He was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 1988 as an offensive guard. We are concluding this series with safeties. The crash left him paralyzed from the waist down, ending a stellar career. 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 first game, he made history as the only NFL quarterback to pass for four touchdowns during their first start and led the Vikings to a legendary win. Sean Taylor 6. 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. 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. The Vikings offered a good amount of first-class seats, and 95% of players felt they had enough room to spread out. His 1,098 tackles are the fifth highest number in team history. When he saw the Ravens offense set up, Bynum immediately recognized it as a look he'd seen all week during Vikings practices. Mario He jump safe, against Bashar Hussain [0:35]: https://youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds?t=20992. The Vikings ranked as the top team overall, followed by the Dolphins and the Raiders. A season ago, Harris (91.6) and Smith (91.4) produced PFF's top two coverage grades among players at the position. Chris Hanburger 9. Then check out this list of Minnesota Vikings cornerbacks with photos and seasons as starters. Sammy Baugh 2. I couldnt justify keeping Barr off the list just due to the rich history of other players. He was known as much for his consistency as his stature and grit. Not going with the Purple People Eaters as a whole felt wrong. Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade, exemplified by being voted to the . 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). Chris Doleman tallied 45 forced fumbles in his career. One name that is well worth mentioning among the Top 10 Strong Safety All-Time list is the former Seattle Seahawks and Pro Football Hall of Famer strong safety Kenny Easley. Yet, here stands perhaps the best collection of defensive linemen the NFL will ever know. Bobby Bryant played corner back in all four Super Bowls for the Minnesota Vikings. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 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. 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. For his longevity and his record-breaking thievery, Paul Krause barely slips past Joey Browner as the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. Bynum answered the bell after finding out the morning of the Ravens game that he'd need to make his first NFL start. 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. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. 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. 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 . The Minnesota Vikings were praised for their cafeteria, with 100% of players saying there is enough room. A Super Bowl winner, Reed is a name that can be overlooked when discussing the best safeties of all-time. Browner made six straight Pro Bowl appearances, beginning in 1985. Kassulke was a big hitter and one of the backbones of the famed Purple People Eaters. 3 spot on this list of greatest Vikings safeties. Have a player you'd like to nominate? As the conquering King of England, Denmark, and Norway, Kntr (a.k.a. Minnesota Vikings. 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. Karl Kassulke was known in NFL circles as a fierce hitter, but Robert Griffith made a career out of it. This is the list of the greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time. 1. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner . 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 . 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. The Vikings had several Hall of Famers suit up for them during their Super Bowl years like Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Ron Yary. Matt Blair leads all Minnesota Vikings linebackers with 16 career interceptions from the outside linebacker spot. 2. Alan Page. Smith is slowly making his case for being the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. 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. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. There were certainly ups and downs from the veteran defensive back, and it's worth keeping an eye on. He managed to play all 1208 defensive snaps for Zimmers defense in 2021 and led the whole team in snaps. 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. Charles Mann 16. He scored twice on interception returns as well. Smith's previous career high had been 104, which he recorded as a rookie in 2012. The Vikings ended up falling just short in the Week 9 contest, but Bynum's big play helped give them a chance. The criteria used includes games started, interceptions and fumble recoveries, touchdowns scored, and their approximate value (AV) assigned by Pro Football Reference. Wilson is a Hall of Famer, picked off 52 passes . Smith totaled a career-high 114 tackles (83 solo), which ranked second on the team behind linebacker Eric Kendricks. These lists are filled with players who epitomize what it means to be a Viking. When it comes to the greatest Vikings quarterback, Fran Tarkenton tops just about every list.He is considered the best quarterback the franchise has ever seen, and he led the team to three Super Bowls during his latter seven years with them. The Minnesota Vikings were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. 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. An important part of the Minnesota defensive backfield, the CB position requires fast players to cover receivers, defend against pass offenses, and make tackles. He also managed 17 interceptions, though he wasn't known for his hands. Who Are The Atlanta Falcons' Biggest Rivals? 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. Greenwood. Tingelhoff passed away in 2021 at the age of 81, and his dedication, skill, leadership, and stellar function as a teammate are his legacy. 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 helped the Bucs to a Super Bowl title his rookie year and followed that up with a . 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 went on to win the starting job at free safety in 1979, and would finish his career as arguably the greatest. Not including a player from the modern era felt painful. And with Dorn and Metellus now having two seasons under their belt, will they become more regular contributors on defense in 2022? Ray Lewis was the star of the great Ravens defense. Jones was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and seven-time All-Pro. This group all brings individual strengths that mesh perfectly together for an unstoppable force that extends to special teams as well. Over the next several seasons, even as the Vikings struggled to find their footing, Tarkenton continued to prove his merit. 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. Coming in as one of the top free safeties just missing the cut is the New England Patriots star Devin McCourty. The NFLPA specifically mentioned that they provide all three meals. Is someone on the list who shouldn't be there? Joey Browner was a fantastic all-around player, but his ability to hit as a strong safety easily stands out as his most impressive skill. Additionally, his ball-hawking ways helped solidify a pass defense that faces brutal competition every week in the pass-happy NFC North. 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. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. The 25 Best Safeties In NFL History. When he came to the Vikings prior to the 1968 season, he had already intercepted 28 passes as a member of the Washington Redskins. We rank the best safeties in the NFL. 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. Valedictorians of the greatest appearances, beginning in 1985 104, which second! Safe, against Bashar Hussain [ 0:35 ]: https: //youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds? t=20992 defensive for... Free safeties just missing the cut is the New England Patriots star Devin McCourty having two seasons under belt. 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