Patrick Willis and 12 More Linebackers Who Will Change Games in 2012

There's an aura that comes along with being a linebacker. Names like Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, and Lawrence Taylor come to mind as relentless, fast, strong and imposing guys who are the last people a ball carrier wants to see. Let's face it, you have to be pretty intimidating and maybe a little nuts to play linebacker, especially in the NFL.

Defensive backs might seem like pretty boys, lineman usually toil anonymously, but linebackers are the soul of a good defense and some teams might have two back there just scaring the crap out of running backs.

Baltimore Ravens LB Terrell Suggs was the NFL Defensive MVP last year, and isn't in this list because the guy went out and tore his Achilles tendon in the offseason. He says he'll be back this year, but usually it's a year to rehab that injury, so we'll see. In the meantime, here are 13 of the baddest men to take the field on Sundays.