Winning – There’s a Team for That

The Purple People Eaters. The Steel Curtain.  Air Coryell. The Hogs. The Greatest Show on Turf.

Minnesota Vikings Defense

Team nicknames were a source of pride for winners throughout NFL history. Yesterday, when the Patriots agreed to an injury settlement with Torry Holt, it could perhaps end the careers of the Greatest Show on Turf, the St. Louis Rams amazing offense that unexpectedly turned the league on its heels. I had to look back at some of those electrifying moves. Were they the last team to have a group ID?

Today’s players have individual nicknames to keep their personal brand out front. On his radio show yesterday, Coach John Thompson wondered if sports are losing the concept of team due to free agency and other decisions. Players move more often and more quickly, city to city, losing the chance to establish a group identity.

I had the opportunity to do a fun, short video with Carl Eller of Minnesota’s heralded Purple People Eaters. When he id’s himself, he lists the name of the other member of that front four as if they’ve all somehow taken each others name to merge into one identity, while still keeping their individualism. The Washington Redskins’ Hogs were just as tight. Over two seasons (1982 and 1983) Jacoby, Starke, Grimm, May and Bostic would miss a combined total of just ONE game. Where one went, the others followed. They were a true group that prides themselves to this day in their playing days.

One of the past week’s blog posts looked at five players who moved on from teams they’d spent over a decade with, searching for glory. I couldn’t think of once during these five talented players’ careers where a team developed around them and maintained a group ID. Jason Taylor, Flozell Adams, Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook – each has built a lasting legacy. None have a ring. They need a team for that.

Carl Eller Minnesota Vikings HOF/Ron Kramer Green Bay Packers from Sideline Pass on Vimeo.

Purple People Eaters: The front four of the Minnesota Vikings from the late 60′s through the 70′s.  Their motto was “Meet at the quarterback.” The team won three Super Bowls in four years.

The Steel Curtain: The front four the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ’70s that soon extended to the entire defense. The team won four Super Bowls.

Air Coryell: The high-flying offense of the San Diego Chargers in the late ’70′s and early 80′s  named for its head coach Don Coryell.

The Hogs: The chunky front line named “The Hogs” by Washington Redskins Offensive Coach Joe Bugel.

The Greatest Show on Turf: The St. Louis Rams amazing offense from 1999 – 2001, that is the only team in NFL history to score 500+ points in 3 consecutive seasons.