Offensive linemen. It's as if the word offensive in their job title hints at something else besides the fact they are actually part of the unit that handles the ball. No other player is so thoroughly under appreciated and marginalized in football.

And they know all too well how the football adage goes—if their names aren't called they are doing their jobs.

But the New York Giants offensive line has been so good they are starting to be recognized for the job they do.

Leading the NFL in total rushing yards, average yards per rush, average yards rushing per game, total points scored, and average points scored per game will do that.

Don't know this group that helped the Giants win the Super Bowl?

They are left tackle David Diehl, left guard Rich Seubert, center Shaun O'Hara, right guard Chris Snee, and right tackle Kareem McKenzie.

Television color analyst John Madden calls them the best offensive line in the NFL.

They are young enough to have a great future—Diehl is 28, Seubert and McKenzie each are 29, O’Hara is 31, and Snee is 26.

A great offensive line takes time to put together as ESPN's John Clayton wrote before the Giants' Super Bowl win. And the line went through different experimental phases and players to get to it's present lineup today as Giants beat writer Michael Eisen wrote in June 2005.

All the hard work has paid off.

"Collectively those five guys are as good as any Pro Bowl offensive line you can put together," said Bart Oates, who was the center on the Giants' Super Bowl teams in '86 and '90.

"They work as well together as any group I have ever seen," said Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Before a game against the Giants, the Baltimore Ravens gave up an average of 65.4 rushing yards.

Running back Brandon Jacobs ran for more than half that amount on the second play and the Giants finished with their fifth 200-yard game of the season.

"The holes were gaping. Gaping," said Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce after the game. "If you give any NFL back holes like that, he's going to look like Gayle Sayers."

The line has started intact almost every game for the past two seasons.

Oakland Raiders personnel executive Mike Lombardi believes that since there is no clear favorite for MVP with only four weeks left in the regular schedule, why not consider the Giants' offensive line?

He believes the line has controlled games, paving the way for the NFL's most powerful team.

History indicates that the award will go to a skill player. Although the award does not have to go to one player and can go to a position group, it's never happened.

Since statistics are the focus in today's sports, the Giants' offensive line would not receive consideration because statistics for offensive lines are not officially recorded by the NFL.

Big, tough, and physical, the Giants' offensive line most often own the line of scrimmage.

As well as the line has played in recent seasons, no single player has been voted for the Pro Bowl.

This season that will most likely change. Many football analysts believe that O'Hara, Seubert, and Snee will each go to their first Pro Bowl. The Giants are first in runs up the middle, sixth in runs to left tackle and tenth in runs to right tackle.

According to Pro Football Weekly, the three players have combined for just seven penalties and three sacks allowed.

Other analysts say that years from now, these five Giants linemen will rank up there with the '60s Packers, '70s Raiders, and '90s Cowboys as one of the greatest offensive lines of all time.

If the Giants win another Super Bowl or two, the offensive line will certainly rank among the greats.

Let's call their names in recognition for the job that they do as potentially one of the best units in NFL history.

Diehl, Seubert, O'Hara, Snee, McKenzie.

As Giants coach Tom Coughlin said, "They are the heart and soul of this team."

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