LB rankings: The NFL’s weakening strongside

Tampa Bay jerseys: During the past three years, Barrett Ruud(notes) has become a prototype middle linebacker, cleaning up just about everything that comes his way. He posted a career-high 142 tackles last season. He’d have a lot more if the Bucs could funnel a few more plays his way. Geno Hayes(notes) and Quincy Black(notes) are likewise solid players, but none of the three is much of a playmaker. Again, the improvement of the defensive line will go a long way toward addressing whether these guys are good or just pluggers. New England: If you want to know why the new Patriots jerseyshave slipped on defense the past two years, look no further than who lines up at linebacker these days. New England has gone from players like Mike Vrabel(notes), Tedy Bruschi(notes) and Willie McGinest(notes) (who also played end) to Jerod Mayo(notes) (who’s a very good player), Tully Banta-Cain(notes), Gary Guyton(notes) and Pierre Woods(notes). Mayo better stay healthy and improve because he’s the only one of that lot with great upside. Rookie outside linebacker Jermaine Cunningham(notes) was overshadowed at the University of Florida, but he’s the best young prospect the team has for an edge spot. Carolina: Thomas Davis(notes) will have no impact on the field for the upcoming season because of an ACL tear suffered in June, but his presence in the league will have a strong impact on other players. Don’t expect many players to settle for the restricted free agent tag again after seeing what happened to Davis, who was already coming off an injury-riddled 2009 season. The Panthers jerseys have a good answer for the loss of Davis at weakside, moving active middle linebacker Jon Beason(notes) to that spot, which may give him more chances for big plays. That said, the overall unit obviously suffers because the rest of the linebackers are middling talents. Indianapolis: Colts football jerseys President Bill Polian has spent more than a decade rolling in one Joe Average linebacker after another and somehow making it work. Gary Brackett(notes) is a good leader, solid tackler and very active guy, but he’d be hard-pressed to find a starting spot on a lot of teams. The same goes for Clint Session(notes), Philip Wheeler(notes) and the rest of the Indy linebackers. However, they all can run and play well in the system.