best nose tackles of all time

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. These amazing nose tackles may currently be active while others have been retired for quite sometime. It is not easy for the nose tackles to be the best defender, but Culp did it in 1975 after joining the Houston Oilers. Concerns about his every down durability have persisted in recent seasons, but Ratliff is still the best pure athlete to play nose tackle in the NFL. Jamal Williams was the monster in the middle. 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. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Domato Peko is the fulcrum of the Cincinnati Bengals aggressive 4-3 defense. 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. Isaiah Wynn, New England Patriots. 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 . Like all 4-3 nose tackles, Pekoregularly operates in a shaded alignment over the center. 11. 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. But Ball did it. Then in 1986-87 he was still the starter but played less in passing situations and recorded just one sack in 1987 and five in 1988. 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 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. link to 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List, link to What Is a Secondary in Football? Super Bowl champion: 3 times (XIX, XXIII, XXIV), First-team All-Pro: 3 times (1986, 1987, 1988). NFL, one of the most exciting sports leagues in the world, is the gathering place of all American football legends. 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. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. 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. Along the way, Ill also answer general sports related questions. 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List. This is a subreddit for the NFL community. Jake Matthews, Atlanta Falcons. I like Davis' chances of having a productive rookie season behind Payne and the rest of this defensive line. In his rookie year, he had to share his position with Keith Traylor. Obviously, its popularity has recovered quite a bit to now when almost half the league is using one again. I'm assuming that we're talking about a true NT as in 2 gap players. This article features the ten best nose tackles of all time in the NFL who set examples of how to contribute from the back. Wilfork is widely considered one of the best nose tackles to play the game of football. Sometimes a nose tackle or defensive tackle will line up in a 1-technique. This type of scheme consists of five players on the defensive line a nose guard, two defensive tackles, and two defensive ends. And he deserved it due to what he meant to those Charger defenses. 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. Burt also helped the 49ers in their Super Bowl seasons as a rotation nose tackle. And for a nose, he was very durable. Curly Clip is, undoubtedly, the flag bearer for the best nose tackles of all time. 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. 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. Would have put Maas and Gilbert Brown much higher, but really enjoyed this list. Unlike a nose tackle, a defensive ends main responsibility is to control the outside of the line of scrimmage and get to the quarterback. Therefore, he does not have a lot of individual achievements to boast about. The last time Donald recorded a PFF run-defense or pass-rush grade lower than 85.0 was during his rookie season in 2014. Theyre some of the hardest-working players that are almost always double-teamed, if not triple-teamed, when on the field. His penetration causes havoc in the running game and makes hima credible danger to the quarterback. Till 1949, The Browns were playing in the AAFC, and then the team joined the NFL. 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. This is because the nose tackle position is one of the most physically demanding positions in all of football. For the most part, the nose tackle is responsible for filling up these two gaps. He spent his last six seasons as a backup/rotational nose for the Raiders, then the Jets. Carter played nine seasons, 121 games with 97 starts. 16. 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 He is one of few nose tackles that play on all three downs. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons and recorded 32.5 sacks. To be the best in the league, one needs to be fast, athletic, dedicated, hard-working, and have exceptional talent. At the time he was drafted, he was the most athletic defensive tackle of all-time. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Kyle Williams and Others Who Missed the Cut 1 of 11 A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive. The six-time pro bowler is also an AFL and Super Bowl champion. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Nose tackle is an underappreciated and selfless position in American football. He ended his career with just 20.5 sacks but the main reason he was on the field was to stop the run and that he did, evidenced by his 90 run stuffs in his career (five times he had 9.0 or more). During his stay in Kansas, Culp shined as a defensive nose tackle. Take a look at all the action as the 2023 Combine gets underway in Indianapolis. At 6'4" and287 pounds, Ratliff is taller and significantly lighter than the prototypical NFL nose tackle. He was part of the good, innovative defenses of Bill Arnsbarger with the Dolphins, the 'Killer Bs' if you will. Wills was exceptionally quick for his size, and so he was nicknamed The Cat.. Theyre usually the largest player and go head-to-head with the opposing center. 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 not quite the size of Ted Washington, but he was more than the 315 pounds he was listed at, though. he was a good player, but didn't play enough to really fit in. May 4, 2021 8:47 AM EDT. You have to keep in mind that offensive linemen are big players and that the nose tackle is almost always double-teamed. He was drafted into the NFL in 2004 by the New England Patriots. This allows the safeties to stay deep and maintain the integrity of Chicago's preferred Tampa-2 coverage scheme. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Many people refer to a nose tackle as a nose guard, but theyre two completely different positions in football. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He ended his career with 1017 tackles, more than any other nose we can find and 34.5 sacks. His tremendous upper body strength and relentless motor help Sopoaga to constantly move the pocket. But the starter at nose in the first game was Lyle Alzado, not Carter. Of course, it leaves some space right up the middle. 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. The Broncos used some 3-4 for years prior to 1976 when they finally committed to it full time. But he did the dirty work of a shade tackle in a 4-3 under defense. Vita is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL because he has the ability at 345-pounds to rush the passer. The dynamic 6ft 2 inches tall and 210 pounder middle and noseguard was the key player in the defensive back for the browns. NFL players are large in size. The over six ft tall was like a mad bull himself. 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). Wilfork was drafted by the Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Tier 2: Elite 2. Great list -- Curley is indeed #1. The next time you see a nose tackle playing well, make sure you tip your hat to them! For the 3-technique, the defensive player is asked to line up on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard. The third-year pro has the power, leverage and quickness to threaten the pocket on every play. He also forced 19 fumbles and recorded three defensive touchdowns. Dan Saleaumua was like a rolling ball of butcher knives, moving around all the time, always seemingly around the ball. I think he was part of at least three of their championships, though undersized. He did play some 3-4 end in his career and was always effective as a defensive tackle in the Chiefs 4-man lines when they went to nickel, he would routinely turn in 5, 6, or 7-sack seasons. It used to take three blockers to stop him. 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. This is where the defensive player lines up head-to-head with the offensive tackle. So he ended up playing for three-techniques likeJovan Haye and Tony Williams, though he got to play some three-technique himself for a few years in the early 2000s when Fred Robbins manned the nose. WithToeaina in the lineup, there is often more space for destructive duo Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs to exploit. He was active, fast, and really stood out on film. An extremely aggressive player, Garay is one of the few 3-4 nose tackles who is at his best when threatening the quarterback. 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. The Dolphins defensive anchor is steadily building a reputation as one of the most difficult to handle nose tackles in the game. 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. 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 . 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. New England is one of the greatest sports franchises of the last 20 years. He has been an all-pro or pro bowler more than any other nose tackle. Everything You Need to Know, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? 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 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Despite being a 5-time pro bowler, he is still not in the hall of fame. May 14, 2020. He ended his career with 32.5 sacks and 75.5 run stuffs. 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. Admittedly, in this period, it was less characterized by the dominating nose tackle and more by the fearsome outside linebacker, such as Lawrence Taylor. Ted Washington's the best I've seen play. A couple of years ago, Jay Ratliff would have comfortably toppeda list of this kind. Said Buchsbaum, "As good as Ball is, he'd be better if he controlled his weight. He received a Hall of Fame induction from the New England Patriots soon after his retirement in 2017. In this technique, the defensive player must line up over the outside shoulder of the offensive line. Check out the Top 10 photos from Super Bowl LVII! Carter was the classic run-stopper at nose, not much of a rusher. Williams became a three times pro bowler in three consecutive seasons, from 2006 to 2008. Ratliff is one of the most dominant players in the league and is the key to the Cowboys multiple 3-4 scheme. Vea is the best nose tackle in the NFL and the main reason that the Buccaneers dominated the Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. In 1985 Pickel took over the nose tackle spot in the Raiders defense and he'd play the usual shade spot in passing downs. 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 best I have personally seen is Casey Hampton. 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! You can guess from his career highlights how much we could write about him. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry. . Thomas was great at tackling and arguably the best among all nose tackles. Relying on awesome strength and excellent leverage, Garay is able to create a powerful forward push, few centers can deal with. Maryland totaled 279 tackles, with 25 for loss, and 20.5 sacks in his four dominant years for Miami. Art Shell, 1968-1982. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Its popularity declined throughout the 90's, bottoming out in 2001 when only the Steelers were running a 34. A tall nose, like Bob Baumhower, at 6-5 and began his career as an inside designated pass rusher. And in 1980 he got his hands up enough to pick off three passes from his nose position. Excellent article, John T! All-Time Tackles Leaders. At 6-1 330 (350?) 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 . 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. Throughout history, there have been several players that have revolutionized what it means to be a nose tackle. 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. Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football. Carter was a dominant nose when motivated. 