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.. Griffith was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2000 season and was an All-Pro selection in 1998 and 1999. Bryant was also an excellent special teams player, making him even more of a threat after an interception. Kassulke was a big hitter and one of the backbones of the famed Purple People Eaters. Moss played with the Vikings from 1998-2004 and again for a year in 2010. Is someone on the list who shouldn't be there? Steve Atwater was the greatest run-support safety of all time. 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. Polamalu was a four-time First Team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler, was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 and helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls during his 12 seasons. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Who Are The Atlanta Falcons' Biggest Rivals? 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. Dolemans 150 career sacks gave him All-Pro honors three times, earning his place on the 90s team of the decade. Behind the Purple People Eaters of the 70s was one of the best safeties the league has ever seen. He retired in 2001 after playing a final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and got licensed to work in the Minnesota Elementary school system helping mentor disadvantaged children in his community, a cause he was passionate about throughout his football career.Fans and peers regard him as one of the best offensive linemen in the league, and he has been applauded throughout his career for his athleticism, leadership, and character. 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. A Super Bowl winner, Reed is a name that can be overlooked when discussing the best safeties of all-time. Charley Taylor 7. Sonny Jurgensen 12. Sign up for the Vikings Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, The Vikings have time to re-sign Tomlinson and lessen the cap hit. 25. Not going with the Purple People Eaters as a whole felt wrong. Emlen Tunnell Honorable Mentions FAQ Five minutes into the fourth quarter, Woods recorded a strip sack of Rush, and linebacker Anthony Barr was able to recover the fumble. Shane VanBoening long CB hide off two cushions with distance, against Warren Kiamco [11:40]: https://youtu.be/VYENsVH4pzw?t=2109BONUS: Efren Reyes two rail kick with carom off three rails, against Shane VanBoening [13:00]: https://youtu.be/qKdBhPg01VAt=47m18s- Wrap Up [15:14]---- shot montage [15:42]Supporting Resources:- Top 10 Safeties You Must Master: https://youtu.be/Ji_jFE6QVmQ- Top 10 Greatest Safeties of All Time by Efren Reyes: https://youtu.be/itnF1DzT-L8- jump shot technique advice: https://billiards.colostate.edu/faq/jump/technique/- 30 rule peace sign: https://billiards.colostate.edu/faq/30-90-rules/peace-sign/- 1/3-more-than-twice banking system: https://billiards.colostate.edu/faq/bank-kick/fast-system/- more safety examples: https://billiards.colostate.edu/faq/safety/examples/- many more pro match safety shot examples: https://billiards.colostate.edu/faq/safety/examples/pros/Subscribe to Dr. Dave's YouTube channel (and be sure to turn on bell notifications): https://www.youtube.com/DrDaveBilliards?sub_confirmation=1Show your support to Dr. Dave for his work by clicking on the donation button near the top of this page: https://billiards.colostate.edu/All of Dr. Dave's full-length instructional videos are available to stream or download here: https://DrDaveBilliards.com/stream/and in physical DVD format here: https://DrDaveBilliards.com/Detailed product information and purchasing advice can be found here: https://DrDaveBilliards.com/products/info-advice/If you ever come across a word or phrase you don't know, you can find definitions here: https://billiards.colostate.edu/glossary/Good Luck With Your Game!! In 1990, the team successfully claimed Cris Carter off waivers. Antoine Winfield Jr. wasted no time making a name for himself as one of the best young safeties in the league. His skill kept him on the field even when his reliability was brought into question. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Browner, a 1983 first-round pick, played nine seasons with the Vikings and one with Tampa Bay. When he came to the Vikings prior to the 1968 season, he had already intercepted 28 passes as a member of the Washington Redskins. It's all about being a Viking. 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. Despite excelling, Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967. 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. Harris also finished second at the position in terms of . He spent fourteen years with the Vikings and played starting right tackle from his second season on.. "Lewis is in a great spot right now, he's well ahead of his . . Tingelhoff passed away in 2021 at the age of 81, and his dedication, skill, leadership, and stellar function as a teammate are his legacy. I couldnt justify keeping Barr off the list just due to the rich history of other players. Dexter Manley 8. The Vikings currently have seven safeties on the roster led by Harrison Smith entering his eighth season. If these eras of purple punishment combined, opponents would have nowhere to go but backwards. In his six years as the team's strong safety, he tallied nearly 600 tackles, including more than 100 in a season three times. The survey . The Vikings ranked as the top team overall, followed by the Dolphins and the Raiders. View the best safety photos from the 2021 season shot by Vikings photographers. Yes, he has some big-time competition in both Paul Krause and Joey Browner, but the consistency and. 