His pass coverage, meanwhile, lowered his overall rating. The Vikings had several Hall of Famers suit up for them during their Super Bowl years like Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Ron Yary. Joe Jacoby 13. Fran Tarkenton was born in Richmond, Virginia, on February 3, 1940. Part two of the Greatest Minnesota Vikingsof all time focuses on the defense. Monte Coleman 14. John Randle was born on December 12, 1967, in Hearne, Texas, and was an undrafted free agent when he signed with the Vikings in 1990. Harrison Smith & Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings. This purple pack of players isn't limited to the most skilled or the most iconic Vikings. Players felt the training staff went above and beyond to help them. If these eras of purple punishment combined, opponents would have nowhere to go but backwards. Honorable mentions: Roy Winston, Wally Hilgenberg and Chad Greenway. Ron Yary was born on July 16, 1946, in Chicago Illinois, and was the first player selected by the Vikings in the 1968 AFL-NFL draft. 10. Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 and is one of the best wide receivers in football history. Justin Bergman carom off three rails for hide and distance, against Niels Feijen [10:43]: https://youtu.be/aNZJURtAflE?t=161010. Williams is vastly underrated and is simply one of the NFL's top free safeties right now. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. He nabbed his first career interception, picking off 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson with a savvy play down the middle of the field. 2022 Team: Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush has made a nice role for himself as a backup safety in the NFL since 2016 and has some ties to the Vikings in place if he decides to leave Kansas City.. Its early in his career, but its worth keeping an eye on current Vikings safety Harrison Smith. He was a first-team All-Pro three times over that span. Those are true Vikings. What College Football Team Did John Wayne Play For? A slight edge was given to those duos that played together the longest. 98% of players also said there is enough hot and cold tub space. Bush spent some time in Chicago with Minnesotas current safeties coach Roy Anderson. He rose to the occasion with grace, demonstrating determination and discipline over his 12 seasons. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. . 114 tackles (83 solo), 3.0 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 7 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble; started all 15 games he played; on field for 1,049 of Minnesota's 1,280 defensive snaps (86.8 percent), 108 tackles (72 solo), 1.0 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles; started all 17 games he played; on field for all 1,280 defensive snaps (100 percent), 28 tackles (20 solo), 1.0 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 3 passes defensed; started 3 of 14 games he played; on field for 211 defensive snaps (17.5 percent), 13 tackles (8 solo), 1 pass defensed; played in 16 games (0 starts); on field for 54 defensive snaps (4.5 percent), 3 special teams tackles (1 solo), played in 9 games (0 starts); did not play any defensive snaps. Speak your mind in the comments section below. Over the course of his tenure, Thomas intercepted 22 passes, which is good for seventh place on the team's all-time list. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. The Minnesota Vikings were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. 3-time first-team All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowler. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Blitzers, nickel defenders, single-high, or the classic cover 2 shell Flores needs a diversity of skill sets and depth at safety to make his scheme work. Over the next several seasons, even as the Vikings struggled to find their footing, Tarkenton continued to prove his merit. The Vikings enter March way over the salary cap. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. Following two stints and ten seasons with the Panthers, Julius Peppers is without question the franchise's best defensive player ever. His intense passion for the game and endless pursuit of perfection made him one of the most fearsome safeties of his. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. After some legal trouble and a devastating end to his promising college career, the wide receiver found himself in the supplemental draft, where he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. As he got older, Winfield became the best tackling corner back in the NFL, and was stout against the run. All he did from there was become the emotional leader of the Vikings, and a fierce pass rusher from the inside of the line. Little known fact about Alan Page: he blocked 28 punts and kicks in his careeras an interior lineman. Eller is credited with the most sacks in Viking history, and, despite his 66 247 lb frame, possessed surprising speed and agility. Tingelhoff passed away in 2021 at the age of 81, and his dedication, skill, leadership, and stellar function as a teammate are his legacy. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onMinnesota Vikings and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. This linebacker corps covers all the bases: they are elite in coverage and stopping the run. