The same argument applies to Barry Cofield of the Washington Redskins. Really, on a game-to-game basis, Hamilton was the NFL's first modern nose tackle. 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. Ratliff is one of the most dominant players in the league and is the key to the Cowboys multiple 3-4 scheme. With a player like Raji over the center, Dom Capers can utilise every page of his zone blitz playbook. He was the straw that stirred the drink for the 2x Champion defenses for the Steelers in the 2000s. They have a similar role, but the defensive schemes are very different. This list includes the tackle's accomplishments, honors, awards, records, & statistics. He was solid in all aspects and could have been a terrific 3-technique if asked. A 375-pounder as a defensive tackle is something not everyone can expect. His 10 kick blocks rank top 10 among all NFL players. The 3-4 had been around for years but no one committed to it on an every-down basis like the Patriots in 1974. Some of these positions are universal to whatever scheme youre playing, while others are only specific to one scheme such as a nose tackle. The quintessential 2-gap artist, Hampton is the cornerstone of the Steelers ferocious run defense. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [Family Ethnicity & Religion], Bruce Wills And Demi Moores Divorce History & Their Kids. Gilbert Brown was a big piece in that loaded Packer defense. Rowe helped the Raiders to their first Super Bowl trophy (IMO) - I was at that Super Bowl. Being five times first-pro and the five-times pro bowler is a rare achievement in the NFL for a nose tackle. 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). Another big man, around 330-350 (390?) 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. Hell, I bet JJ Watt would be the best nose in the league if they lined him up there. 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 San Francisco 49ers signed him in the 1991 NFL draft, where he was overall 25th. He was a Dr. Z favorite as well. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The nose tackle is largely used in the 3-4 defensive scheme as well as a 5-2 defensive scheme. May 14, 2020. A 5-2 defensive scheme is extremely effective against the run, especially the inside run. To be the best in the league, one needs to be fast, athletic, dedicated, hard-working, and have exceptional talent. 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. With that said, Im happy to have you on the site and hope I can help you out in achieving your goals! All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. 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. NFL players are large in size. 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. Check. Peko plays with intensity, but his technique is smart and precise. Any even-numbered technique (including the 0-technique) must line up head-to-head with the offensive line. Vince Wilfork was born in 1981 in Florida. Like we mentioned above, the 0-technique (and any other even-numbered technique) is asked to line up head-to-head with the offensive line. The next time you see a nose tackle playing well, make sure you tip your hat to them! The defensive tackle is largely used in the 4-3 defensive scheme as well as the 5-2 defensive scheme. The Complete Guide, How Much Do NHL Refs Make? 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. However, his contribution to the teams victories earned him four all-pro awards. Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football. To be fair, Williams was a Second-team All-Pro in 2004 and then First-team in 2005 and 2006. His penetration causes havoc in the running game and makes hima credible danger to the quarterback. 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). No nose tackle has been First-team All-Pro more or gone to more Pro Bowls than Smerlas. 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 . 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 Of course, it leaves some space right up the middle. But the majority of the players on the list operate as the focal point ina base 3-4 defense. However, until that time, he is without question the best nose tackle in the league. Dan Saleaumua was like a rolling ball of butcher knives, moving around all the time, always seemingly around the ball. With Sopoaga over the center, Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis are always kept clean and remain free to chase plays down. 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). Houston Texans starter Shaun Cody has adapted well to the rigours of Wade Phillips' 1-gap 3-4. 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. 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. Its where the defender lines up head-to-head with the offensive center. Corey Williams of the Detroit Lions performs an important function for Gunther Cunningham's defense. Follow us on Twitter: @NFL_Journal - More teams havemoved back toa 4-3 this season and many 4-3 teams are choosing to do without a nose tackle and attack an offense with double 3-techniques. Well, first we need to understand the 4-technique. Super Bowl champion: 3 times (XIX, XXIII, XXIV), First-team All-Pro: 3 times (1986, 1987, 1988). He ended his career with 1017 tackles, more than any other nose we can find and 34.5 sacks. 1. