Take a look at how they stack up. That. He would go on to be selected first overall by the Jimmy Johnson-led Cowboys in 1991, just the. He has been an all-pro or pro bowler more than any other 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 (. Houston Texans starter Shaun Cody has adapted well to the rigours of Wade Phillips' 1-gap 3-4. Here is a ranking of the 10 best nose tackles in the game today. Sione Pouha has quietly emerged as one of the most effective run defenders in the game. Whitworth has been one of the top NFL offensive tackles for the majority of his career and is a true model of consistency. 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List. 8. Many defenses are also choosing to play more nickel on first and second down. 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. Art Shell, 1968-1982. Soliai excels at drawing and occupying double teams. Till 1949, The Browns were playing in the AAFC, and then the team joined the NFL. He was usually the shade tackle in the Raiders 40 nickel (Bandit) defense and herecorded 6 sacks in 1983 and 12.5 in 1984. Tim Goad is a very good player from start. Carter knew what his job was as a nose tackle, and he did it perfectly. 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. The Ultimate Guide, What Is the Neutral Zone in Football? 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. 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. The next time you see a nose tackle playing well, make sure you tip your hat to them! 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. 13. Upon arriving in Houston, the Oilers fortunes changed, going from the bottom of the AFC to among the better teams from 1975 through 1980. 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. Isaiah Wynn, New England Patriots. 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). Career stats: 106 games started, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 150 tackles, four-time Pro Bowler. With Hampton occluding the middle of an opposing blocking scheme, ball carriers are consistentlyforced sideways. 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. 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. He was All-Pro once and a Second-team All-Pro once and an All-AFC pick twice and voted to four Pro Bowls. The 0-technique is largely specific to the nose tackle but can be played by defensive tackles as well. The same argument applies to Barry Cofield of the Washington Redskins. You have to keep in mind that offensive linemen are big players and that the nose tackle is almost always double-teamed. The 0-technique is generally played in the 3-4 defensive scheme, which is why its largely a nose tackle technique. The 6"1' 325 pound Hamptonis an immovable force in the middle of Pittsburgh's front seven. Super Bowl champion: 2 times (XXXIX, XLIX). There are always 22 football players on the field at once and they all have their own specialized roles. 10. Take a look at the best portraits from the 2023 NFL Combine! Wills played a key role in the defense and was all-pro once and a pro bowler. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans. Obviously, its popularity has recovered quite a bit to now when almost half the league is using one again. Yep, he arrived when those guys were on their way out of town. All-Time Tackles Leaders. Also, played some DE. With Sopoaga over the center, Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis are always kept clean and remain free to chase plays down. Ngata played more than the shade (1-tech) for the Ravens, playing mostly over guards and even inside shoulder of a tackle (4i) technique. started his career with the Detroit Lions in 1987 and later played in three more teams, including Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings. He was First-team All-Pro twice and a Second-teamer three other seasons and went to five Pro Bowls as a nose tackle (tied with Fred Smerlas for the most-ever by a 3-4 nose). The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. You have entered an incorrect email address! Another excellent piece of work by you Mr. Turney. Theyre usually the largest player and go head-to-head with the opposing center. Team (s): Seattle Seahawks. Hank Thomas is one of the more underrated players in recent NFL history in our view, right up there with Eugene Robinson, LeRoy Butler, Larry Brooks, and others. I realize he was mostly a part-time player but I thought Pete Kugler for the 49ers played alot of quality snaps. 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 May 18, 2022 9:45 am ET. A 3-4 defensive scheme is more of a base defense that can be effective against the run and pass when performed correctly. Despite being a 5-time pro bowler, he is still not in the hall of fame. Ted Washington always amazed me. But his place went to a division rival who doesn't benefit from quite as strong a supporting cast around him. Take a look at the photographs that served as the artistic blueprint for Super Bowl LVII, and see how they were incorporated into the numerous event spaces throughout the state. 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). If youre interested in learning more about the nose tackle position in football, continue reading for a full breakdown of what a nose tackle does and what it takes to be a dominant nose tackle. The Broncos used some 3-4 for years prior to 1976 when they finally committed to it full time. This is a subreddit for the NFL community. Raji possesses a more diverse and dynamic skill set than Pouha. 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. Johnsons primary duty was to stop the run, and he did it so well. Balls retired from the game in 1999, leaving behind a dominant legacy. 