This Steelers-coached Defense opts to run a 3-4 defensive scheme, so their crew of 4 starting linebackers ranks overall #1 among the 8 divisions' line-backing crews. Their inside linebackers rank #2 overall and the outside linebackers rank #3.
AFC North Starting Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
Adopting the O.J. Simpson philosophy, we must separate his off-the-field problems from his accomplished feats. Most people put him behind Lawrence Taylor all-time, but I think he should actually be #1 overall on the all-time NFL Defensive Players list. Unlike Taylor and Reggie White (PLEASE PLEASE do not take that as any slight toward them), Lewis was everywhere on the field. He had 41 sacks and 31 picks to go along with his 2,000+ tackles. He won 2 Super Bowls with his team, was a 13-time Pro Bowler, 10-time All-Pro (both records for Linebackers), holds the NFL record for post-season tackles with 51, and will no doubt be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His biggest claims to fame, perhaps, were his 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, both in 2000 and 2003.
AFC North Starting Middle Linebacker: Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers
Seen by most credible thinkers as "the premier linebacker of his era," Lambert was the starting middle linebacker for four Super Bowl-winning teams in an 11 year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lambert, whose nicknames ranged from "Smilin' Jack" to "Dracula in cleats" to "Jack Splat," made 9 Pro Bowls and 8 All-Pro teams. He also made both the NFL All-1970s and 1980s teams. His biggest accomplishment, perhaps, was winning the 1976 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
AFC North Starting Outside Linebacker: Jack Ham, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ham was blessed with tremendous quickness: according to Steelers' coach Chuck Noll and teammate Andy Russell. Ham was the "fastest Steeler for the first ten yards, including wide receivers and running backs." This was on a team which included John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, and Frank Lewis. The Hall of Famer, of course, helped lead his team to 4 Super Bowls while earning 8 Pro Bowls and 8 All-Pro selections. He also holds the NFL record for most career forced turnovers by a linebacker (53).
AFC North Starting Outside Linebacker: Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
It was tough deciding between Suggs, James Harrison, and Joey Porter. Porter's best year was in Miami, Harrison only had 3 years of double-digit sacks, and Suggs has had the consistency you would want in a sack artist. He is a few games away from recording his 100th sack. He won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, a year before helping lead Baltimore to their 2nd Super Bowl victory. He currently has 6 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pros under his belt.
Back-up Middle Linebacker: James Farrior, Pittsburgh Steelers
He is a 2-time All-Pro, 2-time Pro-Bowler, and 2-time Super Bowl Champion with Pittsburgh. Nicknamed "Potsie" because of a pot-belly he had when he was a kid, fans also identify him as "The Ultimate Farrior," a favorable comparison to WWF's The Ultimate Warrior.
Back-up Middle Linebacker: Walt Michaels, Cleveland Browns
An early pioneer of football, Michaels helped his Browns take home 2 Championships in the 1950s. He made 5 Pro Bowls, all consecutively. He also made 5 All-Pro teams.
Back-up Outside Linebacker: James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
Interesting Fact: Harrison is only 6' tall. But man, is he a monster, or what? Harrison has amassed 66 sacks and 29 forced fumbles on his way to being selected to 5 Pro Bowls and 4 All-Pro teams. He was nicknamed "Mr. Monday Night" for the way he seemed to upgrade his game when he played in the primetime. He has won 2 Super Bowls with his team, XL and XLIII. In the latter, he set an NFL record with a 100-yard interception return. He was just edged out for Super Bowl MVP by Santonio Holmes, who made the game-winning catch.
Back-up Outside Linebacker: Joey Porter, Pittsburgh Steelers
He finished his illustrious career with 98 sacks, 31st all-time in NFL history. He made 4 Pro Bowls, had 4 All-Pro selections, and won a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2005. Porter also found a spot on the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
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