Its early, but I am creating the best team possible, and Anthony Barrs traits fit perfectly with this defense. Harrison Smith & Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings. Carl Eller was born January 25, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended college at the University of Minnesota. Bynum filled in admirably when Smith who disclosed earlier in the year he was unvaccinated tested positive for coronavirus. For years, the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Vikings defensive line, were one of the most intimidating in the league. He played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and then again from 1972 to 1978 and was a dominant force in both stints. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Coming in as one of the top free safeties just missing the cut is the New England Patriots star Devin McCourty. Forget just making this list, Page ought to be considered for the greatest Minnesota Vikings player of all time. Joe Theismann 11. . He attacks the ball in the air exceptionally well with great range and angles. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner Zygi Wilf is willing to spend money to upgrade their facilities. Its early in his career, but its worth keeping an eye on current Vikings safety Harrison Smith. 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. Paul Krause | S. The NFL's all-time leader in interceptions spent 12 of his 16 years in Minnesota. 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. In his time with the Vikings, Krause made six Pro Bowls and had 53 interceptions, a franchise record. Eller is credited with the most sacks in Viking history, and, despite his 66 247 lb frame, possessed surprising speed and agility. 7 bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings 2019 season. For his intense field presence, his contributions to some of the best defenses in history and his longevity with the club, Karl Kassulke moves past Orlando Thomas into the No. He went on to win the starting job at free safety in 1979, and would finish his career as arguably the greatest. L.C. He adopted intimidation tactics, trash-talking, and a larger-than-life presence on the field that waged absolute psychological warfare. Bynum secured his first career sack against Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and he also recorded a pass defensed and a tackle for loss. Off the field, however, he was troubled and faced child abuse charges in 2014. Brian Bahr/Allsport. The team selected him from Louisiana-Lafayette and plugged him immediately into the defensive rotation. 10. He has 37 career interceptions, 1,118 tackles and is a six-time All-Pro. 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. The Minnesota Vikings continue to reshape their defensive coaching staff under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. 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 scored twice on interception returns as well. In the past two years, he has played on deals . Not including a player from the modern era felt painful. Players had no complaints regarding the Vikings new locker room. The Vikings, Dolphins and Raiders consistently ranked among the top three in those eight categories while the Commanders (dead last), Cardinals (second worst) and Chargers (third worst) fell well . Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. 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. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onMinnesota Vikings and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. 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. Kassulke was a big hitter and one of the backbones of the famed Purple People Eaters. Paul Krause was the original ball hawk of the Minnesota Vikings. His intense passion for the game and endless pursuit of perfection made him one of the most fearsome safeties of his. Copyright 2017-2023 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. 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. February 28, 2023. Chris Doleman tallied 45 forced fumbles in his career. The Washington Commanders have a long way to go. The Vikings ended up falling just short in the Week 9 contest, but Bynum's big play helped give them a chance. Chris Hanburger 9. Troy Polamalu 3. Browner made six straight Pro Bowl appearances, beginning in 1985. The organization ranked 7th in support of players families, with the NFLPA citing that the Vikings offered a family room and daycare. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. If anyone can get past that nasty defensive line, they wont get much farther. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. 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.. Those are the quintessential Vikings to many fans. Smith had 87 tackles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions for the Vikings in 2012. 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. Currently, the team is roughly $24 million over . 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. 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. Studwell didnt receive many accolades for his play, but the tape suggests that was a mistake. The Hall of Famer was with the Vikings from 1968-1979 after three seasons with the Redskins. Vote or rerank this list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings ever, then head over and check out some of the best Vikings kickers ever. Eller led the charge in four Minnesota Vikings campaigns that led to Super Bowl appearances, and hardly ever missed a start throughout his career. 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. "I don't want to . All picks and predictions are suggestions only. The turnover unfortunately didn't result in any points for Minnesota but did stop the Cowboys drive. 15. When he came to the Vikings prior to the 1968 season, he had already intercepted 28 passes as a member of the Washington Redskins. Reed ranks 10th all-time in interceptions, and had nine Pro Bowl selections. He's a seven-time First-Team All-Pro and has 56 career picks and counting. On Halloween night and the prime-time stage, he had a spook-tacular outing against his former team. He also holds the team mark for 852 yards on interception returns. Buy Vikings Tickets. 1. Niels Feijen tough bank hide with distance, against Albin Ouschan [5:09]: https://youtu.be/ptmqWFCU-FA?t=9206. I couldnt justify keeping Barr off the list just due to the rich history of other players. His skill kept him on the field even when his reliability was brought into question. He started as a defensive end in every Super Bowl they played in and helped the Vikings win ten NFC titles during his eleven seasons.After retiring, he secured a degree in human services and became a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, advocating for people of color within the Minnesota Department of Human Services. By the time Randle was finished, he had 114 career sacks, made six straight pro bowls as a starter and made the NFL team of the decade in the 90s. The Vikings ranked as the top team overall, followed by the Dolphins and the Raiders. The Vikings had several Hall of Famers suit up for them during their Super Bowl years like Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Ron Yary. ! "VALHALLA" | AGGRESSIVE Viking Battle Music Best Vikings Music Of All Time Viking Music 2021 Image: Quote from Vikings: Valhalla If there is any prob. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 and is one of the best wide receivers in football history. 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. Albin Ouschan 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=613. Even though he wasn't known primarily as a run-stopper, he tallied 442 tackles over his career. Yet, here stands perhaps the best collection of defensive linemen the NFL will ever know. For his longevity and his record-breaking thievery, Paul Krause barely slips past Joey Browner as the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. Tingelhoff was one of 11 players to have played in all four Vikings Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s and is considered the best center of his era. Formed in 1961, the Minnesota Vikings have been one of the NFL's hard luck franchises. It doesn't lean on the Hall of Fame for selections, either. 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. Regarding food quality, the Vikings come in 9th place. 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. He became a special teams star in his first two seasons, and took over the safety spot full-time in 1996. But, this time Im ranking best safety duos in Vikings history. 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