Lovingly called Spiderman, due to his last name. Ask, and ye shall receive (which is to say, 'NEVER ASK') Just like George Costanza in Seinfeld wanted to be called T-bone and ended up being named after a gorilla; the harder you fight a nickname, the more your buddies and pals will make you 'wear' it. The front five of Al Cowlings, Bubba Scott, Charlie Weaver, Jimmy Gunn and Tody Smith attacked the pocket with regularity, pounding quarterbacks along the way. Whether the name came from that or was in the minds of others before, we shall never know. Nicknames for entire teams, or whole offensive or defensive units. Football people finally started to notice that something amazing was happening in Atlanta, at least on the defensive side of ball. New York Jetsfront four, early 1980s; Not many nicknames capture the essence of an era and a city much like this one. Snail. When a state has multiple nicknames, the official or most common state nickname is listed first. The most iconic version of the Hogs was the unit that was first given the nickname. His quickness, technique and anchor allow him to handle any type of pass-rusher. The Los Angeles Rams had the first and the best. It starts with C Barrett Jones. They were known as the Purple People Eaters because of the Vikings trademark purple uniforms and team's dominating front line. The offensive unit is primarily responsible for trying to score points. The Steelers won the Super Bowl in 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1980. 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. Behind Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, St. Louis won the 2000 Super Bowl but lost to the Patriots as heavy favorites in 2002. Cowboy," making the All-Decade team for the 70s and eventually the Hall of Fame. They may be under-represented in Canton, Ohio, but the Dolphins' "No Name" defense has a unique place in NFL history as the only unit that did not lose a game for an entire season. The name persisted somewhat as, although they would later qualify for the playoffs several times since then, they did not win a playoff game until their defeat of . The Broncos of the 70s sported Popsicle orange uniforms. The Purple People Eaters coined the phrase, "Meet at the Quarterback," and many a QB feared their hunger. Behind the Hogs, "The Diesel" ran for a playoff record 610 yards in four playoff games. Simpson establish numerous NFL records. It held its three playoff opponents to a combined 18 points, including a 24-3 win over Miami in the Super Bowl. Ainge first acquired Seattle SuperSonics sharpshooter Ray Allen with a draft night deal, and then procured 2004 MVP Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Was a star receiver, From a common mispronunciation of his last name, Given to him by his parents because he would run "all day" / His initials, Schindler was one of the earliest scrambling quarterbacks. For an encore, the Steel Curtain sacked Roger Staubach seven times in Super Bowl X. His hard-hitting, game-changing play style. In 1991 and 1992, the Dome Patrol led the league in fewest points allowed. Only two of those players, Jonah Williams and Hakeem Adeniji, started Super Bowl 56. Ryan brought relentless pressure on opposing QBs, often rushing five to eight defenders on every play. Nicknamed after Sheb Wooley's 1958 hit song, the line primarily featured Alan Page, Carl Eller (both Hall of Famers), Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen. Patrick lays out a great case of why the forgotten defense of the 1977 Falcons might be the best ever. As you might expect, the Titans' offensive line is better at run blocking than pass protecting. 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. Nevertheless, if they can get healthy, they could be a top-10 unit in the second half of the season. Since Joe Namath in Super Bowl III, New York Jets' fans haven't had much to cheer about. I'm almost positive that you're assigning them to the border and that although you create the offensive line you're not assigning any units to it. Cleveland Browns 2. The Jets' lack of postseason success is what ultimately led to them not being higher on this list. Living up to their name and the lofty hype surrounding them, the Fierce Five -- Gabby Douglass, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber -- became the second U.S. women's gymnastics team to win Olympic gold, claiming the top of the podium at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Some said the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s played dirty. Additions will denote either the most recent team that player played for, or the round of the draft they were selected. 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. The intimidation and fantastic ball control on offense worked. Reference to the wide avenue that ran through New York, the city where he played QB with the New York Jets. Doomsday linebacker Chuck Howley holds the unique distinction of being the only Super Bowl losing player to be named its MVP. The Cowboys field the NFL's best offensive line when everyone is healthy, but Tyron Smith is all of a sudden back to dealing with nagging injuries. A subset of the Wild Bunch, the Smurfs were a group of diminutive wide receivers for the Redskins in the 1980s. Reference to Colston's shyness and ability to make big plays. From 1984 to 1986, the Bears had the number one ranked defense in football. Merlin Olson and Deacon Jones led the Los Angeles Rams defense line in the 1960s and early 1970s. 7", "Hair length proposal delayed until May; defensive helmet radios approved", NFL passes "Brian Bosworth rule," linebackers can now wear jerseys numbered 40-49, "Rules of the Name, or How The Emmitt Rule Became the Emmitt Rule", "Calvin Johnson catch: Another silly NFL rule", ESPN.com: NFL votes to rein in TD celebrations, "CBA inertia? Mix had a degree in law at the time he played professional football. Led by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the Americans were so dominant that their closest match -- the gold medal final -- was won by 32 points over Croatia. Today the name Purple People Eaters stirs a fond memory in the hearts and minds of many NFL fans. The Rams defensive line is credited with being one of the first to use stunts and shifts to confuse opposing offenses. Led by their defense and quarterback Fran Tarkenton, the Vikings played in four of the first 11 Super Bowls. Alaska: The Last Frontier. Named after the hit 1950s song, the Vikings' defensive line was perfectly personified by its incredibly awesome nickname. The Detroit Lions have built the foundation to become one of the strongest offensive line units in the league, according to one PFF analyst. 