Linkbacker-U is rankin the linebackers

Tamba Hali (Photo: SI.com)

Here at Linebacker-U, we take our linebackers very seriously. Which is why when ESPN comes out ranking the top linebackers in the National Football League, that catches our attention.

Here's how they ranked

1. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
2. James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers
3. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
4. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
5. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
6. Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots
7. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
8. LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
9. Jon Beason, Carolina Panthers

That's right. That's former Penn State sack machine Tamba Hali. Not mentioned in this list? Aaron "Worst Player in the NFL" Maybin. Hey, at least he got to get away from the ridiculous weather of State College and move to a warm weather city....nevermind Buffalo? Yeah his life sucks.

Always for the Glory: NFL Update Week 14

It was a fantastic week for one of Linebacker U's very own, as Sean Lee erupted onto the scene with two interceptions, one going for a pick-6. Oh, and Lee's interceptions came against some quarterback named Peyton who wore a horseshoe on his helmet.

Adding to that, Cameron Wake is now the NFL leader in sacks this season (12), while Tamba Hali picked up two more sacks, and a forced fumble, in the Chiefs' divisional win this week.

And finally to note this week, Jeremy Kapinos--who gets bounced around the league like a pinball--hooked up with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Always for the Glory: NFL Update Week 13

There are still 29 former Nittany Lions currently on NFL rosters, including a few who are making quite the impression on their teams.

From Aaron Maybin making a tackle (holy cow!) to Tamba Hali and Cameron Wake tearing up the AFC, and a few more pleasant surprises in between. It's all in this week's Always For The Glory update.

NFC North

Chicago Bears - Chicago Bears 31, Philadelphia Eagles 26

This week: Chicago @ Detroit, 1 p.m. Sunday on FOX.

Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT
Adams started at nose tackle for the Bears, forcing a Michael Vick fumble while recording a sack for a loss of nine yards in the third quarter.

Robbie Gould (2001-04), K
Gould was perfect on the day, going 1-for-1 on field goal attempts, making a key 23-yarder late in the third quarter, and 4-for-4 on PATs.

10 Minutes or Less: 2004 Penn State at Indiana

Penn State was wallowing in a second straight losing season. But unlike the 3-9 season in 2003, the 2004 Penn State Nittany Lions had one of the finest defenses in college football, never surrendering more than 21 points in any of its 11 games.

That defense would come through in dramatic fashion on this crisp autumn day in Bloomington, as the Penn State football program faced one of the most critical turning points in its history. And it all came down to one series of downs inside the two yard line...



Follow LBU on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Linebacker-U.com by Email

Always for the Glory: NFL Update Week 11

Paul Posluszny looks like he's finally back. Bryan Scott teamed with Poz to help earn the Bills their first win of the season. While Deon Butler is proving why Penn State fans made all those shirts saying "Throw the Ball to Butler."

On the downside, I finally figured out what happened to Jeremy Kapinos. He was only signed to the Colts for a week, then cut. So Kapinos is done again for now.

NFC North

Chicago Bears - Chicago Bears 27, Minnesota Vikings 13

This week: Chicago @ Miami, 8:20 p.m. Thursday on the NFL Network.

Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT
Adams started at nose tackle for the Bears, recording three tackles, including one for a loss.

Robbie Gould (2001-04), K
Gould was 2-for-3 in field goal attempts, connecting on kicks of 34 and 37 yards, and converted on all three of his PATs.

10 Minutes or Less: 2005 Ohio State at Penn State

The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes rolled into town, following an early-season defeat at home to eventual national champs Texas, ready to take on a resurgent Penn State team. The stage was set. It was a night game. Penn State whipped out the still-new "White Out" for fans. The Buckeyes were still national title contenders at 3-1. The No. 16 Nittany Lions were still regarded as unproven, despite their 5-0 record.

It was Troy Smith, Antonio Pittman, Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn, Jr. against Tamba Hali, Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor and Calvin Lowry. It was Michael Robinson, Tony Hunt, Derrick Williams and Deon Butler against A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Quinn Pitcock and Nate Salley.

On Oct. 8, 2005, Penn State was out to show the college football world it was not dead, that the game had not passed by Joe Paterno, that it was indeed "back." For Ohio State, this was supposed to be the year it all came together for another national title for Jim Tressel. But on that night in Beaver Stadium, only one team's ambitions would come to fruition...



Follow LBU on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Linebacker-U.com by Email

Always for the Glory: NFL Update Week 7

Kerry Collins (Photo: SI.com)

Well it was finally a good weekend for the current Nittany Lions after beating Minnesota, and the Penn State alums had a solid one as well. One of the great quarterbacks in the school's history got a chance to show he still has what it takes in his 16th season,a few defensive linemen wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks, and a couple graduates from Linebacker-U were paid homage to their school's namesake with solid days as well.

