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. Such is life. With Hampton occluding the middle of an opposing blocking scheme, ball carriers are consistentlyforced sideways. There have been many legendary nose tackles in the NFL and NCAA, and you'll find all of them on this list below. But he did the dirty work of a shade tackle in a 4-3 under defense. 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.). And in that role, he recorded 24 sacks in 1985-86. 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. 6'5" and around 375 pounds, he was literally an immovable object in the trenches. A 4-technique lines up head-to-head with the tackle. 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. Follow us on Twitter: @NFL_Journal - 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. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL tackles of all time - NFL.com A Financial Overview, What Is a Cycle in Baseball? Great list -- Curley is indeed #1. He was a Second-team All-Pro once and a three-time Pro Bowler (all when playing as 1/2 of the "Williams Wall" in Minnesota. 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. A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive linchpin Kyle Williams didn't make the list. He was solid in all aspects and could have been a terrific 3-technique if asked. Smerlas was among the first bigger nose tackles, weighing about 290 (though often listed as less) and he also was among the first to crowd the center. John, in your opinion, and others on this site, would you put Smerlas, Krumrie or Henry Thomas in the HOF ? We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry. 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. Occupying multiple blockers and creating lanes of pursuit for fellow defenders is the weekly requirement of a nose tackle, regardless of system. Ngata, from 2008-14 received post-season honors every season, three of those years he was a First-team All-Pro and the others Second-team or Pro Bowl or All-AFC, showing remarkable consistency. He is one of the "Jewel" of The News Titan. I'll have to their cortez Kennedy into the mix for this one. Top 10 NFL Strong Safeties of All Time Rankings Ted Washington was another great nose tackle, dude was massive! Press J to jump to the feed. Wills was exceptionally quick for his size, and so he was nicknamed The Cat.. His role into 2021 as a top defensive tackle will be to keep rookie linebacker Jamin Davis free to attack downhill. He used his size to his advantage and made the lives of the blockers impossible. But his lightning-quick first step, long arms and aggressive hands technique, allow Ratliff to challenge and overcome blockers. Its where the defender lines up head-to-head with the offensive center. This list includes some nose tackles who operate in versions of a 4-3 frontthatrely on a powerful presence over the center. Gilbert Brown was a big piece in that loaded Packer defense. 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 A 375-pounder as a defensive tackle is something not everyone can expect. Some of these positions are universal to whatever scheme youre playing, while others are only specific to one scheme such as a nose tackle. Defensive techniques serve two major purposes they tell the defenders where they need to line up for that specific play and they tell the defenders what their role is when on the field. Of course, thats not the case with any odd-numbered technique. As they continue to learn the What Is a Secondary in Football? Take a look at how they. A high-motor, hustle type. Carter knew what his job was as a nose tackle, and he did it perfectly. 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. 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. 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. WhenToeaina is over the center, the Bears run defense is more stout. 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. 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. This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. 17. 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. 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. Two slots for the Pro Bowl and at times 25 of the teams in the NFL playing a 3-4 defense. Who are the Top 10 greatest Nose Tackles of all time? : r/nfl - reddit The Top Five: Best 3-4 Nose Tackles in the NFL - Bleacher Report Take a look at all the action as the 2023 Combine gets underway in Indianapolis. 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 would go on to be selected first overall by the Jimmy Johnson-led Cowboys in 1991, just the. In recent seasons the position has taken on greater significance thanks to the proliferation of 3-4 fronts. Of course, it leaves some space right up the middle. NY Jets: Selecting the greatest all-time defensive line - The Jet Press Clears the gap for the linebacker, works the left tackle, and forces the. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Pat Williams is a perfect example that nose tackles are selfless and dedicated to the teams benefits. By Matthew Valdovinos. Players must meet the minimum requirements to show up on this leaderboard. 