Air Coryell could fill the air with offense

from Scott Fowler at the Charlotte Observer and CLICK HERE to read all.

Don Coryell died this week at age 85.

“Air Coryell” — his pass-happy offense co-piloted by quarterback Dan Fouts — entertained everyone in the early and mid-1980s. Coryell’s San Diego teams led the NFL in passing yards for six straight seasons. It was always Fouts droppping back and hitting Charlie Joiner, or Kellen Winslow, or John Jefferson, or Chuck Muncie. Or somebody.

I remember, mostly, the thrill of watching a Chargers game back in Coryell’s heyday. In an NFL mostly dominated by defense and 4-yard-runs, a San Diego game was a pleasure.

Coryell isn’t in the NFL hall of fame — Fouts, Winslow and Joiner all are, however. Their coach should join them there, posthumously. Although he never made it to a Super Bowl, he had a great — and positive — influence on the game that so many love

3 thoughts on “Air Coryell could fill the air with offense

  1. I am pretty sure he did back when the Cardinals were fighting it out with the Redskins, Cowboys, Eagles and Giants in the old NFL East Division…

    The Cardinals had a back that I remember named Terry Metcalf and they had a very tough defensive back by the name of Roger Wehrli and their kicker was one of the tops in the league in Jim Bakken….

    Coryell was one of the best and he had a great offensive mind and with two of the best to ever play the game at QB, in Hart and Fouts, it was lights out on the scoreboard…

  2. Checked it out on wikipedia and Don Coryell was the head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals from (1973-1977)…..

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