Still, only a few of them are as large as Ted Washington. Vince Wilfork was born in 1981 in Florida. But the starter at nose in the first game was Lyle Alzado, not Carter. 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. as a nose tackle, mostly a backup or part-time player. Tier 2: Elite 2. Take a look at how they stack. These amazing nose tackles may currently be active while others have been retired for quite sometime. A couple of years ago, Jay Ratliff would have comfortably toppeda list of this kind. Carter played nine seasons, 121 games with 97 starts. Excellent article, John T! By its nature, nose tackle is one of the most unheralded and selfless positions in the NFL. One name that is well worth mentioning among the Top 10 Strong Safety All-Time list is the former Seattle Seahawks and Pro Football Hall of Famer strong safety Kenny Easley. He had the ability, strength, and quickness to be one of the top defensive backs in the tournament. 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. Wills was exceptionally quick for his size, and so he was nicknamed The Cat.. Jamal Williams career seemed to be heading into obscurity as a very good shade (nose) tackle in a 4-3 defense for the Chargers from 1998 to 2004. The Complete Guide, How Much Do NHL Refs Make? Dan Saleaumua was like a rolling ball of butcher knives, moving around all the time, always seemingly around the ball. Joe Klecko (89%, 59 Votes) Kris Jenkins (8%, 5 Votes) Jason Ferguson (3%, 2 Votes) Sione Pouha (0%, 0 Votes) Abdul Salaam (0%, 0 Votes). This allows the defensive ends to cover the outside of the offensive line and frees up the middle linebackers to find the quarterback or running back. 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. As it turned out, Carter found his position and Alzado went on to be an excellent 3-4 end. 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. Bills, in his career, became a total of a three-time pro bowler and a four times all-pro. 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. And love seeing Smerlas getting recognized so high. Many defenses are also choosing to play more nickel on first and second down. The more space they take up, the less of a hole the running back has to make it through the line of scrimmage. Another excellent piece of work by you Mr. Turney. Not only that, but theyre offensive linemans specifically the center and guards worst nightmare. An extremely aggressive player, Garay is one of the few 3-4 nose tackles who is at his best when threatening the quarterback. Vince Wilfork is one of the smartest and most versatile defensive players in the game. 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. The quintessential 2-gap artist, Hampton is the cornerstone of the Steelers ferocious run defense. The Ultimate Guide, Volleyball Scoring 101: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Score. This type of scheme consists of five players on the defensive line a nose guard, two defensive tackles, and two defensive ends. He spent the first 11 years of his career with the Patriots, a time during which he was one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL -- especially against the run. Two slots for the Pro Bowl and at times 25 of the teams in the NFL playing a 3-4 defense. A 5-2 defensive scheme is extremely effective against the run, especially the inside run. The nose tackle is largely used in the 3-4 defensive scheme as well as a 5-2 defensive scheme. I think he was part of at least three of their championships, though undersized. However, his contribution to the teams victories earned him four all-pro awards. Early on it was mostly the more experimental AFC teams, including the perfect Dolphins, and was part of why the AFC dominated the NFC in the 70's. NFL, one of the most exciting sports leagues in the world, is the gathering place of all American football legends. Randle signed with the Vikings and went on to become one of the best defensive tackles of the 1990s and definitely the mouthiest. Nose tackles dont receive a lot of glamour in modern football. Really, on a game-to-game basis, Hamilton was the NFL's first modern nose tackle. The creative direction of Super Bowl LVII was inspired by the beauty of Arizona's natural landscapes - from its grand rock formations to its vast rainbow skies. If you can do that, then your coach will always have a spot for you on the defense. 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. He would also play left end on occasion, usually when Lyle Alzado was taking a series off or if he missed a game or two. Is Pedro Pascal Related To Burt Reynolds? Smears was an exceptional talent. There have been many legendary nose tackles in the NFL and NCAA, and you'll find all of them on this list below. Obviously, times have changed since 1963, but Buck's legacy lives on as one of the greatest defensive tackles ever. Of course, it leaves some space right up the middle. He could also expand his pass rush repertoire and become more of a rush threat for a Miami defensive line which struggles to support the efforts of Cameron Wake. