My All-Time Kansas City Chiefs Team: The Tackles
Aug 4, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Willie Roaf poses with his bust at the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
The start of Training Camp is finally upon us. The dreaded months of the offseason are finally coming to a close. Today I start building my All-Time Chiefs teams offensive line, starting with the Tackles. In the next few weeks I will finish the Offensive side of the ball with the Guards & Centers. I will save the defensive side of the ball until next off-season because we finally have football to talk about! For the offensive line, I bent the rules a bit. My column, my rules! I will just have two starters and two reserves for Tackles. No Right Tackles or Left Tackles. It was impossible to move maybe the greatest Left Tackle in the Franchise for arguably one of the greatest Left Tackles in NFL history that finished his career here. Either way, they are both my starters. So Addicts, let’s get to it!
Starter – Jim Tyrer
Tyrer was a dominant force on the offensive line for the Chiefs from 1961 to 1973, the golden years of Chiefs football. The Ohio State product made 9 Pro Bowls and was a 6-Time First Team All-Pro while starting in the team’s only two Super Bowl births. One of the early prototypical left tackles, Tyrer made the AFL All-Time Team and was induced into the Chiefs Ring of Honor in 1978. Despite all the accolades, the ugly end of his life mars Tyrer’s legacy. In September of 1980, after a series of business misfortunes, Tyrer shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. The following year, Tyrer was a Hall of Fame Finalist and has never been since. A truly sad ending to one of the greatest offensive linemen in franchise history.
Starter – Willie Roaf
Willie Roaf for the better part of a decade was arguably the best-left tackle in the NFL. Some may even argue for Roaf being the best of all-time. For four seasons during the early 2000’s, he anchored the left side of the line for the Kansas City Chiefs. After injuries took most of his 2001 season with the New Orleans Saints, the Chiefs traded for Roaf and helped create the leagues best offensive line for Trent Green and Priest Holmes. In the final four years of his thirteen-year career, Roaf made the Pro Bowl all four years for the Chiefs. The Pro Football Hall of Fame also named him 2nd Team All-2000’s. Roaf entered the Hall of Fame this past year, in his second year of eligibly. Although he only spent four seasons in Kansas City, Roaf helped created one of the greatest offensive units in franchise history.
Reserve – John Alt
When looking for a standout tackle, Stuttgart Germany does not usually come to mind. German John Alt moved from Germany to Iowa City to become a Hawkeye. After that, the Chiefs selected the 6-8, 300 pound specimen to anchor their line. When Marty Schottenheimer took over and Marty Ball began, Alt thrived on the line. Alt made 2 Pro Bowl appearances in 1992 and 1993. He was later inducted into the Chiefs Ring of Honor for his play after spending his entire 13-year career for the Chiefs.
Reserve – Dave Hill
The final spot for tackles goes to Dave Hill. Hill, along with Tyrer managed the tackle spots for the Chiefs through their success in the AFL and into the merger. Hill spent 12 seasons with the Chiefs from 1963 to 1974. A dependable blocker, Hill went 9 straight seasons without missing a start. Hill started opposite Tyrer in both Super Bowls, helping manhandle the “Purple People Eaters”, the famed Minnesota front line, en route to a Super Bowl IV Championship. Hill was added to the Ring of Honor in 1997.
So there you go Addicts, do my Tackles manage the pass rush? Or do they get bull rushed by? Here we go Addicts, lets hear it!