Purple People Eaters

The Purple People Eaters was the nickname of the Minnesota Vikings football team's defensive line of the late 1960s to the late 1970s, when the Vikings played in four Super Bowls. The name comes from the purple color of the Vikings' uniforms and a song by Sheb Wooley entitled "Purple People Eater". The Purple People Eaters motto was "meet at the quarterback." The most prominent members of the line were:

• Defensive tackle Alan Page, 9 Pro Bowl Selections (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976), NFL MVP (1971), Hall of Fame
• Defensive end Carl Eller, 6 Pro Bowl Selections (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974), Hall of Fame
• Defensive end Jim Marshall, 2 Pro Bowl Selections (1968, 1969)
• Defensive tackle Gary Larsen, 2 Pro Bowl Selections (1969, 1970)

The Purple People Eaters were a big factor in the post-season success of the Vikings from the late 1960s through the 1970s. One of the original members of the defensive line, Gary Larsen, was replaced in the mid-1970s by Doug Sutherland. The Purple People Eaters were one of the most identifable front fours in NFL history, along with the "Fearsome Foursome" of the Los Angeles Rams during the 1960s and early 1970s, the "Steel Curtain" of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s, and the "New York Sack Exchange" of the New York Jets during the 1980s. Carl Eller and Alan Page were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen have yet to get in.

The Building of the Purple People Eaters

If anyone should receive the majority of the credit for assembling this dominant front four that turned the Vikings from mediocre to a dominant force is Hall of Fame General Manager Jim Finks. Jim Finks was the Vikings General Manager from 1964-1973. His first year on the Job, he drafted Carl Eller. The next year, he acquired Gary Larsen. Then in 1967 which was known as one of the best Drafts in Vikings history, Finks Drafted Alan Page. Jim Marshall was the only one he didn't pick up since Marshal was already with the Vikings when Finks came in. So Jim Finks is the man who brought in Eller, Larsen and Page to join Marshall and they became one of the most dominant front fours in NFL history.

Wrong Way Run

In a 1964 game against the San Fransisco 49ers Jim Marshall recovered a fumble and ran 66 yards in the wrong direction thinking he scored a touchdown for the Vikings but ended up scoring a safety for the Niners. However, Marshall made up for it by sacking the Quarterback, and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Carl Eller who returned it 45 yards for the winning touchdown as the Vikings would win 27-22. So you can say that Marshall traded two points for seven points.

1968-1971

Four Years later, Marshall would make his first pro bowl along with Eller, and Page as the Vikings won their first divisional title.

In 1969, All Four members of the Vikings front line would start in the Pro Bowl. The Vikings were ranked the number one overall Defense and lead the league with least points given up and were uncredited with 50 sacks. Their offense was just as immpressive leading the league with points scored. This combination lead the team to their first NFL Championship and Super Bowl IV.

The next year, the Vikings defense once again led the league with least points and yards given up and with 49 sacks. Then in 1971, the Vikings were ranked the number two defense but once again led the league in least points given up. The Vikings defense was so dominant that Defensive tackle Alan Page was voted NFL MVP while defensive end Carl Eller was NEA NFL Defensive player of the year.

Three Super Bowls in Four years

With the Vikings intimidating line leading their defense and their future Hall of Fame Quarterback Fran Tarkenton leading the offense, the Vikings went on to participate in Super Bowl VIII, IX, and XI. In 1973, Alan Page was named NEA Defensive player of the year.

In 1974, the aging Gary Larsen would lose his starting job to Doug Sutherland who filled in very nicely for next several years.

After the 1974 season, Larsen retired, but missed out on an incredible season as the Vikings Defense was once again ranked number one in yards given up and Fran Tarkenton was voted NFL MVP. The Season would come to a disappointing end as the Cowboys would pull off a Hail Mary to beat the Vikings in the first round 17-14. The win was not without controversy as the majority of the people believed there was a push off as that play went down as the 10th most luckiest play ever.

In 1976, The Vikings would win yet another divisional title and would make it to there 3rd Super Bowl (4th overall) in four years. But for the fourth time in four Super Bowls, they lost. That Year, Alan Page lead the league with 18 of the Vikings 46 sacks.

