Mammoth Blog

They form the most dominant group in professional football, yet none of them made the Pro Bowl last season. They also tend to be overlooked because they happen to play on a team that also has a great defensive line.

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So it's time to give the New York Giants' front five -- their mighty offensive line -- its due. After producing three straight games of at least 200 yards rushing, you can't help take notice. By name, in order from left to right tackle, they are: David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee and Kareem McKenzie.

Because that quintet has looked unstoppable and unflappable, even in the face of the Baltimore Ravens' formidable run defense Sunday, it's put New York back at the top of the line going into Week 12:

1. New York Giants (Last week: 2). Need more evidence to support the blocking firm of Diehl, Seubert, O'Hara, Snee and McKenzie? The Giants' backs are averaging a league-best 5.3 yards per carry, while Eli Manning has been sacked only 12 times in 10 games.

2. Tennessee Titans (LW: 1). The NFL's lone undefeated team is still mighty up front, but the Giants now get the slight edge because they just proved they can run on anyone. Tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart are the perimeter pass protectors leading the way in allowing a league-low six sacks. Inside, 15th-year center Kevin Mawae is still blowing defensive tackles off the ball.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 4). They're still getting settled up front, as guard Chris Kemoeatu and Justin Hartwig are in their first years as the team's full-time starters, and injuries to tackles Max Starks and Marvel Smith have caused more shuffling. Big Ben is partially responsible for the sacks (35), but the line woes have also showed up in the league's 23rd-ranked running game.

4. New York Jets (LW: 8). The high-priced signing of left guard Alan Faneca has paid off. Working between young linemen D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, he has helped the Jets improve from 18th (at 3.8 yards per carry) in rushing offense last season to 9th (at 4.4).

5. Carolina Panthers (LW: 3). The Panthers have had a surprising number of ups and downs for an 8-2 team, but the steadying factor is their sixth-ranked running game, with Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton, Keydrick Vincent and rookie Jeff Otah all playing well, and not missing a beat at center regardless if Ryan Kalil or Geoff Hangartner starts.

6. Indianapolis Colts (LW: 13). Losing center Jeff Saturday earlier in the season really hampered Indy's line, but now he's back healthy and back to being an anchor, helping youngsters such as left tackle Tony Ugoh, left guard Charlie Johnson and rookie right guard Mike Pollak to jell. The result is a balanced, prolific Colts offense we're used to seeing.

7. Arizona Cardinals (LW: 9). The Cardinals' line was much maligned going into the season, but it's held up rather well in giving up 18 sacks for a very pass-happy offense. The running game remains anemic (3.4 yards per carry), however. Levi Brown, Deuce Lutui and friends better get ready for their biggest test so far -- against the swarming Giants this week.

8. Dallas Cowboys (LW: 14). More than the return of Tony Romo, it was good to see the Cowboys get on track with what their offense does best: pound away with Marion Barber. That's 1,634 pounds of push, and a power running game that can put any opponent away in the fourth quarter.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 10). The Bucs' line sneakily does a good job every week. They've nailed down the fundamentals of pass protection (only 11 sacks), but they can also get down and dirty with run blocking. Expect left guard Arron Sears, right Davin Joseph and right tackle Jeremy Trueblood to be long-term stars.

10. New England Patriots (LW: 6). The Patriots' pass protection woes from the Super Bowl have carried over a bit, as they've allowed 33 sacks, or as many as the Raiders. On the bright side, to take pressure off Matt Cassel, Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal and Nick Kaczur have risen as power run blockers.

11. Baltimore Ravens (LW: 5). Jonathan Ogden retired, but their line has still played awesome all season to produce a strong running game and help Joe Flacco get through a pretty good rookie year. Even in Sunday's blowout loss to the Giants, Flacco was sacked only once and the team managed 121 rushing yards.

12. Washington Redskins (LW: 7). Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen are at their best when blocking for the league's No. 5 running game, helping Clinton Portis average 4.9 yards per carry. The trouble comes when the Redskins need to drop back Jason Campbell often without the benefit of play-action -- he has been sacked 26 times.

13. Denver Broncos (LW: 19). With stud rookie left tackle Ryan Clady in front of him, Jay Cutler has hardly been touched (8 sacks). Now with a healthier, new mix of backs including hardnosed Peyton Hillis, it looks like the interior run blocking of Ben Hamilton, Casey Wiegmann and Chris Kuper is finally paying off.

14. Atlanta Falcons (LW: 11). Their most promising lineman, rookie tackle Sam Baker, hasn't been able to stay healthy, but the Falcons' front five has remained outstanding, led by left tackle Todd Weiner and left guard Justin Blalock. Rookie Matt Ryan has had the benefit of staying upright (only 12 sacks), and blocking for Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, the team's running game is second only to the Giants'.

15. Green Bay Packers (LW: 21). Just like last season, the Pack's line is saving its best run blocking for the second half. Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Scott Wells, Jason Spitz and Mark Tauscher are coming off their best collective game in pounding the Bears in route to 200 yards rushing. The sacks are up because Aaron Rodgers likes to keep plays alive with his mobility, but they need to limit the pounding on him.

