NFL Elite: The Best Tackles In League History -

Tackles provide NFL quarterbacks the ultimate protection, shielding them from danger. Now, who are the five best in NFL history?

Ever wonder why tackles receive such exorbitant contracts? Although they do not touch the ball, tackles are the only protection between a franchise quarterback and the injured list. With the continuing evolution of pass rushers, offensive linemen needed to implement new skills to keep up with fundamental technique. If you look at an offensive tackle’s dirty jersey and see his quarterback clean, chances are that team won. Additionally, running backs that tallied chunk yardage can that the bookends.

5. Forrest Gregg (Packers, Cowboys)

For fifteen seasons, over eight championship-winning seasons, Forrest Gregg served as the backbone of several great teams. Drafted by the Packers out of SMU in 1956, Gregg’s technique became his calling card. At six-foot-four and 249 pounds, outmuscling left ends would not be conducive to success. Instead, Gregg’s footwork and quick hands proved to be his forte. Facing larger ends like Deacon Jones that used blunt force to get home, often fell victim to a lighter Gregg that beat him to the corner and used vision to predict where Jones wanted to go. The nine-time All-Pro added nine Pro Bowl nods to his extensive trophy case.

4. Ron Yary (Vikings, Rams)

Granted, playing through the rough-and-tumble 60s and 70s, you’d expect players to exhibit some semblance of fortitude. For Ron Yary, his game wasn’t any different. The first offensive lineman selected first overall in NFL history, Yary plied his trade for fifteen seasons. What helped Yary excel right out of the gate, was the willingness to fire off the nap, and use body control and positioning, along with a mean streak to defeat left ends. Yary played a vital role in the Vikings’ four Super Bowl appearances. The eight-time All-Pro showed quick feet and a willingness to trade shots with any defensive lineman that tested his mettle. Not to mention the ability to drive block and erase defensive ends.

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3. Jim Parker (Colts)

When the NFL began to slowly open up the offenses, the need for quality blocking and protection become paramount. Parker, the former Ohio State standout, needed to keep Johnny Unitas, allowing him to throw to Raymond Berry and John Mackey. Parker served as the blindside protector, keeping Unitas upright and functional. As a result, Parker’s ability to not only shadow but maintain his base and redirect created wide-open holes for the offense. After 135 regular-season NFL games, Parker retired ten All-Pro selections and two championships.

2. Jonathan Ogden (Ravens)

To appreciate Jonathan Ogden’s play, you need to understand that he is a man of extremes. First, standing six-foot-nine inches tall ties him as the tallest player in NFL history. Next, weighing 345 pounds suggests that he is an unmovable, immobile statue. However, Ogden possessed the best feet of any offensive tackle of his size in league history. The proverbial dancing bear, Ogden would kickstep and slide out to meet wide-rushing defenders. Furthermore, being blessed with superior strength allowed him to lock on during the run game and envelop defensive ends. Yet, though eleven Pro Bowls, nine All-Pro awards, and one Super Bowl, many regard Ogden as the smartest offensive lineman ever. Ogden’s meticulous attention to detail and ability to read defenses and tendencies became legendary.

1. Anthony Munoz (Bengals)

Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Dexter Manley, Mark Gastineau, Richard Dent, Clyde Simmons, Andre Tippett, Howie Long, and Derrick Thomas. The above-listed names are just a few of the elite pass rushers that Munoz faced over thirteen seasons. The old saying ” iron sharpens iron” applies to Munoz. On a weekly basis, Munoz met defenders head-on with a will. In addition, the ability to overwhelm in the run game buttressed his nimble feet and excellent punch on the outside. Eleven straight All-Pro acknowledgments with eleven straight Pro Bowls helped Munoz to this top spot. However, the ability to dominate at such a high level kept him here. Not bad for a player that only played sixteen college games due to various injuries.