QB Kerry Collins, Panthers

Starting in place of the injured Vince Young, Collins completed 17 of 31 passes for 276 yards and three touchdown passes. He is the only current NFL quarterback to hail from Happy Valley and is continuing to succeed almost two decades after that magical 1994 season.

Linkbacker U is checking in with the pros

So I figured you are probably well read by now on what was said during Big Ten Media Day. I therefore thought it'd be good to check in with some of our old pals in the professional ranks, you know, the ones that would kick this team's you know what.

Speaking of Kicking Butt...

Aaron Maybin finally making headlines in Buffalo...but not for anything he's doing on the field. Well, it did happen on the field..;but not for making any positive contribution to the team. Mybin shoved starting running back Fred Jackson to the ground yesterday, a cheap shot that drew the ire of some of his teammates.

But Bills guard Eric Wood, a fellow 2009 first-rounder, remained unhappy a few snaps later.

"Give back some of that money you ain't [expletive] earned!" Wood screamed at Maybin.

Can't say this shocks me. Maybin never struck me as a team first type player, and this further proves that. The kid needs to get his act together, if he wants to follow in the footsteps of a certain other PSU defensive end making it big in the pros.

Tamba Hali on the Other Hand...

The Chiefs may be putrid, but Hali is making quite a name for himself in the NFL. ArrowHeadPride over at SB Nation ponders whether Hali has surpassed Elvis Dumberville as the premiere pass rusher in the AFC West.

"I think that the difference between them is much smaller than the public perception of the difference between them," Barnwell told us this week. "Dumervil attacks an offense's weakest point; Hali usually spends most of his time rushing at left tackle, and he does a good job of it; he abused Ryan Clady last year, among the league's best left tackles.

"When you add hits and hurries to the equation, Hali had 41.5 quarterback "incidents", and Dumervil had 41. He's better against the run, and with Dumervil playing in front of a far superior secondary, Hali likely had to get to the quarterback quicker."

time rushing at left tackle, and he does a good job of it; he abused Ryan Clady last year, among the league's best left tackles.

Since when is Levi Brown a Question Mark?

When I think of Levi Brown's career at Penn State...question mark is the last thing that comes to mind. The dude was an absolute beast at tackle for the Lions. Well that may not be the same now in the NFL, as his transition from right tackle to left tackle is raising some cynical eye brows from the local Arizona reporters at KTAR.COM.

Offensive Tackles: Will Levi Brown & Brandon Keith earn their keep? Meaning, will they keep their jobs as the new starting tackles?

Levi Brown at left tackle, will it work?. I wasn't too fond of him at right tackle and now he is moving to left. Granted it is Leinart's blind side, but he will still have to line up against dominant pass rushers

Connor Finally Getting his Time to Shine

Like his predecessor Paul Posluszny, Connor didn't quite get off to such a good start in the NFL, losing his first season to injury. But now it was Thomas Davis's turn to go down with a season ending injury, and it's time for Connor to reap the benefits. I'm not one to cheer when someone gets hurt--unless when that someone would happen to play quarterback for Ohio State--but this is great news for Connor, who now moves in to starting role at middle linebacker.

Same Old Same Old for Lee

Seemingly like clockwork, another PSU linebacker is starting his NFL career on the sidelines with injury. This time, it's Sean Lee with a quad strain. He just can't catch a break...But he says he's ready to go after sitting out five days of practice, and just waits for the doc's approval.

"It's frustrating because you see you're team going through camp and you want to be a part of it. You see those guys working really hard and it's frustrating to be on the side. Plus, guys are getting better as football players. I'm trying to make sure I get mental reps as much as possible.'

Let's hope he makes quick work of this injury, and get's back on the field fully health soon.

Linkbacker U takes a trip down memory lane

Oh Canada!

Well, we can now chalk up Canada's positive contributions to society to...one. As the CFL's Calgary Stampeders signed Daryll Clark to a contract.

It's a shame that Clark wasn't able to catch on with the Redskins, but this is just the latest in a long list of PSU quarterbacks that couldn't make it at the next level at that position. I've learned not to count out Clark though, and would not be surprised to find him on an NFL sideline in the coming years. Congratulations to Captain Clark on starting his professional football career, and I am sure he is happy to move far away from Iowa City.

Aren't the former Lions just so much more fun to talk about?

While we're on the topic of departed Penn Staters from last year's team (and the reason why I'm not too excited for this year's team) Navorro Bowman is turning some heads at 49ers camp

“It’s an ongoing process. So far, from what’s been given to him, he’s doing a pretty decent job, as far as understanding what he’s supposed to be doing,” Spikes said of Bowman. “And at this point, that’s what you want of a rookie right now. It all changes when you slip the pads on. Everybody can be swimsuit champions.”

Well Takeo Spikes may be a tough critic, but the reports are positive, but hey with Bowman, you gotta at least be happy that he's doing what he's supposed to be doing.