16. Miami Dolphins (LW: 15). First overall draft pick Jake Long is probably the only household name on the Fins' offensive line, but it is an underrated young unit that will keep getting better. Center Samson Satele, right guard Ike Ndukwe and right tackle Vernon Carey are all very solid. It's helped the team produced a power running game that assists Chad Pennington well in play-action passing.

17. Chicago Bears (LW: 12). Everyone thought the strengths of this team would be the defense and running game, and there has been inconsistency in both areas. Rookie Matt Forte's versatility as a receiver has kept him productive while as a team, they're averaging 3.8 yards per carry. The Johns at the tackles, St. Clair and Tait have led a better charge in pass protection (only 18 sacks).

18. Minnesota Vikings (LW: 19). This is a tale of two lines. When Minnesota's line run blocks for either Adrian Peterson or Chester Taylor, it's awesome, led by left guard Steve Hutchinson and center Matt Birk. When it tries to protect aging Gus Frerotte, it has some trouble (28 sacks). Bryant McKinnie isn't the prototypical shutdown left tackle, and Ryan Cook is a weak link at right tackle.

19. New Orleans Saints (LW: 23). It's amazing that even though Drew Brees has attempted a league-high 398 passes, he's been sacked only eight times. Now they could use more pop from Jammal Brown, Jahri Evans & Co. for the No. 28 running game.

20. Buffalo Bills (LW: 18). Even with good talents such as Jason Peters, Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker, the line play has been a bit disappointing. Until breaking through Monday night, they had yet to help Marshawn Lynch to a 100-yard rushing game and the sack total was up to 25.

21. Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 16). With stalwarts such as William Thomas and Jon Runyan still at the tackles, the front five does it best to help Donovan McNabb (only 15 sacks). With guard Shawn Andrews hurting, Brian Westbrook has found less in the running game. The Eagles have gone from 8th in 2007 (at 4.7 yards per carry) all the way down to 26th this season.

22. San Diego Chargers (LW: 20). Even with talent such as tackle Marcus McNeill and Kris Dielman on the left side and center Nick Hardwick, the Chargers have had trouble getting LaDainian Tomlinson going on the ground, as they are 27th in the league in rushing. They're doing a much better job of keeping Philip Rivers clean. (only 14 sacks).

23. Cleveland Browns (LW: 24). With second-year tackle Joe Thomas dominating the left side, the Browns continue to keep the quarterback upright (only 12 sacks). The problem is, Cleveland isn't consistently producing on the ground. Having left guard Eric Steinbach banged up hasn't helped.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 22). One reason for the Jags' offensive inconsistency, especially in the running game, has been key injuries to interior linemen Maurice Williams, Vince Manuwai and Chris Naeole. At least center Brad Meester has returned to help open holes for Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor.

25. Houston Texans (LW: 25). The Texans' pass protection reached a high in allowing only 22 sacks last season, but the total is back to 24 already. Still, with their potential for big numbers throwing and running, this is their best ever offensive line, led by rookie left tackle Duane Brown and left guard Chester Pitts.

26. San Francisco 49ers (LW: 27). They have a work in progress with their young line, including left tackle Joe Staley and left guard David Baas. They've actually been rather good in keeping Frank Gore consistently productive on the ground, and going to the more mobile and more decisive Shaun Hill at QB can only improve the poor pass protection (36 sacks allowed).

27. Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 30). The team has started two quarterbacks and two running backs, and not one of the four has gotten much help up front, despite the presence of veterans such as Levi Jones and Stacy Andrews. Cincy has backed up the 30th-ranked rushing attack by allowing a league-worst 38 sacks.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 29). The Chiefs have committed to rebuilding, and have recognized it on their offensive line. Guard Brian Waters is the veteran mainstay, while rookie left tackle Branden Albert and center Rudy Niswanger are the up-and-comers. A good sign is the group is improving at the same time the team may have found its QB of the future in Tyler Thigpen.

29. Seattle Seahawks (LW: 26). With Walter Jones, Mike Wahle, Sean Locklear and Pork Chop Womack, you would think this would be a more impactful line. It's really been above average, considering several injuries have caused some major shuffling among the offensive skill positions.

30. St. Louis Rams (LW: 28). Long gone are the days of Orlando Pace being a premier left tackle, and guard Richie Incognito and right tackle Alex Barron haven't lived up to their billing. The proof is allowing 32 sacks and blocking for the No. 25 running game.

31. Oakland Raiders (LW: 31). The Silver and Black have maintained a pretty good rushing attack despite injuries shaking up the backfield, but they continue to struggle when pass blocking, often on their heels. It's time to admit that the first-round draft picks on the left side, Kwame Harris (as a 49er) and Robert Gallery are busts and rebuild from there.

32. Detroit Lions (LW: 32). Despite having a tough young runner in rookie Kevin Smith, the team has produced the second-fewest rushing yards. It also has allowed the second-most sacks, 37. It has some long-time starters such Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola, but the Lions need to continue the overhaul that started with drafting Gosder Cherilus in the first round. source>>>