Most of you probably never had the opportunity to see Deacon Jones play. He was a member of the Fearsome Foursome, on the LA Rams. They were sacking QBs before the members of the Steel Curtain still had their permanent teeth. The Purple People Eaters included more than the Viking's d line, so it was not as exclusive a club.
In Deacon's era, the ends were the defensive stars. There were plenty of good linebackers, but the defensive ends were the playmakers. Offensive lineman put medical tape over the ear holes in their helmets to reduce the shock of the dreaded "head slaps" from the d lineman. In those days, torn knee ligaments ended your career.
The game of football has improved a lot. You can win a game even if you can't run the ball. A team can come back from great deficits to win. The players are phenomenal athletes.
However, I still miss the days when the defensive ends dominated the field of play.
In Deacon's era, the ends were the defensive stars. There were plenty of good linebackers, but the defensive ends were the playmakers. Offensive lineman put medical tape over the ear holes in their helmets to reduce the shock of the dreaded "head slaps" from the d lineman. In those days, torn knee ligaments ended your career.
The game of football has improved a lot. You can win a game even if you can't run the ball. A team can come back from great deficits to win. The players are phenomenal athletes.
However, I still miss the days when the defensive ends dominated the field of play.
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