I'm assuming that we're talking about a true NT as in 2 gap players. From 1980 through the first six games of 1990 he played in (and started) 149 consecutive games, remarkable given the duties of his position. Akiem Hicks is one of the best run defenders in the NFL today. Sopoaga is such a powerful and active presence, that he demands a double team on almost every play. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Till 1949, The Browns were playing in the AAFC, and then the team joined the NFL. With Hampton occluding the middle of an opposing blocking scheme, ball carriers are consistentlyforced sideways. Isaiah Wynn is an interesting player. However, his play for the Titans down the stretch was . Lets take a look at some of those specific nose tackles: Its unclear if well ever see any nose tackles in the future that live up to the names listed above, but theres no doubt that these players are some of the least-recognized superstars of their time. He had great strength, along with skills and techniques. Ranking of the NFL's top ten greatest offensive tackles of all time. His 47.5 sacks and 779 tackles put him easily among the best who have ever played. May 4, 2021 8:47 AM EDT. He would go on to be selected first overall by the Jimmy Johnson-led Cowboys in 1991, just the. He possessed a freakish combo of power and speed for someone of his size. Wilfork played more than 100 games for the Patriots and is considered the best player in the nose tackle position for the Patriots. The Dolphins defensive anchor is steadily building a reputation as one of the most difficult to handle nose tackles in the game. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Pro Football Network analyst Matt Valdovinos ranks the top 25 offensive tackles in the NFL. Nobody is better at absorbing double teams than Hampton. But he is not experienced enough at the position to warrant a place on the list. John Randle Awards: 7 Pro Bowler, 6 All-Pro, 1997 NFL sacks leader, Pro Football Hall of Famer, and NFL 1990s All-Decade Team Championships: None 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. With that in mind, he shared some final thoughts on his playing career. 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. Wilfork is widely considered one of the best nose tackles to play the game of football. His role into 2021 as a top defensive tackle will be to keep rookie linebacker Jamin Davis free to attack downhill. Super Bowl champion: 3 times (XIX, XXIII, XXIV), First-team All-Pro: 3 times (1986, 1987, 1988). 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. A Financial Overview, What Is a Cycle in Baseball? STEELERS' ALL-UNDRAFTED TEAM Quarterback: Devlin Hodges Running Back: Willie Parker Fullback: Dan Kreider Wide Receivers:. That. 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. edit* Hampton was a beast don't know how I didn't think of him! As they continue to learn the What Is a Secondary in Football? Rogers started his career hot, playing shade most often in a 40 defense, and was playing lots of plays (36.5 run stuffs in his first four seasons) and then went to his "All-Pro-type" years from 2004-08 when he was a Second-team All-Pro once and a three-time Pro Bowler. Team (s): Seattle Seahawks. He was a true 2 gap run stuffer. Regular five-on-five basketball is a fun game on its own, but its always nice to have some variety in the types of games that can be played, especially with kids. 1 overall Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Seattle Seahawks, 1997-2009 Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cincinnati Bengals, 1980-1992 Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro nine times Started 184 of 185 NFL games Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Ravens, 1996-2007 One-time NFL champion Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times Started 176 of 177 NFL games Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Colts, 1958, 1959 Two-time NFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro eight times (five times at OT, three times at OG) Called by Woody Hayes "the best offensive lineman I've ever coached." View Current Leaderboard. But Garay's brute force makes him formidable at the point of attack. A nose tackle has to occupy multiple blockers to create a lane of pursuit for fellow defenders. Moving former defensive end Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle has made an already stout 49ers run defense even more formidable. 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List. 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. 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. Then he was signed by the Buffalo Bills, but it was with Minnesota Vikings where he shined and reached his full potential. 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. Therefore, he does not have a lot of individual achievements to boast about. 11. Like all 4-3 nose tackles, Pekoregularly operates in a shaded alignment over the center. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. NFL, one of the most exciting sports leagues in the world, is the gathering place of all American football legends. Kyle Williams and Others Who Missed the Cut 1 of 11 A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive. The quintessential 2-gap artist, Hampton is the cornerstone of the Steelers ferocious run defense. Paul Soliai is one of the finest 2-gappers in the league. Bullshitter. Domato Peko is the fulcrum of the Cincinnati Bengals aggressive 4-3 defense. 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 . He was a Dr. Z favorite as well. We've been a complete joke at NT since he left. The likes of Vince Wilfork, Jamal William, Haloti Ngata, Ted Williams are some of the best ever. Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans. See leaders through past seasons He was active, fast, and really stood out on film. A Complete Overview, What Is a Sack in Football? He used his size to his advantage and made the lives of the blockers impossible. He has played a total of 200 games and recorded 29 sacks and two interceptions. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Carter played nine seasons, 121 games with 97 starts. As with any list there is room for debate here and there but he's ranked about right.Let me guess, you are a Steeler's fan? Vea is the best nose tackle in the NFL and the main reason that the Buccaneers dominated the Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. The crown as the best non-Donald interior defender is a tough one to claim definitively, but in 2019 it belonged to Heyward. Last year (1989) he was 20 points overweight and he was double-teamed on almost every play had nine sacks and 73 tackles". He. When you think of the Steelers' 3-4, you think of a couple names: it starts with Casey Hampton, the best true nose tackle the team has ever had. 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 . Houston Texans starter Shaun Cody has adapted well to the rigours of Wade Phillips' 1-gap 3-4. The two-time pro bowler Hank Thomas is often underappreciated and is one of the most underrated players of recent times. They have a similar role, but the defensive schemes are very different. In the game of football, every player is given a specific position both on offense and defense that determines their role when on the field. Highest single-season PFF grades since 2017 Donald's peers are the NFL's all-time greats on defense the Reggie Whites and Lawrence Taylors of the world rather than anyone else currently playing. Despite being a 5-time pro bowler, he is still not in the hall of fame. Now we are getting into the run-stopping specialists, though very good at that specialty. Corey Williams of the Detroit Lions performs an important function for Gunther Cunningham's defense. He was the straw that stirred the drink for the 2x Champion defenses for the Steelers in the 2000s. 17. Pat Williams is a perfect example that nose tackles are selfless and dedicated to the teams benefits. The 55 Best Movies and Series on HBO Max (Where You 1968 (Denver Broncos, Round: 2 / Pick: 31), Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers, Detroit Lions, 1979 (Buffalo Bills, Round: 2 / Pick: 32), Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers, 1991 (San Francisco 49ers, Round: 1 / Pick: 25), San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, 1987 (Minnesota Vikings, Round: 3 / Pick: 72), Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots andDetroit Lions, 1984 (San Francisco 49ers, Round: 5 / Pick: 121), 1977 (Philadelphia Eagles, Round: 7 / Pick: 175), Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, 2004 (New England Patriots, Round: 1 / Pick: 21), 1987 (Detroit Lions, Round: 3 / Pick: 63), Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings. Many people refer to a nose tackle as a nose guard, but theyre two completely different positions in football. The same argument applies to Barry Cofield of the Washington Redskins. 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. He frequently drives blockers backwards and is a consistent threat to penetrate the line of scrimmage. At 6-1 330 (350?) He played both ways early in his career but his primary position was right over the center in 5-man lines. He had a high of 85 tackles in 1978, 68 in 1979, and 67 in 1980. Defensive tackles are mostly the silent killer of a team. Whitworth has been one of the top NFL offensive tackles for the majority of his career and is a true model of consistency. 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. Pro Bowl: 6 times (1969, 1971, 19751978), Defensive Player of the Year: 1 time (1975). I'll have to their cortez Kennedy into the mix for this one. This player is only used in a 3-4 defensive scheme, opposed to a 4-3 defensive scheme. Great list -- Curley is indeed #1. This allows the safeties to stay deep and maintain the integrity of Chicago's preferred Tampa-2 coverage scheme. Balls retired from the game in 1999, leaving behind a dominant legacy. Wilfork has served as the centerpiece of BillBelichick's hybrid defenses for years. 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. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Carter was the classic run-stopper at nose, not much of a rusher. However, until that time, he is without question the best nose tackle in the league. Sometimes a nose tackle or defensive tackle will line up in a 1-technique. He ended his career with 1017 tackles, more than any other nose we can find and 34.5 sacks. Pouha has gone from a deputy to the oft-injured Kris Jenkins, to becoming a significant force at the heart of the Jets opportunistic defense. He was also one of the best kick blockers ever and the best of the 2000s by far with 17 blocked place kicks. During his stay in Kansas, Culp shined as a defensive nose tackle. There have been many legendary nose tackles in the NFL and NCAA, and you'll find all of them on this list below. Not only is Art Shell at the top of this list, but he was also among the best tackles in NFL history, and there those who believe . He played college football for the University. + Indicates Hall of Famer. . The Ultimate Guide, What Is the Neutral Zone in Football? 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. This list below has a variety of items in it, from Casey Hampton to Jim Burt. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Pat Williams was a top nose for a long time, playing 14 seasons and was a starter in his last 10. It is not easy for the nose tackles to be the best defender, but Culp did it in 1975 after joining the Houston Oilers. But the tenacious and resourcefulfourth-year prois a significant member of the Bears defensive line rotation. His power and ferocity at the point of attack make him virtually impossible to handle one on one. Its generally reserved for the defensive end and theyre responsible for both the B-gap (in-between the guard and tackle) and C-gap (on the outside of the tackle). Burt also helped the 49ers in their Super Bowl seasons as a rotation nose tackle. This is a subreddit for the NFL community. 