Smith also wears the same number that belongs to the best safety in Vikings historyPaul Krause. 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. His pass coverage, meanwhile, lowered his overall rating. Francisco Bustamante carom off three rails to hide, against Thorsten Hohmann [8:00]: https://youtu.be/uJ-ixqSywDc?t=6148. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. His 1,098 tackles are the fifth highest number in team history. The data was averaged for the number of years each duo players together. L.C. Bush has 17 tackles over the last two seasons on special teams. 4) Larry Wilson He revolutionized the "safety blitz" that we see in every game today and finished his career with a whopping 52 interceptions. While he earned a reputation for his tumultuous personal life and numerous legal battles, his formidable speed, athleticism, and talent are undeniable. 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. The Vikings have had a number of superstars wear the purple and gold. His signature face paint became part of this persona, and he played with guts and abandon that rallied his teammates and terrorized opponents.. Best Safety Photos of 2020 View the best safety photos of the 2020 season from Vikings photographers. Sammy Baugh 2. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Pages most ridiculous accomplishment was earning MVP in 1971 as a defensive player. The survey . The Vikings weight room was built in 2018 and received glowing reviews. The Minnesota Vikings were the valedictorians of the survey, finishing first among all 32 NFL franchises. Few players wanted to continue playing after taking a Browner hit. Part one of the Greatest Minnesota Vikings of All Time focuses on the offense. For years, the Purple People Eaters, the nickname for the Vikings defensive line, were one of the most intimidating in the league. Certain players, such as Mike Morris and Scott Studwell, would have fit perfectly in that era. Williams is vastly underrated and is simply one of the NFL's top free safeties right now. Minnesota Vikings. The best in the business need to be athletically gifted: fast,. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Not going with the Purple People Eaters as a whole felt wrong. Acquired by Minnesota prior to training camp, he stepped right in for the Vikings. No receiver went over the middle against Minnesota without paying the price. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onMinnesota Vikings and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Charles Mann 16. 1 / 100 Minnesota Vikings 2 / 100. The 25 Best Safeties In NFL History. A list of the best Minnesota Vikings of all time. 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. The Vikings had several Hall of Famers suit up for them during their Super Bowl years like Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page and Ron Yary. The turnover unfortunately didn't result in any points for Minnesota but did stop the Cowboys drive. Smith's previous career high had been 104, which he recorded as a rookie in 2012. AncientPages.com - For many years, archaeologists and historians have provided an increasingly informed insight into the dynamic world of the vikings, chipping away at the clichs of a crazed, capricious people preoccupied with beards and bloodshed.One particular approach to understanding viking activity has been to study the encampments they set up along the coasts and rivers of western . Emlen Tunnell Honorable Mentions FAQ 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. Regarding staff, 95% of players felt the Vikings had enough athletic trainers (ATCs), and 92% said they had enough physical therapists (PTs). 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. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. His total of 53 picks as a Viking is a team record. His fierce hits caused receivers to think twice about going across the middle of the secondary. 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. Harrison Smith & Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings. Tingelhoff passed away in 2021 at the age of 81, and his dedication, skill, leadership, and stellar function as a teammate are his legacy. Carl Eller, one of the Purple People Eaters, simply out manned opposing left tackles for 15 seasons as a Viking. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He went on to snag 53 more as a member of the Vikings, setting an all-time NFL record of 81. He was a first-team All-Pro three times over that span. When the opposing quarterback inevitably has to get the ball out early, Krause will be there for the interception. Moss played with the Vikings from 1998-2004 and again for a year in 2010. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onAll Minnesota Sports and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. 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 . Reed ranks 10th all-time in interceptions, and had nine Pro Bowl selections. Steve Atwater was the greatest run-support safety of all time. 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. An important part of the Minnesota defensive backfield, the CB position requires fast players to cover receivers, defend against pass offenses, and make tackles. "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.". 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. Most of all, these three linebackers work well together because of their game intelligence. Bynum made his second straight start against the Chargers in Week 10, and he made the most of it. Blairs most valuable trait was his ability to cover tight ends and running backs in passing situations. Ed Reed 2. Krause still holds the all time interceptions record in the NFL with 81. Dolemans 150 career sacks gave him All-Pro honors three times, earning his place on the 90s team of the decade. Justin Bergman carom off three rails for hide and distance, against Niels Feijen [10:43]: https://youtu.be/aNZJURtAflE?t=161010. Bynum filled in admirably when Smith who disclosed earlier in the year he was unvaccinated tested positive for coronavirus. ! https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2017/07/05/vikings-have-2-of-the-top-safeties-of-all-time/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. As Meirov noted, the team can save roughly $50 million in cap space by moving running back Dalvin . 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. 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. 0. He intercepted nine passes in his rookie season, which is still a team record for a rookie. Adrian Peterson was born on March 21, 1985, in Palestine, Texas. . The Vikings offer a steam room and sauna, which 100% of players said were big enough. The goal: assemble the most explosive offensive powerhouse possible with the great Vikings throughout history. The eight categories included: treatment of families, nutrition, weight room, strength staff, training room, locker room,andtravel. We are concluding this series with safeties. Skyler Woodward thin hit kick freeze hide, with Shane van Boening [7:12]: https://youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU?t=9697. Smith is slowly making his case for being the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. 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. Smith had 87 tackles, a fumble recovery and three interceptions for the Vikings in 2012. All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference unless otherwise noted. 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. Gil Brandt from NFL.com ranks Krause as the 11th-best safety in NFL history. That record has lasted over 37 years. His intense passion for the game and endless pursuit of perfection made him one of the most fearsome safeties of his. Some have been ball hawks, while others have been huge hitters. The report card mentioned that all players felt like owner Zygi Wilf is willing to spend money to upgrade their facilities. 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. 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. 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. These lists are filled with players who epitomize what it means to be a Viking. As free safeties go, Williams is a physical player who is very helpful in defending the run. His skill kept him on the field even when his reliability was brought into question. He returned two of the interceptions for touchdowns, demonstrating his knack for making big plays. Joe Theismann 11. 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. 9. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. 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. 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