Walter Jones Greatest OT of all-time?

[Hawk096]

It's a question that surely can be asked.
How do you truly rank Walter Jones among offensive tackles in NFL history?
Jones was the Seahawks best tackle to ever step on the field in a Seahawk uniform without question and deserves consideration as the best OT ever to play in the NFL.
In his 180 games played in the NFL no player was more dominant at his position than Walter Jones. Jones was the offensive lineman that forced defenses to change their game-plan up to attacking Jones and the Seahawks offense.
Matt Hasselbeck never once doubted his left-side when Jones was suited up in his No. 71 uniform. Jones's dominance was evident by the looking of jersey's in the stands. It's unusual to see an offensive lineman's jersey being worn let alone sold, but with his dominance on the field it's no question as to why fans wear his jersey.
Jones was named first-team to the NFLs 2000 NFL Decade team as an offensive tackle. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection- an all-time most in team history. He was a three-time All-Pro selection and a catalyst of the 2005 Seahawks Super Bowl team.
The most shocking announcement was when Jones was named Rookie Offensive Player in the Month of October in his rookie year- a first for an offensive lineman in NFL history. In 2006 Sporting News named him their No. 1 player in the NFL and in 2004 John Madden once said on air he's the best player in the NFL.
The Seahawks knew it no one had to tell them that- he was franchised the league maxim three times before finally signing a long-term deal with Seattle.
Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander knew they needed him to be dominant and that was felt with their success and stats.
Now the question that will be asked that doesn't have any answer yet, but is a vital one- Who fills the shoes of Jones?
It won't be an easy job and won't happen over night, but it's something the front office has to answer and the 12th Man.
It won't be an easy job and no one can truly fill them, but if they can do half the job as Jones did I'm sure Seattle would be proud with that.
Walter Jones will always have a spot in the Seahawk fans hearts and most likely a spot in the Ring of Honor. He may also be the last player to don a No. 71 jersey in Seattle, but that's just the beginning he's Canton bound and that will most likely take place five-years from now.
Walter Jones wasn't just the greates tackle in Seahawk history, but the greatest in his era.
That's no question.

[mlemour]

Edwin Bailey?

[Fenom]

Originally Posted by mlemour

Edwin Bailey?

You don't think Walter Jones is the greatest of all-time?

[Hawk096]

I'll be writing one tomorrow or Friday when it's "official" Big Walt is hanging the cleats up.

[mlemour]

Don't know why he just doesn't come off the bench? mentor Okung and play 3rd down and here and there!

[Hawk096]

Rick Mirer contributed more to Seattle once he was traded than when he played for the Seahawks.
It was the Mirer trade to Chicago that landed the Seahawks the sixth overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft and with that pick they selected an OT from Florida State University named Walter Jones.
13-years later Jones has been through it all- success, injuries later in his career and a Super Bowl appearance. All of it came quiet, but never was more appreciated by the 12th Man than the day he decided to step away from the game.
Nine Pro Bowls a team record, four first-team All-Pro nominations, 180 starts later and a member of the 2000 All-Decade team as Offensive Tackle all added up to the inevitable decision to retire his No. 71 jersey and declare Friday as Walter Jones Day in the state of Washington.
For the past 12-years (spent his 13th on the injured reserve) every quarterback and running back he blocked for never had to worry about their blindside. Jones made sure of that- giving up only 23 sacks in his entire career and being called for only nine holding penalties. He protected Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon, Matt Hasselbeck, Jon Kitna, John Friesz and Brock Huard as if he was their big brother. No one was more appreciative of that than themselves.
Shaun Alexander enjoyed success from the holes Jones created or better yet allowed to be there for him as he won the 2005 NFL MVP award and rushed for 27 touchdowns that year (an NFL Record at the time). He piled up 1,000-yard seasons throughout his career with Jones protecting his blindside.
So it's no question Jones earned the recognition he was given Friday or the automatic plane ticket to Canton, OH in 2015, but there's more than that.
Mike Holmgren called him the best offensive player he's ever coached. Yes the coach whose coached players such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young and Brett Favre (all of them have a Super Bowl ring). Yet Jones was the best.
Had Jones played in any other NFL city it might be more noticeable that he was the best, but he didn't. Seattle was blessed to land him and no one can tell the 12th Man he isn't one of the greatest Offensive Tackles in the game. Anyone that does might just need to look up Jones accolades or better hear the respect he has earned from opponents.
It's not a question when Jones will be inducted into Canton, but more a question of who will give his Introduction Speech and just how long the quiet Jones will talk at the podium.
Rick Mirer's contributions to Seattle may never land him in Canton let alone the Ring of Honor, but he helped them land the greatest tackle to ever put on the Seahawk jersey and for that he will always be loved by Seattle and hated by 31 other cities.
Just imagine life without Walter Jones in Seattle and that is now the present. Because as of now Jones is a member of an even more elite team- the Hall of Fame.
It was a joyful 13-years of watching Jones, but like all good things- it's over. There's no next week, no next year and no "Get 'em tomorrow." Jones is done as well as a legacy that will live in throughout the NFL. Walter Jones brought a new meaning to the Left Tackle position in the NFL and a new meaning to great.
It's been fun watching Big Walt every Sunday blocking as if it was easy, but it wasn't and took a lot of hard work throughout his career.
The best Left Tackles in the NFL currently aren't even on the same page as Jones and well no one truly is.
Because greats only come around once and that's a fact just ask No. 71.