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 . The third-year pro has the power, leverage and quickness to threaten the pocket on every play. Is Pedro Pascal Related To Burt Reynolds? 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. 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. edit* Hampton was a beast don't know how I didn't think of him! May 14, 2020. Thomas was a solid defensive nose and could have been a terrific 3-technique. Would have put Maas and Gilbert Brown much higher, but really enjoyed this list. Akiem Hicks, Chicago Bears. I like Davis' chances of having a productive rookie season behind Payne and the rest of this defensive line. And love seeing Smerlas getting recognized so high. They have a similar role, but the defensive schemes are very different. The dynamic 6ft 2 inches tall and 210 pounder middle and noseguard was the key player in the defensive back for the browns. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Carter was the classic run-stopper at nose, not much of a rusher. He ended his career with 1017 tackles, more than any other nose we can find and 34.5 sacks. Joel Steed will come . Vea had four sacks last season playing out of the nose. The best I have personally seen is Casey Hampton. 4-3 duo Terrence Knighton and Brandon Mebane do not appear on the list due to the same inconsistency. He's likely best known for a gruesome broken leg in the Super Bowl versus the 49ers but he came back from that in 1989 and had a couple solid seasons after that. Occupying multiple blockers and creating lanes of pursuit for fellow defenders is the weekly requirement of a nose tackle, regardless of system. LOL, really curious where you got the film to do an in-depthanalysis of Les Bingaman. A Complete Overview. Johnson played just eight years but they were mostly good some, some even very great. Everything You Need to Know, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? 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. 6'5" and around 375 pounds, he was literally an immovable object in the trenches. Its popularity declined throughout the 90's, bottoming out in 2001 when only the Steelers were running a 34. Email us at: Check out the Top 10 photos from Super Bowl LVII! Vea is the best nose tackle in the NFL and the main reason that the Buccaneers dominated the Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. Wilfork frequently drew. He was a bit of a vagabond playing for seven different teams in his 17 years, with six for the Bills, the most of any of his stops. 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. The nose guard, however, lines up in the middle of the defensive line in a 5-2 defense. 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. The crown as the best non-Donald interior defender is a tough one to claim definitively, but in 2019 it belonged to Heyward. Lorenzo Neal as a fullback is one. A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive linchpin Kyle Williams didn't make the list. What does that make the 5-technique? CoachingKidz.comis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. Tim Krumrie was a very active-type nose tackle, all hustle all the time. Sopoaga is such a powerful and active presence, that he demands a double team on almost every play. Top 10 Defensive Tackles of All Time | NFL Highlights NFL 11M subscribers Subscribe 269K views 5 years ago Former VP of Player Personnel Gil Brandt's Top 10 Defensive Tackles of All Time! He had the ability, strength, and quickness to be one of the top defensive backs in the tournament. Smears was a very durable nose tackle and had played 149 consecutive matches. After getting drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984, Michael Carter remained unmoved throughout his pro football career. He had great strength, along with skills and techniques. 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. 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. He played college football for the University. In 1985 Pickel took over the nose tackle spot in the Raiders defense and he'd play the usual shade spot in passing downs. Last year (1989) he was 20 points overweight and he was double-teamed on almost every play had nine sacks and 73 tackles". Many people refer to a nose tackle as a nose guard, but theyre two completely different positions in football. Another big man, around 330-350 (390?) Like all 4-3 nose tackles, Pekoregularly operates in a shaded alignment over the center. 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. 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. And in that role, he recorded 24 sacks in 1985-86. 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. 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. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. It reached peak popularity with the Bill Parcells style in the mid 80's. 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. one bid wonders has more information on college football bowl game. 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. Alexander Boris Johnsons Net Worth vs Jeremy Bernard Corbyns Net Worth: Who is richer? But nose tackle still remains a key position and its distinctive skills perform a vital function for many defenses. However, until that time, he is without question the best nose tackle in the league. This type of scheme consists of five players on the defensive line a nose guard, two defensive tackles, and two defensive ends. 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. 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. He was a First-team All-Pro four times and voted to five Pro Bowls and was an alternate to a couple of others. Probably the most technically sound nose tackle on this list, Wilfork's leverage and footwork are outstanding. Sometimes even experts fail to recognize talent. They silently contribute and help their team to win. