Below I'll be counting down middle-11 offensive lines heading into the 2020 season, with an accompanying "key stat" from last year's unit, plus new faces coming to the team. The group played a vital role in the Vikings winning the 1969 NFL title, Minnesota's first and last championship. The linebacker corp featured the dominant Lawrence Taylor (NFL MVP in 1986), Carl Banks, Harry Carson, and Gary Reasons. The star of the unit, Mark Gastineau, was a hard-charging, gregarious player who recorded a then-NFL-record 22 sacks in 1984. An allusion to. A reference to his blond hair and his alma mater, Shortening of his last name which is Gronkowski. Maybe the Red Sox weren't smart enough to know any better. The Lakers also solidified their connection to Hollywood during this time, as home games became must-see events. His tendency to blitz despite being a safety. Chuck Howley and Lee Roy Jordan were staples at linebacker for the Doomsday during their early heyday. Dizzy Dean won 30 games, and hard-nosed players like Leo Durocher, Pepper Martin and Ripper Collins led the scrappy ballclub. The nickname was earned for accomplishments on the field. The nickname in question refers to Zuerlein's ability of making field goals from a distance. Defensive coordinator Belichick limited the Bills high-flying attack by dropping seven and eight men in coverage. For his speed, and his spectacular and graceful moves. In 1973, he broke the single-game rushing record and became the first player to total 2,000 yards in a season. Because he was "the most feared running back in the NFL. ", His initials. They were part of a unit that allowed this to. Greenwood, and menacing linemen Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, the unit led the Steelers to their first two Super Bowl wins of the decade. . Lindros also earned the Hart Memorial trophy in 1995 as league MVP. (NFL Films)FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/5OqpYmn5AjJET X: https://t.co/pqEImVyzzA pic.twitter.com/ujeR3vSvTm. Not many nicknames capture the essence of an era and a city much like this one. The 1934 Cardinals took the field in unwashed uniforms and earned their nickname from the unpleasant smell. The Dolphins wore their seemingly insulting nickname as a badge of honor for their team concept of defense. Ryan benefited from the presence of standout defense players such as Wilbur Marshall, William 'The Fridge" Perry, Steve McMichael, Dan Hampton, Leslie Frazier, Otis Wilson, team captain Mike Singletary, and Super Bowl MVP Richard Dent. Simpson bestowed this nickname on his offensive line because they "turned on the Juice." Running behind Reggie McKenzie, Joe. The Flyers suffered a second-half collapse in the 1993-94 season and slow start in 1994-95, but once the high-scoring, physical forward line of Eric Lindros, John LeClair and Mikael Renberg came together, Philadelphia took off. The whole team just had a swag to them, and it was electrifying! @Nelly_Mo on the 1999 St. Louis Rams #NFL100: NFL 100 GREATEST TEAMS on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/NRnlr52AkA, The NFL was growing in popularity in the '60s, which might be why this nickname is still revered by generations of football fans. Against John Elway and the Denver Broncos, the Giants won easily, 39-20. This nickname for the 1919 White Sox came from an incident that led to life-time bans for eight players and left a black mark on baseball. Washington's powerful offensive line paved the way to three titles and four Super Bowl appearances. Chipmunk. Rated by NFL Network as the No. The Big Three capped off the season with a championship and made another NBA Finals appearance in 2010. A nickname coined by his teammates on the Washington Redskins after peeing himself constantly during his career. He set a record for penalty minutes in a season with 348 in 1973-74, only to top it a year later with 472. However, the lone departure, Anthony Castonzo, was one. Faulk, acquired via a trade with the Colts during the '99 offseason, became the second player in league history to record 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season. The 1985 Bears defense ranked first in yards allowed and fewest points allowed. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. what is the bite force of a baboon. The unit also had historical cultural significance, as the quartet was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Bestowed in college, Huerta was renowned for keeping his composure (staying cool) in stressful situations. Half way through the next season, head coach Don Shula would insert Dan Marino into the starting quarterback role and for the next two decades the Dolphins would become one of the most highly powered offenses in NFL history. He's your most boring friend. ; possibly self-bestowed, Bestowed by his grandmother due to a childhood resemblance to. Bednarik is generally recognized as the last to have done so. They are remembered through the decades and recalled with fondness at their clever title, memorable players, and menacing presence. Apparent reference to his large size and penchant for eating. Play on Brees's last name and his perception as the savior of Saints Football. The unit, which was led by linebackers Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar, held opponents to 10.6 points per game. Originally given to his older brother, McNair earned it due to his impressive throwing talent, Went to college at Alabama. They also know that the quarterback is the captain of the unit, the one who gets most of the credit for success and most of the blame for failure. Defensive end Pete Lazetich thought the name