Bears Blitz

Published by Bob Cunningham on July 7, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The middle linebacker has undergone somewhat of a transformation over the past decade or so in that they’re no longer the unquestioned leader of a defense.

Back in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s the middle linebacker was the quarterback of the defense. He was that guy who played middle linebacker partly because of his size, but mostly because he was the smartest guy on that side of the ball and a natural leader.

That’s not to say that the middle linebackers today aren’t smart or natural leaders, but teams don’t necessarily rely on them to quarterback the defense any longer.

The Eagles, for example, used Brian Dawkins a lot to make defensive calls on the field. This was even before the young Stewart Bradley took over the spot. Jeremiah Trotter made his fair share of calls, but Dawkins was the unquestioned leader.

The position is evolving, but these guys are having no problem evolving with it.

5. Stewart Bradley (Philadelphia Eagles)

17 games started, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 forced fumble, 100 tackles

Bradley was originally drafted as a SAM linebacker out of Nebraska, but just looking at his 6’4 255 pound frame it’s easy to peg him as a prototypical middle linebacker.

While Bradley hasn’t been doing it very long, he did do it very well last year while leading the Eagles defense to a top-three ranking in his first season as a starter.

There’s no doubt that Bradley is the future of the Eagles defense, and not much doubt that he’ll continue to do lead them well. He’s big, fast, strong, and most importantly of all he’s extremely intelligent. There’s certainly something to be said of a second-year man digesting Jim Johnson’s defense so quickly.

He earned some recognition last year, getting a couple second-team All-Pro nods from quite a few writers. Look for him to get some recognition where it counts and have an invite to the Pro Bowl.

4. Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears)

135 games started, 37.5 sacks, 17 INTs, 8 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 813 tackles, 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

What he lacks in the category of forced fumbles he makes up for with his number of interceptions. Of course, he has more of an opportunity than most middle linebackers because he plays in a Tampa 2 scheme, but regardless it’s an impressive number.

Urlacher made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four years in the league, and earned All-Pro honors in his second and third season. After a down year in 2004, a year in which he only played nine games due to injury, he reclaimed his elite status by earning back-to-back Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in ’05 and ’06.

Only in ’06 and ’08 did he not account for at least one sack, and ’03 and ’05 were the only seasons in which he did not have an interception.

Urlacher may be slowing down, but he’s still one of the best.

3. Jon Beason (Carolina Panthers)

32 games started, 4 INTs, 216 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Jon Beast-on as he’s affectionately dubbed, brings back memories of the old-school, hard-nosed middle linebackers of the past. When I look at Beason, I see the old films of Dick Butkis.

He’s a guy who will plow you over, get up and let you know that he’s the best you’ll ever see. That’s the kind of mentality that makes great middle linebackers.

Beason earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in only his second season in the league, and he was absolutely deserving.

The man is a missile who has the disadvantage of being human. If he ever gets a cut, I want someone checking to make sure he’s not some sort of cyborg.

2. Lofa Tatupu (Seattle Seahawks)

63 games started, 6.5 sacks, 9 INTs, 6 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 331 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Perhaps the most underrated player in the NFL today, Lofa Tatupu has been doing his job very well without much recognition over here towards the Atlantic.

2008 was a down year for Tatupu, as it was the first year that he did not make the Pro Bowl since his rookie season in 2005. That’s right, Tatupu earned Pro Bowl honors in the first three years of his career, and even earned All-Pro honors in 2007.

He has a nose for the ball, as evidenced by his nine career interceptions, and even while undersized at only 6’0 and 240 pounds, he’s one of the best tacklers in the game.

Fun fact: Almost half of his career interceptions (4-of-9) have come against the Philadelphia Eagles.

1. DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans)

48 games started, 6.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 311 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

Ryans won defensive rookie of the year honors in 2006, and then his first Pro Bowl trip the year after (after being snubbed in his rookie season).

Ryans is a throwback middle linebacker in that he plays with a mean-streak that the league has not seen since Mike Singletary took his last snaps.

He’s a tackling machine and obviously understands the game very well. He’s rarely caught out of position, and once he’s got his hands around you, there is no getting out.

At 6’1 and 235 pounds he’s not the biggest guy, but one hit in the early-goings of a game and you’ll never forget him. He might be pound-for-pound the most powerful middle linebacker in the league and is only getting better.

By the time he’s done, we’ll be talking about an All-Pro type of guy, and perhaps one of the best to ever buckle a chinstrap.

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