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry. Sometimes a nose tackle or defensive tackle will line up in a 1-technique. He spent his last six seasons as a backup/rotational nose for the Raiders, then the Jets. But he got the opportunity to join the newly formed Cleveland Browns, and there he proved how good he was. Isaiah Wynn is an interesting player. We've been a complete joke at NT since he left. Ive played and watched sports all my life and have coached them as well for the last few years. 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. Super Bowl LVII: All You Need To Know About Its Results, Winner, Highlights and Half-Time Show !! Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football. Pat Williams is a perfect example that nose tackles are selfless and dedicated to the teams benefits. Pouha is blessed with tremendous strengthand possesses deceptive speed when working down the line. This player is only used in a 3-4 defensive scheme, opposed to a 4-3 defensive scheme. Admittedly, in this period, it was less characterized by the dominating nose tackle and more by the fearsome outside linebacker, such as Lawrence Taylor. 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. 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 was drafted by the Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. A 5-2 defensive scheme is extremely effective against the run, especially the inside run. Al Amin Sagor is simply a movie freak who is passionate about writing entertainment content. A Guide for Fans, NFL Practice Squad Salary Rules and Eligibility Explained, What Is a DB in Football? He was All-Pro in 1990 then made a Pro Bowl in 1995. [Family Ethnicity & Religion], Bruce Wills And Demi Moores Divorce History & Their Kids. The defensive tackle is largely used in the 4-3 defensive scheme as well as the 5-2 defensive scheme. 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. If youre a football player, you must understand what a defensive technique is. He used his size to his advantage and made the lives of the blockers impossible. The San Francisco 49ers signed him in the 1991 NFL draft, where he was overall 25th. 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. Corey Williams of the Detroit Lions performs an important function for Gunther Cunningham's defense. He was First-team All-Pro once and a Second-team All-Pro twice and was a Pro Bowler all three of those seasons. A 4-technique lines up head-to-head with the tackle. From Culp to Jerry Ball, everyone featured in this article has played major roles in their teams success, which established them as the best defensive nose tackles of all time in the NFL. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best offensive tackles in NFL history. 16. He possessed a freakish combo of power and speed for someone of his size. This list of the top nose tackles in American football includes all the greats from both the NFL and college football. It's tough to find true nose tackles. 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. But Garay's brute force makes him formidable at the point of attack. At 6-1 330 (350?) He recorded 137.5 sacks over his 14-year career and was. as a nose tackle, mostly a backup or part-time player. To be fair, Williams was a Second-team All-Pro in 2004 and then First-team in 2005 and 2006. The number one requirement of a nose tackle is to take on and occupy blockers. Take a look at the best portraits from the 2023 NFL Combine! 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. Nobody is better at absorbing double teams than Hampton. Hell, I bet JJ Watt would be the best nose in the league if they lined him up there. Sugar Bear Hamilton began his career as a defensive end in 1973 but when the Patriots moved to a 3-4 defensive full-time in 1974 he was the middle guard. A nose tackle, also known as the nose guard or middle guard, is a player that aligns themselves in the middle of the defensive line. He was a Second-team All-Pro in 1977 and that was the only season he received post-season honors. Said Buchsbaum, "As good as Ball is, he'd be better if he controlled his weight. Pro Football Network analyst Matt Valdovinos ranks the top 25 offensive tackles in the NFL. Ted Washington is another. Rowe helped the Raiders to their first Super Bowl trophy (IMO) - I was at that Super Bowl. See leaders through past seasons Vita is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL because he has the ability at 345-pounds to rush the passer. Of course, it leaves some space right up the middle. Well, first we need to understand the 4-technique. Now we are getting into the run-stopping specialists, though very good at that specialty. He. 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. The most common requirement of a nose tackle is to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the rest of the defense. He ended his career with 32.5 sacks and 75.5 run stuffs. The Oilers were next who committed to it after getting Curley Culp at mid-season, though they used it some in previous games and years. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Bill Pickel in an interesting player. Defensive tackles are mostly the silent killer of a team. Then he was signed by the Buffalo Bills, but it was with Minnesota Vikings where he shined and reached his full potential. Nose tackles are found in the middle of the defensive line when running a 3-4 defensive scheme. While many people often confuse a nose guard with a nose tackle, many fans also use the terms nose tackle and defensive tackle interchangeably. Follow us on Twitter: @NFL_Journal - Vita Vea Tampa Bay Buccaneers Highlights " The Freak" Fletcher Cox Team: Philadelphia Eagles He was part of the good, innovative defenses of Bill Arnsbarger with the Dolphins, the 'Killer Bs' if you will. Carter was a dominant nose when motivated. