Moss played with the Vikings from 1998-2004 and again for a year in 2010. Gil Brandt from NFL.com ranks Krause as the 11th-best safety in NFL history. Copyright 2017-2023 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. If anyone can get past that nasty defensive line, they wont get much farther. Despite his questionable judgment off the field, Petersons skill as a running back is undeniable. Fran Tarkenton was born in Richmond, Virginia, on February 3, 1940. Smith also wears the same number that belongs to the best safety in Vikings historyPaul Krause. 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. The team has had a lot of success, making the Super Bowl in 1969 along with 25 playoff berths since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. He played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and then again from 1972 to 1978 and was a dominant force in both stints. For his imposing presence in the backfield and his sheer number of tackles, Griffith edges past Kassulke into the No. Adrian Peterson was born on March 21, 1985, in Palestine, Texas. Bynum made his second straight start against the Chargers in Week 10, and he made the most of it. As was the case for Anthony Harris, Smith had to do more with less around him. As a tackling machine, Atwater compiled more than 120 tackles during his first five NFL seasons. Paul KrauseNo. Smith had 87 tackles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions for the Vikings in 2012. Randle led the Vikings in sacks in nine of his 11 seasons, and strung together eight seasons in a row with over 10 sacks. According to On3 Sports' Matt Zenitz, the Vikings are hiring Colorado's defensive tackles coach Patrick Hill to be their new assistant defensive line coach. Ray Lewis was the star of the great Ravens defense. Pages most ridiculous accomplishment was earning MVP in 1971 as a defensive player. No pair of safeties has performed better or lifted their defense higher than the Vikings' tandem of Harris and Smith. The World Champion Bears in 1963 hold one of the best defenses of all-time, and of course this is probably behind a few other Bears teams. Steve Atwater was the greatest run-support safety of all time. Orlando Thomas was a second-round pick for the Vikings in the 1995 NFL draft. AncientPages.com - For many years, archaeologists and historians have provided an increasingly informed insight into the dynamic world of the vikings, chipping away at the clichs of a crazed, capricious people preoccupied with beards and bloodshed.One particular approach to understanding viking activity has been to study the encampments they set up along the coasts and rivers of western . 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. 9. Gil Brandt from NFL.com has been rattling off his best at each position group this offseason. That isn't due to the lack of great players. In 1997 he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks, and a year later signed a $32.5 million dollar contract with the Vikings, the largest contract for a defensive lineman up to that point. The offense once again failed to capitalize, though, and the Vikings ultimately fell 20-16. 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. The survey . Not many safeties were more complete than Larry Wilson. The team selected him from Louisiana-Lafayette and plugged him immediately into the defensive rotation. Monte Coleman 14. Also among the position group were 2020 additions Josh Metellus (sixth round) and Myles Dorn (undrafted). He returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns, demonstrating his knack for making big plays. Albin Ouschan 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=613. The Minnesota Vikings opened this years training camp on Friday and one position they appear to be all set for the season is safety. Bynum secured his first career sack against Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and he also recorded a pass defensed and a tackle for loss. Top 50 Washington Redskins Players of All Time By Clark Boinis | Aug 28, 2021, 12:32pm 1. Blair played his entire career with the Vikings and helped earn trips to two Super Bowls. 1. Players also do not have roommates during their trips. 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. McMichael set a franchise record with three safeties . Demand for cruises on Viking reached all time highs last month when the cruise line had their best booking month ever and recorded 18 of their top 20 sales . Welcome to the latest in a series of slideshows that power rank the greatestMinnesota Vikingsof all time by position. Part two of the Greatest Minnesota Vikingsof all time focuses on the defense. 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. 