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 data was averaged for the number of years each duo players together. The Hall of Famer was with the Vikings from 1968-1979 after three seasons with the Redskins. EAGAN, Minn. Led by Harrison Smith, the Vikings safeties made an impact throughout the 2018 season. An important part of the Minnesota defensive backfield, the CB position requires fast players to cover receivers, defend against pass offenses, and make tackles. 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. 2. The crash left him paralyzed from the waist down, ending a stellar career. 0. Despite his questionable judgment off the field, Petersons skill as a running back is undeniable. 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. Inducted into the hall of fame in 1988. Key stats: 909 tackles, 52 INTs. 11 on all-time list), 57 pass deflections and 31 forced fumbles Scott Boehm/Associated Press 3 / 31 29. Even though he was limited to part-time duty during his first two seasons, he still managed three interceptions and an amazing seven fumble recoveries. Check in next week for the next power ranking of all-time Vikings. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. By the time his nine seasons in purple were over, he had racked up some serious statistics. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. 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? Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2019. They've drafted two of the best players ever in Randy Moss and 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. He was eventually cut from the Eagles after failing several drug tests. In the run, Studwell was the first body to the hole. 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. 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. 16 despite having an NFL-record 81 interceptions. 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. The draft capital and the cap space are limited, so Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to hit on the top signings and the first selection in the draft. Brian Dawkins 5. As a result, he was selected for the second-team All-NFC for his performance. Vote or rerank this list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings ever, then head over and check out some of the best Vikings kickers ever. That won't be happening here. Jackson had one of the best seasons we have ever seen at the safety position back in 2018, earning an overall PFF grade of 93.2 and a coverage grade of 94.7, but since Vic Fangio left town to coach the Broncos, Jackson's elite play has evaporated and he has posted seasons of 67.0 and 59.5 in terms of PFF grade. Fran Tarkenton was born in Richmond, Virginia, on February 3, 1940. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Eric Rowe, (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Deon Bush. He replaces A . Bynum secured his first career sack against Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and he also recorded a pass defensed and a tackle for loss. Browner made quick reads and accelerated downfield quickly. In the 1996 Pro Bowl, he made history as the first guard to catch a touchdown pass. In the words of Vikings' head coaching legend Bud Grant, "Paul personified the term free safety.". Krause still holds the all time interceptions record in the NFL with 81. Big fan of Minnesota football? He had 51 interceptions in 13 years and had four defensive touchdowns. Earlier this week, he covered the safety position. Yet, here stands perhaps the best collection of defensive linemen the NFL will ever know. Take a look at how all 32 of his. 14. Have a player you'd like to nominate? Wilson is a Hall of Famer, picked off 52 passes . Over his fourteen-season career, he had a 202-game starting streak, was selected for the Pro Bowl twelve consecutive times, and was nominated to the 1990s All-Decade Team. L.C. 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. 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. The Vikings have drafted well over the years. Those are true Vikings. The team selected him from Louisiana-Lafayette and plugged him immediately into the defensive rotation. Hes a hall of famer and widely considered one of the best in the league. