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NYGiantsSBXLIICHAMPS said 04/01, 12:58 PM
I think you're pretty hypocritical when you say no crystal ball **** and then say potential, but nevertheless, here are my linebacking cores

In No Particular Order

1. New England Patriots- Say what you want about age, but these groups of linebackers are still pretty damn good(and damn near perfect) Seau, Vrabel, Bruschi, and Adalius Thomas are more than solid linebackers

2. Baltimore Ravens- I know the team was afwul last season, but its hard to make up for having ancient McNair or awful Kyle Boller at QB: Jarret Johnson, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, and Ray Lewis are a pretty fearsom foursome

3. San Diego Chargers- This group has two of the best linebackers in the league: Matt Wilhelm, Stephen Cooper, Shaun Phillps, and Shawn Merriman

4. Chicago Bears- This team had a very disappointing 07 season, but like the Ravens the Bears had an awful offense with no QB, a bad Cedric Benson, and no real receiving threats: Hunter Hillenmeyer, Lance Briggs, and Brian Urlacher

5. Green Bay Packers- A very young, talented group that was oh so close to going to Arizona last January: Brady Poppinga, A.J. Hawk, and Nick Barnett

NYGiantsSBXLIICHAMPS said 04/01, 01:30 PM
I don't really see the connection between the worst QB of all time in Ryan Leaf, and outstanding linebacker in Briggs and the best MLB in the NFL. The Bears didnt buy into their own hype, they had no offense whatsoever, and it finally caught up to the defense, which carried that team for years. Grossman/Griese/Orton are bad quarterbacks, Benson looks like a bust, and who the hell did the Bears have to throw to, Mushin Muhamed, Berrian? On top of that they lost several important players along the way, two starters on defense in fact. Like I said before, the Pats may be old at linebacker but their corps is still an elite group in this league, you don't go nearly perfect without some good linebackers. Sure Merriman dropped off from 06, but thats what happens when you have a monster season like he did, he gets much more attention placed on him. I'm not so sure why you are so high on the Bills, Poz has proven nothing so far, and Crowell and Mitchell are decent, nothing special. There are several corps I would take over Buffalos

NYGiantsSBXLIICHAMPS said 04/01, 04:24 PM
Everybody hates on the Patriots linebacking core because they gave up that last touchdown drive to the Giants in the Super Bowl. Lets say that Jarvis Green actually sacks Eli, or Harrison bats that miracle pass down, then the Pats win the Super Bowl, go undefeated, and all this talk about the linebackers being completely washed up is never even brought up.
Also, what is with this insane theory you have about the Bears buying into their own hype. You cannot underestimate what the Bears defense had to deal with the entire season, a very pathetic offense. The Bears only weapon is Devin Hester, who is primarily a kick/punt returner.
Sure Poz has potential for the Bills, but are you honestly saying that the Bills linebacking corps is one of the five best in the entire league? I don't think so. San Diego's is much more talented than Buffalo's. I would take Merriman and Phillips over the Bills three linebackers any day.
The Cowboys I'm not so high on either. Sure Ware is great, but Ellis isn't anything special. I would not put Dallas into top 5 status either