The Best Linebackers Not in the Hall of Fame

The NFL loves offense and the Hall of Fame loves offensive players. A plethora of players at marquee positions dominate the busts at the Hall.

The last few years, the Hall has tried to correct the imbalance by placing a premium on pass rushers and putting more in the Hall.

The defense still has a backlog of great players. Most are stuck in the deep, murky seniors pool: A seniors pool that is overflowing with worthy candidates but the selection is hard because only two are pulled from the pool each year.

And some pulled, like Claude Humphrey this year, are put back in the pool.

The linebacker list is long and varied. The sack specialists of the last few decades, like this year's pick, Kansas City Chiefs OLB Derrick Thomas, dominate the selection list. Players who dominate against the run or in pass coverage don't seem to get much respect.

Below are some linebackers that should hear the Hall's call.

Dave Robinson—Green Bay Packers

The Penn State product was a 1960's All-Decade selection after starring for Vince Lombardi's great Green Bay Packer teams. The three-time Pro Bowler was perhaps the most athletic player in the Packer front seven. So many Packers are already in from these teams that it may be hurting his chances.

Tommy Nobis—Atlanta Falcons

Larry Czonka once said he rather play against Butkus then Nobis. Mr. Falcon was a five-time Pro Bowler, Rookie of the Year, and is a member of the 1960's All Decade team.  Playing in Atlanta, on often poor Falcon squads, seems to have harmed his chances.

Chuck Howley—Dallas Cowboys

He went to six Pro Bowls, was the MVP of Super Bowl V, and he garnered over 20 interceptions and 20 Sacks in his 13 year Cowboy career. In his second Super Bowl appearance, he nearly won MVP again with a big fumble recovery and a 41-yard interception return.

Andy Russell—Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite making seven Pro Bowl appearances over a 13 year career—with a two year US Army stint in the middle—Russell never got the attention of his Hall of Fame linebacker teammates, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert.

Robert Brazile—Houston Oilers

A seven-time Pro Bowler and Rookie of the Year, Doctor Doom is the only linebacker on the 1970's All-Decade team not in the Hall of Fame.

Randy Gradishar—Denver Broncos

This seven-time Pro Bowler and a Defensive Player of the Year was a key element in the Broncos "Orange Crush" defense of the seventies.

Rickey Jackson—New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers

The six time Pro Bowlers racked up 136 sacks, 29 fumble recoveries, eight interceptions, and won a Super Bowl ring late in his career with the 49ers.

Kevin Greene—LA Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers

Greene is third on the NFL's all-time sack list, the leader among linebackers, with 160. He made six Pro Bowls and was selected to the All-Decade Team of the 1990's.

Wilbur Marshall—Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals

Marshall was an impact player who specialized in big plays in big games. A key part of the Bears' attacking Super Bowl defense, he also played a dominate role during the Redskins' later Super Bowl run.

He was a vicious player who could play the pass, the run, or rush the passer equally well. His combined 84 sacks, fumble recoveries, and interceptions tops several Hall of Fame linebackers' numbers.

Chris Hanburger—Washington Redskins

The long time Redskin was a nine-time Pro Bowler and leader of George Allen's "Over the Hill Gang" Super Bowl run.

Joe Fortunato— Chicago Bears

The five-time Pro Bowler was named to the All-Decade team of the 1960's and to the NFL's All-Time Top 300 players list but he has yet to hear the call from the Hall. He was a key part of the great Bears 1963 defense.

Larry Morris— Chicago Bears

The MVP of the Bears-Giants 1963 Title Game, Morris is also a member of the 1960's All- Decade team.

Lee Roy Jordan—Dallas Cowboys

The five-time Pro Bowler was the anchor of Tom Landry's "Doomsday Defenses" of the seventies. His 32 interceptions is third all-time among linebackers.

Seven more good ones also just outside the door include:

Clay Matthews—Cleveland Browns

Otis Wilson—Chicago Bears

Carl Banks—New York Giants

Tom Jackson—Denver Broncos

Bill Bergey—Philadelphia Eagles

Carl Banks—New York Giants

Karl Mecklenberg—Denver Broncos