Quote Originally Posted by Patler View Post
Nitschke had more interceptions than Butkus. So did Joe Schmidt, Sam Huff and Nick Buoniconti. All middle linebackers with careers overlapping Butkus. All played more games than Butkus, but their stats show that Butkus was not unusual as a pass defender. Nitschke in his prime was as violent tackling, Butkus was more violent getting to the tackle. He didn't take on blockers, he often blocked the blockers, hitting them as hard as he did ball carriers. He smashed his way through blockers, getting to the tackle.

Many outside linebackers in those days, like Dave Robinson, had more interceptions too.

Yes, there were a lot fewer passes thrown in those days, but the good linebackers, like those above, didn't come off the field for extra DBs in passing situations, and pass rushing and block rules were so different that QBs were often hit as they threw, with dying quail passes ending up in the arms of linebackers. Coverage rules allowed contact until the ball was released, allowing linebackers to stay with RBs and TEs.

Very different game in those days.
Damn Patlerized me hard on your valiant return!! I would have thought the LBs would skills-wise be more like DEs today. Very surprising they all caught so well. They probably would do well in todays game still.