Since nose tackles are largely responsible for clogging up the middle of the line of scrimmage, its almost required that they have a big body thats difficult to block. Chicago Bears, 1985-1993; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1994 One-time Super Bowl champion Recorded 29.5 sacks in 138 NFL games, Oakland Raiders, 1996; New Orleans Saints, 1997-2001; Dallas Cowboys, 2002-2005; St. Louis Rams 2006-2008 Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time NFL 2000s All-Decade Team 2000 NFC Defensive Player of the Year 2000 NFL sacks leader (17.5) Finished career with 433 tackles, 83.5 sacks and 16 forced fumbles, San Francisco 49ers, 1994-2007 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time NFL 1990s All-Decade Team Had 89.5 sacks and 618 tackles in 208 career games, Cleveland Browns, 1946-1953 One-time NFL champion Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times NFL 1940s All-Decade Team Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Ravens, 2006-2014; Detroit Lions, 2015-Present One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times Started 160 of 162 NFL games Has 29.5 sacks, 491 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions in 11 NFL seasons, Baltimore Ravens, 2013-Present One of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in NFL today Became highest-paid nose tackle in the NFl by signing a five-year, $54 million deal with Ravens in March Has 4.5 sacks and 101 tackles in 55 career games, Cincinnati Bengals, 1983-1994 Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time Recorded 34.5 sacks and 1,017 career tackles Missed only four games (out of 192) in 12-year career, Detroit Lions, 1958-1970 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times NFL 1960s All-Decade Team Missed only one game in 12-year career, New England Patriots, 2001-2008; Oakland Raiders, 2009-2012 Three-time Super Bowl champion Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times NFL 2000s All-Decade Team Logged 57.5 sacks and recorded 496 career tackles, Minnesota Vikings, 1985-1990; Green Bay Packers, 1992; Seattle Seahawks, 1992; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993 Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times 1989 NFL Defensive Player of the Year NFL 1980s All-Decade Team Holds NFL record for most sacks by DT in single season (18) Three double-digit sack seasons Recorded 58 career sacks, Houston Oilers, 1985-1995; Dallas Cowboys, 1996 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time NFL-record three fumble recoveries in single game Recorded 76.5 sacks, 861 tackles, and 19 forced fumbles in 12-year NFL career, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1950-1963 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls (1957 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro once NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team Recorded 23 fumble recoveries and at time of retirement was the all-time career safeties leader with three Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Francisco 49ers, 1950-1963 Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times NFL 1950s All-Decade Team 49ers' first-ever draft pick Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Colts, 1950; New York Yanks, 1951; Dallas Texans, 1952; Baltimore Colts, 1953-1961 Two-time NFLchampion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times NFL 1950s All-Decade Team Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland Browns, 1957-1958; Green Bay Packers, 1959-1969 Two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time NFL champion Voted to four Pro Bowls (1961 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro five times 21 career fumble recoveries Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears 1979-1990 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times NFL 1980s All-Decade Team Made All-Pro as both defensive end and defensive tackle Officially credited with 57 career sacks Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Jets, 1977-1987; Indianapolis Colts, 1989 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times 1981 AFC Player of the Year Started 145 of 155 NFL games 24 career sacks, 9 fumble recoveries in 10 NFL seasons Anthony Munoz called Klecko "the strongest guy I ever faced. While many people often confuse a nose guard with a nose tackle, many fans also use the terms nose tackle and defensive tackle interchangeably. Houston Texans starter Shaun Cody has adapted well to the rigours of Wade Phillips' 1-gap 3-4. Joel Steed will come . John Banaszak: Born in rival city Cleveland, Ohio, John Banaszak played in Pittsburgh's final three Super Bowls of the 1970s starting in Super Bowls XIII and XIV. Vincent Lamar Wilfork (born November 4, 1981) is a former American football nose tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. James P. Burt (born June 7, 1959 in Orchard Park, New York) is a former American football player who played for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). Top 10 NFL Defensive Tackles of All Time Rankings I would have thought Manu Tiuasosopo would have been in there as he was mixing it up well in the era with Sugar Bear Hamilton, Rubin Carter, Fred Smerlas, etc.And if Reggie Kinlaw makes the list then I would have put Dave Rowe in as well. Hopefully, Whitworth and the rest of Los Angeles can have a bounce-back year as they will look to contend in a very competitive NFC West. Wilfork was drafted by the Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. This