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. In terms of pure 3-4 nose tackles, to this day no nose has played in and started more games at the position than Fred Smerlas. He used his size to his advantage and made the lives of the blockers impossible. Thomas was a solid defensive nose and could have been a terrific 3-technique. Upon arriving in Houston, the Oilers fortunes changed, going from the bottom of the AFC to among the better teams from 1975 through 1980. If its a 2-technique, the player must line up head-to-head with the guard. "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. . Still, their role changes as a defensive tackle. Kyle Williams and Others Who Missed the Cut 1 of 11 A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive. Check out the Top 10 photos from Super Bowl LVII! But Ratliff is a very underrated force against the run. He was a true 2 gap run stuffer. He is comfortable using his speed to shoot gaps or lining up directly over guards and centers and overpowering them. Gilbert Brown was a big piece in that loaded Packer defense. Here are the top 25 offensive tackles for the 2021 NFL season. You have entered an incorrect email address! Michael Carter Career Highlights: Super Bowl champion: 3 times (XIX, XXIII, XXIV) First-team All-Pro: 3 times (1986, 1987, 1988) Pro Bowl: 3 times (1985, 1987, 1988) The crown as the best non-Donald interior defender is a tough one to claim definitively, but in 2019 it belonged to Heyward. 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. I swear every time there is a discussion about nose tackles Ngata is mentioned, and Ravens fans go berserk because he doesn't play nose tackle. As you learn more about football, you start to hear the term defensive technique. Its not something a normal fan has to be concerned about, but its something that gets mentioned by the announcers and commentators regularly. He played college football for the University. Theyre some of the hardest-working players that are almost always double-teamed, if not triple-teamed, when on the field. But was a Pro Bowler in 1986, but was certainly worthy of selection in 1984 and 1985 as well. He also covers media and entertainment news on various online platforms. Lorenzo Neal as a fullback is one. Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional football. As mentioned above, the best feature of a nose tackle is that he sacrifices himself for the greater good of the team. But Ball did it. 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. Now we are getting into the run-stopping specialists, though very good at that specialty. Career stats: 106 games started, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 150 tackles, four-time Pro Bowler. Alexander Boris Johnsons Net Worth vs Jeremy Bernard Corbyns Net Worth: Who is richer? 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. 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. Tier 2: Elite 2. If you can do that, then your coach will always have a spot for you on the defense. A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive linchpin Kyle Williams didn't make the list. 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 was a 'move' guy, not a power guy and he could rush the passer very well in addition to playing his two-gap responsibilities. Sopoaga is a disruptive force over the center. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Jump Around This Article Click to show. 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. The last time Donald recorded a PFF run-defense or pass-rush grade lower than 85.0 was during his rookie season in 2014. With Hampton occluding the middle of an opposing blocking scheme, ball carriers are consistentlyforced sideways. Pro Bowl: 4 times (1997, 1998, 2000, 2001). Theyre usually the largest player and go head-to-head with the opposing center. A couple of years ago, Jay Ratliff would have comfortably toppeda list of this kind. If theres a tight end on the play, a 6-technique lines up head-to-head with the tight end. Wilfork was drafted by the Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He frequently drives blockers backwards and is a consistent threat to penetrate the line of scrimmage. 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 was active, fast, and really stood out on film. It frequently took 2 or 3 linemen to block him, freeing up teammates to double-cover or blitz. 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. Williams became a three times pro bowler in three consecutive seasons, from 2006 to 2008. He received a Hall of Fame induction from the New England Patriots soon after his retirement in 2017. Probably the most technically sound nose tackle on this list, Wilfork's leverage and footwork are outstanding. 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. Raji possesses a more diverse and dynamic skill set than Pouha. He was a First-team All-Pro four times and voted to five Pro Bowls and was an alternate to a couple of others. 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 The 6"1' 325 pound Hamptonis an immovable force in the middle of Pittsburgh's front seven. And in 1980 he got his hands up enough to pick off three passes from his nose position. This article features the ten best nose tackles of all time in the NFL who set examples of how to contribute from the back. Would have put Maas and Gilbert Brown much higher, but really enjoyed this list. I like Davis' chances of having a productive rookie season behind Payne and the rest of this defensive line. Since the 5-technique features an odd number, that means the defensive lineman lines up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle. Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. Most of Ratliff's reputation is built on his pass rushing ability. he was a good player, but didn't play enough to really fit in. Defensive tackles are mostly the silent killer of a team. + Indicates Hall of Famer. He was All-Pro once and a Second-team All-Pro once and an All-AFC pick twice and voted to four Pro Bowls. He played a total of 179 and recorded 68.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles. My name is Steven and I have a passion for sports and staying physically active. But he did the dirty work of a shade tackle in a 4-3 under defense. This is different from the 0-technique, which is responsible for the two gaps in between the center and both offensive guards. The more space they take up, the less of a hole the running back has to make it through the line of scrimmage. Therefore, he does not have a lot of individual achievements to boast about. For the 3-technique, the defensive player is asked to line up on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard. 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. The likes of Vince Wilfork, Jamal William, Haloti Ngata, Ted Williams are some of the best ever. all the guys ahead of him were better than he was. 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. 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. He was All-Pro in 1990 then made a Pro Bowl in 1995. But he is not experienced enough at the position to warrant a place on the list. Obviously, times have changed since 1963, but Buck's legacy lives on as one of the greatest defensive tackles ever. 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. 4-3 duo Terrence Knighton and Brandon Mebane do not appear on the list due to the same inconsistency. A 3-4 defensive scheme is more of a base defense that can be effective against the run and pass when performed correctly. 6'5" and around 375 pounds, he was literally an immovable object in the trenches. 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. 89 retired in New England, is forming a one-two punch with Wilfork is simply lethal. Great list -- Curley is indeed #1. Nose tackle is an underappreciated and selfless position in American football. An excellent run defender, Soliai needs to refine his technique in order to make more plays behind the line of scrimmage. Defensive tackles rarely line up head-to-head with the center. The number one requirement of a nose tackle is to take on and occupy blockers. 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. Carter played nine seasons, 121 games with 97 starts. There are always 22 football players on the field at once and they all have their own specialized roles. The third-year pro has the power, leverage and quickness to threaten the pocket on every play. This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. Balls retired from the game in 1999, leaving behind a dominant legacy. This is due mainly to the fact that most of the standout nose tackles in the league play for 3-4 teams. The two-time pro bowler Hank Thomas is often underappreciated and is one of the most underrated players of recent times. Last year (1989) he was 20 points overweight and he was double-teamed on almost every play had nine sacks and 73 tackles". 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. 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. 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. This player is only used in a 3-4 defensive scheme, opposed to a 4-3 defensive scheme. The over six ft tall was like a mad bull himself. Paul Soliai is one of the finest 2-gappers in the league. In this technique, the defensive player must line up over the outside shoulder of the offensive line. Former New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was announced as this year's inductee into the team's Hall of Fame on Tuesday. 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. Gary Dunn/NT - 1976-1987. Said Buchsbaum, "As good as Ball is, he'd be better if he controlled his weight. And my man Smerlas getting his due love it! Till 1949, The Browns were playing in the AAFC, and then the team joined the NFL. The dynamic 6ft 2 inches tall and 210 pounder middle and noseguard was the key player in the defensive back for the browns. He was also one of the best kick blockers ever and the best of the 2000s by far with 17 blocked place kicks. Vita is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL because he has the ability at 345-pounds to rush the passer. This is where the defensive player lines up head-to-head with the offensive tackle. 