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. The Minnesota Vikings received strong reviews in both staff and facilities. Especially intriguing is Metellus, who received more opportunities this past year, including in the nickel when Mackensie Alexander missed the regular-season finale. Sonny Jurgensen 12. Top 10 BEST SAFETIES of All Time And How to Shoot Them 56,661 views Dec 16, 2020 1.2K Dislike DrDaveBilliards 240K subscribers Dr. Dave recreates and analyzes the 10 best safeties of all time. He helped the Bucs to a Super Bowl title his rookie year and followed that up with a . He played in all four of the Vikings Super Bowl appearances and helped the team win two NFL Central Division titles, three NFC titles, and nine NFC Central championships. He retired at the peak of his career in 1978 and held every significant NFL passing record, and still ranks in the top ten for many. Of course there was a number of other players considered, but no one popped on the film quite like Barr. Wilson is a Hall of Famer, picked off 52 passes . For his imposing presence in the backfield and his sheer number of tackles, Griffith edges past Kassulke into the No. Please check your email for a confirmation. Woods provided the experience the Vikings hoped for in the secondary, but he also was targeted most by opponents who likely veered away from a six-time Pro Bowler in Smith, who played more at the line of scrimmage than Woods. Coming in as one of the top free safeties just missing the cut is the New England Patriots star Devin McCourty. Maybe one day Smith will join Browner and Krause as one of the all-time great safeties. Peppers recorded 97 sacks in black and blue and forced more than 30 fumbles, both of which are by far team records. In 1990 the Minnesota Vikings signed Carter off waivers for $100 and offered him the opportunity to get sober and redeem his NFL career. They were also 2nd in the league for their post-game gathering area. Blairs most valuable trait was his ability to cover tight ends and running backs in passing situations. Team (s): Seattle Seahawks. He adopted intimidation tactics, trash-talking, and a larger-than-life presence on the field that waged absolute psychological warfare. (Photo By JUDY GRIESEDIECK/Star Tribune via Getty Images) Orlando Thomas and Robert Griffith, (Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images) Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo. Two former Vikings were listed in his top group. He made a name for himself immediately, setting the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game (296) in his very first season, earning himself Rookie of the Year in 2007. This is the list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time. Viking Cruises. Ray Lewis was the star of the great Ravens defense. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Paul KrauseNo. L.C. But despite that and three more Super Bowl appearances, the Vikings have yet to win a Super Bowl championship. That record has lasted over 37 years. Minnesota Vikings: Greatest All-Time Defense From the Purple People Eaters to Purple Reign, the Minnesota Vikings have struck fear into opposing offenses for over 50 years. Here is how the Vikings graded out in each category. The Vikings offer a steam room and sauna, which 100% of players said were big enough. 1 / 100 Minnesota Vikings 2 / 100. Kam Chancellor NFL rules have changed throughout the years. Gil Brandt's greatest NFL safeties of all time NFL.com senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the greatest safeties in football history. Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints. If anyone can get past that nasty defensive line, they wont get much farther. The Vikings ranked as the top team overall, followed by the Dolphins and the Raiders. Blair played his entire career with the Vikings and helped earn trips to two Super Bowls. He played ten seasons with the Vikings, made over 1,400 yards in a season three different times, won MVP in 2012, and played in seven Pro Bowls. Other players, particularlyAdrian Peterson, would have been fun in any era. Justin Hall kick and stick with stun forward, against Nikos Ekonomopoulos [2:30]: https://youtu.be/omQ35O_N_co?t=18264. That won't be happening here. Adrian Wilson snubbed from list of best all-time safeties Schedule Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Steelers Ravens AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans. Despite excelling, Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967. Vote or rerank this list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings ever, then head over and check out some of the best Vikings kickers ever. Tarkenton was the first Viking ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and is recognized for his skill, consistency, and innovation as one of the greatest QBs of all time. Became the first defensive player to receive the NFL's MVP award. Who Are The Atlanta Falcons' Biggest Rivals? 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. Picking a highest high proved challenging because a number of the safeties' big plays occurred mostly in games Minnesota ultimately lost. Who are the best Minnesota Vikings football players of all time? While stats are taken into account, there are other, more subjective criteria as well. The Minnesota Vikings were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. The team selected him from Louisiana-Lafayette and plugged him immediately into the defensive rotation. Currently, the team is roughly $24 million over . It only took Sendejo 10 days to find another job after Minnesota declined the option on his contract as he signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million with the Philadelphia Eagles. Joe Theismann 11. Troy Polamalu 3. Here is every player who has ever held the position of Minnesota Vikingsstarting cornerback. Not many safeties were more complete than Larry Wilson. He has 37 career interceptions, 1,118 tackles and is a six-time All-Pro. In his six years as the team's strong safety, he tallied nearly 600 tackles, including more than 100 in a season three times. Kassulke was a big hitter and one of the backbones of the famed Purple People Eaters. Adrian Peterson was born on March 21, 1985, in Palestine, Texas. Every player felt like the locker room had enough space, which was the best in the league. The report card explains that the weight room is new and players are happy with it. 98% of the players felt like the Vikings had enough strength coaches. He never missed a game over the span of his lengthy career and started in a consecutive 240 regular-season games.He took on some of the NFLs best linebackers and was a highly skilled blocker, helping teammates like Fran Tarkenton and Chuck Foreman make their way into the