It all depends on the game situation. The best I have personally seen is Casey Hampton. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The nose guard, however, lines up in the middle of the defensive line in a 5-2 defense. Cofield has not spent enough time anchoring a 3-4 and is plagued by inconsistency. They silently contribute and help their team to win. 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. Many defenses are also choosing to play more nickel on first and second down. He was also one of the best kick blockers ever and the best of the 2000s by far with 17 blocked place kicks. 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. Check out the Top 10 photos from Super Bowl LVII! The defensive tackle is largely used in the 4-3 defensive scheme as well as the 5-2 defensive scheme. Bill Pickel in an interesting player. 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. My name is Steven and I have a passion for sports and staying physically active. Pat Williams was a top nose for a long time, playing 14 seasons and was a starter in his last 10. Peko plays with intensity, but his technique is smart and precise. Of course, thats not the case with any odd-numbered technique. And with Carter, he'd have his moments getting to the passer. Smears also played and started the most number of matches as a nose tackle. But was a Pro Bowler in 1986, but was certainly worthy of selection in 1984 and 1985 as well. 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. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. John, in your opinion, and others on this site, would you put Smerlas, Krumrie or Henry Thomas in the HOF ? He has played a total of 200 games and recorded 29 sacks and two interceptions. Nobody is better at absorbing double teams than Hampton. 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. If you can do that, then your coach will always have a spot for you on the defense. Wills was exceptionally quick for his size, and so he was nicknamed The Cat.. Art Shell, 1968-1982. 13. Its popularity declined throughout the 90's, bottoming out in 2001 when only the Steelers were running a 34. 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. Tier 2: Elite 2. He is one of few nose tackles that play on all three downs. Patriots' Vince Wilfork thinks he is the best nost tackle of all time Other than Polamalu there wasnt a better player on those defenses. . Nose tackles dont receive a lot of glamour in modern football. Nonetheless, he was an inside, power player whose job it was to stop the inside running game and he did that well. This can either give them an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the play being called by the offense. Well, first we need to understand the 4-technique. Most defensive tackles that line up in a 4-3 defensive scheme are lining up in a 3-technique. 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. I'm assuming that we're talking about a true NT as in 2 gap players. The Ultimate Guide, What Is the Neutral Zone in Football? 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.). However, his play for the Titans down the stretch was . Such is life. 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. This allows the safeties to stay deep and maintain the integrity of Chicago's preferred Tampa-2 coverage scheme. 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. He ended his career with 32.5 sacks and 75.5 run stuffs. Jamal Williams was the monster in the middle. Email us at: Pro Bowl: 4 times (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001). 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). Like all 4-3 nose tackles, Pekoregularly operates in a shaded alignment over the center. Press J to jump to the feed. A tall nose, like Bob Baumhower, at 6-5 and began his career as an inside designated pass rusher. Defensive nose tackles do not have flashy statistics or bouquets of trophies on their accolades; rather, they silently distribute for the teams wins. This list includes the tackle's accomplishments, honors, awards, records, & statistics. This is because the 4-3 defensive scheme has two inside linebackers that can fill those two gaps if needed. 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. Top 25 offensive tackles in the 2021 NFL season - Pro Football Network Although used in very specific situations in the NFL, the 5-2 defensive scheme was largely phased out of pro football in the 1950s and eventually college football in the 1980s. 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. I'll have to their cortez Kennedy into the mix for this one. Isaiah Wynn is an interesting player. Take a look at how they. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. 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 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 The dynamic 6ft 2 inches tall and 210 pounder middle and noseguard was the key player in the defensive back for the browns. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. 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. He debuted in 1968 with the Kansas City Chiefs. all the guys ahead of him were better than he was. At 6'4" and287 pounds, Ratliff is taller and significantly lighter than the prototypical NFL nose tackle. Theyre usually the largest player and go head-to-head with the opposing center. 11. And love seeing Smerlas getting recognized so high. 8. 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. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons and recorded 32.5 sacks. Equally comfortable operating as either a 1 or 2-gap defensive tackle, Wilfork possesses both the raw power and schematic versatility to disrupt any blocking scheme. The third-year pro has the power, leverage and quickness to threaten the pocket on every play. Akiem Hicks, Chicago Bears. The 0-technique is largely specific to the nose tackle but can be played by defensive tackles as well. Whitworth has been one of the top NFL offensive tackles for the majority of his career and is a true model of consistency. Soliai excels at drawing and occupying double teams. He was First-team All-Pro once and a Second-team All-Pro twice and was a Pro Bowler all three of those seasons. There have been many legendary nose tackles in the NFL and NCAA, and you'll find all of them on this list below. Top 25 defensive tackles heading into the 2021 NFL Season May 14, 2020. Admittedly, in this period, it was less characterized by the dominating nose tackle and more by the fearsome outside linebacker, such as Lawrence Taylor. I miss Jamal Williams so damn much. Take a look at how they stack. He ended his career with 510 tackles and 35.5 sacks and 57.5 run stuffs. The next time you see a nose tackle playing well, make sure you tip your hat to them! NFL players are large in size. Maas was "Big, mean, strong, and nasty" according to Buchsbaum who also though Maas would have been an excellent 4-3 tackle. 