A Slow Break up

After 6 games during the 1978 season, Alan Page was traded to the Chicago Bears where he collected 40 sacks in 3.625 years before he retired in 1981.

After the 1978 season, Carl Eller was traded to the Seattle Seahawks where he collected three more sacks in his final season.

After the 1979 season, Marshall retired but unlike Eller and Page, he retired as a Viking. After 20 seasons (19 with the Vikings and 1 with the Browns) Marshall Never missed a start setting a then League record with 282 consecutive starts. On his last home game, Marshall was carried off the field by his teammates.

Purple People Eaters II

This version of the Purple People Eaters were not always together and did not stay together nearly as long as the originals. But there were years where they got more sack than the Originals ever did. They were a dominant force from the late 80's to the early 90's. Theier most prominent members of this force were,

• Defensive linemen John Randle, 7 Pro Bowl selections (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001), Hall of Fame
• Defensive end Chris Doleman, 8 Pro Bowl selections (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997),
• Defensive tackle Keith Millard, 2 Pro Bowl selections (1988, 1989)
• Defensive tackle Henry Thomas, 2 Pro Bowl selections (1991, 1992)
• Defensive end Al Noga
• Defensive end Roy Barker

Number one defense two years in a row

The Starting front four in the beginning were, Doleman, Millard, Thomas and Noga. They were a dominant force who had a great time demonizing the quarterback and played a big role in them being the number one defense two years in a row and the Vikings once again becoming a dominant force.

In 1989, The Vikings led the league with a franchise record 71 sacks. 59.5 of those sacks were by their starting Front Four. (Doleman with 21, Millard with 18, Noga with 11.5, and Thomas with 9). Millard's 18 is the most sacks ever by a defensive tackle in one season and Doleman's 21 is a franchise record and was the more than anyone had that year.

Millard's career changing injury

In a week four game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Millard suffered a severe knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. Millard would return to play for three more teams in two years but was never a dominant force. In his nine years, he collected 58 sack and two interceptions.

The year Millard went down, was the year that Future Hall of Famer John Randle came in and in his thirs year in, he would become the starting defensive tackle, filling in very nicely.

Early 90's

In 1992, The Vikings led the league with 51 sacks. 41 of those sacks were by their front four. (Doleman with 14.5, Randle with 11.5, Noga with 9, and Thomas with 6.) To go with their 51 sacks, the defense also had 28 interceptions with 6 touchdowns. The Vikings would go 11-5 winning the division and Doleman and Thomas would make the Pro Bowl.

In 1993, Al Noga was a free agent and went play for the Washington Redskins. He would be replaced by Roy Barker who racked up 9 sacks his first year as a starter. That year, the Vikings were ranked the number one defense once again with 45 sacks, 24 interceptions and 2 pick sixes. For the second year in a row, both Doleman and Randle had double digit sacks (12.5 for each) as they both would make the Pro Bowl.

Doleman and Thomas gone, John Randle stays

In 1994, Doleman went on to play for the Falcons while Thomas went to play for the Detroit Lions in 1995. Meanwhile Randle would go on to have individual success while playing with decent but not great linemen like Jerry Ball, Derrick Alexander, Duane Clemons.

In 1997, John Randle lead the league with 15.5 Sacks. Then in 1998, Randle and the Vikings defense were ranked sixth in least points given up. But the defense was overshadowed by their explosive offense that lead the league in points with what was then an NFL record of 556 points. This dominant Vikings team would go 15-1 only to lose a heartbreaking Overtime loss in the NFC Championship to the Falcons.

Doleman's return

In 1999, Chris Doleman came back to play one more season with the Vikings in hope to get a Super Bowl ring to go with his many records. Randle, despite getting 10 sacks, did not make the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1992. The Vikings still would make the playoffs but would lose in a shoot out to the eventual Super Bowl Champions St. Louis Rams. After that Season, Doleman retired.

In 2001, John Randle would go on to play three more years with the Seahawks where he collected 23.5 sacks and made one more Pro Bowl. Randle Retired with 137.5 Sacks (Most ever by a Defensive tackle).

