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Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 10 linebackers in franchise history

By Samuel Teets

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan reacts after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan reacts after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 23: James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 23: James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

7. James Farrior (2002-11)

James Farrior was a rock for the 2005 and 2008 Steelers Super Bowl teams. Expectations were high for Farrior when he was taken with the eighth overall selection in the 1997 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

Fortunately for Pittsburgh, the linebacker didn’t stick in New York. While he started 15 games as a rookie (1997), Farrior only started two games in 1998. He continued to not start, only opening four games in 1999 and six in 2000. His issues could possibly be contributed to him playing as an outside linebacker, a position he wouldn’t play in Pittsburgh.

Finally in 2001, Farrior started all 16 games for the Jets. He recorded 142 combined tackles, a sack, seven passes defensed, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. It was a breakthrough year, and it came just in time for Farrior to land a deal with the Steelers in free agency. Farrior kicked inside and, after an initial down year in 2002, he became on elf the most consistent inside linebackers in the league.

From 2003 through his final season in 2011, Farrior recorded 996 combined tackles. That averages out to 110 tackles per season. Farrior also recorded 30 sacks, 12 interceptions and eight forced fumbles during his tenure with the Steelers. He made the Pro Bowl in 2004 when he was a First Team All-Pro and 2008 when he was a Second Team All-Pro.

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