ES Chalk Talk Discussion: Greatest Redskin Linebackers of All Time

[elkabong82]

Hanburger, Huff, Marshall, and Fletcher

Coleman and Harvey honorable mention

Hanburger finally got HOF, Huff is in HOF and has stayed w/ Redskins through commentating, Marshall was a beast for us and played on the 85 Bears, great at tackling and coverage, Fletcher is amazing with the consecutive games streak and has been a top player at his position through most, if not all, of his career.

[KDawg]

I chose Coleman, Harvey, Marshall and Collins:

Here's why: Collins and Fletcher was a tough decision for me. But ultimately, I decided London is going to wind up being the guy I pick down the road, so I chose Collins to throw the guy a bone. He doesn't get much recognition so I thought I'd give him some in a minute, tiny way.

Harvey and Marshall. Tenacious. Destructive. Nasty. Fun to watch. They personify what the word linebacker means.

Coleman: Ridiculous longevity. Essentially 1,000 tackles (second only to Darrell Green in Redskin history).

As stupid as this sounds, I didn't vote Hanburger because of how many votes he was getting. I figured a guy like Collins deserved some love.

[Dan T.]

My list is a little different. I select Kurt Gouveia, Neal Olkewicz, Mel Kaufman, and Monte Coleman to the All-Time-Come-From-Nowhere Team. These guys were really good linebackers, and though they may not be at the very top of the list of all time greats, they came from lower football pedigrees and made the most of their chances. I like to root for the NFL guys who come from relatively humble football origins and build stellar NFL careers.

Gouveia was a Redskins' 8th round pick out of BYU in 1886, the 213th player selected. He lasted 13 years in the NFL, including 8 with the Redskins. He was on two Redskins Super Bowl winning teams.

Neal Olkewicz was signed in 1979 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maryland who played his entire 11 year NFL career with the 'Skins. Olky won two Super Bowls with the Skins.

Mel Kaufman was another Bobby Beathard find, signed as an undrafted free agent from Cal-Poly in 1981. He played his entire 8 year career with the 'Skins, started 78 of 91 games, and played in three Super Bowls, winning two.

Monte Coleman played at tiny University of Central Arkansas, then an NAIA school. He was the 289th player picked in the 1979 NFL draft, in the 11th round by the Redskins. He played 16 seasons in the NFL, all with the Redskins, and is 2nd to Darrell Green all-time for most games played for the franchise. He was a great cover backer.



So, two undrafted free agents, an 8th round pick, and an 11th round pick managed to carve out stellar NFL Super Bowl-winning careers as Redskins linebackers. Combined, these four guys played a whopping 48 years in the NFL.

[CoolHandLuke]

Lavar was the only one who voted for himself.. Shocker!

[Boss_Hogg]

Boss_Hog,

Any reasoning as to why you chose those four? (I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices, to be honest!) Just curious

Chris Hanburger:
-first-team All-NFL four times in a five-season span.
-Named All-Eastern Conference in 1968 and 1969
-All-NFC six times in seven seasons (1970-76)
-Nine Pro Bowls
-19 career interceptions

Sam Huff
-First-team All-Pro selection in four seasons
-Second-team All-Pro selection twice
-All Conference player twice
-5 Pro Bowls

Ken Harvey
-89 sacks in 164 games
-4 Pro Bowls
-Always played at a high level despite playing for some horrible teams (Cardinals, Redskins)
-All Madden Team (Yes I went there )

London Fletcher
-Ageless wonder (save 2012 )
-Most tackles from 2000-2009 (1,244)
-3 Pro Bowls
-19 Career interceptions
-Bart Starr Man of the Year Award (2012)

[MLSKINS]

I went Harvey, Huff, Hanburger, and Fletcher. I wanted to pick Coleman over Fletcher.

I should have put Coleman in over Huff, but I didn't.

The first person that popped in my head, before I saw any choices, was Ken Harvey.

[pjfootballer]

Gouveia was a Redskins' 8th round pick out of BYU in 1886, the 213th player selected. He lasted 13 years in the NFL, including 8 with the Redskins. He was on two Redskins Super Bowl winning teams.

Damn he played for along time.

[thebluefood]

Can you imagine being a quarterback and facing Coleman, Hanburger and Huff while you're barking out the signals.

Incredible players.

[Boss_Hogg]

I forgot to mention my honorable mention: Wilber Marshall.

In hindsight, I'm starting to think I should have selected Marshall over Harvey. Damn you KDawg, why can't I pick 5!

[KDawg]

Because that ruins the fun.

[skins island connection]

For me, nothing showed desire like Coleman. Small school, played his ass off, and was a no nonsense player; Fletch fits that mold, but before Fletch there was Coleman.
OKEE, [Neil] was a player who did his job without alot of attention; offenses often steered away from his area, and if I can't spell their name, THEY MUST BE GOOD! lol...

[Hitman21ST]

Fletcher - One of the constants on the D since he's been here, and often a lone bright spot.

Hanburger - I'm too young to have seen him play, but being in the HoF has to mean something. Plus his name is fun to say.

Harvey - One of the premier pass rushers I've seen in the B&G, always brought it, was just fun to watch.

Huff - Escaped from the Giants to come over to us and anchored his defense. First year here we ranked second in total D, and he helped us win the 72-41 game against New York.

[LetThePointsSoar]

Mine were Olkewicz, Huff, Hanburger and Fletch.

Hanburger for obvious reasons, Fletcher for years of consistent elite play, and while I admittedly don't know as much about Neal and Huff, everything I've read about them, they were sick in their days.

[jacobyjoe]

Marshall,Harvey,Arrington and Huff - in that order too

[Airyx]

I'm surprised with how little love Kurt Gouvia is getting. He was a stone wall when it came to shutting down the run. He was a big reason why the team got to the super bowls in 87 and 91.