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL tackles of all time NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best offensive tackles in NFL history. Press J to jump to the feed. His role into 2021 as a top defensive tackle will be to keep rookie linebacker Jamin Davis free to attack downhill. He did that while ascending as one of the greatest nose tackles of all time. He had a high of 85 tackles in 1978, 68 in 1979, and 67 in 1980. Additionally, that year, he had 14.0 run stuffs(second in NFL behind Jerome Brown's 17.0). Check. He was a Dr. Z favorite as well. And he deserved it due to what he meant to those Charger defenses. 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. Fat Pat Williams is top 10 material bias aside. Peko plays with intensity, but his technique is smart and precise. They just don't. 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. link to 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List, link to What Is a Secondary in Football? All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. This is where the defensive player lines up head-to-head with the offensive tackle. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Ted Washington was another great nose tackle, dude was massive! He was the straw that stirred the drink for the 2x Champion defenses for the Steelers in the 2000s. Moving former defensive end Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle has made an already stout 49ers run defense even more formidable. 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. 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. Bill Wills is one such example, he was undrafted in the 1946 draft! He can sometimes be a little inconsistent against the run and doesn't always bring the same fiery determination to disrupting the ground game. 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. 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. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Lets see why these players are considered the best nose tackles of all time. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 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. Paul Soliai is one of the finest 2-gappers in the league. 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 played a total of 179 and recorded 68.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles. With that said, the nose tackle position is highly respected by their teammates and is most likely going to be the defensive coordinators favorite player when things are going well. One name that might get overlooked among some of the best defensive tackles all-time is the former Baltimore Ravens great Haloti Ngata. A nose tackle has to occupy multiple blockers to create a lane of pursuit for fellow defenders. Vince Wilfork is one of the smartest and most versatile defensive players in the game. Curly Clip is, undoubtedly, the flag bearer for the best nose tackles of all time. As they continue to learn the What Is a Secondary in Football? He won the super bowl once and was named all-pro once in 2001. This allows the safeties to stay deep and maintain the integrity of Chicago's preferred Tampa-2 coverage scheme. Nose tackles dont receive a lot of glamour in modern football. 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. Most of Ratliff's reputation is built on his pass rushing ability. He loves to watch web series, and movies and write on celebrity gossip or trendy movie news. He is comfortable using his speed to shoot gaps or lining up directly over guards and centers and overpowering them. I also thought Jamal Williams was excellent for a few years at his peak. Wills was exceptionally quick for his size, and so he was nicknamed The Cat.. But Ratliff is a very underrated force against the run. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Team (s): Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions & Philadelphia Eagles. I think he was part of at least three of their championships, though undersized. Carter played nine seasons, 121 games with 97 starts. With that said, Im happy to have you on the site and hope I can help you out in achieving your goals! Theyre responsible for taking up space and making it hard for the center and guards to make room for the running back. Bullshitter. 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. 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. 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 made an unusually high number of tackles for players in his position and at times could get some rush. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. However, the proliferation of 3-4 fronts in recent seasons has made the position more important. 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. This is because the nose tackle position is one of the most physically demanding positions in all of football. In the 1980 season, almost 3/4ths of teams were running one. Two slots for the Pro Bowl and at times 25 of the teams in the NFL playing a 3-4 defense. From his 121 games, he recorded 121 sacks. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 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 . He weighs 375 pounds and still ran so fast. Nonetheless, he was an inside, power player whose job it was to stop the inside running game and he did that well. 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.
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