He had 13 sacks, 23 interceptions, and 788 combined tackles. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL linebackers of all time . Opposing offenses quickly discovered it was impossible to scheme against this kind of greatness. 5. From Richard Wood and Dewey Selmon to Derrick Brooks and Shelton Quarles, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a rich history at the linebacker position. But while all these fanbases have ample teams to choose from, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers really have just one: the 2020 Super Bowl squad. Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com. Nitschke was quick to deliver a forearm shiver and brawl at the point of attack. He was versatile, able to line up as a linebacker or a defensive end, but he primarily played linebacker during a career spent with the Rams, Steelers, Panthers, and 49ers. Even if we're only considering outside linebackers, as we shall do this week in our continuing series to select the All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, there are still many outstanding candidates from which to choose. His combination of size and speed helped blaze the trail for the likes of Charles Haley, Derrick Thomas, DaMarcus Ware, and Lawrence Taylor. From 1993 to 2003, that he anchored the Buccaneers’ secondary with the kind of Rondae Barber. His overall impact on the franchise as a member of the famed 1997 and 1999 defenses cements Nickerson’s status as one of the top 5 Greatest All-Time Buccaneers. Here are the 25 hardest hitting linebackers of all-time. To review the positions discussed so far, visit the All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team home page. His body of work falls behind Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, but not by much. Outside Linebacker: Derrick Brooks (1995-2008) Already claiming Warren Sapp 12th overall in the 1995 NFL draft, the Buccaneers claimed Derrick Brooks later in the first round. Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection. Through careful study, he was always one step ahead of the competition. 2020 Buccaneers Position Preview: Linebackers The 2020 Position Preview series rolls on today with a look at Tampa Bay’s talented group of linebackers. As a University of Minnesota tackle, Bell finished third in the 1962 Heisman Trophy voting. Backed by the perfect storm of prowess, intensity, and strategy, Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year three separate seasons and took home League MVP honors in 1986. Ask opposing defenses if he could play. Ray Nitschke was your classic NFL goon and a complete linebacker. At 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, Bell reportedly clocked a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash while wearing tennis shoes. The Ravens' all-time sack leader continues to pave a path of success that can be matched by only a select few linebackers in NFL history. Sam Eguavoen Greenwood, Mean Joe Greene, and Mel Blount. In the huddle, he commanded respect due to his fearlessness and tenacity, which more than made up for his lack of size. The Bucs fought off the Vikings' attempt to replace them as the NFC's sixth seed and now have a two-game edge over the teams just outside the conference playoff picture. The Buccaneers' defense had six sacks against the Vikings in Week 14 and Barrett accounted for two of them. Kirkland was a member of the All-Decade team in the 1990s. In 2000, Lewis willed the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl win by limiting opponents to a measly 10 points per game. In the clutch, he rose to the occasion to diagnose plays, stuff the run, bat down passes, and get stops. It’s a crime he never made a Pro Bowl, yet he was an All-Pro in 1991 and 1992. 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