The Best Minnesota Vikings Cornerbacks Of All Time. He also recovered 10 fumbles and returned two of them for touchdowns. And with Dorn and Metellus now having two seasons under their belt, will they become more regular contributors on defense in 2022? Bynum certainly showed promise in his first season, especially considering the Vikings converted him from cornerback. As Easley is often looked past due to his short career in the NFL, his play on the field was at a top level and one that had in the elite group . 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. 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. In the pass, Studwell came away with 11 interceptions despite his lack of elite physical traits. The team selected him from Louisiana-Lafayette and plugged him immediately into the defensive rotation. A Super Bowl winner, Reed is a name that can be overlooked when discussing the best safeties of all-time. 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. Off the field, however, he was troubled and faced child abuse charges in 2014. 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. 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. Currently, the team is roughly $24 million over . Ed Reed's impact should not be downplayed, however. He played in nine Pro Bowls, and in 1975, he secured both the NFLs MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Award. His 1,098 tackles are the fifth highest number in team history. His pass coverage, meanwhile, lowered his overall rating. Players felt the training staff went above and beyond to help them. Albin Ouschan 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=613. Harris also finished second at the position in terms of . Vikings Are a Perfect Fit for Top Free Agent. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. The organization ranked 7th in support of players families, with the NFLPA citing that the Vikings offered a family room and daycare. In his time with the Vikings, Krause made six Pro Bowls and had 53 interceptions, a franchise record. Known for his formidable speed and aggression on the field, Page spent eleven seasons with the Vikings as a defensive tackle, helped them win four title games, and played in all four Super Bowls they appeared in.He was awarded Defensive Player of the Year in 1971 and 1973, selected nine consecutive times for the Pro Bowl, and made history in 1971 as the first defensive player to be named MVP. 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. As Meirov noted, the team can save roughly $50 million in cap space by moving running back Dalvin . 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. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. In the 1996 Pro Bowl, he made history as the first guard to catch a touchdown pass. The Dolphins led the league in 2021 with a 38% blitz rate, and were top five in 2020 under Brian Flores. The best in the business need to be athletically gifted: fast,. Regarding staff, 95% of players felt the Vikings had enough athletic trainers (ATCs), and 92% said they had enough physical therapists (PTs). He was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 1988 as an offensive guard. 9. 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. 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. They held teams to just 10.3 points per game, and in their championship game they held the Giants to just ten points. The criteria used includes games started, interceptions and fumble recoveries, touchdowns scored, and their approximate value (AV) assigned by Pro Football Reference. We rank the best safeties in the NFL. In similar fashion to the defensive line . 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. In his career, he has 305 tackles and 12 interceptions. Most of all, these three linebackers work well together because of their game intelligence. 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 . Mario He jump safe, against Bashar Hussain [0:35]: https://youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds?t=20992. 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. After his retirement in 1981, Page began a career in law and was elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court. His strength was the run defense, where he was the third-best league-wide at his position. . Top 10 BEST SAFETIES of All Time And How to Shoot Them 56,661 views Dec 16, 2020 1.2K Dislike DrDaveBilliards 240K subscribers Dr. Dave recreates and analyzes the 10 best safeties of all time. Browner, a 1983 first-round pick, played nine seasons with the Vikings and one with Tampa Bay. Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade, exemplified by being voted to the . No pair of safeties has performed better or lifted their defense higher than the Vikings' tandem of Harris and Smith. Sammy Baugh 2. 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. By the time his nine seasons in purple were over, he had racked up some serious statistics. 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. Kassulke was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1963. Other players, particularlyAdrian Peterson, would have been fun in any era. He has 37 career interceptions, 1,118 tackles and is a six-time All-Pro. That won't be happening here. Smith is slowly making his case for being the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. 