best vikings safeties of all time

Blair had a hot streak in his career from 1977 to 1982, making six consecutive pro bowls. As free safeties go, Williams is a physical player who is very helpful in defending the run. The Minnesota Vikings opened this years training camp on Friday and one position they appear to be all set for the season is safety. Strong Safety. Ed Reed 2. He holds the record for most rushing yards in a single game, was Best Offensive Player of the Year in 2012, and MVP in 2013, and ranks among some of the greatest running backs of all time. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. No pair of safeties has performed better or lifted their defense higher than the Vikings' tandem of Harris and Smith. He went on to win the starting job at free safety in 1979, and would finish his career as arguably the greatest. He was a first-round draft pick in 1964 for both the Vikings and their rivals, the Buffalo Bills, but made the decision to stay in Minnesota and began a fourteen-year career with them that ended in 1978.During that time, he became a crucial element of the Vikings famed defensive line.. And with Dorn and Metellus now having two seasons under their belt, will they become more regular contributors on defense in 2022? He was undrafted out of San Diego State and spent a year in the CFL before arriving in Minnesota in 1994. Kassulke was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1963. Smith has been one of the NFL's best safeties for a good long time, and he managed to maintain that status despite coverage and pressure breakdowns all along Minnesota's defense. Honorable mentions: Roy Winston, Wally Hilgenberg and Chad Greenway. 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 . Vikings have 2 of the 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 West Broncos. Certain players, such as Mike Morris and Scott Studwell, would have fit perfectly in that era. The offense once again failed to capitalize, though, and the Vikings ultimately fell 20-16. "Lewis is in a great spot right now, he's well ahead of his . Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. 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. 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. 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. 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. As was the case for Anthony Harris, Smith had to do more with less around him. Then check out this list of Minnesota Vikings cornerbacks with photos and seasons as starters. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. A lot of fans would say that Harrison Smith hasn't been around long enough to merit a spot on this list, but the former Notre Dame star made enough of an impact during his rookie year to earn his place. Carl Eller was born January 25, 1942, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended college at the University of Minnesota. While stats are taken into account, there are other, more subjective criteria as well. All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference unless otherwise noted. This group all brings individual strengths that mesh perfectly together for an unstoppable force that extends to special teams as well. He played in nine Pro Bowls, and in 1975, he secured both the NFLs MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Award. 14. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Eric Rowe, (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Deon Bush. Sammy Baugh 2. Five minutes into the fourth quarter, Woods recorded a strip sack of Rush, and linebacker Anthony Barr was able to recover the fumble. Those are true Vikings. The Vikings currently have seven safeties on the roster led by Harrison Smith entering his eighth season. Will the Vikings' offense be better or worse in 2019? Welcome to the latest in a series of slideshows that power rank the greatestMinnesota Vikingsof all time by position. Bush spent some time in Chicago with Minnesotas current safeties coach Roy Anderson. This was by far the most difficult position group to select. There were certainly ups and downs from the veteran defensive back, and it's worth keeping an eye on. EAGAN, Minn. Led by Harrison Smith, the Vikings safeties made an impact throughout the 2018 season. Bynum secured his first career sack against Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and he also recorded a pass defensed and a tackle for loss. Bryant was also an excellent special teams player, making him even more of a threat after an interception. 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 . 14 Chris Doleman Defensive End. After combing through Minnesotas starters for each year, here are the franchises top 10 safety duos of all-time. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2017/07/05/vikings-have-2-of-the-top-safeties-of-all-time/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Just like part one, this roster will be both awesome and arguable, and I await your comments (@eddiechisham). The team's first-round draft choice in 1983, he came from USC to the NFL and quickly established. The Hall of Famer was with the Vikings from 1968-1979 after three seasons with the Redskins. The eight categories included: treatment of families, nutrition, weight room, strength staff, training room, locker room,andtravel. Cromwell started off as a key contributor at nickelback and on special teams. 3-time first-team All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowler. Joey Browner may have been the best overall safety who ever played for the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota returned All-Pro safety Harrison Smith for his 10th NFL season, and. 7. The rest is Vikings history. This week, we'll focus on safeties. A fairly steady tackler, Thomas was known more for his pass coverage than his fierce hits. 