The strength of three: The 30 greatest trios in NFL history

There are almost countless great trios in NFL history; the number exceeds far beyond 30. But of all these groups of three, only one led its team to the perfect NFL season: Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, and Paul Warfield.

It has to be noted that this trio was led by the legendary Don Shula, who’s still the NFL’s all-time wins leader. But a coach is nothing without players whom he can use to execute his scheme. And in the early-to-mid-1970s, Shula’s balanced, workmanlike approach was operated to perfection by Griese, Csonka and Warfield.

For this trio, efficiency was sacred and they dared not toil with it. Csonka brought rare efficiency to the run-first approach, averaging over five yards per carry in 1971 and 1972. Griese wasn’t a flashy passer, but like Tom Brady and Drew Brees today, he quarterbacked his offense with a high on-field I.Q. and put them in a position to succeed week in and week out.

But when Griese did feel like being flashy, Paul Warfield was there with his career average yards per reception of 20.1. Warfield was the big-play threat Miami needed to chip away at opponents’ morale and he did so with ease.

The three combined to win two Super Bowls and mount a perfect season in 1972, a feat that may not be accomplished again unless a similar trio comes along to share the glory.

But it’s easy to talk about finding another trio like this one. Making it happen? That’s a different story.