8. Any coach that wants to find success with a 3-4 defensive scheme needs a dominant nose tackle. Consistently an excellent player, he had a career year for Pittsburgh when they needed to lean on him more than usual with his running mate Stephon Tuitt going down hurt. Here are the top 25 offensive tackles for the 2021 NFL season. started his career with the Detroit Lions in 1987 and later played in three more teams, including Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings. Bill Wills is one such example, he was undrafted in the 1946 draft! Additionally, that year, he had 14.0 run stuffs(second in NFL behind Jerome Brown's 17.0). 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. NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best offensive tackles in NFL history. It's tough to find true nose tackles. Still, their role changes as a defensive tackle. After getting drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1984, Michael Carter remained unmoved throughout his pro football career. Defensive nose tackles do not have flashy statistics or bouquets of trophies on their accolades; rather, they silently distribute for the teams wins. 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. 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. I'll have to their cortez Kennedy into the mix for this one. There are always 22 football players on the field at once and they all have their own specialized roles. Since nose tackles are largely responsible for clogging up the middle of the line of scrimmage, its almost required that they have a big body thats difficult to block. edit* Hampton was a beast don't know how I didn't think of him! We also mentioned how the 1-technique lines up on the outside shoulder of the center and the 3-technique lines up on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard. 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 With a player like Raji over the center, Dom Capers can utilise every page of his zone blitz playbook. With a little more experience at the position, Sopoaga could beexpected to top a similar list in the near future. While many people often confuse a nose guard with a nose tackle, many fans also use the terms nose tackle and defensive tackle interchangeably. A Complete Overview, What Is a Sack in Football? 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). The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. But his place went to a division rival who doesn't benefit from quite as strong a supporting cast around him. They just don't. 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 most common requirement of a nose tackle is to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the rest of the defense. They line up with a defensive end on both sides of them, but theres a pretty large gap between them since the offensive line is made up of five players. 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. A long injury layoff is the only reason that Buffalo Bills defensive linchpin Kyle Williams didn't make the list. Best Nose Tackles in NFL History Throughout history, there have been several players that have revolutionized what it means to be a nose tackle. 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 . New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Most defensive tackles that line up in a 4-3 defensive scheme are lining up in a 3-technique. In his first four years he was a top backup for Ted Washington forming an amazing 1-2 punch. 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. Any even-numbered technique (including the 0-technique) must line up head-to-head with the offensive line. 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." Peko plays with intensity, but his technique is smart and precise. In some situations, they might line up in-between the guards and center if they want to directly fill the gaps during a run play. 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. He played both ways early in his career but his primary position was right over the center in 5-man lines. Gilbert Brown was a big piece in that loaded Packer defense. He had the ability, strength, and quickness to be one of the top defensive backs in the tournament. With Sopoaga over the center, Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis are always kept clean and remain free to chase plays down. Here is a ranking of the 10 best nose tackles in the game today. Another excellent piece of work by you Mr. Turney. Packers stalwart B.J. Chicago Bears, 1985-1993; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1994 One-time Super Bowl champion Recorded 29.5 sacks in 138 NFL games, Oakland Raiders, 1996; New Orleans Saints, 1997-2001; Dallas Cowboys, 2002-2005; St. Louis Rams 2006-2008 Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time NFL 2000s All-Decade Team 2000 NFC Defensive Player of the Year 2000 NFL sacks leader (17.5) Finished career with 433 tackles, 83.5 sacks and 16 forced fumbles, San Francisco 49ers, 1994-2007 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time NFL 1990s All-Decade Team Had 89.5 sacks and 618 tackles in 208 career games, Cleveland Browns, 1946-1953 One-time NFL champion Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times NFL 1940s All-Decade Team Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Ravens, 2006-2014; Detroit Lions, 2015-Present One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times Started 160 of 162 NFL games Has 29.5 sacks, 491 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions in 11 NFL seasons, Baltimore Ravens, 2013-Present One of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in NFL today Became highest-paid nose tackle in the NFl by signing a five-year, $54 million deal with Ravens in March Has 4.5 sacks and 101 tackles in 55 career games, Cincinnati Bengals, 1983-1994 Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time Recorded 34.5 sacks and 1,017 career tackles Missed only four games (out of 192) in 12-year career, Detroit Lions, 1958-1970 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times NFL 1960s All-Decade Team Missed only one game in 12-year career, New England Patriots, 2001-2008; Oakland Raiders, 2009-2012 Three-time Super Bowl champion Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times NFL 2000s All-Decade Team Logged 57.5 sacks and recorded 496 career tackles, Minnesota Vikings, 