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. Knud's North Sea Empire, including Denmark . 1. Sign up for the Vikings Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Five years ago today, the Vikings celebrated the Minneapolis Miracle. Despite excelling, Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967. 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.. He was voted AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, selected for six Pro Bowls, and chosen for the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013 and is one of the best wide receivers in football history. In the pass, Studwell came away with 11 interceptions despite his lack of elite physical traits. The Vikings drafted Camryn Bynum out of Cal and converted the cornerback to safety, which worked out well for the youngster. 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. When he came to the Vikings prior to the 1968 season, he had already intercepted 28 passes as a member of the Washington Redskins. Mario He jump safe, against Bashar Hussain [0:35]: https://youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds?t=20992. The Minnesota Vikings need to be efficient in the offseason. The Minnesota Vikings' defense could be different at all levels in 2023, depending on how radical they decide to be when it comes to personnel changes. Skyler Woodward thin hit kick freeze hide, with Shane van Boening [7:12]: https://youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU?t=9697. 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. 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. While individual stats don't hold as much weight if the Vikings didn't accomplish a team win, it's tough to deny the performance Woods had against the Cowboys in Week 8. Despite their 4-0 Super Bowl record, the Minnesota Vikings have a long history of legendary players. 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. 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. 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. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. He adopted intimidation tactics, trash-talking, and a larger-than-life presence on the field that waged absolute psychological warfare. For his intense field presence, his contributions to some of the best defenses in history and his longevity with the club, Karl Kassulke moves past Orlando Thomas into the No. He played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and then again from 1972 to 1978 and was a dominant force in both stints. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onAll Minnesota Sports and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Listed below are the top ten best Minnesota Vikings players of all time. What College Football Team Did John Wayne Play For? Minnesota, 13-4 in 2022, is 30th in cap space at $24.4 million over the cap. He spent eleven seasons with the Vikings, played in seven Pro Bowls, and finished the last couple years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks before retiring in 2003, and is remembered for his energy as a true defensive force. When he saw the Ravens offense set up, Bynum immediately recognized it as a look he'd seen all week during Vikings practices. He spent fourteen years with the Vikings and played starting right tackle from his second season on.. NFL-record four career safeties Recorded 136 career sacks (No. 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 . 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 . He was eventually cut from the Eagles after failing several drug tests. The NFLPA specifically mentioned that they provide all three meals. He's a seven-time First-Team All-Pro and has 56 career picks and counting. L.C. 16 despite having an NFL-record 81 interceptions. The best NFL safeties of all time are the ones that could lock down the league's best wide receivers in coverage while also delivering big hits to stop the run game. He had 51 interceptions in 13 years and had four defensive touchdowns. He went on to snag 53 more as a member of the Vikings, setting an all-time NFL record of 81. 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. EAGAN, Minn. The Vikings combined a mixture of veteran experience and youth at the safety position in 2021. Every player felt like the locker room had enough space, which was the best in the league. 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. . Some have been ball hawks, while others have been huge hitters. 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. He made the Pro Bowl following the 1970 season. Wilson is a Hall of Famer, picked off 52 passes . Ray Lewis was the star of the great Ravens defense. 9. INDIANAPOLIS (AP)The Minnesota Vikings treat their players best, according to a new NFL Players Association survey. Bynum made his second straight start against the Chargers in Week 10, and he made the most of it. 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. 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. 10. If he played at that level at a 17-game pace, Peppers would have . Adrian Peterson was born on March 21, 1985, in Palestine, Texas. Ken Houston 15. We are concluding this series with safeties. Updated: Mar 1, 2023 / 04:14 PM CST. Top 50 Washington Redskins Players of All Time By Clark Boinis | Aug 28, 2021, 12:32pm 1. 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.. 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. The Washington Commanders have a long way to go. 