Best LB group ever?

[soonerfan28]

This one is going to be hard for me because I am a young guy and have watched some great ones in the Stoops era. So with that said what group of LB's were the best? I personally think Marshall, Calmus and I guess you could say TRRW was in there at least for the national title game. That's just my opinion. Roger Steffen was the other LB.

[swardboy]

Weren't George Cumby and Darryl Hunt on the field at the same time? And both had good NFL careers....tough combo.

[RedstickSooner]

Everyone judges the Boz by his NFL career, or lack thereof. When he was on the field, he *was* the defense both the way he played, and the way he led the defense with his insane intensity.

So, although I don't know how good the LB corps ranks as a unit during his playing days here, I feel like it has to get at least honorable mention merely for his presence.

[MojoRisen]

Not to mention Dante Jones backed him up- His NFL career I believe was pretty solid.

[King Crimson]

Usual 74-75 suspects would be Shoate-Elrod.

[HateTheWhorns]

Usual 74-75 suspects would be Shoate-Elrod.

#1 - Shoate, Hunt, Cumby era (mid-1970s)
#1a - Bosworth, Jones, Migliazzo, Gatewood era (mid-1980s)
#3 - Calmus, Marshall, Lehman era (early 2000s)

In fairness to group #3, they were the only group on my list to face a multitude of balanced offenses. The first two groups primarily faced run-oriented attacks and could tee-off. The only balanced offenses that I remember either of the first two units playing against were Stanford in 1984 and Miami from 1985-1987. We shut Stanford down, but gave up quite a few yards to Miami along with 28, 28, and 20 points, respectively.

[soonerfan28]

The Boz was the reason I starting watching OU. He was, if not the greatest college linebacker, one of the best. He won the first 2 Butkus awards and no one has done that since. I think that award has come close to being as recognizable as the Heisman. I still think Calmus and Marshall were a hell of a tandem and with TRRW playing next to them against Florida State that would have to rank up there with anyone.

[soonermix]

the boz was on the roids

[soonerfan28]

I'm sure he was the only one at that time though right.

[Taxman71]

The common thread with all 3 groups is that they had some dominant guys on the d-line during their prime....Selmons, Casillas & Co. and Tommy Harrie/Dusty. Dominant noseguards and 3 techniques will turn a very good LB into a beast. Of course, all 3 had pretty salty cover guys in the secondary to keep them from having to play a lot of zone = tee off on ball carriers.

[stoopified]

Weren't George Cumby and Darryl Hunt on the field at the same time? And both had good NFL careers....tough combo.I would go for Cumby and Hunt as a tandem.Shoate did not play with thye.His senior year was '74,Cumby and Hunt were at OU from '75-'79.Shipp and Benson were pretty good too('83-'84,I think).

[AzianSooner]

No LB group consider to be the top LB group unless they help to win at least 1 NC.

There are LBs who helped to win 2 NC in a row.

I would cry for you if you see this one to be the best group ever.

[CU Sooner]

I know this is a little off subject, but why do they call penn state linbacker U? they only have 8 aa's and two butkus winners while OU has 19 aa's and 4 butkus winners. I ony bring this up because it seems like OU always has one really good lb and most of the time two. OU is the real linebacker U!

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Its like osu being called tailback U..just laugh and snicker when you hear it..


I think calling Penn St Draft Bust U would be more fitting

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Also I do disagree about having to win a NC to be a great LB corp....thats just 3 of the 22 positions on the field

[Rogue]

:les:Aubrey Beavers!

[AzianSooner]

Also I do disagree about having to win a NC to be a great LB corp....thats just 3 of the 22 positions on the field

I said "help to win".