Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 10 linebackers in franchise history
By Samuel Teets
1. Jack Lambert (1974-84)
Jack Lambert fit perfectly with the culture those 1970s and early 1980s Steelers defenses implemented. Perhaps only “Mean” Joe Greene himself better represented the gritty, ruthless attitude those defenses took on the field. If you were a quarterback or running back and you looked across the line to see this 6-4, nearly toothless monster snarling at you, then you were guaranteed to have a bad day.
In comparison to the other Hall of Famers on those Steelers defenses, Lambert was a late addition. He was drafted out of Kent State — the same school that Harrison attended — in 1974. That year, the Steelers won the first of the four Super Bowls the team would accumulate during the decade. Lambert didn’t make the Pro Bowl, but he was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Lambert’s success in 1974 was a precursor for the rest of his career. He went to nine consecutive Pro Bowls from 1975-83, was a six-time First Team All-Pro, was a Second Team All-Pro in 1975 and he won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1976.
Again, we don’t have access to all official statistics because they weren’t kept in an official status during the era we’re discussing. We do know that Lambert recorded 28 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries during his 11-year career. We also know that he posted four sacks in both 1982 and 1983.
Next. Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 5-round, 10-team projection. dark
Unofficially, Lambert is credited with 1,479 combined tackles and 23.5 sacks. Supposedly, Lambert averaged 146 tackles per season through the first 10 years of his career. Lambert was injured often in his final season, but it does seem suspect that he would only record 19 tackles in 1984 given that he started three games and played in eight. Regardless, he tops the list.
And hopefully Devin Bush will join the party at the end of his career.