NFL Defensive Linemen
In the early days of the NFL, defensive linemen were big, nasty run stoppers. But in today's pass oriented NFL, defensive linemen must also be athletic enough to rush the passer and sometimes even pass cover. Take a look back at the five greatest defensive linemen in NFL history.
5. Gino Marchetti (1952-1966)
The Dallas Texans are one of the shortest lived NFL franchises in history. Playing only 12 games in 1952, their players were forced to find new homes the following year. One of those players was future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Gino Marchetti. After acquiring Marchetti, the Baltimore Colts gradually improved to the point where they won the NFL championship in 1958 and 1959. As a defensive lineman with the Colts, Gino Marchetti made 11 straight NFL Pro Bowls and was a seven time first team all-pro.
4. Bob Lilly (1961-1974)
One of the first stars that made the Dallas Cowboys "America's Team," Bob Lilly was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive lineman out of TCU in the first round of the 1961 NFL draft. After going winless in their inaugural 1960 season, Lilly and the other defensive linemen helped transform the Cowboys into the "Doomsday Defense." Bob Lilly was selected to 11 NFL Pro Bowls and was a seven time first team all-pro defensive lineman. In addition, Lilly ranks eighth in NFL history in fumble recoveries returned for a touchdown.
3. Merlin Olsen (1962-1976)
The Los Angeles Rams of the late '60s and early '70s may have had the greatest squad of defensive linemen in NFL history. The leader of the group, known as the "Fearsome Foursome," was the gentle giant Merlin Olsen. Although often possessing the best defense in the NFL, the Rams lacked the offensive firepower to ever win a championship in that era. During his 15 year NFL career as a defensive lineman, Merlin Olsen made an astounding 14 NFL Pro Bowls and was a five time first team all-pro. In retirement, Olsen starred in "Little House on the Prairie" and "Father Murphy."
2. Bruce Smith (1985-2003)
Once the sack became an integral part of defensive game plans, NFL linebackers and defensive linemen made getting to the QB a point of emphasis. When NFL offenses began passing the ball more in the '80s and '90s, no defensive lineman ever sacked the quarterback more than Bruce Smith. A first round selection out of Virginia Tech in the 1985 NFL draft, Bruce Smith notched 200 career sacks, first in NFL history. As a defensive lineman, Smith helped the Buffalo Bills win four AFC championships, made 11 Pro Bowl teams and was an eight time first team all-pro.
1. Reggie White (1985-1998, 2000)
A Christian minister who was also arguably the greatest NFL defensive lineman in history, Reggie White was dubbed the "Minister of Defense." Originally a defensive lineman for the Memphis Showboats of the USFL when he left Tennessee University, White joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985. Then from 1986 to 1998, White was voted to an astonishing 13 straight NFL Pro Bowls as a defensive lineman for the Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Also an eight time first team all-pro, White retired as the NFL career leader in sacks with 198. Sadly, Reggie White died prematurely in 2004 at the age of 43.
*Note: This article was written by an Associated Content Contributor. To become a Contributor and start publishing your own sports articles, go to Associated Content.
Sources
"Gino Marchetti," pro-football-reference.com
"Bob Lilly," pro-football-reference.com
"Merlin Olsen," pro-football-reference.com
"Bruce Smith," pro-football-reference.com
"Reggie White," pro-football-reference.com
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