fit the defensive line in the 1970 preseason, and its use grew from there. The Giants cruised to Super Bowl XXI. 1st Dragoon Guards. The Time article revealed a quote that demonstrated how dominant the Steel Curtain was. Whether the name came from that or was in the minds of others before, we shall never know. But they also played good baseball. Merlin Olson and Deacon Jones led the Los Angeles Rams defense line in the 1960s and early 1970s. The unit, despite losing Salaam after the '83 season, led the Jets to back-to-back playoff appearances in 1985-86. The 1976 Steelers were even better, allowing only 138 points in 14 games. Along with those brief spurts of success, Fitzpatrick is also notorious for going on cold streaks and drastrically underperfoming in games for multiple weeks. Winners of four Super Bowls in six seasons, the Steel Curtain was led by "Mean" Joe Greene (of who it was famously said, "hated losing more than he loved winning"), Mel Blount, L.C. NFL finds Patriots deflated 11 balls in 'Deflategate' AFC title game: report", "Sports E-Cyclopedia History of the Atlanta Falcons", "Sports E-Cyclopedia History of the Dallas Cowboys", "Don Shula on Patriots: 'the Spygate Thing Has Diminished What They've Accomplished', "Sports E-Cyclopedia History of the LA Rams", "Sam Darnold said 'I'm seeing ghosts' during awful MNF performance and fans crushed him", "FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT: RAMS: Just Call Him 'Air Chuck', "Patriots 4-1 at bye; return to action Oct. 22", "Nickname for the Jaguars' secondary? When the unit was formed it did not have a regimental number. More Offensive Line Rankings: 32-22 | 10-1. 1 heading into Monday night's game against L.A", "San Francisco's Million Dollar Backfield: The 49ers' Fabulous Foursome", "Monsters of the Midway finally Bearing (sic) their teeth", "Jets' 'New Jack City' DBs look to 'control the airways', "Sack Exchange Had a Brief, but Glorious, Run", Time to Take Stock Of Sack Exchange / Defensive unit considers its place in history, "An Unkindness of Ravens; a Murder of Crows. The win capped an 18-1 season that remains the tale of legends. While the entire unit has been hailed the Steel Curtain, the nickname -- the greatest for a unit in league annals -- was created initially for Pittsburgh's dominant defensive front. Alabama, a team loaded with five 300-plus pound potential All-Americans, has the top OL unit in the conference. In Super Bowl IX, it shut out Minnesota's offense while holding the Vikings to 102 total yards. Through the NFL's first 102 seasons, several units were so memorable that a nickname was bestowed upon them. What we do know is that in November of 1981, Gastineau, Lyons, Klecko, and Salaam were invited to ring the ceremonial opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Joe Montana's ability to remain calm in pressure situations earned him the nickname. Miami Dolphins running back duo from 1968 to 1974; named after. . New Orleans Saints After they began wearing brightly colored uniforms to match the rainbow colors on the No. Because of his powerback style of playcompared to a truck that ran on diesel. Back when he was famous only for his football skills, O.J. Sports Nicknames: 20,000 Professionals Worldwide by Terry W. 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All Rights Reserved. The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive lineincluding stalwarts like Mike Webster, Jon Kolb, Ray Mansfield, and Sam Davishelped blaze a trail for running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, and kept quarterback Terry Bradshaw safe during their epic run of four Super Bowl victories in six years. Philadelphia won the Stanley Cup in each of those seasons behind intimidating defense and the superb goaltending of Bernie Parent. Because they were part of the Guard & thought to be better fed than the Line. It has been used for Joe Flacco for his cool demeanor, especially during the postseason. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Redskins' offensive line coach Joe Bugel gave his unit this nickname during the 1982 training camp, and the Hogs' core of Jeff Bostic, Russ Grimm, Mark May and Joe Jacoby stayed together until the early 1990s. Joining with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and others, Johnson guided Los Angeles to five titles in nine seasons. In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they ranked all 32 offensive line units in the NFL heading into the 2021 season.Amidst all the uncertainty, the Raiders finished at No. He used this term to describe himself during an interview; afterward, fans continued to use the term. Led by linemen Bob Lilly and Larry Cole, linebackers Chuck Howley and Lee Roy Jordan, and defensive backs Mel Renfro, Herb Adderley and Cliff Harris, the Cowboys held the Dolphins to a mere three points in their Super Bowl VI victory. Greene had an interception and a fumble recovery, while White recorded the first safety in Super Bowl history. He started for an offensive unit that rushed for 200-plus yards . Fittingly, the MVP of Miami's first Super Bowl win was a defensive player: safety Jack Scott, whose two interceptions helped the Dolphins secure the franchise's first Super Bowl win. Other nicknames include: J-Load, Hefty Lefty, Abominable Throwman, Round Mound of Touchdown, Quarter(got)back, He Ate Me, and BBQ (Big Beautiful Quarterback). His remarkable ability to maintain a high level of play during the latter years of his 20-year career. That was probably true, as only one member of that defense -- linebacker Nick Buoniconti -- is in the Hall of Fame. There were 51 offensive