Ranking The Outside Linebackers

Well, the time has come to move outside...at the linebacker position anyway. For those who have not noticed yet, I am updating the current news around the NFL on the right sidebar.

U means upside...D means decline...I means Injury prone...R means should Retire

1. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys (U) --- I hear the groans already...just cause he is a Cowboy. But Ware had 84 tackles and a career high 14 sacks... a high among all LBs. Defences must be a-Ware of him every time he is on the field, as the Cowboys like to move him around a lot.
2. Thomas Howard, Oakland Raiders (U) --- Thomas who? Watch the Raiders play. While Howard only got one sack and didn't reach 100 tackles (95) he had 6 INTs...which is insane for a LB. Howard has his best years ahead of him, and has great speed to make plays all over.
3. Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers (U) --- Kept himself out of trouble last year, but his sack total dropped to 12.5. Merriman was focused on by opposing defences more last year, and it showed. He still is a beast to block, and it just beginning to enter his prime.
4. Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears --- Overshadowed by Brian Urlacher, Briggs is every bit as good. Got the long-term contract he craved with Chicago, but didn't draw any attention on the open market. Nevertheless, Briggs is an exceptional play maker.
5. Ernie Sims, Detroit Lions (U) --- Needs to leave the Lions to get noticed, as he led all OLBs in tackles with 134, but was not voted to the Pro Bowl. He only had one sack a year ago, so maybe the Lions will use his speed to get to the QB this year.
6. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers --- Made a case for Defensive Player of the Year a season ago. Harrison had 98 tackles, 8.5 sacks and one INT, and could improve on those numbers as he gets old. Doesn't have the speed some have, but is stronger and knows how to get to the ball.
7. Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (D) --- Appears to be slipping a bit, but is still a very effective tackler. He reached the 100 tackle mark for the seventh consecutive season.
8. D.J. Williams, Denver Broncos --- Ranked 2nd in the league in tackles playing in the middle a season ago, now Williams moves back to the weak side where he excels. Has good speed and strength, but isn't really used as a pass rusher.
9. Keith Bulluck, Tennessee Titans --- Bulluck failed to reach the 100 tackle mark for the first time in four years (88), but he did grab 5 INTs. He may not be as speedy as he once was, but he was overshadowed by the play of DT Albert Haynesworth.
10. Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots (D) --- Exploded last year for a career high 12.5 sacks, but only had 77 tackles in total. Vrabel is getting up there in years, but his pass rushing skills are better than ever. He can also catch TDs in goal line situations.
11. Julian Peterson, Seattle Seahawks --- Has resurrected his career in Seattle, notching 9.5 sacks a year ago. Has gelled nicely in the defence with MLB Lofa Tatupu, and still has the speed and strength to be a force against both the run and pass.
12. Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens --- Had a career-low in sacks (5), but had a career high in tackles (80). The secondary was injured a lot last year, which lowered Suggs' time to get after the QB. Expect him to come back this year...if he gets his contract business sorted out.
13. Greg Ellis, Dallas Cowboys --- Missed a couple games and still reached a career-high 12 sacks. Ellis is getting up there in years, and it appears he could lose some time to last year's first rounder Anthony Spencer. But, Ellis is still very good at getting after the QB.
14. Shaun Phillips, San Diego Chargers --- The other pass rusher in SD, Phillips doesn't get as much recognition as Merriman does. He does, however, get the job done. While his sack total dropped by three, he reached a career-high with 68 tackles.
15. Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs --- Has yet to reach his first round potential, but is a very solid 4-3 LB. Johnson has great speed, but hasn't been utilized as a pass rusher. With Jared Allen gone, it could mean bigger sack totals for Johnson.
16. A.J. Hawk, Green Bay Packers (U)
17. Calvin Pace, New York Jets
18. Angelo Crowell, Buffalo Bills (U)
19. Marcus Washington, Washington Redskins (I)
20. Kawika Mitchell, Buffalo Bills
21. David Thornton, Tennessee Titans
22. Michael Boley, Atlanta Falcons
23. Omar Gaither, Philadelphia Eagles (U)
24. Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals (I)
25. Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings (U)
26. Manny Lawson, San Francisco 49ers (U/I)
27. Kamerion Wimbley, Cleveland Browns (U)
28. Willie McGinest, Cleveland Browns (D/R)
29. Rocky McIntosh, Washinton Redskins (U)
30 Cato June, Tampa Bay Buccaneers