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 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. One of his best assets is his quick first step, giving him an excellent takeoff at the snap. This list of the top nose tackles in American football includes all the greats from both the NFL and college football. A 5-2 defensive scheme is extremely effective against the run, especially the inside run. Raji possesses a more diverse and dynamic skill set than Pouha. What does it need to be a good nose tackle? May 4, 2021 8:47 AM EDT. 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. Lets see why these players are considered the best nose tackles of all time. 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. Another excellent piece of work by you Mr. Turney. The last time Donald recorded a PFF run-defense or pass-rush grade lower than 85.0 was during his rookie season in 2014. Casey Hampton Jr. (born September 3, 1977), nicknamed "Big Snack," is a former American football nose tackle who played twelve seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League, The Best Miami Football Players of All Time, The Greatest Out of Shape Athletes in Sports. Again, these are two completely different positions in the game of football and have entirely different roles in defensive schemes. So far, weve mentioned how the 0-technique lines up head-to-head with the center, and the 2-technique lines up head-to-head with the offensive guard. When done correctly, the nose tackle acts as a space-eater. PFF Rankings: The NFL's top 25 interior defensive linemen ahead of the A Financial Overview, What Is a Cycle in Baseball? 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. The players Hey there! A 375-pounder as a defensive tackle is something not everyone can expect. 10. He ended his career with 1017 tackles, more than any other nose we can find and 34.5 sacks. Ted Washington is another. Carter knew what his job was as a nose tackle, and he did it perfectly. They just don't. Had he not been denied the opportunity to follow up his stellar 2010 season, Williams would certainly have merited inclusion. Everything You Need to Know, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? This is different from the 0-technique, which is responsible for the two gaps in between the center and both offensive guards. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. There are always 22 football players on the field at once and they all have their own specialized roles. "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. Last year (1989) he was 20 points overweight and he was double-teamed on almost every play had nine sacks and 73 tackles". Jerry Ball was shaped like his name. He frequently drives blockers backwards and is a consistent threat to penetrate the line of scrimmage. 25 Best Undrafted NFL Players of All Time - AthlonSports.com The 10 Best Nose Tackles of All Time in the NFL It frequently took 2 or 3 linemen to block him, freeing up teammates to double-cover or blitz. Patriots all-time 53-man roster: 'Dynasty Era' players dominate, but Ted Washington was another great nose tackle, dude was massive! 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. 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. This comment has been removed by the author. However, we are going to keep it short. The way he singlehandedly collapsed the pocket and allows fellow Tampa pass rushers to torture Patrick Mahomes all day night long. Isaiah Wynn, New England Patriots. An excellent athlete for the position, Sharrif Floyd (6'3", 305 lbs, one season) has lateral quickness and moves well both along the line of scrimmage and heading upfield to make tackles. But Garay's brute force makes him formidable at the point of attack. But he did the dirty work of a shade tackle in a 4-3 under defense. Joe Nash is a glaring omission. he was a good player, but didn't play enough to really fit in. Pro Bowl: 6 times (1969, 1971, 19751978), Defensive Player of the Year: 1 time (1975). He was All-Pro in 1990 then made a Pro Bowl in 1995. Its okay for a nose tackle to be smaller or bigger than the average nose tackle, so long as that player is good at taking up space and freeing up room for the rest of the defense to do what they do best. The Pittsburgh run defense has been at or near the top of the league standings throughout Hamton's decade long tenure over the center. The likes of Vince Wilfork, Jamal William, Haloti Ngata, Ted Williams are some of the best ever. Yep, he arrived when those guys were on their way out of town. To be the best in the league, one needs to be fast, athletic, dedicated, hard-working, and have exceptional talent. Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. He spent his last six seasons as a backup/rotational nose for the Raiders, then the Jets. And as was normal, Long would play the three-technique in passing situations. Check. He did not focus on personal achievements, which is one of the reasons that his stats are not filled with rich numbers. 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. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 2022 The News Titan - All Rights Reserved, The 10 Best Nose Tackles of All Time in the NFL, The 10 Best Defensive Ends of All Time in the NFL. Rowe helped the Raiders to their first Super Bowl trophy (IMO) - I was at that Super Bowl. 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. Upon arriving in Houston, the Oilers fortunes changed, going from the bottom of the AFC to among the better teams from 1975 through 1980. A Complete Overview, What Is a Sack in Football? Pro Football Hall of Fame/Associated Press, Al Messerschmidt Archive/Associated Press. 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. Coming out of Georgia, Wynn was clearly a great athlete and an accomplished player, but he was far from the prototype in terms of height and length for offensive tackles in the NFL. Lorenzo Neal as a fullback is one. One name that might get overlooked among some of the best defensive tackles all-time is the former Baltimore Ravens great Haloti Ngata. An excellent run defender, Soliai needs to refine his technique in order to make more plays behind the line of scrimmage. These amazing nose tackles may currently be active while others have been retired for quite sometime. You have to keep in mind that offensive linemen are big players and that the nose tackle is almost always double-teamed. Johnson played just eight years but they were mostly good some, some even very great. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles.
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