NFL Football 2011
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 Smith | Dallas | 2011 | 9th overall |
Nate Solder | New England | 2011 | 17th overall |
Anthony Castonzo | Indianapolis | 2011 | 22nd overall |
James Carpenter | Seattle | 2011 | 25th overall |
Gabe Carimi | Chicago | 2011 | 29th overall |
Derek Sherrod | Green Bay | 2011 | 32nd overall |
Trent Williams | Washington | 2010 | 4th overall |
Russell Okung | Seattle | 2010 | 6th overall |
Anthony Davis | San Francisco | 2010 | 11th overall |
Bryan Bulaga | Green Bay | 2010 | 23rd overall |
Jason Smith | St. Louis | 2009 | 2nd overall |
Andre Smith | Cincinnati | 2009 | 6th overall |
Eugene Monroe | Jacksonville | 2009 | 8th overall |
Michael Oher | Baltimore | 2009 | 23rd overall |
Jake Long | Miami | 2008 | 1st overall |
Ryan Clady | Denver | 2008 | 12th overall |
Chris Williams | Chicago | 2008 | 14th overall |
Branden Albert | Kansas City | 2008 | 15th overall |
Gosder Cherilus | Detroit | 2008 | 17th overall |
Jeff Otah | Carolina | 2008 | 19th overall |
Sam Baker | Atlanta | 2008 | 21st overall |
Duane Brown | Houston | 2008 | 26th overall |
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