. 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. In his six years as the team's strong safety, he tallied nearly 600 tackles, including more than 100 in a season three times. When he came to the Vikings prior to the 1968 season, he had already intercepted 28 passes as a member of the Washington Redskins. The Minnesota Vikings opened this year's training camp on Friday and one position they appear to be all set for the season. 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. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Despite their 4-0 Super Bowl record, the Minnesota Vikings have a long history of legendary players. The Vikings received glowing reviews from players on how they treated their families. Players felt the training staff went above and beyond to help them. 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. Karl Kassulke was known in NFL circles as a fierce hitter, but Robert Griffith made a career out of it. It's all about being a Viking. 2. These are the top 15 hardest hitters to ever come through the NFL. 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.. Part two of the Greatest Minnesota Vikingsof all time focuses on the defense. Who are the best cornerbacks in Minnesota Vikings history? When he saw the Ravens offense set up, Bynum immediately recognized it as a look he'd seen all week during Vikings practices. Paul Krause | S. The NFL's all-time leader in interceptions spent 12 of his 16 years in Minnesota. Russ Grimm 10. Not going with the Purple People Eaters as a whole felt wrong. The best in the business need to be athletically gifted: fast,. Listed below are the top ten best Minnesota Vikings players of all time. 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. 1 / 100 Minnesota Vikings 2 / 100. Ed Reed 2. Became the first defensive player to receive the NFL's MVP award. There were certainly ups and downs from the veteran defensive back, and it's worth keeping an eye on. In his 1990 sophomore season, Atwater tallied an all-around 173 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one sack. For years, the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Vikings defensive line, were one of the most intimidating in the league. 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. "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.". Bush could be a solid replacement on the market. 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 played this position immaculately but was also so versatile a player that he was utilized in unconventional ways. He rose to the occasion with grace, demonstrating determination and discipline over his 12 seasons. The offense once again failed to capitalize, though, and the Vikings ultimately fell 20-16. He received only a brief suspension during his legal battle and continued to play with the Vikings until 2016 before signing a contract with the New Orleans Saints. 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 . The Minnesota Vikings need to be efficient in the offseason. After his retirement in 1981, Page began a career in law and was elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court. He is an elite football mind, he is elite in pass protection and he has a tendency to knock players into their seats. 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. 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. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. He managed to play all 1208 defensive snaps for Zimmers defense in 2021 and led the whole team in snaps. Studwell didnt receive many accolades for his play, but the tape suggests that was a mistake. His 1,098 tackles are the fifth highest number in team history. Griffith was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2000 season and was an All-Pro selection in 1998 and 1999. Yet, here stands perhaps the best collection of defensive linemen the NFL will ever know. 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. John Randle came into the league as an undrafted rookie free agent from a small Division II school. 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. As was the case for Anthony Harris, Smith had to do more with less around him. 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. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 04:14 PM CST. Just like part one, this roster will be both awesome and arguable, and I await your comments (@eddiechisham). 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. He was known as much for his consistency as his stature and grit. EAGAN, Minn. The Vikings combined a mixture of veteran experience and youth at the safety position in 2021. 9. Gil Brandt from NFL.com ranks Krause as the 11th-best safety in NFL history. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. 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. He was eventually cut from the Eagles after failing several drug tests. Gil Brandt from NFL.com has been rattling off his best at each position group this offseason. His intense passion for the game and endless pursuit of perfection made him one of the most fearsome safeties of his. EAGAN, Minn. Led by Harrison Smith, the Vikings safeties made an impact throughout the 2018 season. 22 firstmainly because of his longevity and his interception record. 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. 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. The Vikings have had a number of superstars wear the purple and gold. Minnesota, 13-4 in 2022, is 30th in cap space at $24.4 million over the cap. Krause not only tops the Vikings franchise record for career interceptions with 53, but he also owns the NFL record with 81 career picks. Krause was named All-NFL four times, started in four Super Bowls and has a Minnesota Vikings record with 10 interceptions in a year. That isn't due to the lack of great players. 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. He was voted AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, selected for six Pro Bowls, and chosen for the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team. 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His pass coverage, meanwhile, lowered his overall rating. Big fan of Minnesota football? Browner was later named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Team of the '80s. This group all brings individual strengths that mesh perfectly together for an unstoppable force that extends to special teams as well. Hopefully, the former Golden Bear will make another jump headed into Year 2. 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. In the words of Vikings' head coaching legend Bud Grant, "Paul personified the term free safety.". 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. View the best safety photos from the 2021 season shot by Vikings photographers. 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. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. The team selected him from Louisiana-Lafayette and plugged him immediately into the defensive rotation. Carl Eller, one of the Purple People Eaters, simply out manned opposing left tackles for 15 seasons as a Viking. He was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 1988 as an offensive guard. 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.. 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 betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. 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. While he earned a reputation for his tumultuous personal life and numerous legal battles, his formidable speed, athleticism, and talent are undeniable. All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference unless otherwise noted. Little known fact about Alan Page: he blocked 28 punts and kicks in his careeras an interior lineman. We rank the best safeties in the NFL. 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. Skyler Woodward thin hit kick freeze hide, with Shane van Boening [7:12]: https://youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU?t=9697. He helped the Bucs to a Super Bowl title his rookie year and followed that up with a . Francisco Bustamante carom off three rails to hide, against Thorsten Hohmann [8:00]: https://youtu.be/uJ-ixqSywDc?t=6148. 955 - 1035. 98% of players also said there is enough hot and cold tub space. Carnell Lake performed swimmingly for 10 seasons as a Steeler in the Burgh. Darren Appleton hide behind small ball with distance, with Mark Gray [3:27]: https://youtu.be/w8DF4lqN6IQ?t=23955. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner . Bush spent some time in Chicago with Minnesotas current safeties coach Roy Anderson. Joe Jacoby 13. 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. The rest is Vikings history. A fairly steady tackler, Thomas was known more for his pass coverage than his fierce hits. The '80s forced fumbles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and chosen for the game endless! 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