NFL Football 2011

NFL 2011 - Protecting The Quarterback
De Marcus Ware

Protecting the quarterback is vital to NFL success.

"For us, it's always been one of our top priorities," says Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator CAM CAMERON. "We're going to protect the quarterback."

Last season, the Atlanta Falcons posted a 13-3 mark, the best record in the NFC. Much of the team's success was attributed to the strong play of the club's offensive line.

"The Falcons' line consistently plays smart, physical football without committing many penalties and rarely allows opposing teams time to pressure the quarterback," says Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN MADDEN. "The ability of the Atlanta offensive line to protect (quarterback) MATT RYAN is one of the biggest reasons Atlanta owned the best record in the NFC."

With such a premium placed on keeping the quarterback out of harm's way, it is no surprise that teams have made it a priority to draft offensive tackles. Six picks in the first round of April's NFL Draft were tackles -- TYRON SMITH (Dallas), NATE SOLDER (New England), ANTHONY CASTONZO (Indianapolis), JAMES CARPENTER (Seattle), GABE CARIMI (Chicago) and DEREK SHERROD (Green Bay).

This comes on the heels of 2010, when three of the first 11 selections of the NFL Draft were tackles (TRENT WILLIAMS, RUSSELL OKUNG and ANTHONY DAVIS). In 2008, an NFL-record eight offensive tackles were taken in the first round, including the Dolphins' first-overall pick JAKE LONG, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.

In all, there have been 22 offensive tackles selected in the first round of the past four NFL Drafts.

"You'd better find somebody to protect the quarterback's blind side," says Houston Texans head coach GARY KUBIAK. "Whether that's left or right, depending on whether he's a left- or right-handed quarterback. There's no substitute when you draft a kid who plays left tackle for you for 10-12 years. That's like finding a quarterback."

Offensive tackles selected in the first round of the past four NFL drafts:

Player Team Draft Year Pick
Source: NFL
Tyron SmithDallas20119th overall
Nate SolderNew England201117th overall
Anthony CastonzoIndianapolis201122nd overall
James CarpenterSeattle201125th overall
Gabe CarimiChicago201129th overall
Derek SherrodGreen Bay201132nd overall
Trent WilliamsWashington20104th overall
Russell OkungSeattle20106th overall
Anthony DavisSan Francisco201011th overall
Bryan BulagaGreen Bay201023rd overall
Jason SmithSt. Louis20092nd overall
Andre SmithCincinnati20096th overall
Eugene MonroeJacksonville20098th overall
Michael OherBaltimore200923rd overall
Jake LongMiami20081st overall
Ryan CladyDenver200812th overall
Chris WilliamsChicago200814th overall
Branden AlbertKansas City200815th overall
Gosder CherilusDetroit200817th overall
Jeff OtahCarolina200819th overall
Sam BakerAtlanta200821st overall
Duane BrownHouston200826th overall

 

NFL 2011 - Offensive Lineman Protecting The Quarterback