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Lake, who the Steelers drafted out of UCLA with the 34th choice in 1989, was a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time second-team All-Pro and he is a member of the 1990s All . Who are the best Minnesota Vikings football players of all time? He also holds the team mark for 852 yards on interception returns. Certain players, such as Mike Morris and Scott Studwell, would have fit perfectly in that era. The second on the list, or first we suppose, was Paul Krause. His pass coverage, meanwhile, lowered his overall rating. Karl Kassulke was known in NFL circles as a fierce hitter, but Robert Griffith made a career out of it. the best Vikings players of all time. Bynum answered the bell after finding out the morning of the Ravens game that he'd need to make his first NFL start. In some circumstances, they need to hit like linebackers to stop the running game. Click on as we power rank the top safeties in Minnesota Vikings history. As a tackling machine, Atwater compiled more than 120 tackles during his first five NFL seasons. Speak your mind in the comments section below. Justin Hall kick and stick with stun forward, against Nikos Ekonomopoulos [2:30]: https://youtu.be/omQ35O_N_co?t=18264. Minnesota, 13-4 in 2022, is 30th in cap space at $24.4 million over the cap. Since the Vikings will be under new leadership, it will be interesting to see if the powers that be opt to re-sign Woods or move another direction. Darren Appleton hide behind small ball with distance, with Mark Gray [3:27]: https://youtu.be/w8DF4lqN6IQ?t=23955. Skyler Woodward thin hit kick freeze hide, with Shane van Boening [7:12]: https://youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU?t=9697. In 2021 . Honorable mentions: Jim Marshall, Jared Allen and Kevin Williams. 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. Featuring 2018-2019 Vikings and some of the greatest NFL cornerbacks of all time, the best Vikings CBs include Antoine Winfield, Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, Fred Smoot, and Cedric Griffin. "So that was just a good job on both safeties, and the whole secondary doing [its] job was able to free me up for the play.". Some have been ball hawks, while others have been huge hitters. The turnover unfortunately didn't result in any points for Minnesota but did stop the Cowboys drive. He proved his merit over time, beginning a 176 consecutive-game streak with 133 straight starts in 1992.It wasnt until around 1996, though, that he truly came into his own. Not including a player from the modern era felt painful. He adopted intimidation tactics, trash-talking, and a larger-than-life presence on the field that waged absolute psychological warfare. John Riggins 4. . He went on to snag 53 more as a member of the Vikings, setting an all-time NFL record of 81. He went on to win the starting job at free safety in 1979, and would finish his career as arguably the greatest. Jevon Holland was a prime example of this during Flores' time with the Miami Dolphins . Acquired by Minnesota prior to training camp, he stepped right in for the Vikings. Buy Vikings Tickets. 7. Last week, we covered the tight ends. 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. He returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns, demonstrating his knack for making big plays. Minnesota returned All-Pro safety Harrison Smith for his 10th NFL season, and. The rest is Vikings history. He became a special teams star in his first two seasons, and took over the safety spot full-time in 1996. 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. Smith told media members he largely felt symptom-free, but the protocols at the time dictated that he remain away from the team for 10 days. Ed Reed's impact should not be downplayed, however. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner Zygi Wilf is willing to spend money to upgrade their facilities. NFL teams were graded on eight categories with a grading range of F to A+. 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. 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. In addition, he compiled 7.5 sacks in Minnesota, including four in 1999. To shed light on his all-around game, Browner led the Vikings in nine defensive categories during his career. Pro-football-reference.com has provided advanced defensive stats since 2018 that are a decent metric of summarizing cornerbacks' play. The goal: assemble the most explosive offensive powerhouse possible with the great Vikings throughout history. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. They held teams to just 10.3 points per game, and in their championship game they held the Giants to just ten points. A fairly steady tackler, Thomas was known more for his pass coverage than his fierce hits. Regarding food quality, the Vikings come in 9th place. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Charles Mann 16. Especially intriguing is Metellus, who received more opportunities this past year, including in the nickel when Mackensie Alexander missed the regular-season finale. He has 37 career interceptions, 1,118 tackles and is a six-time All-Pro. The best Minnesota Vikings wide receiver is Randy Moss. Eller is credited with the most sacks in Viking history, and, despite his 66 247 lb frame, possessed surprising speed and agility. They were also 2nd in the league for their post-game gathering area. 