Defensive Coordinator Floyd Peters Real Star of Surprising Vikings

When he hired Floyd Peters as defensive coordinator before the season, Minnesota Viking Coach Jerry Burns asked for only one thing: “Just stop ‘em.”

Under Peters, the Vikings have stopped ‘em better than almost any other team in the National Football League.

Minnesota has allowed opponents only 91 points through seven games, one more than the league-low Chicago Bears and New York Giants. That’s especially significant when one considers the Vikings had the NFL’s worst defense only two years ago.

“He (Peters) came in here and we had a long talk,” Burns said. “He said, ‘You guys have been running the 3-4 and basically I’m a 4-3 man.’ I said, ‘I don’t (care) what kind of defense you have. Just stop ‘em.’ And that’s what I always tell him on the sideline during games: ‘Just stop ‘em.’ ”

Peters’ defense has carried the Vikings to a 5-2 record, including last week’s 23-7 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Bears. In that game, Minnesota sacked Chicago quarterback Steve Fuller seven times, giving them 19 sacks for the season.

The Vikings had but 33 sacks all last year, third-worst in the NFL. Still, the sack increase isn’t too surprising, as Peters coached some of the league’s sack-happiest defenses--including the 1976 San Francisco 49ers, the 1978 Detroit Lions and the 1983 St. Louis Cardinals.

“Sacks are everything,” said Peters, whose defense faces Bernie Kosar and the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. “When you sack a quarterback, you deflate the offense and you steal momentum. There’s no better way to establish defensive dominance.”

Peters, 50, is a dominating figure. A three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman in the 1960s, he has size. And his gravelly voice and gruff demeanor command respect.

“When I walk in, nobody gets too excited about meeting this old, ugly, bald-headed guy,” he said. “But when I say something, I get their attention.

“Sure, I chew them out, but they realize I’m not that bad when they get to know me. The loafers, the losers, the dogs, they don’t like me because I’m vocal and abusive.

“Here, they had enough abuse in 1984 and just started having a little success in 1985 to know it feels good to win. They’ve got winners who don’t put up with losers.”

The defensive players have rallied around Peters, especially the linemen who were thrilled to go back to the four-man line in Peters’ 4-3 set.

“He’s been known for having the best pass-rushing teams in the league and he’s drilled into our heads that there’s nothing more important than pressuring the quarterback,” tackle Keith Millard said. “Floyd’s game plan is great.”

Said middle linebacker Scott Studwell: “You have to give Floyd Peters credit; he’s turned the program around. He’s molded his ideas around his personnel. He doesn’t profess to be the smartest person in the world, but you know he knows football.”

Burns was asked if he was concerned that another team would hire Peters as head coach.

“I’d be happy for him,” Burns said. “If I could help . . . I’d do anything I could.”

Said Peters: “Someday, I want to be a head coach. But I want to be a winning head coach, so I’ll gladly wait for the right chance. When you’re young, you want to do everything. But as you get older, you get to enjoy what you’ve got. I’m enjoying myself here and I enjoy winning. As Burnsie says, ‘We get paid to win, not to coach.”’

And, as Burnsie says, Peters gets paid to “just stop ‘em.”