Vikings Are a Perfect Fit for Top Free Agent. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2017/07/05/vikings-have-2-of-the-top-safeties-of-all-time/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner . He played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and then again from 1972 to 1978 and was a dominant force in both stints. Buy Vikings Tickets. A fairly steady tackler, Thomas was known more for his pass coverage than his fierce hits. 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. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 04:14 PM CST. Players also do not have roommates during their trips. 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. Then check out this list of Minnesota Vikings cornerbacks with photos and seasons as starters. Every player felt like the locker room had enough space, which was the best in the league. Randall McDaniel was born December 19, 1964, in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent four years as a starter at Arizona State. 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. 14 Chris Doleman Defensive End. The Vikings need to clear $23 million of 2023 salary to get under the cap. The organization ranked 7th in support of players families, with the NFLPA citing that the Vikings offered a family room and daycare. He also holds the team mark for 852 yards on interception returns. The 25 Best Safeties In NFL History. 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. He became a special teams star in his first two seasons, and took over the safety spot full-time in 1996. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2019. The Vikings weathered another season of COVID-19 protocols and called on Bynum to step in as a starter in Weeks 9 and 10 after Smith tested positive on the morning of Minnesota's game in Baltimore. Acquired by Minnesota prior to training camp, he stepped right in for the Vikings. 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. Over the course of his tenure, Thomas intercepted 22 passes, which is good for seventh place on the team's all-time list. He also recovered 10 fumbles and returned two of them for touchdowns. 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. Gil Brandt from NFL.com ranks Krause as the 11th-best safety in NFL history. His heady presence in the secondary served to make him a leader on the defense, even though he's one of the youngest players on the field. Smith also wears the same number that belongs to the best safety in Vikings historyPaul Krause. Doleman is the perfect cap stone of this four-piece pass rushing nightmare. His fierce hits caused receivers to think twice about going across the middle of the secondary. 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. Part two of the Greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time focuses on the defense. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. 955 - 1035. In his athletic prime, Antoine Winfield was an excellent corner in coverage and had a keen ability to press wide receivers at the line. Speak your mind in the comments section below. In his time with thee Vikings, he was named to six-straight Pro Bowls from 1985-1990, including three All-Pro nods. Inducted into the hall of fame in 1988. 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. Tingelhoff passed away in 2021 at the age of 81, and his dedication, skill, leadership, and stellar function as a teammate are his legacy. Gil Brandt from NFL.com has been rattling off his best at each position group this offseason. 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. Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints. The Vikings received glowing reviews from players on how they treated their families. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Still, theres a reason he has stayed in the league this long. He scored twice on interception returns as well. O'Connell gave a positive update on Cine's recovery process, noting the young safety's clear excitement about the upcoming season. This week, we'll focus on safeties. In his career, he has 305 tackles and 12 interceptions. According to The Top Tens, a website that allows fans to vote, Smith currently tops the as the best safety of the 2018-2019 season. 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 . He was known as much for his consistency as his stature and grit. Bryant was also an excellent special teams player, making him even more of a threat after an interception. In his six years as the team's strong safety, he tallied nearly 600 tackles, including more than 100 in a season three times. He earned his reputation as The Scrambler because, in an era when it was practically taboo, Tarkenton was unafraid to run for the ball. He had 51 interceptions in 13 years and had four defensive touchdowns. 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. It doesn't lean on the Hall of Fame for selections, either. Smith is slowly making his case for being the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. The Vikings offered a good amount of first-class seats, and 95% of players felt they had enough room to spread out. 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 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. Flores sees safeties as an integral piece on the chess board and uses them in a variety of ways. Here's a look at the best Vikings safety duos of all-time. As the conquering King of England, Denmark, and Norway, Kntr (a.k.a. NFL teams were graded on eight categories with a grading range of F to A+. Peppers recorded 97 sacks in black and blue and forced more than 30 fumbles, both of which are by far team records. Who are the best cornerbacks in Minnesota Vikings history? John Randle came into the league as an undrafted rookie free agent from a small Division II school. Justin Hall kick and stick with stun forward, against Nikos Ekonomopoulos [2:30]: https://youtu.be/omQ35O_N_co?t=18264. Joe Theismann 11. Welcome to the latest in a series of slideshows that power rank the greatestMinnesota Vikingsof all time by position. According to the press release, the NFLPAs goals were to highlight positive clubs, identify areas that could use improvement, and highlight best practices and standards.. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. View the best safety photos from the 2021 season shot by Vikings photographers. 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. 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. Honorable mentions: Jim Marshall, Jared Allen and Kevin Williams. 0. Not only did the rookie get to play in front of friends and family in his home state of California, but he also helped Minnesota notch a West Coast win. What many fans don't realize is that he played for 10 years prior to the accident. But despite that and three more Super Bowl appearances, the Vikings have yet to win a Super Bowl championship. Troy Polamalu 3. 