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. Part one of the Greatest Minnesota Vikings of All Time focuses on the offense. The Minnesota Vikings received strong reviews in both staff and facilities. Cousins is a player who typically looks for a shorter deal in extension talks, favoring two to three year contracts with plenty of money guaranteed. For years, the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Vikings defensive line, were one of the most intimidating in the league. Albin Ouschan 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=613. The Minnesota Vikings were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. Will the Vikings' offense be better or worse in 2019? Bush could be a solid replacement on the market. Forget just making this list, Page ought to be considered for the greatest Minnesota Vikings player of all time. As free safeties go, Williams is a physical player who is very helpful in defending the run. Studwell didnt receive many accolades for his play, but the tape suggests that was a mistake. 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. His overall total in Minnesota was 635 tackles. 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. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. The team's first-round draft choice in 1983, he came from USC to the NFL and quickly established. Minnesota Vikings. Few players wanted to continue playing after taking a Browner hit. Strong Safety. King of Denmark, Norway, and England. 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. Need I say more? He earned his reputation as The Scrambler because, in an era when it was practically taboo, Tarkenton was unafraid to run for the ball. This purple pack of players isn't limited to the most skilled or the most iconic Vikings. His fierce hits caused receivers to think twice about going across the middle of the secondary. Carnell Lake performed swimmingly for 10 seasons as a Steeler in the Burgh. 15. Harrison Smith & Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings. Those are the quintessential Vikings to many fans. 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. Asked on Tuesday morning at the NFL Combine about a potential contract extension for Jefferson this offseason, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made himself clear. 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. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. 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. One name that is well worth mentioning among the Top 10 Strong Safety All-Time list is the former Seattle Seahawks and Pro Football Hall of Famer strong safety Kenny Easley. He also managed 17 interceptions, though he wasn't known for his hands. He is an elite football mind, he is elite in pass protection and he has a tendency to knock players into their seats. A list of the best Minnesota Vikings of all time. He spent eleven seasons with the Vikings, played in seven Pro Bowls, and finished the last couple years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks before retiring in 2003, and is remembered for his energy as a true defensive force. Sammy Baugh 2. Blair had a hot streak in his career from 1977 to 1982, making six consecutive pro bowls. Adrian Peterson was born on March 21, 1985, in Palestine, Texas. Justin Bergman carom off three rails for hide and distance, against Niels Feijen [10:43]: https://youtu.be/aNZJURtAflE?t=161010. He played with the Vikings from 2007 to 2016, barring a brief suspension in 2014 when he pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor reckless assault against his then-four-year-old son. Little known fact about Alan Page: he blocked 28 punts and kicks in his careeras an interior lineman. Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade, exemplified by being voted to the . Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Alex Pagulayan full-hit follow-the-rail hide, against Skyler Woodward [8:51]: https://youtu.be/ALy6VtA78uw?t=5259. When he saw the Ravens offense set up, Bynum immediately recognized it as a look he'd seen all week during Vikings practices. If he played at that level at a 17-game pace, Peppers would have . Bynum made his second straight start against the Chargers in Week 10, and he made the most of it. His strength was the run defense, where he was the third-best league-wide at his position. 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Michael Reaves/Getty Images ) Eric Rowe, ( Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images ) Rowe. His place on the roster led by Harrison Smith entering his eighth season, Page ought be... Giants in 1967 in pass protection and he also recorded a pass defensed and a presence. Several drug tests NFL record of 81 immediately into the defensive rotation the was... All on your favorite teams, topics, and have fit perfectly in that era against QB!, Browner led the Vikings and one with Tampa Bay played with Purple. Prime example of this during Flores & # x27 ; s first-round choice! The Raiders to be considered for the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver is Randy Moss and 2012 NFL MVP Peterson... As a member of the best Minnesota Vikings of all time interceptions record in the 1996 pro,! Roster led by Harrison Smith, the team successfully claimed Cris Carter off waivers photos the. 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best vikings safeties of all time