Past Meets Present on the D-Line

Just can't get enough of these Big Ten Champion Penn Staters today. This one, though, from the 2005 team. That's right, defensive end Tamba Hali makes his debut on Linkbacker-U. The former All-American is doing everything he can to help the current occupant of his former position, defensive end, do the same. This summer Hali spent the off season working with freak of nature Jack Crawford, along with the rest of the defensive line, says Pennlive.com.

“The most important thing is not to slow down, not to lose focus, and he teaches me that. That’s the hardest thing to do; it’s the simplest thing to do but the hardest at the same time.”

Now if Hali is able to teach Crawford how to force a fumble against Ohio State, then I may have to change my answer to the Lions' best chance at an upset.

Where does Royster rank?

Regardless of how badly this season goes, there will be one bright spot that fans can walk away with: Evan Royster surpassing Curt Warner to break the school rushing record. But is Royster the best back every to play for PSU? Cory Giger of the Altoona Mirror (shockingly) says not quite.

"Consider for yourself: Using the eye test, has Royster been better than any of these backs?: Curt Warner, Ki-Jana Carter, Curtis Enis, Blair Thomas, D.J. Dozier, Larry Johnson, John Cappelletti, Lydell Mitchell, Lenny Moore, Tony Hunt or Matt Suhey?

If not, that means Royster isn't even in the top 10 at PSU. Depending on personal preferences and/or memories, fans may pull two or three former stars out of that list, but that still only leaves the school's soon-to-be rushing leader at the back end of the top 10."

Now is it surprising that Giger provides the pessimistic perspective? No, but he does have a point. I may not have seen all those guys play, but Royster never had a year like Johnson's 2000 yard season, nor did he have a Heisman Trophy like Cappelletti. I'd give Royster the edge over Tony Hunt, especially as a more complete back, but Royster needs a lot more than just those 481 yards to crack into the PSU halfback elite.

Overcoming the Odds: Adam Taliaferro

From having a 3% chance at ever walking to leading Penn State out of the Beaver Stadium tunnel, you all know the story. Jim Weber of LostLetterman.com sat down with Taliaferro to take a look back at that career ending hit, his recovery, and where he is today.

Follow LBU on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Linebacker-U.com by Email

10 Minutes Or Less: 2005 Wisconsin at Penn State (Senior Day)

(FYI: We moved our YouTube account, so be sure to subscribe to our new channel, LBUvideos)

The 2005 season may have lost some of its luster among Penn State fans, what with the 40 total wins, another Big Ten title, and three New Years Day bowl games since the departure of Tamba Hali, Michael Robinson, Alan Zamaitis & Co. But for those who had experienced the four losing seasons, anemic offenses, and calls for Joe Paterno's head, this season was--save for one second in Ann Arbor--a euphoric resurgence to glory.

After what felt like one emotional game after another--wins at Northwestern, against Ohio State, the loss at Michigan--you would expect a fan base to have a tough time maintaining the same level of enthusiasm this late in the season. But for the Nittany nation, there was five tough seasons' worth of pent up energy to burn. Unfortunately for the visitors, on this day they would feel the full force of that energy.

Wisconsin was having a surprisingly successful season of its own, rolling into Happy Valley with a 9-1 record, tied with Penn State for first in the Big Ten. The Badgers' record-setting offense led the Big Ten coming into this game, scoring 39.7 points per game. Heisman Trophy and Doak Walker Award candidate Brian Calhoun entered the day No. 5 nationally in both all-purpose yardage (184.1 ypg) and rushing yardage (135.3 ypg) and led the nation with 21 touchdowns. Then he, along with the rest of the Badgers, ran into Penn State.

On that unseasonably warm November afternoon, 109,865 fans packed Beaver Stadium, becoming the second-largest home crowd (at the time) in Penn State football history.

For Penn State, it would end up being one of the most emotional senior days of the Joe Paterno era. From the offensive leaders like Robinson, to the stacked defense that featured Hali, Zamaitis, Calvin Lowry, Chris Harrell, Matt Rice, and Anwar Phillips, these seniors would not let this opportunity slip through their grip.

What we were treated to was one of the most dominating performances ever by Penn State against an eventual 10-win Big Ten team. Wisconsin even capped their own season with a Capital One Bowl win over a supposedly "faster" Auburn team out of the SEC.

Of course, I couldn't possibly finish this write up without mentioning that this game would also be my own senior day. After marching the previous 28 pregame routines with the Penn State Marching Blue Band, this one would be my last. It was the perfect ending, the perfect setting, and the perfect outcome on that sunny afternoon in Beaver Stadium.

(Annotations by Tim)


Follow LBU on Facebook and Twitter Subscribe to Linebacker-U.com by Email Be sure to visit our new LBU Forums