player is mostly responsible for filling the two gaps on either side of the center in-between each guard also known as the A-gaps. I realize he was mostly a part-time player but I thought Pete Kugler for the 49ers played alot of quality snaps. The 34 was very popular in the 70's and 80's. In terms of pure 3-4 nose tackles, to this day no nose has played in and started more games at the position than Fred Smerlas. A 5-2 defensive scheme is extremely effective against the run, especially the inside run. The way he singlehandedly collapsed the pocket and allows fellow Tampa pass rushers to torture Patrick Mahomes all day night long. Smears was a very durable nose tackle and had played 149 consecutive matches. Then he was signed by the Buffalo Bills, but it was with Minnesota Vikings where he shined and reached his full potential. When you line up in a 3-technique, youre only responsible for the gap between the offensive guard and offensive tackle also known as the B-gap. He was a 'move' guy, not a power guy and he could rush the passer very well in addition to playing his two-gap responsibilities. The Pittsburgh run defense has been at or near the top of the league standings throughout Hamton's decade long tenure over the center. At 6-1 330 (350?) NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Williams would rush into the offense and occupy multiple blockers to create a lane of pursuit for fellow defenders. A 3-4 scheme has one nose tackle in the middle, while a 4-3 defense has two defensive tackles in-between the defensive ends. One of his best assets is his quick first step, giving him an excellent takeoff at the snap. They need to have a big body, but they also need to have some speed and strength to make them quicker and stronger than a center and offensive guard. But he is not experienced enough at the position to warrant a place on the list. It is not easy for the nose tackles to be the best defender, but Culp did it in 1975 after joining the Houston Oilers. New England is one of the greatest sports franchises of the last 20 years. Like all 4-3 nose tackles, Pekoregularly operates in a shaded alignment over the center. The over six ft tall was like a mad bull himself. Excellent article, John T! Moving former defensive end Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle has made an already stout 49ers run defense even more formidable. These players are often the most recognized players in the locker room especially among the defensive coordinators for helping clear up space for the rest of the team. In the 1980 season, almost 3/4ths of teams were running one. No nose tackle has been First-team All-Pro more or gone to more Pro Bowls than Smerlas. Besides, he had been a part of the 49ers three super bowl winning teams and a three-time first-team all-pro and three-time pro bowler. Ted Washington was another great nose tackle, dude was massive! This is where the defensive player lines up on the inside shoulder of the offensive guard. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL tackles of all time - NFL.com They silently contribute and help their team to win. Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List. He was also part of the Dolphins pass rush packages for the first 2/3 of his career, totaling 9 sacks in 1981, 8 in 1978 and 1983 and 6 in 1979. Bill Pickel in an interesting player. He recorded 137.5 sacks over his 14-year career and was. Pro Bowl: 4 times (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001). all the guys ahead of him were better than he was. A NT will either be head on v a centre or on the strongside A gap, either way a NTs job is to absorb a double team and not allow either of the OL trying to move him to get downfield. Wilfork has seamlessly transitioned to a 4-3 front and has been by far the Patriots best defensive player this season. Akiem Hicks is one of the best run defenders in the NFL today. Top 10 Defensive Tackles in NFL 2021 Rankings But the starter at nose in the first game was Lyle Alzado, not Carter. Ted Washington's the best I've seen play. But the tenacious and resourcefulfourth-year prois a significant member of the Bears defensive line rotation. Take a look at how they stack up. Well.it's more that it goes through cycles. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons and recorded 32.5 sacks. It seems unfair to rank him above more versatile players like Ratliff and Wilfork, but from a purist point of view, Casey Hampton is the finest nose tackle in the game. In his first four years he was a top backup for Ted Washington forming an amazing 1-2 punch. Tom LaMarre. By Matthew Valdovinos. They are often referred to as the anchor of the defense because their sole responsibility is to limit the amount of space an offense has down the middle of the line of scrimmage. He was a true 2 gap run stuffer. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The next year, Taylor was released, and this became the season Wilfork made his name known by recording 54 tackles in only 16 games. I miss Jamal Williams so damn much. He did that while ascending as one of the greatest nose tackles of all time. Probably not over the full course of his career since he was injured so much, but I'll throw peak Kris Jenkins in the mix for top 10 best NT peaks. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. With that in mind, he shared some final thoughts on his playing career. 