Monday, June 20, 2011

Top Left Tackles of All-Time

Fantastic Stache'
  1. Anthony Munoz - Known not only for having an amazing mustache and a nasty sideways pinky finger, but also for being the most complete offensive lineman that has ever played the game.  He was a 9 time all-pro and named the NFL's 75th anniversary team, there's no doubt who belongs at the top of this list.
  2. Willie Roaf - My personal favorite offensive lineman ever.  The man dominated the entire decade of the 90's being named to 7 ProBowl's, despite blowing his knee out in 2001, came back to Probowl form in 2002 after being traded to my Chiefs and dominated his last 4 years in the league.  The man saw the game transition to the passing era where the defensive linemen went from being large ogres to hybrid freaks of nature, that have 9ft wingspans and run 4.4sec 40's without missing a beat.  The only man in the modern era that I've ever seen make Dwight Freeney look like a pedestrian trying to rush the passer.  Best Left tackle in the past 20 years and 2nd best of all-time.
  3. Tony Bosellli - Prototypical modern day tackle.  Had all the tools to dominate (which he did).  The offensive lines equivalent to Bo Jackson, shoulder injuries shot his career down in his prime.  Fun fact, Tony Boselli has the distinction of being the only NFL player being the first ever draft selection of two different expansion franchises, being the #2 overall pick of the Jags in 1995, and the #1 overall pick of the Texans in the 2002 expansion draft (their first ever pick).
  4. Walter Jones - Notice a trend?  3 out of the top 4 picks are from the modern era of Left Tackles for a reason.  NFL offenses are putting more emphasis on the pass, NFL defenses have subsequently put more of an emphasis on pressuring the QB.  Modern day NFL tackles need to be quick enough to hold up against the speed of Clay Matthews off the edge, while still being able to stand up to the bull rush from a 300lb 3-4 end like Darnell Dockett.  Walter Jones did just that for 13 seasons being named to 9 ProBowl's along the way.
  5. Art Shell - Exemplified the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick."  One of the most physical offensive linemen of all-time, teamed with Gene Upshaw to create the best left side of an offensive line ever.  Was still physically dominant in an era when the full use of hands was prohibited by offensive linemen (at the time was a 15 yard penalty).  Great offensive lineman, could have played in any era and been great.


Enjoy this last image of Anthony Munoz...


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