1985-1990; Green Bay Packers, 1992; Seattle Seahawks, 1992; Philadelphia Eagles, 1993 Voted to two Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times 1989 NFL Defensive Player of the Year NFL 1980s All-Decade Team Holds NFL record for most sacks by DT in single season (18) Three double-digit sack seasons Recorded 58 career sacks, Houston Oilers, 1985-1995; Dallas Cowboys, 1996 Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time NFL-record three fumble recoveries in single game Recorded 76.5 sacks, 861 tackles, and 19 forced fumbles in 12-year NFL career, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1950-1963 Two-time Super Bowl champion Voted to nine Pro Bowls (1957 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro once NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team Recorded 23 fumble recoveries and at time of retirement was the all-time career safeties leader with three Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, San Francisco 49ers, 1950-1963 Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times NFL 1950s All-Decade Team 49ers' first-ever draft pick Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baltimore Colts, 1950; New York Yanks, 1951; Dallas Texans, 1952; Baltimore Colts, 1953-1961 Two-time NFLchampion Voted to five Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times NFL 1950s All-Decade Team Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland Browns, 1957-1958; Green Bay Packers, 1959-1969 Two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time NFL champion Voted to four Pro Bowls (1961 Pro Bowl MVP), First Team All-Pro five times 21 career fumble recoveries Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Chicago Bears 1979-1990 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times NFL 1980s All-Decade Team Made All-Pro as both defensive end and defensive tackle Officially credited with 57 career sacks Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Jets, 1977-1987; Indianapolis Colts, 1989 Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times 1981 AFC Player of the Year Started 145 of 155 NFL games 24 career sacks, 9 fumble recoveries in 10 NFL seasons Anthony Munoz called Klecko "the strongest guy I ever faced. 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. ", Minnesota Vikings, 1967-1978; Chicago Bears, 1978-1981 Played in four Super Bowls, one-time NFL champion 1971 NFL MVP Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times NFL 1970s All-Decade Team Played in 238 consecutive games Had six seasons of double-digit sacks, including 18 in 1976; unofficially finished with 173 career sacks Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, 2014-Present Voted to three Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Set record for fastest recorded 40 time for DT at NFL Scouting Combine Has logged 28 sacks and 116 tackles in his three NFL seasons Voted 15th best player in NFL on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017, Cincinnati Bengals 2010-present Voted to Pro Bowl six times, First Team All-Pro twice 290 career tackles, 61 sacks, and eight forced fumbles, Detroit Lions, 1960-1966; Los Angeles Rams, 1967-1969 Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro two times Member of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" First player in NFL history with playing weight exceeding 300 pounds Sacked Bart Starr seven times (one for a safety) in the famous 1962 "Thanksgiving Day Massacre", Kansas City Chiefs, 1968-1974; Houston Texans 1974-1980; Detroit Lions, 1980-1981 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to six Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro one time 1975 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Unofficially had 68 sacks and 14 forced fumbles in 14 NFL seasons Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Minnesota Vikings, 1990-2000; Seattle Seahawks, 2001-2003 Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro six times 1997 NFL sacks leader NFL 1990s All-Decade Team Played in 219 career NFL games, recording 137.5 sacks and 556 tackles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1975 One-time Super Bowl champion, two-time AFL champion Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times, six AFL All-Star games Played in 182 career NFL games, including 166 consecutively Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Seattle Seahawks, 1990-2000 Voted to eight Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro three times 1992 NFL Defensive Player of the Year NFL 1990s All-Decade Team Had 58 sacks and 568 tackles durin 11-year NFL career Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, New York Yanks, 2948-1949; New York Giants, 1950-1953 Two-time NFL champion Voted to four Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1995-2003; Oakland Raiders, 2004-2007 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year NFL All-Decade Team in 1990s and 2000s Recorded 96.5 career sacks, 435 tackles, and 19 forced fumbles Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 1975-1988 One-time Super Bowl champion Super Bowl XII co-MVP Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times NFL 1980s All-Decade Team Unofficially recorded 111 sacks (high of 16 in 1978) and 1,104 tackles in 14 NFL seasons Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Los Angeles Rams, 1962-1977 Voted to 14 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times 1962 NFL Rookie of the Year NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team,Br> Member of two NFL All-Decade Teams (1960s, 1970s) Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers, 1969-1981 Four-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team Recorded unofficial 78.5 career sacks and 16 fumble recoveries Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dallas Cowboys, 1961-1974 One-time Super Bowl champion Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team member of NFL's All-Decade Teams in 1960s and 1970s Started every game (164) of his 14-year career 29-yard sack of Bob Griese in Super Bowl VI is NFL record and one of the most memorable in Super Bowl history Scored four defensive touchdowns in career Enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.