17. They have a similar role, but the defensive schemes are very different. Maybe if he hadn't gone to USFL but really, except for 1983, he was a backup---someone who got to play when Carter was hurt, would play some 40 tackle in nickel/dimeHe was considered by the 36 starts was kind of a problem. Ratliff is one of the most dominant players in the league and is the key to the Cowboys multiple 3-4 scheme. Being five times first-pro and the five-times pro bowler is a rare achievement in the NFL for a nose tackle. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. And as was normal, Long would play the three-technique in passing situations. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Again, these are two completely different positions in the game of football and have entirely different roles in defensive schemes. Who is the best New York Jets defensive tackle ever? He played college football for the University. A Financial Overview, What Is a Cycle in Baseball? The defensive tackle is largely used in the 4-3 defensive scheme as well as the 5-2 defensive scheme. B/R NFL 1000: Top 50 Defensive Tackles - Bleacher Report Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1968-1982 Voted to eight Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro two times Two-time Super Bowl champion Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland Browns, 1946-1967 Voted to nine Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro four times Four-time NFL champion Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Buffalo Bills 2004-2008; Philadelphia Eagles 2009-present One-time Super Bowl champion (LII) Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, First Team All-Pro twice Has started 166 of 176 career games Has two career receiving touchdowns, Dallas Cowboys 2011-present Voted to Pro Bowl five times, First Team All-Pro twice Voted No. Nose tackles are found in the middle of the defensive line when running a 3-4 defensive scheme. We also mentioned how the 1-technique lines up on the outside shoulder of the center and the 3-technique lines up on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard. Where the 3-4 defense has two gaps in-between the nose tackle and defensive ends, those two gaps are completely covered by two defensive tackles in the 5-2 scheme, which makes it hard to run the ball. He was a First-team All-Pro four times and voted to five Pro Bowls and was an alternate to a couple of others. One of the least glamorous positions in the NFL is Nose Tackle, but they are still a critical position in the NFL so who are the greats? Super Bowl LVII: All You Need To Know About Its Results, Winner, Highlights and Half-Time Show !! Plus he played the position until 39 years old; amazing longevity for a position where you're fighting off double teams from other 300 lb men your whole career. An excellent run defender, Soliai needs to refine his technique in order to make more plays behind the line of scrimmage. He benefits from a strong and talented supporting cast, but everything the Steelers are able to do on defense, is determined by the play of Hampton. This article features the ten best nose tackles of all time in the NFL who set examples of how to contribute from the back. An odd-numbered technique must line up over the shoulder of the offensive line. Best Defensive Tackles of All Time in the NFL - Ranker He was not quite the size of Ted Washington, but he was more than the 315 pounds he was listed at, though. At 6'4" and287 pounds, Ratliff is taller and significantly lighter than the prototypical NFL nose tackle. It's tough to find true nose tackles. 10. This makes it hard for the running back to find a hole through either of the two B-gaps (in-between the guard and tackle). Fat Pat Williams is top 10 material bias aside. He could even muster some pass rushfrom 2010-2012 he had a total over 15.5 sacks, averaging just over 5 a season which is very good considering his positional responsibilities. Defensive nose tackles do not have flashy statistics or bouquets of trophies on their accolades; rather, they silently distribute for the teams wins. They dont always receive large contracts, they generally dont run up the stat sheet, and theyre most likely not going to be a fans favorite player on the field at least not like a quarterback, running back, or wide receiver. 89 retired in New England, is forming a one-two punch with Wilfork is simply lethal. He ended his career with 32.5 sacks and 75.5 run stuffs. Lorenzo Neal as a fullback is one. Now we are getting into the run-stopping specialists, though very good at that specialty. He was active, fast, and really stood out on film. This list includes the tackle's accomplishments, honors, awards, records, & statistics. While most nose tackles dont receive a lot of praise from the fans (largely due to their lack of stats), some nose tackles throughout history were so good that you had to recognize them no matter what. The most common requirement of a nose tackle is to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the rest of the defense. Carter was the classic run-stopper at nose, not much of a rusher. He would go on to be selected first overall by the Jimmy Johnson-led Cowboys in 1991, just the. Soliai excels at drawing and occupying double teams. He was part of the good, innovative defenses of Bill Arnsbarger with the Dolphins, the 'Killer Bs' if you will. If you can do that, then your coach will always have a spot for you on the defense. Upon arriving in Houston, the Oilers fortunes changed, going from the bottom of the AFC to among the better teams from 1975 through 1980. And for a nose, he was very durable. Concerns about his every down durability have persisted in recent seasons, but Ratliff is still the best pure athlete to play nose tackle in the NFL. