Greatest NFL Linebackers Of All Time

State · Jun 13, 2026

Remember that last preseason game in the mid 1980s against the Packers I believe where three starters went down with injuries including Tippett?

Just ruined the season.

I remember going to Bryant in the preseason with my brother around 93 and a retired but still physically imposing Tippett stood close by.

His physique and his being a high ranking black belt intimidated me. And that's not easy to do.

FreeTedWilliams · Jun 13, 2026

I just leave it to BB.....

stephens44 · Jun 14, 2026

Tippett is head and shoulders above the rest. I'll take McGinest as my number 2, all time postseason sack leader and made a lot of big plays when it counted.

Actual Pats Fan · Jun 14, 2026

1. Buoniconti. Not close.
2. Nelson.
3. Bruschi.
4. Vrabel.

Andre was a freak and an all timer and a force.

But what is my criteria?

Anyone who saw Nick play here knows.

Every time Steve got hurt and had to leave a game, the defense immediately got gashed to shreds.

The best athletes combine leadership, unselfishness, determination, the ability to make plays at the most crucial times and makes his teammates better. Tedy.

I saw Mike make too many plays on defense alone which no one seemed to notice, including taking down LT @SD in the open field in the divisional playoff where every play was critical.

Steve102 · Jun 14, 2026

I would like to have seen what guys like Tippet and Nelson could’ve done in a Belichick coached team.

stinkypete · Jun 15, 2026

The Patriots only have 4 championships if not for Hightower.

Next question.

mayoclinic · Jun 15, 2026

Andre Tippett. Don't Hightower. Willie McGinest.

Good, yes. But not even close.

For true diehard Patsfans, one LB reigns above all others ...

Adam Seward.

Actual Pats Fan · Jun 15, 2026

stinkypete said:
The Patriots only have 4 championships if not for Hightower.

Next question.

... maybe only 3

Clonamery · Jun 15, 2026

Actual Pats Fan said:
1. Buoniconti. Not close.
2. Nelson.
3. Bruschi.
4. Vrabel.

Andre was a freak and an all timer and a force.

But what is my criteria?

Anyone who saw Nick play here knows.

Every time Steve got hurt and had to leave a game, the defense immediately got gashed to shreds.

The best athletes combine leadership, unselfishness, determination, the ability to make plays at the most crucial times and makes his teammates better. Tedy.

I saw Mike make too many plays on defense alone which no one seemed to notice, including taking down LT @SD in the open field in the divisional playoff where every play was critical.

Fair argument.

Clonamery · Jun 15, 2026

aluminum seats said:
Andre Tippett.

If the guy isn't going to put Lawrence Taylor as the Best NY Giants LBer because "pass rusher," he ain't thinking about Andre Tippett as NE Pats Best LBer.

Betterthanmost · Jun 15, 2026

Actual Pats Fan said:
... maybe only 3

He played the game so clean and intelligently. Dude was clutch.

RobertWeathers · Jun 15, 2026

State said:
Clayton Weihsuhn. A year and a half of greatness. Instincts, football IQ, and quickness that were truly elite. Otherworldly, really.

Him paired with Steve Nelson in the middle was masturbatory material.

The cherry on the sundae was Gil Brandt of the Cowboys openly castigating himself for not drafting the undersized West Texan.

Knee injury cut off the magic. And it was magical.

A truck accident cut off Clayton's life. RIP.

If I had another son, I just yesterday said to myself I'd name him Clayton.

Anyone who saw Clayton play would agree with you.

The man was an absolute force of nature. A career (and life) way too short

BennyBledsoe · Jun 15, 2026

The '80s linebacking crew had an embarrassment of riches, didn't they?

p8ryts · Jun 15, 2026

After thinking long and hard. Buonoconti was the best. Instinctive , excellent tackler, great leader. I’ve seen them all.

Actual Pats Fan · Jun 15, 2026

p8ryts said:
After thinking long and hard. Buonoconti was the best. Instinctive , excellent tackler, great leader. I’ve seen them all.

And Nick left it all out on the field for us. He personifies the Patriots' spirit in not giving a **** that we didn't have our own stadium and no one respected us or the AFL.

When he was traded, he initially refused to go. But he eventually did, and he went to a great gig including three straight Super Bowls.

NormZauchin · Jun 15, 2026

Liked Buoniconti because he was sort of a hometown boy, born and raised in Springfield, MA.

1960Pats · Jul 12, 2026

BennyBledsoe said:
Yeah, I'd still vote for Tippett.

Also, for Bruschi, it's just one 'd' Tedy. And not for nothing, I love pointing out his original number was 45 in training camp/preseason. I absolutely loved that 1996 team.

I have a memory from my days as an AOLe when a fan came on the Pats board after that draft to tell us that we didn't know how great Bruschi was, in spite of his size. The guy was dead on.

scott99 · Jul 12, 2026

Tippett was the best Pat’s LB hands down. Should’ve been a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. Most dominant LB not named Lawrence Taylor of his era.

I was a huge Steve Nelson fan as a kid, and I loved Tedy Bruschi during the 1st part of the dynasty, was a HUGE fan.

PATSNUTme · Jul 12, 2026

Andy "Big Cat" Katzenmoyer could have been a great one. I have never seen anyone with the surgical scars on his neck that he had. They looked like a road map.

TheRainMaker · Jul 12, 2026

PATSNUTme said:
Andy "Big Cat" Katzenmoyer could have been a great one. I have never seen anyone with the surgical scars on his neck that he had. They looked like a road map.

He paved the way for Brian Urlacher. He was compared to Katzenmoyer in the 2000 draft. With that said, I don't think he would've fit BB's scheme especially when they moved to a 3-4.

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