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. John, in your opinion, and others on this site, would you put Smerlas, Krumrie or Henry Thomas in the HOF ? If youre a football player, you must understand what a defensive technique is. His professional football career began in 1977 when he was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles 1977. Everything You Need to Know, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? Another excellent piece of work by you Mr. Turney. Sometimes even experts fail to recognize talent. This list of the top nose tackles in American football includes all the greats from both the NFL and college football. Tim Goad is a very good player from start. During his stay in Kansas, Culp shined as a defensive nose tackle. Maryland totaled 279 tackles, with 25 for loss, and 20.5 sacks in his four dominant years for Miami. Vea is the best nose tackle in the NFL and the main reason that the Buccaneers dominated the Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. 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. As they continue to learn the What Is a Secondary in Football? I'm assuming that we're talking about a true NT as in 2 gap players. As we learned above, the nose tackle lines up in the middle of the defensive line in a 3-4 defense which consists of one nose tackle and two defensive ends. Is Pedro Pascal Related To Burt Reynolds? With a little more experience at the position, Sopoaga could beexpected to top a similar list in the near future. 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 (. Yep, he arrived when those guys were on their way out of town. Excellent article, John T! From there Peko is able to frequently split double teams and spearhead the Bengals run defense. Despite being a 5-time pro bowler, he is still not in the hall of fame. Bill Wills is one such example, he was undrafted in the 1946 draft! NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. 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? Thomas played in 213 games, started 199 of them, totaled 864 tackles including 93.5 sacks and 95.0 run stuffs, totals that rival players like Warren Sapp and Bryant Young, two of the 1990s All-Decade selections. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. This is a subreddit for the NFL community. He has been an all-pro or pro bowler more than any other nose tackle. That. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Career stats of Henry Thomas: 6. From his 121 games, he recorded 121 sacks. The 10 Most Famous NFL Players from Florida, The 10 Best Current NFL Players Without A Ring. 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 spent his last six seasons as a backup/rotational nose for the Raiders, then the Jets. Carter was a dominant nose when motivated. 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. Matt Toeainais the most unheralded member of the Chicago Bears tough defense. Domato Peko is the fulcrum of the Cincinnati Bengals aggressive 4-3 defense. His power and ferocity at the point of attack make him virtually impossible to handle one on one. Ted Washington is another. Carter was the classic run-stopper at nose, not much of a rusher. It all depends on the game situation. But his place went to a division rival who doesn't benefit from quite as strong a supporting cast around him. 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. Sometimes a nose tackle or defensive tackle will line up in a 1-technique. Nose Tackles typically don't stuff the stat sheet so it can be hard to measure their greatness unless you're watching tape but I would say that any 3-4 team with a great NT had good numbers v the run, I find your lack of Casey Hampton disturbing. This allows the safeties to stay deep and maintain the integrity of Chicago's preferred Tampa-2 coverage scheme. 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. Jamal Williams was the monster in the middle. 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. Jerry Ball was shaped like his name. They silently contribute and help their team to win. A tall nose, like Bob Baumhower, at 6-5 and began his career as an inside designated pass rusher. The goal of this website is to provide you with content that will help you get a leg up on the competition, whether thats in the realm of coaching or on the field itself. Tom LaMarre. In the 1980 season, almost 3/4ths of teams were running one. 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. Here is a ranking of the 10 best nose tackles in the game today. . Louis Rams, 1976-1995 Voted to seven Pro Bowls First player to play 20 seasons for one team Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, St. Louis Rams, 1997-2008; Chicago Bears, 2009 Voted to seven Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro three times One-time Super Bowl champion Started 154 consecutive games Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 1967-1979 Voted to six Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro three times Two-time Super Bowl champion Started in six NFC Championship Games Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears, 1936-1946 Three-time NFL champion Voted to four Pro Bowls, First-Team All-Pro four times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Yanks, 1951; Cleveland Browns, 1954-1962 Voted to six Pro Bowls Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland Browns, 2007-2016 Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times Has started all 160 games he has played in the NFL, Green Bay Packers, 1956-1970; Dallas Cowboys, 1971 Started on eight NFL championship teams Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Minnesota Vikings, 1968-1981; Los Angeles Rams, 1982 Voted to seven Pro Bowls; First Team All-Pro six times First O-lineman to be selected No.