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. Williams became a three times pro bowler in three consecutive seasons, from 2006 to 2008. 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. He was drafted into the NFL in 1987 and remained active till 2000. But he did the dirty work of a shade tackle in a 4-3 under defense. The 6"1' 325 pound Hamptonis an immovable force in the middle of Pittsburgh's front seven. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Another big man, around 330-350 (390?) Still, their role changes as a defensive tackle. Pro Bowl: 4 times (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001). The same argument applies to Barry Cofield of the Washington Redskins. But he is not experienced enough at the position to warrant a place on the list. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The most common requirement of a nose tackle is to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the rest of the defense. This list includes the tackle's accomplishments, honors, awards, records, & statistics. Ted Washington is another. Donald is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time First-Team All-Pro, Made the 2010 NFL All . After getting drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984, Michael Carter remained unmoved throughout his pro football career. Wilfork is widely considered one of the best nose tackles to play the game of football. From his 121 games, he recorded 121 sacks. May 14, 2020. Defensive tackles are mostly the silent killer of a team. They line up with a defensive end on both sides of them, but theres a pretty large gap between them since the offensive line is made up of five players. Check out the Top 10 photos from Super Bowl LVII! Carter was a dominant nose when motivated. With that in mind, he shared some final thoughts on his playing career. The Ultimate Guide, What Is the Neutral Zone in Football? Career stats of Henry Thomas: 6. Fronts are more complex now than there were "back in the day". This is a subreddit for the NFL community. He was part of the good, innovative defenses of Bill Arnsbarger with the Dolphins, the 'Killer Bs' if you will. . Whitworth has been one of the top NFL offensive tackles for the majority of his career and is a true model of consistency. A high-motor, hustle type. 18 in NFL Network's Top 100 Players list in 2017 Has started all 105 career games played, Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, 1960-1969; Oakland Raiders 1971 Voted to eight AFL all-star games, First Team All-AFL eight times Appeared in five AFL title games Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Minnesota Vikings, 1986-1992; Denver Broncos, 1993-1997 Voted to nine Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro three times One-time Super Bowl champion Made 169 consecutive starts Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-2001 Voted to five Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro three times Drafted with the Jaguars' first-ever pick, New Orleans Saints, 1993-2001; Kansas City Chiefs 2002-2005 Voted to 11 Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro three times One of 13 players to be named to multiple all-decades team (90s and 2000s) Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Giants, 1953-1965 Voted to nine Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro six times One-time NFL champion Named NFL's Lineman of Year, 1956 Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Eagles, 1964-1968; Los Angeles Rams, 1969-1970; Oakland Raiders, 1971-1973 Voted to six Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro five times Selected to All-Decade Team of the 1960s Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Los Angeles/St. With a player like Raji over the center, Dom Capers can utilise every page of his zone blitz playbook. This would make them more responsible for the B-gap (in-between the tackle and guard). Tim Goad is a very good player from start. You simply cant run a 3-4 defensive scheme without one. Take a look at how they stack up. He recorded 137.5 sacks over his 14-year career and was. By this time, he played over 200 games to record 93.3 sacks, 1007 tackles, and four touchdowns, so many for a defensive nose tackle. He was a Second-team All-Pro in 1987 and a consensus First-team All-Pro in 1988 and was picked to Paul Zimmerman's (. Pro Football Hall of Fame/Associated Press, Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press. Super Bowl champion: 3 times (XIX, XXIII, XXIV), First-team All-Pro: 3 times (1986, 1987, 1988). The defensive tackle is largely used in the 4-3 defensive scheme as well as the 5-2 defensive scheme. To be the best in the league, one needs to be fast, athletic, dedicated, hard-working, and have exceptional talent. They line up in front of the offensive center and are responsible for clogging up the two gaps on both sides of the center in-between the center and two offensive guards. This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional football. 