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Career stats of Henry Thomas: 6. The Top Five: Best 3-4 Nose Tackles in the NFL - Bleacher Report Defensive tackles are mostly the silent killer of a team. Lets see why these players are considered the best nose tackles of all time. View Current Leaderboard. However, his contribution to the teams victories earned him four all-pro awards. Everything You Need to Know, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? My name is Steven and I have a passion for sports and staying physically active. Patriots all-time 53-man roster: 'Dynasty Era' players dominate, but Danny Jaillet. However, here are ten players who were not just great nose tackles but also great defensive backs of all time. They rank up there with the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Red Sox, and all the other teams to win several championships since the turn of the century. Randle signed with the Vikings and went on to become one of the best defensive tackles of the 1990s and definitely the mouthiest. Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional football. Consistently an excellent player, he had a career year for Pittsburgh when they needed to lean on him more than usual with his running mate Stephon Tuitt going down hurt. If its a 2-technique, the player must line up head-to-head with the guard. This is a subreddit for the NFL community. This is different from defensive ends, which are usually taller (around 65) and slimmer (285 pounds) so they can keep up with offensive tackles. Yep, he arrived when those guys were on their way out of town. edit* Hampton was a beast don't know how I didn't think of him! First-team All-Pro: 5 times (1980, 1981, 82, 83, 88). Of course, thats not the case with any odd-numbered technique. The Top Five New York Jets Defensive Tackles of All-Time - The Jet Press He ended his career with just 20.5 sacks but the main reason he was on the field was to stop the run and that he did, evidenced by his 90 run stuffs in his career (five times he had 9.0 or more). Peko plays with intensity, but his technique is smart and precise. Check. He is comfortable using his speed to shoot gaps or lining up directly over guards and centers and overpowering them. Sometimes a nose tackle or defensive tackle will line up in a 1-technique. Some NFL players are just physical freaks in terms of taking a pounding and lasting and lasting. The 10 Best Nose Tackles of All Time in the NFL Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The likes of Vince Wilfork, Jamal William, Haloti Ngata, Ted Williams are some of the best ever. He played both ways early in his career but his primary position was right over the center in 5-man lines. He's a shade tackle that played all three downs and never needed to be replaced by a designated pass rusher like so many nose tackles, which accounts for his high sack total, in fact, no nose/shade tackle is even close and from film review, he was as good versus the run as any of them. Obviously, times have changed since 1963, but Buck's legacy lives on as one of the greatest defensive tackles ever. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. But was a Pro Bowler in 1986, but was certainly worthy of selection in 1984 and 1985 as well. Not only that, but theyre offensive linemans specifically the center and guards worst nightmare. 1 Joe Greene 3,939 votes Charles Edward Greene (born September 5, 1946), better known as "Mean" Joe Greene, is a former American football defensive tackle who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football .more #1208 of 1,316 The Best Athletes Of All Time #11 of 25 Old Athletes You Didn't Realize Are Still Alive #1 of 146 I think Wilfork has to be up there too but Wilfork has been used in more than 1 tech for a lot of his time on the Pats but that just shows what a good skill set he had. What does it need to be a good nose tackle? Stephon Tuitt, Pittsburgh Steelers Tuitt is the second Steelers player to find his way into the top 12, coming off another strong showing in 2020. The Ultimate Guide, What Is the Neutral Zone in Football? The one season he filled in for an injured 3-tech (Keith Millard) he did will, recording 8.5 sacks and 7.5 stuffs and 82 tackles. Instead of going head-to-head with the center, theyll line up on the outside shoulder of the center, either on the left or right. My name is Steven and I love everything sports! May 4, 2021 8:47 AM EDT. This type of scheme consists of five players on the defensive line a nose guard, two defensive tackles, and two defensive ends. 3-4 Defences have only become really popular around the nfl in the last 15 years so there hasn't been that many Nose Tackles in the last 40-50 years in comparison to other positions. It frequently took 2 or 3 linemen to block him, freeing up teammates to double-cover or blitz. Akiem Hicks, Chicago Bears. This allows the safeties to stay deep and maintain the integrity of Chicago's preferred Tampa-2 coverage scheme. For the 3-technique, the defensive player is asked to line up on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard. This can either give them an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the play being called by the offense. He was also one of the best kick blockers ever and the best of the 2000s by far with 17 blocked place kicks. link to 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List, link to What Is a Secondary in Football? Unlike a nose tackle, a defensive ends main responsibility is to control the outside of the line of scrimmage and get to the quarterback. A Guide for Fans, NFL Practice Squad Salary Rules and Eligibility Explained, What Is a DB in Football? Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Theyre usually the largest player and go head-to-head with the opposing center. The last time Donald recorded a PFF run-defense or pass-rush grade lower than 85.0 was during his rookie season in 2014. His tremendous upper body strength and relentless motor help Sopoaga to constantly move the pocket. Maas was "Big, mean, strong, and nasty" according to Buchsbaum who also though Maas would have been an excellent 4-3 tackle. PFF Rankings: The NFL's top 25 interior defensive linemen ahead of the pounds, Wilfork was the anchor of the Patriots defensive line for more than a decade making First-team All-Pro once and second-team All-Pro four times and five Pro Bowls in his 13 seasons and earned himself two rings. In fact, he ended his career with 53 sacks with highs in 9 in 1977, 8 in 1980 and 6 in 1976. 6'5" and around 375 pounds, he was literally an immovable object in the trenches. The Steelers have had some of the best nose tackles of all time and when that position is thought of, often the Steelers come to mind. He was drafted into the NFL in 2004 by the New England Patriots. He used his size to his advantage and made the lives of the blockers impossible. A nose tackle has to occupy multiple blockers to create a lane of pursuit for fellow defenders. Despite being a 5-time pro bowler, he is still not in the hall of fame. As Easley is often looked past due to his short career in the NFL, his play on the field was at a top level and one that had in the elite group . NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best offensive tackles in NFL history. While Ngata fell to the shadows behind the likes of Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis, the former Oregon Ducks star was a force to be reckoned . They try to take up as much space as possible down the middle of the line of scrimmage, which often means taking on the center and one or both of the offensive guards. His 47.5 sacks and 779 tackles put him easily among the best who have ever played. Take a look at all the action as the 2023 Combine gets underway in Indianapolis. With Sopoaga over the center, Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis are always kept clean and remain free to chase plays down. In recent seasons the position has taken on greater significance thanks to the proliferation of 3-4 fronts. And love seeing Smerlas getting recognized so high. Top 10 Defensive Tackles in NFL 2022 Rankings Wilfork has served as the centerpiece of BillBelichick's hybrid defenses for years. Taylor Lewan gets a lot of attention for his off-field attention-seeking antics. Just because a NT doesn't 2 gap doesn't mean he's not a true NT, that's all down to preference of scheme by the coach. Said legendary writer/talent evaluator Joel Buchsbaum about Carter, "has awesome ability, strength, quickness, and explosion but is not very durable". Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans. But nose tackle still remains a key position and its distinctive skills perform a vital function for many defenses. He had unusually large legs and Dolphin locker room lore includes the fact that even the large socks would not fully cover Baumhower's calves when stretched all the way to the top. So he ended up playing for three-techniques likeJovan Haye and Tony Williams, though he got to play some three-technique himself for a few years in the early 2000s when Fred Robbins manned the nose. Is Pedro Pascal Related To Burt Reynolds? He was an eight-time First-team All-League selection and was a Second-team selection one additional time and was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame team All-1940s Team and the owner of five championship rings. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry. As mentioned above, the best feature of a nose tackle is that he sacrifices himself for the greater good of the team. he was a good player, but didn't play enough to really fit in. Sopoaga is a disruptive force over the center. May 14, 2020. Though he played as a run stuffer in the later part of his career, he is mostly known for his role as a nose tackle. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. He also forced 19 fumbles and recorded three defensive touchdowns. He was a Second-team All-Pro in 1977 and that was the only season he received post-season honors. So I discount guys like Ngata who may have played in the middle of a 3 man line on occasions but were never 2 gap players. 11. Bill Wills is one such example, he was undrafted in the 1946 draft! Instead, they line up head-to-head with the offensive guards. Defensive techniques serve two major purposes they tell the defenders where they need to line up for that specific play and they tell the defenders what their role is when on the field. Many defenses are also choosing to play more nickel on first and second down. Email us at: NFL Tackles Career Leaders (since 1994) - Pro-Football-Reference.com The players Hey there! Super Bowl champion: 2 times (XXXIX, XLIX). He won the super bowl once and was named all-pro once in 2001. Top 10 NFL Strong Safeties of All Time Rankings
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