The former Minnesota Vikings great recently spoke about the current team and how their defense compares with the legendary Purple People Eaters.
Carl Eller knows a thing or two about what it takes to be great. The former Minnesota Vikings defensive end helped lead the franchise to four Super Bowls from 1969 to 1976 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in 2004.
Eller has enjoyed the success of his old team this year and thinks this season’s group of players actually have what it takes to deliver the franchise its very first Super Bowl win. The former Vikings pass-rusher recently spoke to the Pioneer Press about the talent in Minnesota this year.
"“The team is very optimistic. They’re playing to not only play in the Super Bowl but to win the Super Bowl, and I think they can. They’ve got the No. 1 defense, and I think they’re probably the best team in football right now.”"
Regarding the Vikings’ current defense, which leads the NFL in a multitude of statistical categories right now, Eller also expressed how this group reminds him of the defenses he used to be a part of during his playing days in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota Vikings
"“I think they compare well with the Purple People Eaters. Teams in the past have had a really hard time living up to the Purple People Eater legends, and that’s been very difficult, and they’re the best ones to really do that.”"
That is quite the compliment from Eller about this season’s defense, especially considering how dominant the defensive group known as Purple People Eaters were back in the day. From 1969 to 1976, Minnesota’s defense finished third in the NFL or better in points allowed per game seven times.
The talent the Vikings’ have displayed on the defensive side of the ball in 2017 is obviously bringing back good memories for the former member of the Purple People Eaters. For Minnesota, the hope is that this year’s defense can experience similar success to the teams that Eller was once a part of.
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Perhaps they can even accomplish something the Purple People Eaters never did and end the season with a Super Bowl victory.