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The quarterback is the most revered position in the NFL, as is most offensive skill positions. They are paid the most, have a bigger fanbase, and get credited for wins and losses of the overall team.
It is one of the more difficult positions to master in the NFL, but the "quarterback" of the defense is often overlooked: the linebacker. They are often the leaders and maestros of the defensive side of the ball and are one of the more challenging positions outside of quarterback. More so, NFL linebackers were some of the most intimidating and feared players in the history of the league. Who tops them all though?
Lawrence Taylor forced the NFL to fear him and change the way teams blocked him
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If you were a fan back in the 1980s, you may have just gotten chills running down your spine from seeing the name Lawrence Taylor. If you were a quarterback in that era, you would feel the same thing when you see #56 barreling towards you.
For 13 seasons, Lawrence Taylor stalked the middle of the New York Giants defense. The Giants selected him in 1981 with the second overall pick, right after running back George Rogers went to the New Orleans Saints. It was a controversial pick at the time, with Taylor having extreme contract demands. In the end, it was the right decision by New York to get one of the best outside linebackers in NFL history.
Taylor was an amazing athlete on the field, but can also be credited with revolutionizing defensive scheming and offensive blocking formations. He won a then-record three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and was one of only two defensive players to win the MVP award.
In the 1980s, Taylor was part of "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew," one of the greatest defenses in league history, winning two Super Bowls (1986 and 1990).
His explosive speed and brute power seemingly changed the outside linebacker to what we know today. His skillset forced coaches to rethink how they blocked the edge and introduced chopping the ball out of the ball carrier's hands rather than just tackling them. He finished his career with 132.5 sacks and 56 forced fumbles.
Still not impressed with Lawrence Taylor? Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw once said this about LT: "Who is this guy? He kept coming from my blind side and just ripped my ribs to pieces". Taylor sacked Washington quarterback Joe Theismann and ended his career with a compound fracture to his right leg. While it was mostly a freak accident, it did add more fear to Taylor's presence on the field.
There might have been intimidating linebackers from the past like Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert, Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, and Jack Ham, but none of them changed the game like Lawrence Taylor did.
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I'm an avid football enthusiast with a deep understanding of the NFL and its historical players. My passion for the game extends to a comprehensive knowledge of its key positions, strategies, and iconic figures. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article.
The article focuses on Lawrence Taylor, a legendary NFL linebacker who played for the New York Giants during the 1980s. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed:
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Position Importance:
- Quarterbacks are traditionally considered the most revered and highest-paid positions in the NFL.
- Lawrence Taylor, a linebacker, is highlighted as the "quarterback" of the defense, showcasing the significance of the defensive side of the game.
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Lawrence Taylor's Impact:
- Taylor is portrayed as a game-changer who revolutionized defensive scheming and offensive blocking formations.
- His accomplishments include three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and being one of only two defensive players to win the MVP award.
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Defensive Dominance:
- Lawrence Taylor was a key part of "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew," one of the greatest defenses in NFL history, winning two Super Bowls in 1986 and 1990.
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Innovations in Playing Style:
- Taylor's playing style, characterized by explosive speed and brute power, influenced changes in how coaches approached blocking strategies.
- He introduced techniques such as chopping the ball out of the ball carrier's hands, contributing to the evolution of the linebacker position.
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Individual Achievements:
- Lawrence Taylor's remarkable career statistics include 132.5 sacks and 56 forced fumbles.
- He is acknowledged for his ability to strike fear into opposing quarterbacks, as illustrated by quotes from Terry Bradshaw and an incident with Joe Theismann.
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Comparisons with Other Linebackers:
- The article briefly mentions other intimidating linebackers from the past, such as Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert, Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, and Jack Ham.
- It emphasizes that none of them changed the game like Lawrence Taylor did.
In summary, Lawrence Taylor's impact on the NFL transcends his individual achievements, shaping the way the linebacker position is perceived and played. His influence on defensive strategies and his ability to instill fear in opponents make him a pivotal figure in the history of the league.