linemen that were invited to the combine but . During the 1977 season, the Broncos' 3-4 defense carried the team to the Super Bowl, where it fell 27-10 to Dallas. The offense is led by the Offensive Coordinator, who, along with the Head Coach, determines the offensive strategy and calls plays. They played a key role in the strong rushing attack featuring John Riggins that helped the Redskins win three Super Bowls (and reach another) between 1983 and 1992. Bednarik worked as a concrete salesman during the NFL's offseason and was known for his hard hits and persistent endurance. They are not the official franchise nicknames of the National Football League (NFL). It held O.J. It's like planking, but dumber. . The '72 Dolphins defense -- which boasted the league's top-ranked unit during the regular season -- did not allow a single point in Super Bowl VII. The team got its nickname for its reliance on veteran players, but the old-timers had success. Also referred to as 'Kamtrack' and 'Kam Chancellor the Touchdown Canceller'. The Oreo : 2006/2007 Saints had an all black defensive line, all white linebacking core, and all black secondary. Before the Orange Crush's arrival, Denver had only seen two winning teams in 16 seasons and had never played in a playoff game. Back when he was famous only for his football skills, O.J. Relying on physical defense, Bill Laimbeer, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman and the rest of the Bad Boys pushed, shoved, elbowed and beat their opponents. Randy White was his defensive line mate and a future Hall of Fame mate. On the football field, the defense of the Denver Broncos consumed quarterbacks and provided hope to a city long in the ranks of losing. Flame brain. Fittingly, Jones is created with coining the term "sack.". ", "No. Jackson 5 has a nice ring to it", https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/jeff-stoutland-university-t-shirt-eagles-autism-foundation-jordan-mailata, "Sports E-Cyclopedia History of the Cleveland Browns", "Sports E-Cyclopedia History of the Miami Dolphins", CJOnline Blogs Martyball: The way it's played, "Dolphins Revived by Their Defense: Raiders: Rookies, castoffs make Miami No. The Bench Mob, which included Tony Delk, Tyrone Corbin, Bobby Jackson (Sixth Man of the Year in 2003), Scot Pollard and Jon Barry, among others, helped Sacramento to a league-best record and the Western Conference Finals in 2001-02. ", "Watch: Smiths Went From Longtime Friends to 'Brothers', "Smith 'Brothers' have helped push Packers closer to the Super Bowl", "Packers Agree to Extension with Preston Smith, Release Za'Darius Smith", "Jets rookie Damon Harrison earns nickname big snacks, motivated by rice krispie treats he won't eat", "Helping To Build New Minnesota Vikings Stadiums Since May 10, 2012", "Mark Schlereth Earned His Nickname "Stink" by NOT Holding It In During Football Games | FAIR GAME", "Jerry Richardson Happy With His Panthers", "The rap video Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly should have made", "The legend of 'Sweet Feet': How James White got his unique nickname", "ESPN Classic - Sweetness ran and ran and ran", "Pro Football Journal: Jared Goff: You're Up, Kid", "Sean McVay reveals new nickname for Aaron Donald", "Sean McVay: The Terminator will be ready", "Thunder and Lightning - Chuck Muncie and Tony Galbreath", "Chuck Muncie, Troubled N.F.L. This nickname is more than just awesome. In 1940, Chicago beat Washington 73-0 in the championship game, the biggest margin of victory in league history. The most iconic version of the Hogs was the unit that was first given the nickname. After a pair of losses to start the season, Cleveland ran off 11 wins in its final 14 games to capture the AFC Central title. Behind eight Hall of Famers, including Sid Luckman and Bronko Nagurski, the Bears powered their way to four NFL titles in seven years. Our win rate metics stack the best run-blocking, run-stopping, pass-protecting and pass-rushing players and teams in the game for the 2022 season. The Dolphin defense was the first to not allow their opposing offense to score in a Super Bowl. Led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year Joe Greene, perennial Pro Bowler L.C. Side note for humor: If you ever want to fool a novice football fan, ask them what #13 won a Super Bowl MVP for the Miami Dolphins. Doomsday linebacker Chuck Howley holds the unique distinction of being the only Super Bowl losing player to be named its MVP. Washington's powerful offensive line paved the way to three titles and four Super Bowl appearances. 40, a play on the, Hall's prolific special teams success during his prime was an "X factor," a facet of his team's attack plan that most other teams did not have. Nickname given to him by coach Vermeil because of his big play ability in the return game. Originally the nickname of his college girlfriend who was a short but powerful gymnast and later became Martin's nickname as well due to his short stature. The Cougars, featuring Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, also suffered one of the NCAA tournament's biggest upsets: a 62-60 loss to Jim Valvano's N.C. State team in the 1983 championship game. pic.twitter.com/POLvSEwkAb. Offensive line coach Cincinnati (1981-1982) Offensive line coach Kansas (1983-1985) Offensive line coach Pittsburgh (1986) Offensive coordinator & offensive line coach Dallas. The Broncos' 1977 AFC Championship run was fueled by an aggressive defense that boasted five Pro Bowlers: defensive end Lyle Alzado, linebackers Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson, cornerback Louis Wright and safety Bill Thompson.