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. He was voted NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1998, played in six Pro Bowls, and was named to the All-Decade Team of the 2000s. These are the top 15 hardest hitters to ever come through the NFL. Top 50 Washington Redskins Players of All Time By Clark Boinis | Aug 28, 2021, 12:32pm 1. Take a look at how all 32 of his. He nabbed his first career interception, picking off 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson with a savvy play down the middle of the field. When he saw the Ravens offense set up, Bynum immediately recognized it as a look he'd seen all week during Vikings practices. 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. The team's first-round draft choice in 1983, he came from USC to the NFL and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league on special teams. Dr. Dave recreates and analyzes the 10 best safeties of all time executed by pros other than Efren Reyes.This is part of the \"Most Famous Pool Shots\" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH9d4KFY28XscHllvlP_rVC1jQjDXZmYDShots Included and Source Video Links:- Intro [0:00]1. Two former Vikings were listed in his top group. 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. 1. We rank the best safeties in the NFL. 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. EAGAN, Minn. The Vikings combined a mixture of veteran experience and youth at the safety position in 2021. He replaces A . 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. Carl Eller, one of the Purple People Eaters, simply out manned opposing left tackles for 15 seasons as a Viking. The offense once again failed to capitalize, though, and the Vikings ultimately fell 20-16. Justin Bergman carom off three rails for hide and distance, against Niels Feijen [10:43]: https://youtu.be/aNZJURtAflE?t=161010. 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. On Halloween night and the prime-time stage, he had a spook-tacular outing against his former team. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. 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. Ed Reed's impact should not be downplayed, however. the best Vikings players of all time. Blairs most valuable trait was his ability to cover tight ends and running backs in passing situations. 2. Harrison Smith & Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings. Wilson is a Hall of Famer, picked off 52 passes . He managed to play all 1208 defensive snaps for Zimmers defense in 2021 and led the whole team in snaps. 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. 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. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onMinnesota Vikings and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Williams is vastly underrated and is simply one of the NFL's top free safeties right now. In the words of Vikings' head coaching legend Bud Grant, "Paul personified the term free safety.". Earlier this week, he covered the safety position. Players had no complaints regarding the Vikings new locker room. Ken Houston 15. Smith is only 28, but hes made two-straight Pro Bowls in his five seasons in purple. The data was averaged for the number of years each duo players together. 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. This is the list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time. He was eventually cut from the Eagles after failing several drug tests. What College Football Team Did John Wayne Play For? It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Browner was later named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Team of the '80s. His 1,098 tackles are the fifth highest number in team history. He was a first-team All-Pro three times over that span. The eight categories included: treatment of families, nutrition, weight room, strength staff, training room, locker room, and travel. Sean Taylor 6. Jevon Holland was a prime example of this during Flores' time with the Miami Dolphins . After his retirement in 1981, Page began a career in law and was elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court. 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. 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. The survey . Steve Atwater was the greatest run-support safety of all time. Eller is credited with the most sacks in Viking history, and, despite his 66 247 lb frame, possessed surprising speed and agility. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. 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. For the first time, the NFL Players Association released their team report cards on Wednesday. Some changes have been in an effort to reduce the number of hard hits and potentially career-ending injuries that come along with some of the NFL's roughness. For his imposing presence in the backfield and his sheer number of tackles, Griffith edges past Kassulke into the No. Browner made six straight Pro Bowl appearances, beginning in 1985. 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. Players felt the training staff went above and beyond to help them. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. He made the Pro Bowl following the 1970 season. 1 / 100 Minnesota Vikings 2 / 100. Another name to monitor who shares that familiarity is Adrian Amos if he has a smaller price tag and is open to continuing his journey in the NFC North after stops in Green Bay and Chicago. Paul KrauseNo. Of course there was a number of other players considered, but no one popped on the film quite like Barr. 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.. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Mario He jump safe, against Bashar Hussain [0:35]: https://youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds?t=20992. Certain players, such as Mike Morris and Scott Studwell, would have fit perfectly in that era. EAGAN, Minn. The Vikings combined a mixture of veteran experience and youth at the safety position in 2021. At the time of his retirement, he ranked third and fourth in NFL history with 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns. Carl Eller was born January 25, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended college at the University of Minnesota. Pages most ridiculous accomplishment was earning MVP in 1971 as a defensive player. The Minnesota Vikings were praised for their cafeteria, with 100% of players saying there is enough room. In 2021 . No pair of safeties has performed better or lifted their defense higher than the Vikings' tandem of Harris and Smith. Those are the quintessential Vikings to many fans. Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. He detailed the play for media members, noting that the defense was in middle-open coverage, so he expected Baltimore to try attacking the middle of the field. Following two stints and ten seasons with the Panthers, Julius Peppers is without question the franchise's best defensive player ever. His total of 53 picks as a Viking is a team record. This group all brings individual strengths that mesh perfectly together for an unstoppable force that extends to special teams as well. 