Purple People Eaters III

This current version of the Minnesota Vikings Purple People Eaters still lives and is has the ability to not only sack the Quarterback but also to stop the run. This Front Four is considered the best in the NFL today and the perhaps the best since the Original Purple People Eaters. The members of this intimidating force would be,

• Defensive tackle Kevin Williams, 5 Pro Bowl Selections (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• Defensive end Jared Allen, 3 Pro Bowl Selections (2007, 2008, 2009)
• Defensive tackle Pat Williams, 3 Pro Bowl Selections (2006, 2007, 2008)
• Defensive end Ray Edwards

Williams Wrecking Crew/Williams Wall

This duo of Kevin and Pat Williams were known as the Williams Wrecking Crew as well as the Williams Wall. from 2006 to 2008, the Minnesota Vikings were ranked the number one run defense. The Williams's were a the big reason for that as they clogged up the middle very well and together started in the Pro Bowl. In 2006, The Vikings were less than 20 yards from being the number one run defense of all time.

In 2007, not only were the Vikings the best defense against the run but they also lead the league with 8 defensive touchdowns (6 interceptions and 2 Fumbles) and a Saftey which was made by new comer Ray Edwards. Kevin Williams had two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns. He also recovered a fumble that he returned for an 85 yard touchdown that got called back on a holding call. So, Kevin ran 85 yards for nothing. All that would bring both Kevin and Pat Williams to the Pro Bowl again.

The Jared Allen Trade

After the 2007 season, The Vikings traded their first round draft pick and two third round draft picks to the Kansas City Chiefs for Jared Allen who led the league with 15.5 sacks in 2007.

Jared Allen was a great addition to the Vikings front line as he racked up 14.5 sacks and two safties. The other three Vikings down Line men had great years too as the Vikings were third in the league with 45 sacks. That year, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams all made the Pro Bowl as the Vikings won their first division title since 2000.

In 2008, The Vikings were the second best defense against the run but lead the league with 48 Sacks. 31 of those sacks were by their Front Four (14.5 by Jared Allen, 8.5 by Ray Edwards, 6 by Kevin Williams, and 2 by Pat Williams). That year The Vikings would win their division again. In the divisional Playoffs against the Cowboys, Ray Edwards played outstanding with 3 of the Vikings 6 sacks, 5 tackles (all for a loss), and 1 forced fumble as the Vikings beat the heavily favored Cowboys 34-3. The Vikings would then move on to the NFC Championship against the eventual Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints. They would lose a heartbreaking and controversial overtime loss.

This current front Line has been a major strength to the Vikings defense as well as their team. They have been called several names like "Thunder and Plunder" "Shock in AWWE" "Land of 10,000 sacks" "Three men and a mullet" and more.

The Formidable foursome

A chapter in book written by Bob Sansevere talks about who would make the Minnesota Vikings all time best Front Four. To be fair though, it was written before the current Vikings front line got to be known as a dominant force. The first people Sansevere mentioned were Hall of Famers Alan Page and Carl Eller. Page was a big reason it was hard for opposing teams to run inside. Also Page had 18 sacks in 1976 and led the team in sacks six separate seasons. Eller on the other hand, leads the franchise with 130 sacks. Eller could just blow by Offensive linemen and would not only hit the quarterback, but hit him hard.

Fellow purple people eater Jim Marshall who played longer than anyone else was a great defensive end who was very fast and could hit hard but unfortunately, he doesn't make the cut as he loses this one to Chris Doleman. Doleman in his first two years was an outside Line backer. Then when the Vikings switched to a four-three, Doleman was moved to Defensive end and was one of the most feared pass rushers during his time. Doleman hold the franchise record with 21 sacks in 1989. It's a travesty he's not in the Hall of Fame.

Next to Doleman was Keith Millard. Millard was a huge reason Doleman had so much success. Doleman and Millard were one of the best tackle-end tandem of the 1980's. In 1989, when Doleman had 21 sacks, Millard had 18. There never really was a moment where Millard was shut down in a game.

Later on, John Randle came into the NFL and had a Hall of Fame type career and was able to rack up quite a few sacks. Randle could not only play Tackle, but he also played end sometimes. He was good but he just wasn't as intimidating Eller, Doleman, Page, or Millard. Like Sansevere says, "If Eller, Page, Doleman and Millard could have played together, it wouldn't just be fearsome. it would have been a formidable foursome."

• Alan Page
• Carl Eller
• Chris Doleman
• Keith Millard

External links

• Minnesota Vikings Website