4) Larry Wilson He revolutionized the "safety blitz" that we see in every game today and finished his career with a whopping 52 interceptions. Vikings have 2 of the top safeties of all time Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC West Broncos. From 2019 to 2020, Peppers recorded 167 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and five quarterback hits across 26 games. The Vikings new Defensive Coordinator, Brian Flores, loves to blitz the passer. Here is how the Vikings graded out in each category. Bobby Bryant played corner back in all four Super Bowls for the Minnesota Vikings. EAGAN, Minn. The Vikings combined a mixture of veteran experience and youth at the safety position in 2021. Smith, the Vikings' second first-round pick of the 2012 draft, helped turn an abysmal secondary into a respectable NFL unit in his first year. His strength was the run defense, where he was the third-best league-wide at his position. Emlen Tunnell Honorable Mentions FAQ Known primarily as a tackler, Browner surprisingly snared 37 interceptions, which is good for fourth on the Vikings' all-time list. He also managed 17 interceptions, though he wasn't known for his hands. For the first time, the NFL Players Association released their team report cards on Wednesday. Off the field, however, he was troubled and faced child abuse charges in 2014. Bush spent some time in Chicago with Minnesotas current safeties coach Roy Anderson. In 2021 . Regarding food quality, the Vikings come in 9th place. His skill kept him on the field even when his reliability was brought into question. Though not known as a formidable tackler, Krause's presence in the deep middle of the secondary allowed the Purple People Eaters to unleash a scary pass-rush on opposing quarterbacks. Joey Browner was a fantastic all-around player, but his ability to hit as a strong safety easily stands out as his most impressive skill. Doleman is the perfect cap stone of this four-piece pass rushing nightmare. Anthony Barr converted to linebacker late in his college career from running back, and has quickly become a top-tier 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL. The best in the business need to be athletically gifted: fast,. He is still regarded as one of the best QBs in the league. When he came to the Vikings prior to the 1968 season, he had already intercepted 28 passes as a member of the Washington Redskins. Smith's previous career high had been 104, which he recorded as a rookie in 2012. 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. Currently, the team is roughly $24 million over . Sendejos contract option was $5.4 million in 2019 and it ended up being a price too high for the Vikings as Harris looked more than capable in his nine starts last year. Especially intriguing is Metellus, who received more opportunities this past year, including in the nickel when Mackensie Alexander missed the regular-season finale. Maybe one day Smith will join Browner and Krause as one of the all-time great safeties. 3-time first-team All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowler. Additionally, his ball-hawking ways helped solidify a pass defense that faces brutal competition every week in the pass-happy NFC North. O'Connell gave a positive update on Cine's recovery process, noting the young safety's clear excitement about the upcoming season. In his 1990 sophomore season, Atwater tallied an all-around 173 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one sack. Ken Houston 6. Gil Brandt of NFL Network continued his breakdown of the top players all-time at every position on Wednesday when he rolled out a list of the best safeties to ever lace up their chinstrap.. Browner forced 18 fumbles over his career and recovered 16 of them. A fairly steady tackler, Thomas was known more for his pass coverage than his fierce hits. Then check out this list of Minnesota Vikings cornerbacks with photos and seasons as starters. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onMinnesota Vikings and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. On other plays, they need to display elite coverage skills to stop the pass. The criteria used includes games started, interceptions and fumble recoveries, touchdowns scored, and their approximate value (AV) assigned by Pro Football Reference. the best Vikings players of all time. Minnesota returned All-Pro safety Harrison Smith for his 10th NFL season, and signed Xavier Woods after he played his first four pro seasons with Dallas. He went on to snag 53 more as a member of the Vikings, setting an all-time NFL record of 81. 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. Charley Taylor 7. Ronnie Lott 4. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. 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. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Darren Appleton hide behind small ball with distance, with Mark Gray [3:27]: https://youtu.be/w8DF4lqN6IQ?t=23955. He finished his career with 37 interceptions, fourth in team history. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. At the time of his retirement, he ranked third and fourth in NFL history with 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns. Two former Vikings were listed in his top group. We rank the best safeties in the NFL. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Antoine Winfield Jr. wasted no time making a name for himself as one of the best young safeties in the league. 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. 8. Acquired by Minnesota prior to training camp, he stepped right in for the Vikings. Larry Wilson, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1960-1972, comes in 15th overall, just ahead of Paul Krause and just behind Willie Wood. Mick Tingelhoff was an undrafted free agent when he started in his rookie season with the Vikings at center, a position he maintained over his exemplary 17 seasons, and earned him recognition as one of the best the NFL has ever seen. He managed to play all 1208 defensive snaps for Zimmers defense in 2021 and led the whole team in snaps. He played this position immaculately but was also so versatile a player that he was utilized in unconventional ways. To shed light on his all-around game, Browner led the Vikings in nine defensive categories during his career. His intense passion for the game and endless pursuit of perfection made him one of the most fearsome safeties of his. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. The Minnesota Vikings were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. McCourty, who joined the safety after being selected 27th overall during the 2010 NFL draft out of Rutgers University has been one of the most consistent free safeties to play the game. These players are considered some of the best football players of all time. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. The organization ranked 7th in support of players families, with the NFLPA citing that the Vikings offered a family room and daycare. Please check your email for a confirmation. He even helped push the Vikings to all four of their Super Bowl appearances and four championship victories, playing in the Vikings most successful era and demonstrating an impeccable work ethic and sportsmanship. We asked for your Top 10 Vikings players of all time and more than 5,000 people responded. The turnover unfortunately didn't result in any points for Minnesota but did stop the Cowboys drive. He is an elite football mind, he is elite in pass protection and he has a tendency to knock players into their seats. Carl Eller was born January 25, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended college at the University of Minnesota. 22 in the videowas the greatest ball hawk in NFL history. Just like part one, this roster will be both awesome and arguable, and I await your comments (@eddiechisham). 0. He started 12 games that year and went on to play in 131 games for Minnesota, which is sixth most for any defensive back in team history. The Hall of Famer was with the Vikings from 1968-1979 after three seasons with the Redskins. Who Are The Atlanta Falcons' Biggest Rivals? Few players wanted to continue playing after taking a Browner hit. Cromwell started off as a key contributor at nickelback and on special teams. His fierce hits caused receivers to think twice about going across the middle of the secondary. The Commanders were at the bottom of the rankings, with the Cardinals 31st and the Chargers 30th. He was voted AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, selected for six Pro Bowls, and chosen for the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team. 7 bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings 2019 season. 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. Yet, here stands perhaps the best collection of defensive linemen the NFL will ever know. Known for his formidable speed and aggression on the field, Page spent eleven seasons with the Vikings as a defensive tackle, helped them win four title games, and played in all four Super Bowls they appeared in.He was awarded Defensive Player of the Year in 1971 and 1973, selected nine consecutive times for the Pro Bowl, and made history in 1971 as the first defensive player to be named MVP. This group all brings individual strengths that mesh perfectly together for an unstoppable force that extends to special teams as well. The Vikings could lose their top punt gunner in Kris Boyd, which would be a tough loss for a team that created plenty of mishaps on special teams the past few years. "Lewis is in a great spot right now, he's well ahead of his . We are concluding this series with safeties. All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference unless otherwise noted. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 04:14 PM CST. He scored twice on interception returns as well. In similar fashion to the defensive line . Smith is slowly making his case for being the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. Peppers recorded 97 sacks in black and blue and forced more than 30 fumbles, both of which are by far team records. They've drafted two of the best players ever in Randy Moss and 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson. The Minnesota Vikings' defense could be different at all levels in 2023, depending on how radical they decide to be when it comes to personnel changes. He was eventually cut from the Eagles after failing several drug tests. For his ability to shut down opposing slot receivers and tight ends and his big-play ability, Orlando Thomas edges out Harrison Smith for the No. Greenwood. Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade, exemplified by being voted to the . The eight categories included: treatment of families, nutrition, weight room, strength staff, training room, locker room, and travel. Art Monk 5. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. . Part two of the Greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time focuses on the defense. The Vikings need to clear $23 million of 2023 salary to get under the cap. Part one of the Greatest Minnesota Vikings of All Time focuses on the offense. 