Great list -- Curley is indeed #1. And in 1980 he got his hands up enough to pick off three passes from his nose position. 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. 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). He loves to watch web series, and movies and write on celebrity gossip or trendy movie news. It is no coincidence that with Peko disrupting the line of scrimmage, youngsters Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunalp have been able to blossom into dangerous pass rushers. Of course, thats not the case with any odd-numbered technique. The players Hey there! 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 . From there Peko is able to frequently split double teams and spearhead the Bengals run defense. Alexander Boris Johnsons Net Worth vs Jeremy Bernard Corbyns Net Worth: Who is richer? 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. one bid wonders has more information on college football bowl game. Many people refer to a nose tackle as a nose guard, but theyre two completely different positions in football. Taylor Lewan gets a lot of attention for his off-field attention-seeking antics. Kyle Williams and Others Who Missed the Cut 1 of 11 A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive. This can either give them an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the play being called by the offense. Sopoaga is such a powerful and active presence, that he demands a double team on almost every play. Admittedly, in this period, it was less characterized by the dominating nose tackle and more by the fearsome outside linebacker, such as Lawrence Taylor. But on a serious note I would say wilfork or Hampton, with big Ted slightly behind those guys. In 1985 Pickel took over the nose tackle spot in the Raiders defense and he'd play the usual shade spot in passing downs. He had great strength, along with skills and techniques. Take a look at how they stack up. Wilfork was drafted by the Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. 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. Everything You Need to Know, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? Sometimes a nose tackle or defensive tackle will line up in a 1-technique. He weighs 375 pounds and still ran so fast. Despite being a 5-time pro bowler, he is still not in the hall of fame. The 6"1' 325 pound Hamptonis an immovable force in the middle of Pittsburgh's front seven. A Complete Overview, What Is a Sack in Football? Theyre responsible for taking up space and making it hard for the center and guards to make room for the running back. When done correctly, the nose tackle acts as a space-eater. 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. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons and recorded 32.5 sacks. 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. Klecko was a fan favorite and defensive stand out for the Jets through the 1980's. Arriving at the Jets after playing his college ball at Temple University, Klecko quickly had an impact on the . Then in 1986-87 he was still the starter but played less in passing situations and recorded just one sack in 1987 and five in 1988. 10. The Dolphins defensive anchor is steadily building a reputation as one of the most difficult to handle nose tackles in the game. May 14, 2020. A high-motor, hustle type. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. Jake Matthews, Atlanta Falcons. At 6-1 330 (350?) The two-time pro bowler Hank Thomas is often underappreciated and is one of the most underrated players of recent times. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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). Who is the best New York Jets defensive tackle ever? Theyre some of the hardest-working players that are almost always double-teamed, if not triple-teamed, when on the field. But he did the dirty work of a shade tackle in a 4-3 under defense. These savvy veterans and youngsters such as Knighton, Cleveland Browns rookie Phillip Taylor and Arizona Cardinals youth Dan Williams, are collectively ensuring the nose tackle remains very relevant. 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. Ive played and watched sports all my life and have coached them as well for the last few years. Likely 1988, too, but it was a crowded field in the 1980s for nose tackles. Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. Two slots for the Pro Bowl and at times 25 of the teams in the NFL playing a 3-4 defense. This is different from the 0-technique, which is responsible for the two gaps in between the center and both offensive guards. Take a look at how they. Pro Football Hall of Fame/Associated Press, Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press. The type of reliable-backup career you just don't see much anymore. Nose tackles dont receive a lot of glamour in modern football. He. 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. Ngata played more than the shade (1-tech) for the Ravens, playing mostly over guards and even inside shoulder of a tackle (4i) technique. Career stats of Henry Thomas: 6. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. 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. He had the ability, strength, and quickness to be one of the top defensive backs in the tournament. 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. Super Bowl LVII: All You Need To Know About Its Results, Winner, Highlights and Half-Time Show !! We've been a complete joke at NT since he left. He toiled in obscurity in Seattle at a time when the league wanted to forget Seattle existed & still was a 1st team AP & Pro Bowler in 1984, and could easily have been a Pro Bowl player in 2 other seasons. Therefore, he does not have a lot of individual achievements to boast about. One name that might get overlooked among some of the best defensive tackles all-time is the former Baltimore Ravens great Haloti Ngata. A Guide for Fans, NFL Practice Squad Salary Rules and Eligibility Explained, What Is a DB in Football? The San Francisco 49ers signed him in the 1991 NFL draft, where he was overall 25th. With a little more experience at the position, Sopoaga could beexpected to top a similar list in the near future. He did not focus on personal achievements, which is one of the reasons that his stats are not filled with rich numbers. 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. Take a look at how they stack. I think he was part of at least three of their championships, though undersized. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Sometimes even experts fail to recognize talent. 11. Gilbert Brown was a big piece in that loaded Packer defense. 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. He was a Dr. Z favorite as well. The same argument applies to Barry Cofield of the Washington Redskins. But nose tackle still remains a key position and its distinctive skills perform a vital function for many defenses. 