Smith also wears the same number that belongs to the best safety in Vikings historyPaul Krause. Either way, safeties are usually the last line of defense. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2019. He isnt just an all-time Vikings player, he is an all-time NFL player. 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. For his physical and mental contributions to the Vikings during his rookie year, Harrison Smith receives Honorable Mention on the list of the greatest Vikings safeties of all time. Other players, particularlyAdrian Peterson, would have been fun in any era. Fran Tarkenton was born in Richmond, Virginia, on February 3, 1940. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2017/07/05/vikings-have-2-of-the-top-safeties-of-all-time/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. McMichael set a franchise record with three safeties . He also managed 17 interceptions, though he wasn't known for his hands. In this defense, based heavily off pass rush, intelligent corners with good press ability will wipe out quick passes and stop outside runsWinfield fits that description. Randle led the Vikings in sacks in nine of his 11 seasons, and strung together eight seasons in a row with over 10 sacks. The safety earned a Profootballfocus grade of 66.7, 39th in the NFL among all safeties. 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 report card mentioned that all players felt like owner Zygi Wilf is willing to spend money to upgrade their facilities. He was voted AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, selected for six Pro Bowls, and chosen for the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team. For the first time, the NFL Players Association released their team report cards on Wednesday. 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. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Gil Brandt from NFL.com ranks Krause as the 11th-best safety in NFL history. Ed Reed 2. Is someone on the list who shouldn't be there? NFL Best Safeties in the NFL 2022: Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Antoine Winfield Prove Value of Versatility Modern NFL defenses rely on coverage, and the best defenses have the top safeties in the NFL. Behind the Purple People Eaters of the 70s was one of the best safeties the league has ever seen. In 2021 . Studwell showed an elite football mind, dissecting offenses by diagnosing plays early. Doleman is the perfect cap stone of this four-piece pass rushing nightmare. He had 51 interceptions in 13 years and had four defensive touchdowns. Larry Wilson Highlight Video 3) Ken Houston Smith's previous career high had been 104, which he recorded as a rookie in 2012. Harrison Smith & Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings. 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. The Raiders and Texans were the only two in the top five to finish with a losing record, while the Vikings, Dolphins, and Cowboys all made the . Tingelhoff passed away in 2021 at the age of 81, and his dedication, skill, leadership, and stellar function as a teammate are his legacy. 9. The best Minnesota Vikings running back of all time is Adrian Peterson. Key stats: 909 tackles, 52 INTs. He replaces A . Kassulke was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1963. 8. Orlando Thomas was a second-round pick for the Vikings in the 1995 NFL draft. When the opposing quarterback inevitably has to get the ball out early, Krause will be there for the interception. 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. These are the top 15 hardest hitters to ever come through the NFL. On other plays, they need to display elite coverage skills to stop the pass. Click on as we power rank the top safeties in Minnesota Vikings history. 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. EAGAN, Minn. Led by Harrison Smith, the Vikings safeties made an impact throughout the 2018 season. The safety is the last line of your team's defense, but elite talents are capable of making big plays on pass rush duties, too. 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. Here is every player who has ever held the position of Minnesota Vikingsstarting cornerback. 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. 1 / 100 Minnesota Vikings 2 / 100. What College Football Team Did John Wayne Play For? The Vikings currently have seven safeties on the roster led by Harrison Smith entering his eighth season. Ken Houston 6. The Vikings had several Hall of Famers suit up for them during their Super Bowl years like Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Ron Yary. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. Of course there was a number of other players considered, but no one popped on the film quite like Barr. His strength was the run defense, where he was the third-best league-wide at his position. 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. For years, the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Vikings defensive line, were one of the most intimidating in the league. The Minnesota Vikings opened this year's training camp on Friday and one position they appear to be all set for the season. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onMinnesota Vikings and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Steve Atwater was the greatest run-support safety of all time. Despite excelling, Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967. 955 - 1035. He scored twice on interception returns as well. For years, the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Vikings defensive line, were one of the most intimidating in the league. "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.". Joe Theismann 11. His 1,098 tackles are the fifth highest number in team history. The Vikings received glowing reviews from players on how they treated their families. In some circumstances, they need to hit like linebackers to stop the running game. 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. Minnesota Vikings news fromFanSided Daily, Vikings Training Camp 2019: Top 4 takeaways from Day 1, Stefon Diggs is excited to play in the Vikings new offense, 15 Worst Free Agents Signings of All-Time, Minnesota Vikings defensive end suffers Achilles tendon tear. 10. By Arif Hasan December 24, 2022 Jump Around This Article Click to show Mario He jump safe, against Bashar Hussain [0:35]: https://youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds?t=20992. Krause not only tops the Vikings franchise record for career interceptions with 53, but he also owns the NFL record with 81 career picks. Eller is credited with the most sacks in Viking history, and, despite his 66 247 lb frame, possessed surprising speed and agility. Charles Mann 16. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. The Vikings offered a good amount of first-class seats, and 95% of players felt they had enough room to spread out. He spent fourteen years with the Vikings and played starting right tackle from his second season on.. He became a special teams star in his first two seasons, and took over the safety spot full-time in 1996. 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. The Vikings need to clear $23 million of 2023 salary to get under the cap. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. 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. Bush has 17 tackles over the last two seasons on special teams. This purple pack of players isn't limited to the most skilled or the most iconic Vikings. He went on to win the starting job at free safety in 1979, and would finish his career as arguably the greatest. 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. 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. Matt Blair leads all Minnesota Vikings linebackers with 16 career interceptions from the outside linebacker spot. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. 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. He was undrafted out of San Diego State and spent a year in the CFL before arriving in Minnesota in 1994. Browner, a 1983 first-round pick, played nine seasons with the Vikings and one with Tampa Bay. We are concluding this series with safeties. 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. Not going with the Purple People Eaters as a whole felt wrong. 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. Jones was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and seven-time All-Pro. He also holds the team mark for 852 yards on interception returns. 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. Albin Ouschan 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=613. 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. In his career, he has 305 tackles and 12 interceptions. 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. For the Minnesota Vikings history Minnesota Vikingsstarting cornerback managed 17 interceptions, though he was voted AP Offensive of! 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