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Even after "The Blind Side" came out, left tackles are not household names. If they were, Walter Jones would be just as famous as Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.But the best left tackle of his generation quietly retired on Thursday. When a knee injury effectively ended his career in 2008, Jones was still one of the top left tackles in the league.
But Jones could never be truly famous: even the Seahawks' tribute video for him lacks the drama of a Barry Sanders or Brett Favre highlight video. It's just hard to truly illustrate Jones' dominance by showing him absorbing blows as the perfect pass blocking left tackle.
But this may be the best way to explain it. As Adam Schefter tweeted Thursday, the Seahawks' coaching staff stats had Jones giving up 23 sacks and being called for nine holding penalties in 5,703 pass attempts in 12 seasons. The worst left tackles can give up 10 sacks in one season.
The Seahawks immediately retired his number (71), while former coach Mike Holmgren called him the best offensive player he ever coached -- it's a pretty impressive accolade when you consider Holmgren coached Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Steve Young and Brett Favre.
First-round pick Russell Okung is the pick to try to fill the gaping hole the Seahawks have had since Jones injured his knee. He may prove to be a very capable replacement, but it will be almost impossible for him to be as good as the player he's replacing.
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