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. And for a nose, he was very durable. A couple of years ago, Jay Ratliff would have comfortably toppeda list of this kind. Not only that, but theyre offensive linemans specifically the center and guards worst nightmare. However, his contribution to the teams victories earned him four all-pro awards. The likes of Vince Wilfork, Jamal William, Haloti Ngata, Ted Williams are some of the best ever. 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. He is comfortable using his speed to shoot gaps or lining up directly over guards and centers and overpowering them. What does that make the 5-technique? If theres a tight end on the play, a 6-technique lines up head-to-head with the tight end. This player is only used in a 3-4 defensive scheme, opposed to a 4-3 defensive scheme. All-Time Tackles Leaders. There are always 22 football players on the field at once and they all have their own specialized roles. He ended his career with 510 tackles and 35.5 sacks and 57.5 run stuffs. The 10 Most Famous NFL Players from Florida, The 10 Best Current NFL Players Without A Ring. When on form, Antonio Garay is capable of regularly collapsing the pocket. started his career with the Detroit Lions in 1987 and later played in three more teams, including Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings. 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 . You can guess from his career highlights how much we could write about him. 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. As mentioned above, the best feature of a nose tackle is that he sacrifices himself for the greater good of the team. 25 Best Undrafted NFL Players of All Time - AthlonSports.com He was a three-time First-team All-Pro and three-time All-NFC/Pro Bowler and was part of those very good Eagles defenses from 1979-81. With Sopoaga over the center, Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis are always kept clean and remain free to chase plays down. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. His professional football career began in 1977 when he was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles 1977. Another big man, around 330-350 (390?) An excellent run defender, Soliai needs to refine his technique in order to make more plays behind the line of scrimmage. The way he singlehandedly collapsed the pocket and allows fellow Tampa pass rushers to torture Patrick Mahomes all day night long. In those situations, Howie Long would play the right end. I created this website to share my passion with all of you. 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. The next year, Taylor was released, and this became the season Wilfork made his name known by recording 54 tackles in only 16 games. You simply cant run a 3-4 defensive scheme without one. 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. . Defensive tackles rarely line up head-to-head with the center. Take a look at how they stack. Pro Football Network analyst Matt Valdovinos ranks the top 25 offensive tackles in the NFL. To be the best in the league, one needs to be fast, athletic, dedicated, hard-working, and have exceptional talent. 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. Career stats of Henry Thomas: 6. 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. Admittedly, in this period, it was less characterized by the dominating nose tackle and more by the fearsome outside linebacker, such as Lawrence Taylor. 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. He was not quite the size of Ted Washington, but he was more than the 315 pounds he was listed at, though. 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. Smears was an exceptional talent. Curly Clip is, undoubtedly, the flag bearer for the best nose tackles of all time. It all depends on the game situation. He debuted in 1968 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tackling the Defense - City of Champions 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 See leaders through past seasons If its a 2-technique, the player must line up head-to-head with the guard. B/R NFL 1000: Top 50 Defensive Tackles - Bleacher Report We may reconsider in the future, but for now, we put him with the tackles. In his first four years he was a top backup for Ted Washington forming an amazing 1-2 punch. With that in mind, he shared some final thoughts on his playing career. Check out the Top 10 photos from Super Bowl LVII! "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. Said legendary writer/talent evaluator Joel Buchsbaum about Carter, "has awesome ability, strength, quickness, and explosion but is not very durable". He also forced 19 fumbles and recorded three defensive touchdowns. Bullshitter. This is different from the 0-technique, which is responsible for the two gaps in between the center and both offensive guards. 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. 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. It's tough to find true nose tackles. 