NY Jets: Top 10 linebackers of all-time

[caption id="attachment_71299" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of a New York Jets helmet and an NFL football during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn For the NY Jets, who were some of the all-time greats at linebacker? Take a stroll past memory lane remembering the best of the best to ever play the position. rnThe Jets have a lot of memories when it comes to the many top players that played linebacker for the team. Whether they were pure tackling machines or able to get to the quarterback in a hurry, the best of the best gave fans much to cheer for on game day.rnrn[socials]rnrnBefore this list gets underway, here's an honorable mention to linebacker Greg Buttle who spent nine seasons with the Jets between 1976-84. He was a third round pick in the 1976 NFL Draft and was one of 30 Penn State linebackers taken in the NFL Draft from 1970-84. His 15 interceptions are tied with Lance Mehl for the 4 th most by a linebacker in team history, while his three postseason interceptions are a team record.rnrnWithout further adieu, here are the top 10 linebackers of all-time for the Jets.rnrn[nextpost teaser="10. An original member of a championship team" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 10. Ralph Baker – Years with Jets: 11 (1964-74) rnrnBaker played in 142 games with the Jets in his 11 seasons, which is tied with Marvin Jones for the 4 th most by a linebacker. Baker recorded 19 interceptions with the team which is third most among linebackers. Was a starter on the Super Bowl III championship team.rnrn[nextpost teaser="9. The Haitian Sensation" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 9. Jonathan Vilma – Years with Jets: 4 (2004-07) rnrnSelected 12 th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Vilma played just four seasons for the Jets, but they were very productive. Vilma was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004, one of just four Jets to win the award since its inception in 1967.rnrnIn 2005, Vilma had one of the best years for a Jets linebacker, recording a career-high 124 tackles, forcing four fumbles and intercepting a pass. In recognition of his outstanding 2005 season, Vilma is one of five linebackers in team history to be named to the Pro Bowl.rnrn[nextpost teaser="8. A true ironman" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 8. Marvin Jones – Years with Jets: 11 (1993-2003) rnrnDrafted third overall in the 1993 NFL Draft, big things were expected out of the standout linebacker from Florida St. Slowed by injuries in his first six seasons with the team, Jones missed a total of 34 games, including the entire 1998 season.rnrnHowever, starting in 1999 until his final season in 2003, Jones didn’t miss a game, and his 142 games played is tied for the 4 th most by a linebacker in team history with Ralph Baker . One of the best all-around linebackers in team history, Jones finished with nine forced fumbles, five interceptions and seven times recorded 69 or more tackles in his career, along with being named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 5 of 2001.rnrn[nextpost teaser="7. A linebacker that continues to wreak havoc" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71304" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Sep 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace (97) tries to get past Oakland Raiders tackle Khalif Barnes (69) at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Raiders 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 7. Calvin Pace – Years with Jets: 8 (2008-15) rnrnA free agent signed from the Arizona Cardinals in 2008, Pace has thrived as an outside linebacker for the Jets. Pace ranks 5 th in team history and second for a linebacker with 46 sacks. While his 16 forced fumbles rank as the third most in team history and second most for a linebacker.rnrnHis three sacks are tied with Mo Lewis for the most by a Jets' linebacker in postseason history.rnrn[nextpost teaser="6. Consistency was his key" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 6. Kyle Clifton – Years with Jets: 13 (1984-1996) rnrnThe model of consistency, Clifton played in 204 games for the Jets, ranking 3 rd in team history and 1 st for a linebacker. His 15 fumble recoveries are the second most by a Jets' defensive player and the most by a linebacker.rnrnAlthough not an “official” stat, Clifton’s 199 tackles in 1990 and 174 tackles in 1986 rank as the two highest single-season totals in team history, while his 1,468 career tackles rank 1 st in team history.rnrn[nextpost teaser="5. A championship caliber linebacker" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 5. Al Atkinson – Years with Jets: 10 (1965-74) rnrnOne of just five linebackers to be named to the Pro Bowl as a member of the Jets, Atkinson played in 120 games, tied with Calvin Pace for the 7 th most at the position. He was the starting middle linebacker on the Super Bowl III championship team along with being named a 2 nd team AFL All-Pro in 1968.rnrnAtkinson’s 21 interceptions is tied for the 9 th most in team history and 2 nd most by a linebacker.rnrn[nextpost teaser="4. A true tackling machine" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71306" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) is tackled by New York Jets linebacker David Harris (52) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Giants 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 4. David Harris – Years with Jets: 9 (2007-15) rnrnA second round draft pick from the University of Michigan, Harris has been one of the most durable, consistent linebackers in the NFL over the past nine seasons. Harris has missed just five games since entering the NFL in 2007, and currently has played in 116 consecutive games.rnrnOne of the best all-around linebackers in team history, Harris ranks 4 th in tackles, tied for 8 th in sacks with 34.5 – which is the 3 rd most for a linebacker – and is tied for 6 th with 10 forced fumbles. Harris also was twice named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, along with being named a second team AP All-Pro in 2009.rnrn[nextpost teaser="3. An interception machine" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 3. Lance Mehl – Years with Jets: 8 (1980-87) rnrnA third round selection in 1980, Mehl was one of the most talented linebackers to ever play for the Jets. His career was constantly interrupted by injuries that saw him play all 16 games just three times in his eight-year career.rnrnDespite playing in just 97 games, Mehl’s 15 interceptions is tied for the 4 th most by a linebacker, while his 14 sacks are the 5 th most. His most memorable moment came in the 1982 AFC Divisional Round Playoffs when he intercepted Oakland Raiders' quarterback Jim Plunkett twice in the final three minutes to send the Jets to the AFC Championship Game.rnrn[nextpost teaser="2. An original Titan roaming the field" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 2. Larry Grantham – Years with Jets: 13 (1960-72) rnrnAn original Titan, Grantham’s 175 games played is the 7 th most in team history and the 3 rd most among linebackers. A member of the AFL Hall of Fame, Grantham was a five-time All-Pro, while also making the Pro Bowl five times.rnrnHis 24 interceptions are the 3 rd most in team history and the most for a linebacker. Grantham is also one of just seven Jets players to both return an interception and recover a fumble for a touchdown.rnrn[nextpost teaser="1. Truly the best in everything he did" slider="true"]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_71303" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets logo prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 1. Mo Lewis – Years with Jets: 13 (1991-2003) rnrnA three-time Pro Bowler and one time All-Pro in 1998, Lewis was arguably the best all-around linebacker to play for the green and white. His 200 games played ranks 4 th in team history and are the 2 nd most by a linebacker behind Kyle Clifton .rnrn[morestories url="https://thejetpress.com/2016/01/22/ny-jets-top-10-running-backs-all-time/" teaser="Top 10 Jets' running backs of all-time"]rnrnHis 52.5 sacks are the 4th most in team history and the most by a linebacker. Lewis forced 26 fumbles in his career, which is the most in team history, while his 13 fumble recoveries are the 2 nd most by a linebacker. His 3 postseason sacks are tied with Pace for the most in team history at the position.

The Jet Press

NY Jets: Top 10 linebackers of all-time

For the NY Jets, who were some of the all-time greats at linebacker? Take a stroll past memory lane remembering the best of the best to ever play the position.

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