8. 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. Nose tackles are found in the middle of the defensive line when running a 3-4 defensive scheme. Ratliff is one of the most dominant players in the league and is the key to the Cowboys multiple 3-4 scheme. Lorenzo Neal as a fullback is one. The change of league did not have much impact on the team as the team continued to dominate, and in 19450, they became the NFL champion. Matt Toeainais the most unheralded member of the Chicago Bears tough defense. However, the proliferation of 3-4 fronts in recent seasons has made the position more important. If theres a tight end on the play, a 6-technique lines up head-to-head with the tight end. Take a look at the best portraits from the 2023 NFL Combine! He recorded 137.5 sacks over his 14-year career and was. Sometimes even experts fail to recognize talent. The 34 was very popular in the 70's and 80's. And as was normal, Long would play the three-technique in passing situations. 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. 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. Follow us on Twitter: @NFL_Journal - Plenty of other factors were there, but the move to the 3-4 defense and Culp's play in it were certainly right up there in the reasons why there was a turnaround (they were 3-31 in the previous 34 games prior to Culp's arrival.). Washington has four first-round picks on its defensive line, and Jonathan Allen might have been the best in 2020. The 3-4 had been around for years but no one committed to it on an every-down basis like the Patriots in 1974. In those situations, Howie Long would play the right end. Ted Washington always amazed me. By its nature, nose tackle is one of the most unheralded and selfless positions in the NFL. This can either give them an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the play being called by the offense. Sione Pouha has quietly emerged as one of the most effective run defenders in the game. 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. The best decision that Rob Ryan made when he took over stewardship of the Cowboys defense, was to leave Ratliff over the center, and defy the calls to move him to end. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The Best New York Jets of All Time Fred Smerlas Tackle and Nose tackle from Waltham, Massachusetts Age: 65 Frederic Charles Smerlas (born April 8, 1957) is a former American football defensive lineman who was a 5-time NFL Pro Bowl selection during 14-year career as a nose tackle with the Buffalo Bills, .more 280 Alameda Ta'amu I realize he was mostly a part-time player but I thought Pete Kugler for the 49ers played alot of quality snaps. But on a serious note I would say wilfork or Hampton, with big Ted slightly behind those guys. This is different from the 0-technique, which is responsible for the two gaps in between the center and both offensive guards. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. 1. It all depends on the game situation. Defensive nose tackles do not have flashy statistics or bouquets of trophies on their accolades; rather, they silently distribute for the teams wins. Lets see why these players are considered the best nose tackles of all time. Theyre responsible for taking up space and making it hard for the center and guards to make room for the running back. Pro Bowl: 4 times (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001). 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. He was First-team All-Pro once and a Second-team All-Pro twice and was a Pro Bowler all three of those seasons. 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. Here is a ranking of the 10 best nose tackles in the game today. 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 drafted into the NFL in 1987 and remained active till 2000. One of his best assets is his quick first step, giving him an excellent takeoff at the snap. 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. 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. To be the best in the league, one needs to be fast, athletic, dedicated, hard-working, and have exceptional talent. Here is a ranking ofthe 10 best nose tackles in the game today. 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. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. A tall nose, like Bob Baumhower, at 6-5 and began his career as an inside designated pass rusher. 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. 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. The most common requirement of a nose tackle is to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the rest of the defense. The next time you see a nose tackle playing well, make sure you tip your hat to them! When on form, Antonio Garay is capable of regularly collapsing the pocket. With that said, most nose tackles in the league are anywhere from 60 to 63 and weigh anywhere from 300-350 pounds. For many defenses the nose tackle's performance is the most critical element of the scheme. all the guys ahead of him were better than he was. 89 retired in New England, is forming a one-two punch with Wilfork is simply lethal. Vita is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL because he has the ability at 345-pounds to rush the passer. But the majority of the players on the list operate as the focal point ina base 3-4 defense. Other than Polamalu there wasnt a better player on those defenses. 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. 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. 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.