... line had an almost communist quality; the offensive line was an integral part of the team, but you never knew anyone’s name, there were no stats to keep track of and the only time you ever noticed a lineman was when they screwed up.

Lombardi was a big believer in the team, and his zone blocking scheme emphasized that the best; linemen were assigned zones, so instead of a “may the best man win” duel with a defensive lineman, the line worked together as a unit to defeat the defense.

That all changed with Lawrence Taylor. Taylor made the blind-side sack an art; he basically destroyed Joe Thiesmann’s career with one. The league naturally saw Lawrence Taylor and his success and went out into the college ranks to...

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