Chris Hanburger: The First Defensive Quarterback Gets Recognized, for Eternity

August 7, 2011   ·   Barry Barnes   ·   Jump to comments

Canton, Ohio—When the question of who were the greatest defensive players to have ever played in the NFL, the names of Dick Butkus, Deacon Jones, Mike Singletary, the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers comes to mind. 
Their presence on the field was nothing short of remarkable for the passion and fearlessness.  Before the play-calling was stripped from quarterbacks, a legend like John Unitas made signal calling look so easy.
Indeed, it’s known for quarterbacks to be the field generals, and now defensive players (mainly middle linebackers) are glorified for their signal calling, most notably by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
However, long before No. 52 in Baltimore and other defensive players calling plays, being the defensive field general, now, Hall of Fame linebacker Chris Hanburger mastered the role as literally being a coach on the field as he called the plays for his defense.
For the past four years, four Redskin...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - NFL
Article is property of BleacherReport.com