The AFC South have both a decent Defensive Ends unit and a suitable Defensive Tackles duo, but nowhere near the caliber the other divisions bring. Combined they offer the last-ranked Defensive Line among all the NFL divisions.
AFC South Starting Defensive End: Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts
Freeney, who currently has 108 sacks and 44 forced fumbles, ranks 22nd and 5th all-time in those respective categories. At 6'1", 266 pounds, you could call him Freak 2 (to Jevon Kearse's moniker), as Freeney ran a jaw-dropping 4.4 in the 40, and once recorded a 40-inch vertical leap. He made 7 Pro Bowls and 4 All-Pro squads. Interesting Fact: the future Hall of Famer is a 2-time Madden Bowl title-holder.
AFC South Starting Defensive End: Gino Marchetti, Indianapolis (Baltimore) Colts
It's impossible to know how dominant he would have been in today's NFL. If we assume Deacon Jones would have been good enough today, we kind of have to put Marchetti up there, too. He was that good. He made 11 Pro Bowls and 10 All-Pro teams in 11 seasons. He was 6'4" and was lightning quick. He won 2 NFL Championships, was selected to the NFL 75th-Anniversary All-Time Team, and was quickly enshrined in the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Too bad they didn't record sacks back then-- this would be a great place to plug that number in.
Back-up Defensive End: Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts
6-time Pro-Bowler, an All-Pro look, Mathis has 111 sacks so far. That places him 20th all-time. His 19.5 sacks in 2013 are #10 all-time for a single season total.
Back-up Defensive End: Elvin Bethea, Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers
Bethea probably racked up 100+ sacks more quietly than any other player ever. Well, he did make 8 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams, so he couldn't have been so quiet. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.
AFC South Starting Defensive Tackle: Ray Childress, Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers)
He made 5 Pro Bowls and 6 All-Pro rosters. He finished with 76.5 sacks, pretty high for a Tackle. He had an incredible seven fumble recoveries in 1988, two shy of the NFL single-season record. He shares the NFL record for fumble recoveries in a single game, having recovered three from the Washington Redskins on October 30, 1988.
AFC South Starting Defensive Tackle: Art Donovan, Indianapolis (Baltimore) Colts
(sigh) This is another one who played in the early 1950s, making it impossible to guess as to how good he really was. He certainly has the numbers to prove he was one of the very best during his time. He had 5 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All-Pro calls. He was the first Colt inducted into the Hall of Fame, in 1968.
Back-up Defensive Tackle: Curley Culp, Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers)
The Hall of Famer was awarded 5 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro opportunities. Culp's finest season came in 1975. He notched 11½ sacks, an unheard of total for a defensive tackle. He won All-Pro honors and was chosen NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Newspaper Enterprise Association and as such received the George S. Halas Trophy.
Click HERE to see the next series of roster announcements for the All-Time AFC South!
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