15 Worst Free Agents Signings of All-Time. Chris Hanburger 9. The Vikings have been blessed with some fine safeties over the years. Who Is The Best Running Back In The NFL Right Now? Key stats: 909 tackles, 52 INTs. 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. 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. 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. They were also 2nd in the league for their post-game gathering area. He played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and then again from 1972 to 1978 and was a dominant force in both stints. The top five teams went a combined 43-41-1 in 2022. Brian Dawkins 5. 4 position on the list of greatest Vikings safeties of all time. 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. 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. The Minnesota Vikings opened this years training camp on Friday and one position they appear to be all set for the season is safety. Browner was later named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Team of the '80s. Paul Krause was the original ball hawk of the Minnesota Vikings. He scored twice on interception returns as well. 4) Larry Wilson He revolutionized the "safety blitz" that we see in every game today and finished his career with a whopping 52 interceptions. Peppers recorded 97 sacks in black and blue and forced more than 30 fumbles, both of which are by far team records. NFL teams were graded on eight categories with a grading range of F to A+. 1. Viking Cruises. At the time of his retirement, he ranked third and fourth in NFL history with 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. 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. What many fans don't realize is that he played for 10 years prior to the accident. Studwell showed an elite football mind, dissecting offenses by diagnosing plays early. Bynum filled in admirably when Smith who disclosed earlier in the year he was unvaccinated tested positive for coronavirus. Known for his strength and endurance, Yary is widely considered the Vikings greatest defensive tackle of all time. 9. 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. 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. He adopted intimidation tactics, trash-talking, and a larger-than-life presence on the field that waged absolute psychological warfare. Honorable mentions: Jim Marshall, Jared Allen and Kevin Williams. Alan Page. 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. Randle led the Vikings in sacks in nine of his 11 seasons, and strung together eight seasons in a row with over 10 sacks. Please check your email for a confirmation. The Vikings drafted Camryn Bynum out of Cal and converted the cornerback to safety, which worked out well for the youngster. In some circumstances, they need to hit like linebackers to stop the running game. 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 . 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. A fairly steady tackler, Thomas was known more for his pass coverage than his fierce hits. Carnell Lake. Heres where it gets arguable. Blair played his entire career with the Vikings and helped earn trips to two Super Bowls. 3 spot on this list of greatest Vikings safeties. He tallied 130 career sacks in purple and was All-Pro five times. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. 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. 7 bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings 2019 season. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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. Over his entire career, he racked up 159.5 sacks, which ranks fourth in NFL history. This purple pack of players isn't limited to the most skilled or the most iconic Vikings. Krause was named All-NFL four times, started in four Super Bowls and has a Minnesota Vikings record with 10 interceptions in a year. It includes every starting cornerback from throughout Minnesota Vikings history, including current cornerbacks and past ones. In his first year in Minnesota, he picked off passes in six straight games, which is still a team record. 14. EAGAN, Minn. The Vikings combined a mixture of veteran experience and youth at the safety position in 2021. The survey . "VALHALLA" | AGGRESSIVE Viking Battle Music Best Vikings Music Of All Time Viking Music 2021 Image: Quote from Vikings: Valhalla If there is any prob. When he saw the Ravens offense set up, Bynum immediately recognized it as a look he'd seen all week during Vikings practices. The Minnesota Vikings were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. The Vikings received glowing reviews from players on how they treated their families. He was a first-team All-Pro three times over that span. Still, theres a reason he has stayed in the league this long. He replaces A . Skyler Woodward thin hit kick freeze hide, with Shane van Boening [7:12]: https://youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU?t=9697. Smith already was with the team in Baltimore when he received the positive test, and he later thanked the Wilf family for providing him with a private flight back to Minnesota. If these eras of purple punishment combined, opponents would have nowhere to go but backwards. 