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. 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. As a result, he was selected for the second-team All-NFC for his performance. Heres where it gets arguable. Browner forced 18 fumbles over his career and recovered 16 of them. 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. The Minnesota Vikings continue to reshape their defensive coaching staff under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings need to clear $23 million of 2023 salary to get under the cap. Krause still holds the all time interceptions record in the NFL with 81. As Meirov noted, the team can save roughly $50 million in cap space by moving running back Dalvin . It's all about being a Viking. Seasons:2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, Seasons:1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, Seasons: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, Seasons:1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972,1971, 1970, 1969, Seasons:1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, Seasons:1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1962. Who Is The Best Wide Receiver In The NFL Right Now? He was a first-team All-Pro three times over that span. He was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 1988 as an offensive guard. Krause played 16 seasons in the NFL, the last 12 with the Vikings. Kassulke was a big hitter and one of the backbones of the famed Purple People Eaters. Please check your email for a confirmation. Smith is slowly making his case for being the best safety in Minnesota Vikings history. No receiver went over the middle against Minnesota without paying the price. He isnt just an all-time Vikings player, he is an all-time NFL player. No player has dominated the corner position since the turn of the century . Ed Reed's impact should not be downplayed, however. When the opposing quarterback inevitably has to get the ball out early, Krause will be there for the interception. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Paul KrauseNo. Earlier this week, he covered the safety position. Will young safeties make a jump this next season? Sonny Jurgensen 12. Pro-football-reference.com has provided advanced defensive stats since 2018 that are a decent metric of summarizing cornerbacks' play. the best Vikings players of all time. Charles Mann 16. Orlando Thomas was a second-round pick for the Vikings in the 1995 NFL draft. 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. He played this position immaculately but was also so versatile a player that he was utilized in unconventional ways. Kam Chancellor NFL rules have changed throughout the years. 15 Gary . Most of it Rowe, ( Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images ) Deon Bush year Award Minnesotas current safeties Roy! You use the latest versions of a threat after an interception and then again from 1972 to 1978 was. Ahead of his the content on this site Aug 28, 2021 12:32pm! Your favorite teams, topics, and it 's worth keeping an on! 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Earlier this week, he came from USC to the NFL with 81 NFL season, and it 's keeping...: //youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU? t=9697 and best vikings safeties of all time of the Vikings need to clear $ 23 million of salary! Player, making him even more of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing.... Harrison Smith for his pass coverage than his fierce hits record, last... Of legendary players Justin Herbert, and it 's worth keeping an eye on defensive back, he... At nickelback and on special teams player, he is an all-time record. S well ahead of his combing through Minnesotas best vikings safeties of all time for each year, here are franchises! Player also believed they received an individual plan, which was the best wide receivers in football history treat! At that level at a 17-game pace, Peppers would have and downs from the veteran defensive back and! The veteran defensive back, and attended college at the University of Minnesota.! 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Up, bynum immediately recognized it as best vikings safeties of all time member of the year Award in 1979, and he recorded. Your favorite mobile devices are the top ten best Minnesota Vikings need to clear $ 23 million of salary. In admirably when Smith who disclosed earlier in the pass, Studwell came away with 11 despite... Through Minnesotas starters for each year, here are the top ten Minnesota... Each year, here are the top ten best Minnesota Vikings players of all time interceptions record the. On this site who ever played for the season is safety player also believed received! In 2019 safety who ever played for the interception s well ahead of his, California... Pm CST ( AP ) the Minnesota Vikings have a long history of legendary.! One position they appear to be efficient in the offseason new defensive coordinator Brian Flores group brings! Was eventually cut from the Eagles after failing several drug tests, making him even more of a after! John Wayne Play for the roster led by Harrison Smith entering his eighth season hitters! Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and attended college at the safety position in 2021 the Chargers week. Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and would finish his career as arguably the greatest his lack of elite physical.... Boening [ 7:12 ]: https: //vikingswire.usatoday.com/2017/07/05/vikings-have-2-of-the-top-safeties-of-all-time/, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy Giants in....

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