Unless Munchak was hurt, Matthews never played LG - at least, not during the heyday. Not sure what he did, post run'n'shoot/Tennessee eras. He started as a RG, opposite Munchak - and eventually played LT & C, I know for sure. Salem was the LT in '83. In '84, Steinjuker played RT. I don't recall when Bruce first moved, or where. Matthews was one of 7 (!) first round picks in '83 that went to the Hall of Fame. Bananas. Munchak was taken 2-3 slots ahead of Marcus Allen in '82 - I remember being sooooooooo mad at the time.
No; Steinkuler was their starting RT. Williams was selected in '89 and, yes - as @Buck Turgidson said, was involved in Babygate in... was that '93? He replaced Steinkuler as RT.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1984_roster.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1986_roster.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1987_roster.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1988_roster.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1989_roster.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1990_roster.htm @Hey Now! and @Buck Turgidson you guys were right and my memory was wrong! From 1986-90 I was watching games at 0100 in the Philippines and likely was half out of it. Thanks for making me look at those old rosters, brought back a lot of memories!
Bruce started at least 16 games at every OL position with the Oilers https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MattBr00.htm
So, I just looked it up…Matthew’s DID play all five OL positions and made the pro bowl at C, LG & RG. Greatest OL ever? Too bad he had to wear those clown suits at the end of his career.
If I recall right, Steinkuhler got the most accolades as a draftee, but Mathews got the most as a pro.
Thats 4 tackles on roster. I dont see us trading up for a tackle, but definately for a guard like booker
A seventh Rounder headed into his 11th season. Draft position isn't everything. But at 6'8 1/2" and 380, he's a man you might want to run behind on short yardage situations.
So Matthews moved to LG in '95, two years after Munchak retired. I did not remember Munchak only playing 12 seasons; seemed like he was there FOREVER. What's crazy about Matthews... he may lay claim to being the best RG, C and possibly LG in team history. How many players are the best in their franchise's history at three different positions?? - was a RG for FIVE seasons, & was 1st team All-Pro 3 times - was a C for FIVE seasons, & was 1st team All-Pro once; 2nd team All-Pro twice - was a LG for SIX seasons, & was 1st team All-Pro 3 times; 2nd team All-Pro once I don't *think* we can put him ahead of Munchak at LG - but it's more quantity than quality. Matthews had more 1st team All-Pro selections (3 to 2). Munchak was 2nd team All-Pro six times (Matthews once) - but Munchak also played twice as many seasons! There's an argument that Bruce Matthews is the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history.
Steinkuler was never healthy. Knee was wrecked in college, IIRC. Probably played bone-on-bone for the entirety of his career.
He's coming off a torn patella tendon, so my expectations are low. However, if he somehow made a miraculous recovery, he could compete for the right tackle spot. Unfortunately, I think he'll likely end up on injured reserve before the season is over.
It's not a terribly difficult argument. The only OL with more 1st team All-Pro selections than Matthews' 7 (several are tied with him) are Otto (10), Mix (9), Munoz (9) & Parker (8). Parker played several different positions - but was only AP at LT & LG. Matthews is - I believe - the only OL with 1T AP selections at 3 different positions (RG, C & LG).
