NFL's New Award Gives Big Boys Up Front Respect They Deserve

By John Turney 

It's about time. 

Starting this season, the NFL will launch a "Protector of the Year" award to honor the league’s top offensive lineman, much like the MVP and Offensive and Defensive Players-of-the-Year awards. The goal is to spotlight the unsung heroes of the offensive line, and let's face it: It's long overdue.

So what happened? Much of the credit goes to Buffalo Bills' tackle Dion Dawkins, who pushed hard for this recognition, and by golly, he and others made it happen.   

The NFL made the announcement Wednesday, then revealed more details 24 hours later for an award that, according to NFL executive Troy Vincent, will "symbolize protection, durability, and the unsung heroics of the players who shield their teammates and drive their teams forward."

That works for Dawkins, whom Vincent applauded at this week's Spring League Meeting in Minnesota.

"This Protector of the Year award is finally giving the big boys up front the respect we deserve," Dawkins said. "I've been knocking on doors and spearheading this movement because offensive linemen are the true foundation of every team's success.

"We might not have all the fancy stats as the skinnies or end up on a highlight reel every week, but, without us, there's no rushing titles, passing titles, or touchdowns. This award is for all the unsung heroes who put in work every snap. I won’t stop fighting to give offensive linemen the respect and recognition we deserve."

Rather than a vote of Associated Press (AP) writers, the new award will be selected by a panel of six former offensive linemen and be based on the following criteria:

-- Skill Metrics: pass-block win rate, run-block win rate, penalties allowed, sacks allowed, helmet contact.

-- Impact: contribution to the team’s offensive success (e.g., total rushing yards, QB protection stats).

-- Leadership: display of leadership, teamwork and consistency on and off the field.

-- Durability: minimum number of snaps, games played.

-- Strength of Opponent: Success vs. high-performing defenders.

It seems specific criteria are to be met, with more details to follow. But I’d bet that “skill metrics” will come from analytics platforms like Pro Football Focus, Sports Information Solutions and/or others, though nothing’s been confirmed. Beyond that, the panel evaluates stats (e.g., rushing yards, sacks allowed, snap count) and balances them with intangibles -- similar to how writers and former players approached awards like this in the past.

In other words, the concept isn’t new; it’s been done before.

The AP had a “Lineman of the Year” award from 1957-59, but it covered offensive linemen, defensive linemen and linebackers. Only one offensive lineman -- Giants' Hall-of-Fame tackle Rosey Brown -- was the recipient. Nevertheless, the AP had the right idea with an award for non-backs, even if it wasn't for blockers alone.

In 1964, a Wisconsin civic group called the National 1,000-Yard Club (think college awards like the Rotary Club’s Lombardi Award for interior linemen) introduced an "Outstanding Blocker" award. Then, the NFL Players' Association started its own offensive lineman of the year in 1967, with the NFL Alumni and a few others following.

Unfortunately, they’re all gone.

Interest fizzled, and the last one, from the NFL Alumni, hung on until 2010. On the bright side, Pro Football Focus has been handing out the “Bruce Matthews Award” to its highest-graded offensive lineman, but it's only known to PFF subscribers.

That's why I'm happy with the "Protector of the Year" award. It's a solid step forward, and, yes, I’m a sucker for end-of-year awards, postseason honors or whatever you want to call them. But if this one catches on, it might dust off the history books and bring attention to some of those outdated awards, known mostly to historians, researchers, and astute football writers.

Reflecting on the past, we can honor Miami's Hall-of-Fame center Dwight Stephenson, who dominated the NFLPA AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year award for five consecutive seasons from 1983-87. Likewise, Hall-of-Famer Jackie Slater claimed the same award four times during the 1980s.

However, the undisputed champion of offensive lineman awards is Anthony Muñoz. In an era when multiple organizations offered such honors, Muñoz secured at least one award seven times throughout his career.

Here’s the breakdown of his accolades:

1981: Seagram's 7 Crowns of Sports, Football Digest

1982: NFLPA-AFC, NFL Alumni, Football Digest

1986: Seagram's 7 Crowns of Sports

1987: NFL Alumni

1988: NFLPA-AFC, NFL Alumni

1989: NFLPA-AFC, NFL Alumni, Miller Lite

1990: NFLPA-AFC, NFL Alumni, Miller Lite

Note: The above awards were voted on by a diverse group, including magazine editors (Football Digest), assistant coaches (Seagram's 7 Crowns of Sports), sportswriters and broadcasters (Miller Lite), active players (NFLPA), and retired players (NFL Alumni).

I believe the consistent ranking of Muñoz as the top left tackle in numerous polls is compelling evidence that he's the greatest left tackle ever and potentially the finest offensive lineman, regardless of position, of all time -- with polls one metric for such evaluations.

However, it's unfortunate that no offensive lineman award existed for a decade and a half. Imagine how many accolades players like Zack Martin, Trent Williams or Jason Kelce might have earned. Water under the bridge, I guess.

But at least now the "offensive lineman of the year" legacy endures, and that's due in large part to Dawkins’ efforts to revive appreciation for the position as well as it is to the NFL’s willingness to respond. And you know something? I like it.