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. On Halloween night and the prime-time stage, he had a spook-tacular outing against his former team. He was undrafted out of San Diego State and spent a year in the CFL before arriving in Minnesota in 1994. He played for the University of Georgia and was drafted to the Vikings in 1961 when the team was just getting its start. The Vikings currently have seven safeties on the roster led by Harrison Smith entering his eighth season. Bush spent some time in Chicago with Minnesotas current safeties coach Roy Anderson. Smith suited up for his seventh season in Purple and started all 16 games. Table of Contents Who are the Best NFL Safeties of All Time? While stats are taken into account, there are other, more subjective criteria as well. 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.. 15. INDIANAPOLIS (AP)The Minnesota Vikings treat their players best, according to a new NFL Players Association survey. Big fan of Minnesota football? Bynum answered the bell after finding out the morning of the Ravens game that he'd need to make his first NFL start. Bynum secured his first career sack against Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and he also recorded a pass defensed and a tackle for loss. 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 new Defensive Coordinator, Brian Flores, loves to blitz the passer. McMichael set a franchise record with three safeties . Either way, safeties are usually the last line of defense. NFL teams were graded on eight categories with a grading range of F to A+. The eight categories included: treatment of families, nutrition, weight room, strength staff, training room, locker room, and travel. Bobby Bryant played corner back in all four Super Bowls for the Minnesota Vikings. For years, the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Vikings defensive line, were one of the most intimidating in the league. Yes, he has some big-time competition in both Paul Krause and Joey Browner, but the consistency and. 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. A list of the best Minnesota Vikings of all time. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner Zygi Wilf is willing to spend money to upgrade their facilities. He returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns, demonstrating his knack for making big plays. All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference unless otherwise noted. It doesn't lean on the Hall of Fame for selections, either. Bryant was also an excellent special teams player, making him even more of a threat after an interception. 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. This is the list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time. 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. In addition, he compiled 7.5 sacks in Minnesota, including four in 1999. 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. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Welcome to the latest in a series of slideshows that power rank the greatestMinnesota Vikingsof all time by position. Every player felt like the locker room had enough space, which was the best in the league. 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 had 51 interceptions in 13 years and had four defensive touchdowns. Studwell didnt receive many accolades for his play, but the tape suggests that was a mistake. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onAll Minnesota Sports and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. 11 on all-time list), 57 pass deflections and 31 forced fumbles Scott Boehm/Associated Press 3 / 31 29. He played in eight consecutive Pro Bowls and was selected for the 1990s All-Decade team.In 2002, at the time of his retirement, he was the NFLs second all-time leading receiver, held 19 team records for the Vikings, 1,101 receptions for 13,899 yards, and 130 touchdowns.His career is not only a testament to his skill but the gratification of hard work and discipline. Reed ranks 10th all-time in interceptions, and had nine Pro Bowl selections. He nabbed his first career interception, picking off 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson with a savvy play down the middle of the field. Antoine Winfield Jr. wasted no time making a name for himself as one of the best young safeties in the league. 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. 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. It was a smart move. 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. Gil Brandt from NFL.com ranks Krause as the 11th-best safety in NFL history. He intercepted nine passes in his rookie season, which is still a team record for a rookie. The report, released Wednesday during the league's annual scouting combine, rated teams in eight categories - everything from meals and . Smith had 87 tackles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions for the Vikings in 2012. 22 in the videowas the greatest ball hawk in NFL history. These lists are filled with players who epitomize what it means to be a Viking. Who are the best cornerbacks in Minnesota Vikings history? Krause played 16 seasons in the NFL, the last 12 with the Vikings. As a result, he was selected for the second-team All-NFC for his performance. The Vikings had several Hall of Famers suit up for them during their Super Bowl years like Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Ron Yary. No player has dominated the corner position since the turn of the century . Known primarily as a tackler, Browner surprisingly snared 37 interceptions, which is good for fourth on the Vikings' all-time list. As free safeties go, Williams is a physical player who is very helpful in defending the run. 25. 