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. Joe Nash is a glaring omission. Pouha is the basis for the Jets swarming rush defense and his stout performances in the middle of the line ensures the schematic flexibilitycharacteristicof Rex Ryan's multiple system. The dynamic 6ft 2 inches tall and 210 pounder middle and noseguard was the key player in the defensive back for the browns. This is about where we'd put Klecko if we had put him on this list, having been a guy who truly played three positions about equally in terms of years, we chose to put him with the 4-3 tackles even though his best two single seasons were as a 4-3 end and a 3-4 nose. He was All-Pro in 1990 then made a Pro Bowl in 1995. The 3-4 had been around for years but no one committed to it on an every-down basis like the Patriots in 1974. Pro Bowl: 6 times (1969, 1971, 19751978), Defensive Player of the Year: 1 time (1975). See leaders through past seasons profootballjournal@gmail.com. Theyre largely responsible for the C-gap, which is the space on the outside of the tackle, but they might try and confuse the tackle by starting outside and making a move inside. Well.it's more that it goes through cycles. Gilbert Brown was a big piece in that loaded Packer defense. Here is a ranking of the 10 best nose tackles in the game today. He is comfortable using his speed to shoot gaps or lining up directly over guards and centers and overpowering them. Best Nose Tackles in NFL History Throughout history, there have been several players that have revolutionized what it means to be a nose tackle. This list below has a variety of items in it, from Casey Hampton to Jim Burt. This is due mainly to the fact that most of the standout nose tackles in the league play for 3-4 teams. Take a look at all the action as the 2023 Combine gets underway in Indianapolis. He has played a total of 200 games and recorded 29 sacks and two interceptions. But he is not experienced enough at the position to warrant a place on the list. 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. Also, played some DE. After his stellar 1980 season, coaches from opposing teams would fly to Buffalo to watch how Smerlas played in the middle of the Bill defense and exported the style to their own 3-4 teams. To be the best in the league, one needs to be fast, athletic, dedicated, hard-working, and have exceptional talent. He did that while ascending as one of the greatest nose tackles of all time. The more space they take up, the less of a hole the running back has to make it through the line of scrimmage. He also forced 19 fumbles and recorded three defensive touchdowns. Burt also helped the 49ers in their Super Bowl seasons as a rotation nose tackle. But Ratliff is a very underrated force against the run. In the Bears under front,Toeaina is required to take on the center and occupy the interior, creating one on one matchups for pass rushing defensive ends and the 3-technique tackle. They just don't. Still, only a few of them are as large as Ted Washington. Domato Peko is the fulcrum of the Cincinnati Bengals aggressive 4-3 defense. Carter was a dominant nose when motivated. This article features the ten best nose tackles of all time in the NFL who set examples of how to contribute from the back. as a nose tackle, mostly a backup or part-time player. Had he not been denied the opportunity to follow up his stellar 2010 season, Williams would certainly have merited inclusion. Check out the Top 10 photos from Super Bowl LVII! Is Pedro Pascal Related To Burt Reynolds? He is one of few nose tackles that play on all three downs. His role into 2021 as a top defensive tackle will be to keep rookie linebacker Jamin Davis free to attack downhill. Throughout history, there have been several players that have revolutionized what it means to be a nose tackle. This list includes the tackle's accomplishments, honors, awards, records, & statistics. Pat Williams is a perfect example that nose tackles are selfless and dedicated to the teams benefits. The nose tackle is largely used in the 3-4 defensive scheme as well as a 5-2 defensive scheme. This is because the nose tackle position is one of the most physically demanding positions in all of football. Johnson played just eight years but they were mostly good some, some even very great. List of the most famous (American) football nose tackles in the history of the sport, listed by popularity with photos of the players when available. Last year (1989) he was 20 points overweight and he was double-teamed on almost every play had nine sacks and 73 tackles". Matt Toeainais the most unheralded member of the Chicago Bears tough defense. He ended his career with 1017 tackles, more than any other nose we can find and 34.5 sacks. Ngata, from 2008-14 received post-season honors every season, three of those years he was a First-team All-Pro and the others Second-team or Pro Bowl or All-AFC, showing remarkable consistency. 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 a Second-team All-Pro once and a three-time Pro Bowler (all when playing as 1/2 of the "Williams Wall" in Minnesota. started his career with the Detroit Lions in 1987 and later played in three more teams, including Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings. 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 Upon arriving in Houston, the Oilers fortunes changed, going from the bottom of the AFC to among the better teams from 1975 through 1980. But he got the opportunity to join the newly formed Cleveland Browns, and there he proved how good he was. Packers stalwart B.J. He was active, fast, and really stood out on film. Maryland totaled 279 tackles, with 25 for loss, and 20.5 sacks in his four dominant years for Miami. Wilfork has seamlessly transitioned to a 4-3 front and has been by far the Patriots best defensive player this season. Peko plays with intensity, but his technique is smart and precise. Rowe helped the Raiders to their first Super Bowl trophy (IMO) - I was at that Super Bowl. In fact, he ended his career with 53 sacks with highs in 9 in 1977, 8 in 1980 and 6 in 1976. View Current Leaderboard. Dominant against the run, Wilfork commands attention from multiple blockers. You have entered an incorrect email address! The third-year pro has the power, leverage and quickness to threaten the pocket on every play. 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. For many defenses the nose tackle's performance is the most critical element of the scheme. Some of these positions are universal to whatever scheme youre playing, while others are only specific to one scheme such as a nose tackle. Moving former defensive end Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle has made an already stout 49ers run defense even more formidable. His 61 tackles for loss or no gain against the run over that span rank third among defensive linemen, behind only Brandon Graham and Jadeveon Clowney. Being five times first-pro and the five-times pro bowler is a rare achievement in the NFL for a nose tackle. We may reconsider in the future, but for now, we put him with the tackles. 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. A tall nose, like Bob Baumhower, at 6-5 and began his career as an inside designated pass rusher. Casey Hampton is criminally low on this list. There are players that play close to the ball and others that play further away. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL defensive tackles of all time NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. Wilfork played more than 100 games for the Patriots and is considered the best player in the nose tackle position for the Patriots. 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. His power and quick takeoff enables him to drive blockers backwards and his speed and range allow him to disengage and envelope a ball carrier. Smears also played and started the most number of matches as a nose tackle. 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.
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best nose tackles of all time