These days in the National Football League, there's so much emphasis placed on the performance of the quarterback that you wonder if he's the only player on the field.
And while the offense may be the main focus for many fans these days, a team isn't going very far without a solid defense.
So here's the sixth of many looks at the other positions on the field and their importance. In this instance, we'll be focusing on the top linebackers in the league. For as many quarterbacks as there are in the league, there are more defenders looking to stop them from doing what they do. And with teams using all variations of the 4-3 and the 3-4, versatility has become the key to this position.
Here are more than a few of the greats playing today.
OLBs Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens: Elvis, the versatile defender who has played both defensive end and outside linebacker, brings his 63.5 career sacks to Baltimore after six seasons on the field (Dumervil missed all of 2010) with the Broncos. That should open things up for Suggs, who missed most of 2012 but should be back to his productive self.
ILBs Patrick Willis and ILB NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers: It's hard to mention one without the other these days. The former has been in the league six seasons and been named to the Pro Bowl each year. Bowman has really emerged the last two seasons and helps make up arguably the league's 1-2 punch at inside linebacker.
OLB Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers: The four-time Pro Bowler was limited to just a dozen games this season but totaled 13.0 sacks along the way. This after a disappointing 2012 in which he got to the opposing quarterback only six times.
ILB David Harris, New York Jets: One of the most consistent performers at his position, Harris can always be found around the ball carrier and the football itself. He's led the Green and White in tackles five times in six seasons.
OLB Von Miller, Denver Broncos: He's played just two years in the NFL but he's already a two-time Pro Bowler and has totaled 30.0 sacks in 31 games. He'll be seeing more double-teaming this season now that Elvis Dumervil is gone.
OLB Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers: Like Miller, Smith has only been in the league two seasons. After not starting a game in 2011, a season in which he produced 14.0 sacks, the former first-rounder totaled 19.5 sacks in his first 13 games this past season. But his production slipped following injuries to himself and teammate Justin Smith. Will he rebound in 2013?
ILB London Fletcher, Washington Redskins: The veteran defender takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Since joining the Redskins in 2007, he's led the team in tackles all six seasons and been named to four straight Pro Bowls.
ILB Brian Cushing, Houston Texans: The former Pro Bowler missed the majority of 2012 due to injury and the Texans defense would eventually feel his loss. When healthy, he's one of the league's most productive defenders.
OLB James Harrison, Cincinnati Bengals: After a great run in the Steel City, which included a pair of Super Bowl titles and NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2008, Harrison will now be chasing Pittsburgh Steelers for the rival Bengals.
There are so many good players at these positions that's it is nearly impossible to mention them all in this space (which is where the readers come in).
There are young stars such as second-year pros Lavonte David (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks), Vontaze Burfict (Cincinnati Bengals) and Luke Kuechly (Carolina Panthers). The latter was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.
There are also emerging players like inside linebackers Daryl Washington (Arizona Cardinals), a Pro Bowler a year ago, and Lawrence Timmons (Pittsburgh Steelers) as well as ageless veterans such as Lance Briggs (Chicago Bears). And will performers such as Brian Orakpo (Washington Redskins) and Sean Lee (Dallas Cowboys) rebound from injury-shortened seasons?
Meanwhile, who would you say has the league's best linebacking corps? In any case, as we continue to try and point out, football is a team game that requires many components to win a championship.
Russell S. Baxter has spent the last 40-plus years watching football. He is the founder of ProFootballGuru.com, writes for numerous websites and publications across the country and is blessed with an encyclopedic memory. Ready to talk NFL? Follow him on Twitter at @BaxFootballGuru.
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