2011 NFL Free Agents: Inside Linebackers

2011 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | Recap

2011 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2011.

Stephen Tulloch, ILB, Titans. Age: 26.
Signed with Lions (1 year, $3.25 million)

Stephen Tulloch is a stud. At only 26 years old, he’s one of the top 4-3 middle linebackers in the NFL. He’s going to receive a huge contract this offseason.
Paul Posluszny, ILB, Bills. Age: 26.
Signed with Jaguars (6 years)

The centerpiece of Buffalo’s defense, Paul Posluszny had 151 tackles in 2010. The Bills can’t afford to let him go.
David Harris, ILB, Jets. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Jets (4 years, $36 million; $29.5 million guaranteed)

A talented, versatile inside linebacker who is due for a big payday this offseason.
A.J. Hawk, ILB, Packers. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Packers (5 years)

A.J. Hawk wasn’t worth a top-five pick, but he’s a very good linebacker who played a key role in Green Bay’s Super Bowl run. Hawk will probably return to the Packers for less money.
Kevin Burnett, ILB, Chargers. Age: 28.
Signed with Dolphins (4 years)

After a few forgettable years in Dallas, Kevin Burnett has really come into his own in San Diego. Staying put would probably be best for his career.
Lofa Tatupu, ILB, Seahawks. Age: 28.
Lofa Tatupu is no longer the elite inside linebacker he once was. Tatupu is coming off two knee surgeries and was already somewhat of a liability in coverage. Perhaps he can recover and improve his play a bit, but it’s doubtful that he’ll ever be a Pro Bowl-caliber athlete again.
Nick Barnett, ILB, Packers. Age: 30.
Signed with Bills (3 years, $12 million)

The Packers cut Nick Barnett because he was overpaid and didn’t have a spot in the starting lineup with Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk playing ahead of him. Barnett is a solid starting-caliber inside linebacker who thrives in run support.
Kirk Morrison, ILB, Jaguars. Age: 29.
Kirk Morrison is a decent middle linebacker who thrives in run support. He’s not terrible in coverage, but could be better in that department.
Stewart Bradley, ILB, Eagles. Age: 27.
Signed with Cardinals

Stewart Bradley really struggled in coverage this past season, but that’s understandable because he was only a year removed from ACL surgery. He’ll move to strongside linebacker in 2011, assuming he re-signs with the team.
Stephen Cooper, ILB, Chargers. Age: 32.
Re-signed with Chargers (1 year)

Stephen Cooper turns 32 in June, but is coming off a very good year. Cooper played well throughout until suffering an MCL sprain in December.
Takeo Spikes, ILB, 49ers. Age: 34.
Signed with Chargers (3 years)

Takeo Spikes just enjoyed another great year with the 49ers. However, he turned 34 in December, so there could be a massive dropoff sometime soon.
D’Qwell Jackson, ILB, Browns. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Browns

D’Qwell Jackson missed all of last year after playing in just six games in 2009. Jackson’s a good player, but is a major injury risk.
Channing Crowder, ILB, Dolphins. Age: 27.
Announced retirement

Channing Crowder doesn’t live up to his trash talking, but he’s a decent, two-down inside linebacker.
Barrett Ruud, ILB, Buccaneers. Age: 28.
Signed with Titans (1 year)

I’m not sure what happened to Barrett Ruud, because he had an awful 2010 campaign after a couple of phenomenal seasons as Tampa Bay’s middle linebacker. Ruud might be able to bounce back elsewhere – or he could be done.
Jameel McClain (ERFA), ILB, Ravens. Age: 26.
Jameel McClain is serviceable as Baltimore’s two-down inside linebacker next to Ray Lewis, but can be upgraded.
Akin Ayodele, ILB, Bills. Age: 31.
Akin Ayodele started in the second half of the year for Buffalo, and did a decent job. He can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4.
Tim Dobbins, ILB, Dolphins. Age: 28.
Signed with Texans

A quality reserve inside linebacker who is decent in run support.
Dhani Jones, ILB, Bengals. Age: 33.
Dhani Jones had a decent 2009, but regressed last season. The bow tie and Febreze salesman is on his last legs.
Eric Barton, ILB, Browns. Age: 33.
Eric Barton is a liability in coverage at this point in his career, but he can still be a quality two-down run-stopping inside linebacker for 3-4 teams.
Kevin Bentley, ILB, Texans. Age: 31.
Kevin Bentley did a decent job filling in for DeMeco Ryans in the second half of the season. He could be brought back as a reserve 3-4 inside linebacker.
Brandon Siler, ILB, Chargers. Age: 25. — Signed with Chiefs
Gerald Hayes, ILB, Cardinals. Age: 30.
Marvin Mitchell, ILB, Saints. Age: 26. — Signed with Dolphins
Dannell Ellerbe (ERFA), ILB, Ravens. Age: 25.
Tavares Gooden (RFA), ILB, Ravens. Age: 26.
Brandon Chillar, ILB, Packers. Age: 28.
H.B. Blades, ILB, Redskins. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Redskins (1 year)
Mark Herzlich, ILB, Boston College. Age: 24. — Signed with Giants
Hunter Hillenmeyer, ILB, Bears. Age: 31.
Scott Lutrus, ILB, Connecticut. Age: 23. — Signed with Jaguars
Nick Bellore, ILB, Central Michigan. Age: 22. — Signed with Jets
Jason Trusnik, ILB, Browns. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Dolphins (2 years)
Reggie Walker, ILB, Cardinals. Age: 24.
Corey Mays, ILB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Chase Blackburn, ILB, Giants. Age: 28.
Gerris Wilkinson, ILB, Giants. Age: 28.
Spencer Havner, ILB, Packers. Age: 28. — Tendered by Packers
Omar Gaither, ILB, Eagles. Age: 27. — Signed with Panthers
Vinny Ciurciu, ILB, Lions. Age: 31.
Erin Henderson (RFA), ILB, Vikings. Age: 25. — Tendered by Vikings
Anthony Waters, ILB, Saints. Age: 27.
Niko Koutouvides, ILB, Buccaneers. Age: 30.
Blake Costanzo (RFA), ILB, Browns. Age: 27. — Signed with 49ers (1 year)
Keyaron Fox, ILB, Steelers. Age: 29.
Tracy White, ILB, Patriots. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Patriots
Cory Greenwood (ERFA), ILB, Chiefs. Age: 28.