The Top Five: Best 4-3 Defensive Tackles in the NFL

In any defense, the tackles may be the most important part. They are the first line, and they're the tone-setters. Their play can determine the difficulty or ease of the linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties behind them. If the line is playing well and keep the linebackers clean, odds are that team will be fairly successful. If they're not, their respective team is looking at a very long day. They're the biggest guys on the field and their only intention is to make sure that the other big guys across from them don't move them. They growl, they snot and they snarl just to defend that six inches of ground. The trenches. It's the reason why we love football and what makes it such a man's man of a sport. Giving up or keeping that six inches can be the difference between a win and a loss. These are the guys who do it best. 5. Mike Patterson - Philadelphia Eagles 54 games started, 9.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 154 tackles Patterson has been solid since his first days in the NFL, but ... (link)