record books. Randy Moss was born in West Virginia on February 13, 1977, and was a first-round draft pick from Marshall University in 1998.He played with the Vikings for seven seasons as a wide receiver from 1998-2004 and for a brief stint in 2010, setting records and collecting accolades along the way. At the time of his retirement, he ranked third and fourth in NFL history with 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns. We asked for your Top 10 Vikings players of all time and more than 5,000 people responded. In similar fashion to the defensive line . With 148 career sacks (as an interior linemanI cant stress that enough), four Super Bowl appearances, and four defensive player of the year honors, Page was one of the most impactful players of the era. The crash left him paralyzed from the waist down, ending a stellar career. It also called Kevin OConnell one of the most player-friendly coaches., The overview finished saying that the Vikings are a shining example of what is possible when a concerted investment is made in both staffing and facilities.. Seasons:2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, Seasons:1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, Seasons: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, Seasons:1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972,1971, 1970, 1969, Seasons:1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, Seasons:1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962. Who Is The Best Wide Receiver In The NFL Right Now? He was named to the Pro Bowl six times in Minnesota and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 1975, when he picked off 12 passes. He earned his reputation as The Scrambler because, in an era when it was practically taboo, Tarkenton was unafraid to run for the ball. In 2021 . Each week will feature a different position, and the best Vikings to take the field at that position will be ranked from fifth to first. John Riggins 4. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings. Behind the Purple People Eaters of the 70s was one of the best safeties the league has ever seen. He moved into the full-time strong safety spot midway through 1984. 0. Smith has been one of the NFL's best safeties for a good long time, and he managed to maintain that status despite coverage and pressure breakdowns all along Minnesota's defense. The Vikings new Defensive Coordinator, Brian Flores, loves to blitz the passer. Despite his questionable judgment off the field, Petersons skill as a running back is undeniable. Karl Kassulke may be best known for the tragic motorcycle accident he suffered on his way to training camp in 1973. Off the field, however, he was troubled and faced child abuse charges in 2014. Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. After combing through Minnesotas starters for each year, here are the franchises top 10 safety duos of all-time. Kassulke was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1963. An important part of the Minnesota defensive backfield, the CB position requires fast players to cover receivers, defend against pass offenses, and make tackles. 15 Gary . February 28, 2023. Orlando Thomas was a second-round pick for the Vikings in the 1995 NFL draft. Born August 7, 1945, in Canton, Ohio, Alan Page was a first-round draft pick from Notre Dame in 1967.His philosophy was that a defensive player should think of himself as an aggressor, not as a defender. He was a key element of the notorious Purple People Eaters defensive line and a nightmare for opposing teams. He became their starting quarterback in his rookie season and began a relentless career that landed him in the history books and at the top of our list. In a comparison between Krause and Smith, even though they come from different eras, the edge would easily go to the player who wore No. While some may dispute when a DB should be assessed with a snap in coverage (a zone may or may not tell the full story), here's a look at passer rating allowed by Vikings safeties who played at least 150 defensive snaps: Bynum: 20.3 (4-of-8 passing, 31 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT), Smith: 98.7 (29-of-40 passing, 368 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT), Woods: 110.4 (30-of-50 passing, 525 yards, 6 TDs and 3 INTs). Strong Safety. He's a seven-time First-Team All-Pro and has 56 career picks and counting. His fierce hits caused receivers to think twice about going across the middle of the secondary. Buy Vikings Tickets. When he came to the Vikings prior to the 1968 season, he had already intercepted 28 passes as a member of the Washington Redskins. 4) Larry Wilson He revolutionized the "safety blitz" that we see in every game today and finished his career with a whopping 52 interceptions. The Time Travelers (1964) A 1964 movie made on the cheap with genuinely terrible effects, The Time Travelers is about a group of scientists who travel to the future, fight some mutants and . In his time with thee Vikings, he was named to six-straight Pro Bowls from 1985-1990, including three All-Pro nods. Players offered heaps of praise for the Vikings strength coaches, stating that the strength coaches go above and beyond to support them and add to their success. Every player also believed they received an individual plan, which tied for 1st in the league. Players had no complaints regarding the Vikings new locker room. He played in eight consecutive Pro Bowls and was selected for the 1990s All-Decade team.In 2002, at the time of his retirement, he was the NFLs second all-time leading receiver, held 19 team records for the Vikings, 1,101 receptions for 13,899 yards, and 130 touchdowns.His career is not only a testament to his skill but the gratification of hard work and discipline. The Hall of Famer was with the Vikings from 1968-1979 after three seasons with the Redskins. Ken Houston 6. Please rank the players based only on their time with the Vikings, The Best Quarterbacks to Never Win a Super Bowl, The Best Notre Dame Football Players of All Time. Tarkenton was the first Viking ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and is recognized for his skill, consistency, and innovation as one of the greatest QBs of all time. He also recovered 10 fumbles and returned two of them for touchdowns. Pages most ridiculous accomplishment was earning MVP in 1971 as a defensive player. Alex Pagulayan full-hit follow-the-rail hide, against Skyler Woodward [8:51]: https://youtu.be/ALy6VtA78uw?t=5259. The 25 Best Safeties In NFL History. 