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. Williams became a three times pro bowler in three consecutive seasons, from 2006 to 2008. This is because the nose tackle position is one of the most physically demanding positions in all of football. We think he would have been a fine left 3-4 defensive end and inside rusher in nickel but the Raiders already had that guyHowie Long. Moving former defensive end Isaac Sopoaga to nose tackle has made an already stout 49ers run defense even more formidable. Houston Texans starter Shaun Cody has adapted well to the rigours of Wade Phillips' 1-gap 3-4. These Are Unarguably The 10 Greatest Defensive Tackles Of All Time Vea is the best nose tackle in the NFL and the main reason that the Buccaneers dominated the Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ratliff is one of the most dominant players in the league and is the key to the Cowboys multiple 3-4 scheme. Had he not been denied the opportunity to follow up his stellar 2010 season, Williams would certainly have merited inclusion. He did that while ascending as one of the greatest nose tackles of all time. 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. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. Ted Washington is another. 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. Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans. + Indicates Hall of Famer. With 91 games played during his career, made . If you can do that, then your coach will always have a spot for you on the defense. My name is Steven and I have a passion for sports and staying physically active. The 10 Best Nose Tackles of All Time in the NFL In this technique, the defensive player must line up over the outside shoulder of the offensive line. Enter Wade Phillips who installed a 3-4 and Williams as the nose andvoila, he's in the Pro Bowl for the next three years. He was usually the shade tackle in the Raiders 40 nickel (Bandit) defense and herecorded 6 sacks in 1983 and 12.5 in 1984. This comment has been removed by the author. Nose tackle is an underappreciated and selfless position in American football. I miss Jamal Williams so damn much. The type of reliable-backup career you just don't see much anymore. 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. 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." The quintessential 2-gap artist, Hampton is the cornerstone of the Steelers ferocious run defense. This is due mainly to the fact that most of the standout nose tackles in the league play for 3-4 teams. Theyre usually the largest player and go head-to-head with the opposing center. Interior Defender Rankings: The 32 best DIs entering the 2021 NFL - PFF Ranking the NFL's 10 Best Nose Tackles - Bleacher Report Most defensive tackles that line up in a 4-3 defensive scheme are lining up in a 3-technique. He was a Dr. Z favorite as well. When done correctly, the nose tackle acts as a space-eater. 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. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. Johnsons primary duty was to stop the run, and he did it so well. At 6'4" and287 pounds, Ratliff is taller and significantly lighter than the prototypical NFL nose tackle. STEELERS' ALL-UNDRAFTED TEAM Quarterback: Devlin Hodges Running Back: Willie Parker Fullback: Dan Kreider Wide Receivers:. The top 25 NFL offensive tackles heading into the 2020 season To be fair, Williams was a Second-team All-Pro in 2004 and then First-team in 2005 and 2006. Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. Sione Pouha has quietly emerged as one of the most effective run defenders in the game. Vince Wilfork was born in 1981 in Florida. Best Nose Tackles in NFL History Throughout history, there have been several players that have revolutionized what it means to be a nose tackle. 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. 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. From there Peko is able to frequently split double teams and spearhead the Bengals run defense. He possessed a freakish combo of power and speed for someone of his size. Here is a ranking of the 10 best nose tackles in the game today. Whether youre playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme or 4-3 defensive scheme, two defensive ends line up by the offensive tackle. It is no coincidence that with Peko disrupting the line of scrimmage, youngsters Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunalp have been able to blossom into dangerous pass rushers. Willis was a dynamic6-2, 213-pound middle guard for the Cleveland Browns from 1946-53. Williams would rush into the offense and occupy multiple blockers to create a lane of pursuit for fellow defenders. As it turned out, Carter found his position and Alzado went on to be an excellent 3-4 end. Ive played and watched sports all my life and have coached them as well for the last few years. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best offensive tackles in NFL history. 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. Baumhower was a unique player, tall (6-5) for a nose tackle and may have been better suited as a 4-3 tackle or 3-4 end. Yep, he arrived when those guys were on their way out of town. He loves to watch web series, and movies and write on celebrity gossip or trendy movie news. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Really, on a game-to-game basis, Hamilton was the NFL's first modern nose tackle. 11. He had unusually large legs and Dolphin locker room lore includes the fact that even the large socks would not fully cover Baumhower's calves when stretched all the way to the top. One of his best assets is his quick first step, giving him an excellent takeoff at the snap. Jake Matthews, Atlanta Falcons. The third-year pro has the power, leverage and quickness to threaten the pocket on every play.