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. The rest is Vikings history. Despite excelling, Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967. Hes a hall of famer and widely considered one of the best in the league. Albin Ouschan 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=613. Who Are The Atlanta Falcons' Biggest Rivals? 98% of players also said there is enough hot and cold tub space. When the opposing quarterback inevitably has to get the ball out early, Krause will be there for the interception. Bush could be a solid replacement on the market. 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. Over the next several seasons, even as the Vikings struggled to find their footing, Tarkenton continued to prove his merit. Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings. 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. These players are considered some of the best football players of all time. Art Monk 5. Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade, exemplified by being voted to the . If these eras of purple punishment combined, opponents would have nowhere to go but backwards. These lists are filled with players who epitomize what it means to be a Viking. Just like part one, this roster will be both awesome and arguable, and I await your comments (@eddiechisham). The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. He has 37 career interceptions, 1,118 tackles and is a six-time All-Pro. The Vikings had several Hall of Famers suit up for them during their Super Bowl years like Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Ron Yary. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. The Vikings have drafted well over the years. Click on as we power rank the top safeties in Minnesota Vikings history. Please check your email for a confirmation. 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. Bynum filled in admirably when Smith who disclosed earlier in the year he was unvaccinated tested positive for coronavirus. He tallied 130 career sacks in purple and was All-Pro five times. Reed ranks 10th all-time in interceptions, and had nine Pro Bowl selections. In the 1996 Pro Bowl, he made history as the first guard to catch a touchdown pass. No player has dominated the corner position since the turn of the century . Became the first defensive player to receive the NFL's MVP award. 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. Kassulke was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1963. If anyone can get past that nasty defensive line, they wont get much farther. He adopted intimidation tactics, trash-talking, and a larger-than-life presence on the field that waged absolute psychological warfare. The Minnesota Vikings opened this year's training camp on Friday and one position they appear to be all set for the season. 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. 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. After combing through Minnesotas starters for each year, here are the franchises top 10 safety duos of all-time. The Vikings have had a number of superstars wear the purple and gold. Blair had a hot streak in his career from 1977 to 1982, making six consecutive pro bowls. If you think someone should be on this list of the best Vikings of all time, then feel free to add him to the list. Part two of the Greatest Minnesota Vikingsof all time focuses on the defense. 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. Scott Studwell was a ninth round draft choice in 1977, and dominated throughout his career, playing all of it in Minnesota. Smith suited up for his seventh season in Purple and started all 16 games. Karl Kassulke may be best known for the tragic motorcycle accident he suffered on his way to training camp in 1973. Viking Cruises. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Eric Rowe, (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Deon Bush. Carnell Lake performed swimmingly for 10 seasons as a Steeler in the Burgh. A season ago, Harris (91.6) and Smith (91.4) produced PFF's top two coverage grades among players at the position. 1. Knud's North Sea Empire, including Denmark . John Riggins 4. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/vikings-rank-1st-in-inaugural-nflpa-team-report-card/, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. In 2021 Peterson set another record when he scored a rushing touchdown with the Seattle Seahawks, making him the first player in history to score a rushing touchdown with six different NFL teams.Peterson has cemented himself as one of the greatest running backs of all time, and his career with the Vikings is a crucial part of his legacy. Doing so could mean some hard decisions on key contributors from last season like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, Za . 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 . The Vikings have had a number of superstars wear the purple and gold. It includes every starting cornerback from throughout Minnesota Vikings history, including current cornerbacks and past ones. But, this time Im ranking best safety duos in Vikings history. 3-time first-team All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowler. In 1990 the Minnesota Vikings signed Carter off waivers for $100 and offered him the opportunity to get sober and redeem his NFL career. February 28, 2023. Jones was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and seven-time All-Pro. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. As a tackling machine, Atwater compiled more than 120 tackles during his first five NFL seasons. Pro-football-reference.com has provided advanced defensive stats since 2018 that are a decent metric of summarizing cornerbacks' play. The report cards polled 1,300 players, who provided information about their current teams. The Minnesota Vikings continue to reshape their defensive coaching staff under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. That isn't due to the lack of great players. Copyright 2017-2023 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. 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). He managed to play all 1208 defensive snaps for Zimmers defense in 2021 jones was a round! Doesn & # x27 ; t lean on the film quite like Barr unstoppable force that extends special... 1966 and then again from 1972 to 1978 and was a ninth round draft choice in 1977, took! Has dominated the corner position since the turn of the century the latest in a series of slideshows that rank. First time, the NFL & # x27 ; t lean on film! All-Time in interceptions, and dominated throughout his career, playing all of it in Minnesota Vikings,... 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