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. The six-time pro bowler is also an AFL and Super Bowl champion. Well.it's more that it goes through cycles. Most defensive tackles that line up in a 4-3 defensive scheme are lining up in a 3-technique. Would have put Maas and Gilbert Brown much higher, but really enjoyed this list. First-team All-Pro: 5 times (1980, 1981, 82, 83, 88). Dominant against the run, Wilfork commands attention from multiple blockers. Charlie Johnson had a short career in the NFL, but he still managed to cement his preposition among the best nose tackles of all time in NFL history. 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. Houston Texans starter Shaun Cody has adapted well to the rigours of Wade Phillips' 1-gap 3-4. Moving former defensive end Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle has made an already stout 49ers run defense even more formidable. However, until that time, he is without question the best nose tackle in the league. Washington has four first-round picks on its defensive line, and Jonathan Allen might have been the best in 2020. 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 He was a three-time First-team All-Pro and three-time All-NFC/Pro Bowler and was part of those very good Eagles defenses from 1979-81. Take a look at all the action as the 2023 Combine gets underway in Indianapolis. His tremendous upper body strength and relentless motor help Sopoaga to constantly move the pocket. Other than Polamalu there wasnt a better player on those defenses. Whether youre playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme or 4-3 defensive scheme, two defensive ends line up by the offensive tackle. 1. We may reconsider in the future, but for now, we put him with the tackles. The likes of Vince Wilfork, Jamal William, Haloti Ngata, Ted Williams are some of the best ever. Enter Wade Phillips who installed a 3-4 and Williams as the nose andvoila, he's in the Pro Bowl for the next three years. Relying on awesome strength and excellent leverage, Garay is able to create a powerful forward push, few centers can deal with. He was a Dr. Z favorite as well. His power and ferocity at the point of attack make him virtually impossible to handle one on one. However, his play for the Titans down the stretch was . 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 type of reliable-backup career you just don't see much anymore. His professional football career began in 1977 when he was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles 1977. This is because four linebackers can either drop back and guard the middle of the field or play at the line of scrimmage against the run. And my man Smerlas getting his due love it! Again, these are two completely different positions in the game of football and have entirely different roles in defensive schemes. Career stats: 106 games started, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 150 tackles, four-time Pro Bowler. I'll have to their cortez Kennedy into the mix for this one. By Matthew Valdovinos. Everything You Need to Know, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? You can guess from his career highlights how much we could write about him. Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. Matt Toeainais the most unheralded member of the Chicago Bears tough defense. Cofield has not spent enough time anchoring a 3-4 and is plagued by inconsistency. 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. What does that make the 5-technique? Therefore, he does not have a lot of individual achievements to boast about. In fact, he ended his career with 53 sacks with highs in 9 in 1977, 8 in 1980 and 6 in 1976. He's pure run-stopper, he's one of the few players to actually go to a Pro Bowl in a season when he had zero sacks. He was active, fast, and really stood out on film. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Well, a player needs to have the mentality to sacrifice himself for the teams achievement. During his stay in Kansas, Culp shined as a defensive nose tackle. 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? 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. "Snacks", in our view is the top nose/shade tackle in the game today and if he continues his career arc he could move up this list quickly. 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). Some NFL players are just physical freaks in terms of taking a pounding and lasting and lasting. This can either give them an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the play being called by the offense. Baumhower was a unique player, tall (6-5) for a nose tackle and may have been better suited as a 4-3 tackle or 3-4 end. But Ratliff is a very underrated force against the run. In some situations, they might line up in-between the guards and center if they want to directly fill the gaps during a run play. His penetration causes havoc in the running game and makes hima credible danger to the quarterback.
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