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.. Last week, we covered the tight ends. Cris Carter was born November 25, 1965, in Troy, Ohio, and played college ball at Ohio State University. Safeties are the hybrids of NFL defenses. He adopted intimidation tactics, trash-talking, and a larger-than-life presence on the field that waged absolute psychological warfare. His size and aggression on the field,paired with his intelligence and agility, made him the ideal offensive lineman.He was known to play through injuries and only missed two games throughout his career. Certain players, such as Mike Morris and Scott Studwell, would have fit perfectly in that era. 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. The team's first-round draft choice in 1983, he came from USC to the NFL and quickly established. The Vikings ranked as the top team overall, followed by the Dolphins and the Raiders. He rose to the occasion with grace, demonstrating determination and discipline over his 12 seasons. Tarkentons eventual return to the Vikings in 1972 brought even more success.He played another seven years and led the Vikings to six NFC Central Division titles and three of their four Super Bowls. The Vikings have had a number of superstars wear the purple and gold. As Easley is often looked past due to his short career in the NFL, his play on the field was at a top level and one that had in the elite group . 1. Blair had a hot streak in his career from 1977 to 1982, making six consecutive pro bowls. This purple pack of players isn't limited to the most skilled or the most iconic Vikings. He was a first-team All-Pro three times over that span. Who are the best cornerbacks in Minnesota Vikings history? 955 - 1035. 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.. He was second on the team's all-time sack list with 92.5 and played in 191 consecutive games every game for 12 consecutive seasons. Doing so could mean some hard decisions on key contributors from last season like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, Za . Williams is vastly underrated and is simply one of the NFL's top free safeties right now. 2021 Vikings Position Recap: Defensive Line, 2021 Vikings Position Recap: Offensive Line, 2021 Vikings Position Recap: Wide Receivers, 2021 Vikings Position Recap: Running Backs, 2021 Vikings Position Recap: Quarterbacks. Francisco Bustamante carom off three rails to hide, against Thorsten Hohmann [8:00]: https://youtu.be/uJ-ixqSywDc?t=6148. NFL teams were graded on eight categories with a grading range of F to A+. 15 Worst Free Agents Signings of All-Time. Russ Grimm 10. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner . All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. Dexter Manley 8. Vikings Are a Perfect Fit for Top Free Agent. He was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 1988 as an offensive guard. 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. This is the list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time. 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. Will young safeties make a jump this next season? Three Seahawks named among NFL.com's top safeties of all time Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC. He intercepted nine passes in his rookie season, which is still a team record for a rookie. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. While he managed 19 interceptions over his career, his ferocious tackling made him a vital component of one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. For Bush, the NFL journey has been full of backup time and special teams, a role that is more valuable than the respect it receives. Harris also finished second at the position in terms of . Blairs most valuable trait was his ability to cover tight ends and running backs in passing situations. There were certainly ups and downs from the veteran defensive back, and it's worth keeping an eye on. 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. The Vikings enter March way over the salary cap. They hit their true stride in 1967 with Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant and are known for their dominating defensive line known as the Purple People Eaters and a slew of versatile athletes who redefined the bounds of their positions and earned hall of fame recognition. 98% of players also said there is enough hot and cold tub space. Best Safety Photos of 2020 View the best safety photos of the 2020 season from Vikings photographers. Ed Reed 2. 2. Bynum flashed in an extremely small sample size. Sean Taylor 6. A lot of fans would say that Harrison Smith hasn't been around long enough to merit a spot on this list, but the former Notre Dame star made enough of an impact during his rookie year to earn his place. When he retired, he held every major passing record, had played in nine Pro Bowls, won MVP (1975) and Offensive Player of the Year (1975), and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. 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. Buy Vikings Tickets. The Washington Commanders have a long way to go. He had 51 interceptions in 13 years and had four defensive touchdowns. They held teams to just 10.3 points per game, and in their championship game they held the Giants to just ten points. He tallied 130 career sacks in purple and was All-Pro five times. "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. The goal: assemble the scariest, most talented roster from Vikings historya group that promises to make the crowd roar without allowing a score. Studwell didnt receive many accolades for his play, but the tape suggests that was a mistake. In 1990, the team successfully claimed Cris Carter off waivers.
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