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All-Time all STL football team: Linebackers
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Our naming of the All-Time All St. Louis football team defense continues today with the linebackers. When looking back at the linebackers who played in St. Louis you realize that there have been some good players to play the position but it has never really been a source of domination for any particular team during any particular era. Here is a look at the top linebackers in St. Louis football history.
LINEBACKERS
First Team: E.J. Junior
I will admit that I am a little bit in the bag for this player because he was my favorite defensive player growing up but there is no doubt that he was one of the greats at linebacker in St. Louis. E.J. Junior had a very nice and long career for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1981 till the time they left St. Louis after the 1987 season. Junior did continue on to Phoenix and had stops in Miami, Tampa Bay and Seattle after playing here. Junior was a threat not only rushing the quarterback but he was a sure tackler as well. Junior had 24.5 sacks in his time in St. Louis and was named to two Pro Bowls.
This was not a name I was real familiar with when I started this project but when you look at his career you realize he has to be a first team linebacker on this team. Meinert was a 3 time Pro Bowler for the Cardinals in the 1960's. He started in Chicago with the Cardinals but continued playing with the team until 1967. He was a 10 year starter who changed from playing guard to linebacker when the team to moved to St. Louis. That turned out to be a pretty good decision. Hall of Famer Larry Wilson said that Meinert "would run like a deer" and covered the field well.
A 14 year starter for the St. Louis Cardinals, Larry Stallings was a consistent linebacker who had a nose for the football. Stallings had 9 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries in his career and managed two touchdowns as well. Stallings was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1970. Not a bad career for a linebacker who was an 18th round draft pick by the Cardinals.
SECOND TEAM
This one was the toughest player to leave off of the first team. London Flecther is a terrific player who was the starting middle linebacker for both Super Bowl teams. The reason I left him off the first team was not a fault of Fletcher but because of his short stay in St. Louis. Flecther took over the MLB role in 1999 and not coincidentally that move vaulted the defense into the top half of the league. Letting Fletcher go after the 2001 season is a move that set off a chain of events that has cost the Rams franchise to this day. Flecther had 273 tackles and 13 sacks in his career. As great as Fletcher has been in the league he remains probably the most underrated player in the league, he has never gone to a Pro Bowl.
A two time Pro Bowl player, Bill Koman was a nine year starter for the Cardinals from 1959-1967. Koman was consistenly around the football with 6 interceptions and 16 fumble recoveries during his time in St. Louis. Another old school linebacker for our All-Time team.
He may not have been the greatest linebacker to ever play in St. Louis but any player who makes the most important tackle in St. Louis football history and maybe the most memorable in NFL history deserves to make the squad. Jones will always be remembered for his game saving tackle in Super Bowl XXXIV but he had a nice four year stint in St. Louis. Jones had a 13 year career in the league after coming out of the University of Missouri as a running back.
Others who should be mentioned....
Roman Phifer: Phifer was as consistent of a linebacker as there was in the NFL during his time in St. Louis. Phifer left one year before the Rams made their run as the Greatest Show on Turf. What is ironic is that he won a Super Bowl with the Patriots that essentially ended the GSOT teams.
Mark Arneson: A nine year player for the Cardinals during the 1970's. Arneson had 18 fumble recoveries in his career.
Pisa Tinoisamoa: A six year starter for the Rams who lead the team in tackles for four of thos seasons.
Players who should be forgotten....
Robert Thomas: A first round draft pick that never developed
Anthony Bell: Another George Boone failed selection
THIS WEEK'S ALL-TIME STL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
MONDAY: Defensive Ends
TUESDAY: Defensive Tackles
WEDNESDAY: Linebackers
THURSDAY: Cornerback
FRIDAY: Safety
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