A good Linebacker

[Chinaski]

I always had a soft spot for Linebackers. I played QB but in crappy german leagues, its not uncommon that a running back or a physically big QB also helps on the defensive side of the ball so i also have experienced the LB position.

There is one guy i always liked and it was Erin Henderson. I liked him as he came out of University of Maryland as an all american Linebacker. He then got drafted by the Vikings and continued to play well until he suffered a broken leg in 2008. He fought his way through the injury and in this season he is playing great again. An underrated athletic player, fearless and a decisive tackler who is always present to fill the gaps at line of scrimage.

[video=youtube;wDFPnwjs3x0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDFPnwjs3x0[/video]

 

[Chinaski]

Here is another young man i like. Vontaze Burfict of the Cincinnati Bengals.
He came out of college with red flags all over him. He simply couldnt stay off of off field issues. But he is a great young linebacker with great instincts and a high energetic motor. I like him, he only needs to solve those off field issues.

[video=youtube;uCWLbS7hb5I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCWLbS7hb5I[/video]

 

[Chinaski]

I like this kid. A rookie out of Georgia, drafted by the Rams in the first round. Great athletic ability, can run down running backs, agressive tackler who loves to hit or slam down his opponents. He tackles a bit too high which results in spectacular tackles but its not gonna work in the NFL because his opponents are bigger and stronger. An effective tackler tackles a bit lower to make sure the opponent gets down and cant break the tackle but they will teach him at pro level. Great potential here, can become a star.

[video=youtube;y2_LSjYIqf8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2_LSjYIqf8[/video]

 

[Chinaski]

I like violent, hard hitting LBs. This is the job of a LB. To stuff the run, to close the gaps, to run down RBs, to harass the QB... Brian Cushing really has been a rare combination of pittbull mentality, athletisim, power and fearlessness. Unfortunately he broke his leg 3 years ago and while he came back, i feel like he lost a notch of his abilty after that heavy injury. However i still like his style more than most other LBs. Here ge goes against one of the toughest RBs to tackle Marshawn "beast mode" Lynch. Great stuff

[video=youtube;JuKn5_XCcAY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuKn5_XCcAY[/video]

 

[Chinaski]

Generally there is a trend to be observed on this position and its the emergence of white linebackers. After the era of Dick Butkus this position has been dominated and defined by great black players like Lawrence Taylor, Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson to name a few. But a few years back the white linebackers came up again as great tacklers and run stuffers. Currently Luke Kuechly of the Panthers is arguably the best LB in the NFL, followed by guys like Paul Posluszny of the Jaguars who is a great LB aswell. Brian Cushing belong to that group aswell but after the broken leg he has fallen off that group a little bit but still a great tackler with a big heart.