14 Chris Doleman Defensive End. Griffith, who was the Vikings' starting strong safety for six years, was one of the most feared defenders in the NFL. The organization ranked 7th in support of players families, with the NFLPA citing that the Vikings offered a family room and daycare. Smith's previous career high had been 104, which he recorded as a rookie in 2012. Studwell didnt receive many accolades for his play, but the tape suggests that was a mistake. Just like part one, this roster will be both awesome and arguable, and I await your comments (@eddiechisham). The Vikings have drafted well over the years. Led the Vikings to three of their four Superbowls in 1974, 1975, and 1977, Became the first defensive player to receive the NFLs MVP award, Part of the legendary Vikings defensive line known as The Purple People Eaters, Set a record when he was selected twelve times consecutively for the Pro Bowl, Regarded as the real muscle behind the notorious Purple People Eaters, Selected for the Vikings 40th and 50th Anniversary teams, NFL 1,000-Yard Clubs Top Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1969, Selected for the NFLs All-Decade Team for the 1990s, Widely considered the Vikings greatest. Heres where it gets arguable. He played at the University of Oklahoma, where he made history as the runner-up for the Heisman trophy as a freshman and was the Vikings first-round draft pick in 2007. Take a look at how all 32 of his. Featuring 2018-2019 Vikings andsome of thegreatest NFL cornerbacks of all time,the best VikingsCBs include Antoine Winfield, Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, Fred Smoot, and Cedric Griffin. Even though he wasn't known primarily as a run-stopper, he tallied 442 tackles over his career. Here's a look at the best Vikings safety duos of all-time. There's a certain feel to those classic Vikings standing on the sideline at Met Stadium in freezing conditions with steam coming out of their face masks. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 04:14 PM CST. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Studwell was often in the right place at the right time, and that was no accident. Top 50 Washington Redskins Players of All Time By Clark Boinis | Aug 28, 2021, 12:32pm 1. The best NFL safeties of all time are the ones that could lock down the league's best wide receivers in coverage while also delivering big hits to stop the run game. Reed ranks 10th all-time in interceptions, and had nine Pro Bowl selections. Bobby Bryant played corner back in all four Super Bowls for the Minnesota Vikings. Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade, exemplified by being voted to the . Browner forced 18 fumbles over his career and recovered 16 of them. Knud's North Sea Empire, including Denmark . Bryant always excelled in coverage, and his tape shows his incredible knack for reading the eyes of the quarterback, even while matching receivers step for step. "So as soon as I saw the quarterback look me off and then go back to the front side, that's when I knew I was free game to make a break, and that's when me and Xavier, we both had it viced and if I didn't make the play, he would have made the play on that," Bynum explained. Please check your email for a confirmation. 15 Worst Free Agents Signings of All-Time. Randle led the Vikings in sacks in nine of his 11 seasons, and strung together eight seasons in a row with over 10 sacks. A fairly steady tackler, Thomas was known more for his pass coverage than his fierce hits. For his outstanding performance throughout most of the '80s and his high rankings in the Vikings record books, Joey Browner outdistances Robert Griffith for second place on the list of great Minnesota safeties. In seven seasons, Bush has just 12 starts, three interceptions, and 100 tackles. Smith already was with the team in Baltimore when he received the positive test, and he later thanked the Wilf family for providing him with a private flight back to Minnesota. Bryant was also an excellent special teams player, making him even more of a threat after an interception. Not going with the Purple People Eaters as a whole felt wrong. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. If he played at that level at a 17-game pace, Peppers would have . He finished his career with 37 interceptions, fourth in team history. We rank the best safeties in the NFL. The report, released Wednesday during the league's annual scouting combine, rated teams in eight categories - everything from meals and . All Minnesota Sports news fromFanSided Daily, Minnesota Vikings: Bye Week Pondering during Week 6, Deep Dive into Andrew Wiggins Overall Game, Minnesota Vikings: Greatest All-Time Offense, Minnesota Twins bullpen will be their downfall, Kyle Rudolph signing gives stability to Minnesota Vikings offense, Jake Odorizzis emergence fueling Twins starting staff, Former Minnesota Twins player David Ortiz shot, Packers reportedly meet with TCU WR Quentin Johnston at NFL Combine, Keidel: Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl Rematch Worth The Hype, Patriots Rumors: Thoughts and the romance of a Tee Higgins trade, 7 Takeaways from Packers' GM Brian Gutekunst speaking at NFL Combine, Red Sox Hot Take: Alex Verdugo could be the leadoff solution. In his athletic prime, Antoine Winfield was an excellent corner in coverage and had a keen ability to press wide receivers at the line. 25. It's all about being a Viking. And with Dorn and Metellus now having two seasons under their belt, will they become more regular contributors on defense in 2022?

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