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 were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. Joe Jacoby 13. 98% of players also said there is enough hot and cold tub space. 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. 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. Dolemans 150 career sacks gave him All-Pro honors three times, earning his place on the 90s team of the decade. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. He is an elite football mind, he is elite in pass protection and he has a tendency to knock players into their seats. Larry Wilson Highlight Video 3) Ken Houston Alex Pagulayan full-hit follow-the-rail hide, against Skyler Woodward [8:51]: https://youtu.be/ALy6VtA78uw?t=5259. Bynum flashed in an extremely small sample size. 7. Who Are The Atlanta Falcons' Biggest Rivals? The Vikings ranked as the top team overall, followed by the Dolphins and the Raiders. Ronnie Lott 4. In addition to leading the team in tackles with eight, Woods intercepted QB Cooper Rush early in the second quarter. Coming in as one of the top free safeties just missing the cut is the New England Patriots star Devin McCourty. Knud, Knut, Canute, Cnut) is without a doubt one of the most influential Vikings in history, establishing a Norse rule in the North Sea for the first and only time in history. The Hall of Famer was with the Vikings from 1968-1979 after three seasons with the Redskins. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2017/07/05/vikings-have-2-of-the-top-safeties-of-all-time/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Safeties are the hybrids of NFL defenses. 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.. Justin Hall kick and stick with stun forward, against Nikos Ekonomopoulos [2:30]: https://youtu.be/omQ35O_N_co?t=18264. Doing so could mean some hard decisions on key contributors from last season like Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, Za . 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. 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. Smith is only 28, but hes made two-straight Pro Bowls in his five seasons in purple. Darren Appleton hide behind small ball with distance, with Mark Gray [3:27]: https://youtu.be/w8DF4lqN6IQ?t=23955. 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. As was the case for Anthony Harris, Smith had to do more with less around him. Monte Coleman 14. Not going with the Purple People Eaters as a whole felt wrong. Ron Yary was born on July 16, 1946, in Chicago Illinois, and was the first player selected by the Vikings in the 1968 AFL-NFL draft. 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. . 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. Adrian Wilson snubbed from list of best all-time safeties Schedule Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Steelers Ravens AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans. Jevon Holland was a prime example of this during Flores' time with the Miami Dolphins . Take a look at how all 32 of his. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Five minutes into the fourth quarter, Woods recorded a strip sack of Rush, and linebacker Anthony Barr was able to recover the fumble. Studwell was often in the right place at the right time, and that was no accident. As a tackling machine, Atwater compiled more than 120 tackles during his first five NFL seasons. King of Denmark, Norway, and England. 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. Browner made quick reads and accelerated downfield quickly. 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. 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. Justin Bergman carom off three rails for hide and distance, against Niels Feijen [10:43]: https://youtu.be/aNZJURtAflE?t=161010. His intense passion for the game and endless pursuit of perfection made him one of the most fearsome safeties of his. In addition to his prowess at intercepting passes, he proved his nose for the ball by recovering 19 fumbles, including 11 as a Viking). 1 / 100 Minnesota Vikings 2 / 100. His total of 53 picks as a Viking is a team record. Wilson is a Hall of Famer, picked off 52 passes . He became a special teams star in his first two seasons, and took over the safety spot full-time in 1996. We asked for your Top 10 Vikings players of all time and more than 5,000 people responded. Sendejos contract option was $5.4 million in 2019 and it ended up being a price too high for the Vikings as Harris looked more than capable in his nine starts last year. Winner, Reed is a Hall of Famer was with the Vikings ranked as the round... In Minnesota in 1994 ed Reed & # x27 ; t lean on the Hall of Famer, picked passes. Three interceptions for touchdowns, demonstrating his knack for making big plays three linebackers well... Arriving in Minnesota Vikings opened this years training camp on Friday and with! Interceptions, 1,118 tackles and best vikings safeties of all time interceptions later named to the latest in a of! Example of this during Flores & # x27 ; tandem of Harris and Smith cold... Studwell showed an elite Football mind, dissecting offenses by diagnosing plays early considered the Vikings as... 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