As a part of the celebration of the Bengal's 50th year of existence, the organization is having fans vote on a "First 50" team of the 50 greatest past Bengals players. The voting period has officially ended, but I thought it might be fun to discuss who you'd pick by position.

 

Given the percent of linebackers from the total pool of players to choose from, plus their impact on the team's performance, you should be able to pick 6 LBs and still keep a fairly even distribution from among other positions.

 

You can check out the players in the link and look at some basic info on their individual careers with the team. Bengals First 50

 

 

 

LINEBACKERS:

1) Beauchamp, Al

2) Bergey, Bill

3) Cameron, Glenn

4) Dinkel, Tom

5) Francis, James

6) Harris, Bo

7) Jones, Dhani

8) Leclair, Jim

9) Pritchard, Ron

10) Simmons, Brian

11) Spikes, Takeo

12) Tovar, Steve

13) Williams, Reggie

14) Zander, Carl

I only know about 6 names there. So I guess Takeo Spikes would be my top one.

 

One thing is for sure imo Is Burfict is the best linebacker the Bengals ever had. Especially after seeing this list.

I only know about 6 names there. So I guess Takeo Spikes would be my top one.

 

One thing is for sure imo Is Burfict is the best linebacker the Bengals ever had. Especially after seeing this list.

 

Agreed... not a lot of great linebackers in Bengals history.. it was hard to pick 6... lol!

Will have to disagree with some of you. Did you see any of these guy's play? I'd say three,Bergey,Leclair,and Reggie Williams were as good,if not better than Burfict. the only thing Burfict has done...so far ,is help the Bengals lose a playoff game. I'll agree,not a great list,but there have been some pretty good linebackers play for this team.Again, .....it's retired players.

No Alfred Williams, Joe Kelly, Kevin Walker or Richardo Mcdonald?

Will have to disagree with some of you. Did you see any of these guy's play? I'd say three' date='Bergey,Leclair,and Reggie Williams were as good,if not better than Burfict. the only thing Burfict has done...so far ,is help the Bengals lose a playoff game. I'll agree,not a great list,but there have been some pretty good linebackers play for this team.Again, .....it's retired players.[/quote']

 

You do realize Burfict was probably the mvp of that game and was one of the biggest reasons the Bengals were even in position to win that game right? At the end of the day Hills fumble was the reason they lost. Without that, none of the other stuff ever happens. Which btw the Bengals have never been known for good or even great defenses. Since Burfict has been here the Bengals have been in top 10 in total defense or scoring defense every year besides one.

 

As for your list Reggie Williams was the only one I heard of. And I am sorry but the Bengals have to be probably at the bottom in all nfl teams in terms of how many good linebackers they have had in their history. The fact that Dhani Jones is even on this list of linebackers the Bengals have had over their 50 years as an organization says it all. Dhani Jones was a nice leader while here and an average player. Shows how there really wasn't to many good linebackers to choose from when thinking of best linebackers the Bengals have had.

Edited August 4, 20179 yr by futurecoach

You do realize Burfict was probably the mvp of that game and was one of the biggest reasons the Bengals were even in position to win that game right? At the end of the day Hills fumble was the reason they lost. Without that, none of the other stuff ever happens. Which btw the Bengals have never been known for good or even great defenses. Since Burfict has been here the Bengals have been in top 10 in total defense or scoring defense every year besides one.

 

As for your list Reggie Williams was the only one I heard of. And I am sorry but the Bengals have to be probably at the bottom in all nfl teams in terms of how many good linebackers they have had in their history. The fact that Dhani Jones is even on this list of linebackers the Bengals have had over their 50 years as an organization says it all. Dhani Jones was a nice leader while here and an average player. Shows how there really wasn't to many good linebackers to choose from when thinking of best linebackers the Bengals have had.

 

Agreed... imo, Burfict has the best instincts and motor that the Bengals have ever had at LB.

The only player that I'd argue could've surpassed Burfict is a guy that makes Tez look like a perfect citizen... that's Odell Thurman.

Odell had incredible instincts, speed, strength, quickness, etc... he also happened to be a true thug, a criminal...

Something that, as much as many want to try to portray Burfict as being... he's not even close.

 

Odell = thug

 

Burfict = intense, at times immature, and loses self awareness/control

I will give you that,after revisiting the playoff game,Hill,and Pac-Man were more responsible for that loss. Burfict has had a history though,no doubt, of doing some bone head stuff.Hopefully he will figure it out. My point would be,if you didn't see these guy's play,it's tough to really rate them. Just my opinion. I am lucky that i was old enough to remember this team when it started. You guy's are rough on the linebackers. ...LOL!!! Not every team in their history can have guy's like Ham and Lambert backing up the d-line. But i understand where your coming from. Just for the record,I 'm NOT a Bengals fan. So i have no skin in the game. Just enjoy football. Love the give and take guy's. On to the d.b.'s !!!!

I only know about 6 names there. So I guess Takeo Spikes would be my top one.

 

One thing is for sure imo Is Burfict is the best linebacker the Bengals ever had. Especially after seeing this list.

You are making me feel very old lol.

My picks were Bergey, LeClair and Reggie Williams. If Burfict was on the list he would be my pick but he's not so it's those 3 and not close imo. For those that go by numbers, many stats weren't even kept when some like Bergey played such as sacks etc. Those 3 I voted for were among the best this team has ever seen and demanded offenses account for them each and every game.

Too bad we couldn't have seen how Odell Thurman's career played out. Maybe he would have been one of the top 6. The one year we got of Odell was awfully good.

You are making me feel very old lol.

My picks were Bergey, LeClair and Reggie Williams. If Burfict was on the list he would be my pick but he's not so it's those 3 and not close imo. For those that go by numbers, many stats weren't even kept when some like Bergey played such as sacks etc. Those 3 I voted for were among the best this team has ever seen and demanded offenses account for them each and every game.

 

I'm glad you made it back just in time for football season!