1. The season the New York Sack Exchange cemented itself and the organization finally made it back to the playoffs. Minnesota advanced to the Super Bowl four times between 1970 and 1977 but lost each time. Detroit defeated Michael Jordan's Bulls on the way to NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. Greene had an interception and a fumble recovery, while White recorded the first safety in Super Bowl history. From his mother. If nothing, the Big Blue Wrecking Crew should be remembered for this innovation. 16, page 23, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, played multiple offensive and defensive positions, Tuesday Morning Quarterback#"TMQ" team nicknames, Football Nicknames: Over 7,400 Listed by Terry Pruyne, "Beneath Brown Bags, Saints Had Loyal Fans", "A look back at the many New York Giant handles, aliases, and nicknames", "Sports E-Cyclopedia History of the NY Giants", "NFL Beat: Rhodes' Warriors need a nickname", "Why Patriots defensive players nicknamed themselves 'The Boogeymen', "Scary-good Patriots 'Boogeymen' lead NFL's top D", "Boston TE party: Gronkowski unstoppable for Patriots", "Boston's TE Party: Patriots' Gronkowski & Hernandez Key to Offensive Juggernaut", "Tank Younger, 73, First Star From Black College to Play in N.F.L., Dies", "NFL Playoffs Begin with Wild Card Weekend", "Reebok Detroit Lions Cardiac Cats T-shirt", "No Lions comeback this time: Cardiac Cats rest easy", "Leftwich, Cardiac Jags Stun Kansas City", "New England Deflatriots? With all those investments, the franchise should really have a dominant offensive line instead of praying to get away with it as the team's weakness every week. After creating it, select the units you want to be a part of it and ctrl+click on the offensive line. His speed; given to him in the beginning of the 2011 season, a play on his initials. However, most football fans know the term as referring to the phenomenal Bear defenses of the 1980s - specifically the 1985 Bears. 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. With the the second ranked defense in the NFL, the Broncos reached their first Super Bowl. His mother gave him the nickname as he had many mood changes when he was young. In the final minute of the game Carl Banks dumped a tub of yellow Gatorade over the head of Parcells. 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The aggressive defense continued in a 10-3 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Maybe I'll take from my "what should we name our secondary thread" to call our Offensive Line "The Electric Fence." EDIT: Didn't realize this was a previous response for the idea. ", His initials. The name is an allusion to a, A play on the initials he had used as his. When new Redskins coach George Allen arrived in 1971, he decided he couldn't wait for young talent to develop. Though calling it "The Mjlnir" is probably really awkward. The most iconic version of the Hogs was the unit that was first given the nickname. Led by Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, Otis Wilson, Steve McMichael, Dave Duerson, Gary Fencik and William "Refrigerator" Perry, the unit allowed 10 total points during its three playoff wins, with seven of those points coming in garbage time late in Super Bowl XX, a game Chicago won 46-10. Examples are Alex Boone, Dakota Dozier, and Josh Kline. 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. Due to both his unusually athletic physique and habit of pretending to rip open his jersey to reveal a "S" underneath when scoring a rushing touchdown. Through the NFL's first 102 seasons, several units were so memorable that a nickname was bestowed upon them. Was plagued by concussions and injuries, referencing his presumed fragility, His similarity in appearance and demeanor to the character in the movie. An alliterative play on his last name and his speed; White, who led the league in rushing in his short three-year NFL career, was dismayed to find the nickname stuck with him well into his legal career (eventually ending up a Supreme Court Justice). 1660. 2nd Armored Division, US Army: The 2nd Armored Division was active from 1940 to 1995 and was once commanded by Gen. Patton. Flame brain. Since 2015, the Bengals have drafted 12 offensive linemen. He replaces former offensive coordinator Grant Chesnut, who had been in the position since the program's founding before taking the same . The quote was from Vikings Pro Bowl running back Chuck Foreman during Super Bowl IX. With the perfect season of 17-0, the Dolphin defense never failed in this task. 19761980 New Orleans Saints dynamic running back duo known as "Thunder and Lightning". Send suggestions to siwriters@simail.com, 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Nickname given due to Spygate and several other Patriots scandals. Philadelphia won the Stanley Cup in each of those seasons behind intimidating defense and the superb goaltending of Bernie Parent. New York Jets fans certainly still remember the worth of the New York Sack Exchange. March 2, 2023 9:59 pm ET. The Big Three capped off the season with a championship and made another NBA Finals appearance in 2010. pass defense or interception). The name is a takeoff of the Redskins' "Hogs" offensive line. what is the bite force of a baboon.