of time to seperate yourself from being "good" to being "great". For you, several good seasons are good enuf. A matter of perceptions and standards definetly. 3 years in the league doesn't make anyone "great" IMO. Call me when Harris has been a perennial pro bowler for 5-10 years running, then talk about "great".
