Not the best area of the field for the AFC South, for sure... They boast the #1 overall Guards unit, but only the #6 Centers, and their Tackles are dead last. This could give Peyton Manning and company BIG problems, because there are some insane Defensive Ends units out there salivating.
AFC South Starting Offensive Tackle: Jim Parker, Indianapolis (Baltimore) Colts
Parker was actually pretty good. I mean, he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer who appeared in 8 Pro Bowls and made 10 All-Pro rosters. So what's the problem? Well, he was 6'3" 273 pounds, which essentially made him a huge monster when he played. Unfortunately, I just cannot see this guy fending off Reggie White or JJ Watt in modern times. I've been wrong before, and maybe he would surprise.
AFC South Starting Offensive Tackle: Tony Boselli, Jacksonville Jaguars
Boselli was Jacksonville's first draft pick they ever made, and he did not disappoint. He made 5 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro teams, as well as found a place on the NFL 1990s All-Decade squad. He has been on the list of Preliminary Hall of Fame candidate ever since his eligibility, but he won't ever get any farther than that, in part thanks to his career in Jacksonville, a city seemingly as far from Canton as possible.
Back-up Offensive Tackle: Leon Gray, Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers)
Gray made 4 Pro Bowls and was selected to 5 All-Pro teams.
Back-up Offensive Tackle: Chris Hinton, Indianapolis Colts
Hinton is, perhaps, most famous for being the one traded to the Colts for John Elway after the 1983 Draft debacle by an inept Indianapolis front office. Hinton didn't end up with a bad career, and it isn't fair that he is forever compared to the Bronco legend. For Hinton's part, he ended up with a pretty impressive 7 Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod.
AFC South Starting Offensive Guard: Bruce Matthews, Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers)
Matthews is widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive linemen of all-time. Among the various NFL records the Hall of Famer has is Games Played by an Offensive Lineman, with an unbelievable 296. He is also currently tied (with Merlin Olsen) for the most Pro Bowl selections, with 14. Additionally, he also made 10 All-Pro rosters.
AFC South Starting Offensive Guard: Mike Munchak, Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers)
Along-side Matthews, Munchak helped form one of the most formidable OL duos in the history of the NFL. In the end, Munchak made 9 Pro Bowls, 10 All-Pro rosters, and entrance into the Hall of Fame in 2001. He also earned a spot on the NFL 1980s All-Decade team.
Back-up Guard: Ron Solt, Indianapolis Colts
He played for the Colts for 5 years and made a Pro Bowl. Umm... I'm sure he tried very hard.
Back-up Guard: Bob Talamini, Indianapolis (Baltimore) Colts
Talamini was a 4-time AFL All-Star and made 2 Pro Bowls. He weighed 250 pounds and should probably hope that Matthews and Munchak do not get injured so he will have to block Mean Joe Greene.
AFC South Starting Center: Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts
Saturday actually went undrafted, signed with the Ravens, and was subsequently waved before playing a snap. He had a job as a manager at an electrical supply store when the Colts found him, and the rest is history. Over the next 12 years, he became the best Center in the AFC South's history. He made 6 Pro Bowls, 4 All-Pro teams, and helped lead the Colts to a victory in Super Bowl XLI.
Back-up Center: Kevin Mawae, Tennessee Titans
Mawae is already the starting Center for the AFC East, because he actually played longer for the Jets than for the Titans; however, he is STILL the 2nd-best Center in the history of the AFC South. He was an 8-time Pro-Bowler and 8-time All-Pro, and 2 each of those came as a Titan. He has a pretty solid chance of getting into the Hall of Fame.
Click HERE to see the next series of roster announcements for the All-Time AFC South!
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