Best NFL Players of All Time: Jack Lambert. Ranking the Top Players in History. Place a bet on an NFL football game now.

Best NFL Players of All Time: Jack Lambert

Jack Lambert was undeniably one of the hardest and meanest players in NFL history. He was a great athlete who took over leadership of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976, as Joe Greene’s persistent injuries began to take their toll. Lambert, large, fierce, and raw in his No. 58 shirt, channeled Dick Butkus as he charged from sideline to sideline to punish ball carriers. What makes Lambert’s amazing, Hall of Fame career so surprising is that he entered the league as a second-round choice from Kent State in 1974, weighing only 204 pounds.

Lambert stood an impressive 6-foot-4, but he was extremely thin. Despite his weight disadvantage, few players have been more terrifying than Lambert. He was an outstanding athlete with excellent speed for the inside linebacker position, but he was not a subtle player.

Instead, he would use a violent forearm to knock off a blocker or ball carrier’s head before standing over him and snarling. He would eventually play the majority of his career at 220 pounds, but he was still viewed as an undersized athlete who couldn’t care less about NFL conventions. He just wanted to go out there and play in the middle for the Steelers’ defense, which was already one of the most intimidating in the league when he arrived and only got better.

NFL fans have long viewed Lambert as a seething, passionate madman guiding the Steelers with his insane, toothless smirk. There were incidents to support that image. After Steelers placekicker Roy Gerela missed a 33-yard field goal, he tossed it to Dallas Cowboys defensive back Cli¬� Harris, creating a legendary moment. Harris tapped Gerela on the helmet and said, “Way to go” after the field goal went wide to the right. Lambert intervened. Referee Norm Schachter was prepared to remove Lambert from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct, but after hearing Lambert’s defense, he not only let him stay, but also decided not to call a penalty flag.

Lambert was summoned to the commissioner’s office after an incident with Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe. Lambert annihilated Sipe after the quarterback elected to stay in bounds and gain extra yards rather than flee the field of play. “I hit him as hard as I could,” Lambert informed commissioner Pete Rozelle. “He was within boundaries. I’d do the same thing again.

There were no other occurrences that may be considered reckless or nasty. Lambert demonstrated a high level of personal responsibility, impressing both the Steelers coaching staff and teammates. Andy Russell was a linebacker for the Steelers from 1963 to 1976, and he witnessed Lambert’s development and ability firsthand.

Russell described him as “tough, raw-boned, intense,” but he has seen a lot of people like that enter the league. No, Jack is so much more. Given his range, they put him in coverage 30 yards downfield. They gave him responsibilities that no former Bears or Packers could have imagined. He introduced a completely new philosophy to the position, which is why, in my opinion, he is the best ever. His first step is never wrong, and his tactics are always flawless. His greatness has nothing to do with his public image.

The 1976 Steelers boasted arguably the finest defense in NFL history. They allowed 138 points that season, 38 fewer than the Minnesota Vikings, who finished second in that statistic. The Steelers started the season 1-4 before winning their last nine games.

They had five shutouts during that time, allowing six points in one game and three points in the other two. The Steelers had the league’s best statistical defense that season, allowing 237.4 yards per game, 13 first downs, and 104.1 running yards per game. They allowed only five rushing touchdowns all season, and Lambert was awarded the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Lambert received honors during his career. He earned rookie of the year in 1974, appeared in nine Pro Bowls, and was named All-Pro six times. However, the story was not about honors. He earned respect in his own locker room and had an intimidating presence. However, reality was more than just a picture. Lambert succeeded Greene as the most dominant player on the most dominant defense, and he wore it well.

Best NFL Players of All Time: Jack Lambert Stats

Regular Season

Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	TD	Sk	Sfty	AV
1974	22	PIT	MLB	58	14	14	2	19	0	13			1	1	11	0	2		9
1975	23	PIT	MLB	58	14	14	2	35	0	24			0	1	21	0	1		14
1976	24	PIT	MLB	58	14	14	2	32	0	22			0	8	36	0	3.5		20
1977	25	PIT	MLB	58	11	10	1	5	0	5			0	0	0	0	0		7
1978	26	PIT	MLB	58	16	16	4	41	0	24			0	2	0	0	3.5		12
1979	27	PIT	MLB	58	16	15	6	29	0	23			0	0	0	0	3.5		14
1980	28	PIT	MLB	58	14	13	2	1	0	1			0	0	0	0	0		12
1981	29	PIT	MLB	58	16	16	6	76	0	31			0	2	38	0	2		14
1982	30	PIT	RILB	58	8	8	1	6	0	6			0	1	1	0	4		16
1983	31	PIT	RILB	58	15	15	2	-1	0	0			0	2	0	0	4		17
1984	32	PIT	LB	58	8	3			0								0		2
Career					146	138	28	243	0	31			1	17	107	0	23.5		137

Playoffs

Year	Age	Tm	Pos	G	GS	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	TD	Sk	Sfty
1974	22	PIT	MLB	3	3			0			0	0	0	0	0	0
1975	23	PIT	MLB	3	3			0			0	0	3	15	0	0
1976	24	PIT	MLB	2	2			0			0	0	0	0	0	0
1977	25	PIT	MLB	1	1			0			0	0	0	0	0	0
1978	26	PIT	MLB	3	3			0			0	0	0	0	0	0
1979	27	PIT	MLB	3	3	1	16	0	16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.5
1982	30	PIT	LILB	1	1			0			0	0	0	0	0	0
1983	31	PIT	LILB	1	1			0			0	0	0	0	0	0
1984	32	PIT	LB	1	0											0
Career				18	17	1	16	0	16	0	0	0	3	15	0	0.5

 

At YouWager.lv you can place a bet on the NFL with the best odds and promotions. Wager on the moneyline, spread, and total; on your favorite team or an undervalued underdog. Sign up with YouWager.lv now and get in the game with the best welcome bonus, click below: