Robert Smith went out in his best year, and still has the record for avg yd per TD run. I respect his decision, but he might have had another monster year or two. Definitely he should be there
Missing some...
K - Fuad Reveiz
SS - Robert Griffith
C - Jeff Christy
FB - Jimmy Kleinsasser
TE - TJ Hockenson
RB - Robert Smith
Special Teamer Chris Walsh
Great Vikings Staff Members (non HC) - Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Tony Dungy, Brian Billick, Larry Fitzgerald 😉
Kleinsasser is one of my favorite players, but he just was more of a tight end and Hamm has been so awesome in that FB slot. Honorable mention AP with Richardson his rookie year and Felton his MVP season.
Agree. Daunte never once made a QB read his entire career. If the receiver the play was designed for wasn't open, and it wasn't a designed run, his progression was:
1. Force it anyway and throw a pick
2. Dump it off to the running back after holding it way past when said RB might be open,
3. Try to run, but with a roughly 50% chance of fumble
4. Refuse to take a sack, and either make a terrible throw, finally concede the sack, or more likely, fumble it.
Daunte sucked. He was propped up by maybe the best receiver corps ever, in his one and only decent season. Yes he had decent yardage in multiple years, but turned it over so much, the yardage didn't really matter.I get heated just remembering how frustrating it was to watch him refuse to go down, and constantly fumble it. I will die on the hill that he was a terrible player. He had the arm accuracy, but was lazy, undisciplined, and selfish. Slept through every game film session too. Our best QB who should have been our franchise QB was rich Ganon, but we decided to let him languish on the bench for years, and when we finally started him, the team sucked so bad that ownership used him as a scapegoat, and idiotically traded him. Watching Ganon, his talent was so obvious, and the team failure was not on him at all. Rant concluded.
Those LBs 😬
I can't complain, the Vikings have had GREAT players at nearly every position. But just once I'd love for them to draft a Ray Lewis type, an enforcer in the middle
There was a Colts v Ravens game that's burned into my memory. Peak Payton v peak Ray. One guy would make a check, the other would rebut, the other would shift, the other would counter. It was like two chess grand masters at work. I know there's never going to be another Ray Lewis but that's be my dream.
Yep, I'm pretty sure I remember the exact game you're talking about. That was so fun to watch, two elite players going head to head
iLB is such an undervalued position in today's NFL, and part of me gets it because the game is different than it was 20-30 years ago. But still... iLB it's usually the leader on the defense, responsible for stopping the run, rushing the passer, covering TEs, zone coverage in the middle of the field, etc. The position is so versatile
Jack del Rio was that guy for us. Not as good as ray, but he was definitely given the freedom to call the defensive schemes on the field and counter opposing offenses through defensive audibles. Easily our greatest MLB, and should have been on OP's list. He and studwell (all time vikes tackle leader) should be the starters. I would also differentiate between MLB and the other linebackers, as it's a completely different position
All I know is the defensive line is fucking feasting if Chris Doleman, Jim Marshall, and Kevin Williams are coming off the bench. Have to run a BEAR front with this personnel 😂
Also, Krause over Browner
Walsh was a God until Seattle. Guy was automatic from anything less than 60. Still in that Seattle game he literally scored EVERY SINGLE POINT. That one missed kick screwed him up big time.
Longwell struggled with anything more than like 45. Don't know about Faud in probably too young (34). Walsh probably could have nailed 60+ since he routinely kicked it out of the endzone every kickoff.
A couple of down years nothing we are not accustomed too. Bailey, Longwell, even Carlson missed extra points. With Walsh we routinely attempted 50+ yard kicks in a time where that was very uncommon. His rookie year, he missed 3 total kicks and that was with 10 50+ yard field goals. He didn't miss a single 50 yarder.
Honestly I think the swap from Kluwe to Locke messed him up pretty badly since he was so good with Kluwe as the holder.
We are struggling on defense a bit. Also-isn’t Hockenson doing better than Rudolph ever did? I don’t have the numbers, but I always remember feeling like Rudolph was leaving something on the table
I would put Hock over Rudolph (assuming he’ll still be productive for at least a few more years). Rudolph was great in the redzone, not so much between the 20s.
I always thought Rudolph felt like he was more than he was. Don’t get me wrong at all. Very good player and a hell of a member of the community. I kind of felt bad when he retired as a Viking, held a press conference and basically everyone went…K?
I still remember during his entire career in MN people here on Reddit were angry he never produced to the level of his contract. He was always mentioned as the most over payed player on the team.
I don't know if Rudolph left a ton on the table but was limited by his timing. He came in with Christian Ponder and still managed a Pro Bowl his 2nd year, then got rookie Bridgewater, not terrible but still a new player new to him, which lasted another season, then the Bradford year, and now he is already 6 years in the league. He was also never as athletic as Hock and his size I think slowed him down with age faster than some too, but reliable in the end zone and hard to bring down on top of good blocking.
I think Hock could overtake, but looking at Vikings career it's hard to go Hock just yet. If he stays on the team and produces as he has, he may be the best though.
I’d replace Bobby Bryant as a starter at CB and no Ed Sharockman? As much as I love #29, Xavier only had 1 or 2 years as a superstar. Great list for not being a fan
Edit: You might catch some heat for Blair Walsh. Ryan Longwell, Dan Bailey or even Kai Forbath would be better than Walsh
I’m not old enough to have seen Steve Jordan play, so I give people the benefit of the doubt.
I do think TJ is already better than Rudolph and TJ will eventually go down as the best TE in Vikings history.
If you’re basing this list on talent and production, I think Kirk at least deserves an honorable mention. Look at the all-time Vikings statistics, he’s 2nd in passing yards (behind Tarkenton) and 3rd in TDs (behind Tarkenton and Kramer).
You got those two flip flopped. 2nd in TDs 3rd in yards. Also 3rd in games played as a vikings QB Tark and Kramer are the only other ones ahead of him.
I would also argue that if you are looking at pure stats Cunningham should be an honorable mention as well. Higher td%, yards per completion and attempt thank Kirk. Kirk also has an insanely low int% at 1.8%.
QB: Kirk over Duante, even though Duante has more playoff wins than Kirk.
RB: Robert Smith over Dalvin.
T: Korey Stringer at least gets HM.
LB: EJ Henderson over Matt Blair
CB: Carl Lee over Xavier Rhodes. Najee Mustafa/Reggie Rutland or Corey Fuller over Audrey McMillain
S: Robert Griffith over that scumbag 42. Kraus and Browner are starters, Harrison is HM.
Is everyone in their prime? Is this just for one year or a team built for longevity?
Favre is better than Culpepper. Arguably, Favre may be better than Tarkenton. I’d probably even take Cousins over Culpepper.
I’d take Hock over Rudolph.
Fuck Matt Birk he’s dead to me.
Can’t forget Shiancoe for locker room cameo.
If I'm running a pass first offense, I'd rather have Robert Smith over AP of Dalvin. He can always break a td and never fumbles.
I might actually want kirk as my qb. Not a cousins fan because you need perfect o line and talented skill players. CC, Randy Moss, JJ fit that bill like no other.
I mean it’s not really support it’s just facts.
Adrian Peterson not a good human but he’s easily the best RB in Vikings history and it’s not even close.
If Tom Brady murders 20 people he’s still technically the best QB of all time
Sad state of affairs in that LB corps. They have not been stellar ever....good maybe. The fact you have Anthony Barr in there is telling. Corners are the same. So either the talent has been lacking or the coaching is even worse over the years.
I’m taking Robert Smith over Cook. I see a lot of ppl wondering why Blair Walsh is on the list, he was shaping up to be the best kicker we had before that missed kick. He was very solid the day he was drafted until that critical miss
This is a great list. I’d personally have Cousins over Culpepper, Krause over Browner, and Thielen over Anthony Carter - but that’s mainly due to generational bias, as I was an infant just developing object permanence when he retired.
Robert Smith over Dalvin IMO dalvin may have the TD advantage but Robert was so damn reliable and didnt fumble much
Robert Smith went out in his best year, and still has the record for avg yd per TD run. I respect his decision, but he might have had another monster year or two. Definitely he should be there
Glad someone already said this. Was just getting ready to!
Same to be said about AP. Fumbled especially when it was a crucial run.
Yeah but AP is one of the greatest rbs ever. Dalvin and Robert smith are not
That’s why Chuck should be top o’ the list. Now I am partial. I grew up watching him.
Same to be said for Culpepper
Madden 2000 on the N64, I could hit homeruns all day on pitch plays to R. Smith. Good memories.
I'd pick Krause over Browner but otherwise a pretty good list.
Krause is still considered an all time NFL great at safety. He 100% is starting.
Krause is the #1 here. All time leader in INTs.
And still an incredible ambassador for the Vikings as well.
I’d go with Krause over Harrison.
Missing some... K - Fuad Reveiz SS - Robert Griffith C - Jeff Christy FB - Jimmy Kleinsasser TE - TJ Hockenson RB - Robert Smith Special Teamer Chris Walsh Great Vikings Staff Members (non HC) - Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Tony Dungy, Brian Billick, Larry Fitzgerald 😉
Kleinsasser is one of my favorite players, but he just was more of a tight end and Hamm has been so awesome in that FB slot. Honorable mention AP with Richardson his rookie year and Felton his MVP season.
Putting ball boys on the team?? Lol
Paul Krause has to be on the team and not an honorable mention. He is a hall of famer and no one will break his interception record
Seriously and hot take kirk over dante.
I wouldn't say hot take at all lol. All he had to do was high ball to Randy fucking Moss. Any high school QB can do that
Agree. Daunte never once made a QB read his entire career. If the receiver the play was designed for wasn't open, and it wasn't a designed run, his progression was: 1. Force it anyway and throw a pick 2. Dump it off to the running back after holding it way past when said RB might be open, 3. Try to run, but with a roughly 50% chance of fumble 4. Refuse to take a sack, and either make a terrible throw, finally concede the sack, or more likely, fumble it. Daunte sucked. He was propped up by maybe the best receiver corps ever, in his one and only decent season. Yes he had decent yardage in multiple years, but turned it over so much, the yardage didn't really matter.I get heated just remembering how frustrating it was to watch him refuse to go down, and constantly fumble it. I will die on the hill that he was a terrible player. He had the arm accuracy, but was lazy, undisciplined, and selfish. Slept through every game film session too. Our best QB who should have been our franchise QB was rich Ganon, but we decided to let him languish on the bench for years, and when we finally started him, the team sucked so bad that ownership used him as a scapegoat, and idiotically traded him. Watching Ganon, his talent was so obvious, and the team failure was not on him at all. Rant concluded.
His best season was when Moss was injured for 5 games.
Those LBs 😬 I can't complain, the Vikings have had GREAT players at nearly every position. But just once I'd love for them to draft a Ray Lewis type, an enforcer in the middle
There was a Colts v Ravens game that's burned into my memory. Peak Payton v peak Ray. One guy would make a check, the other would rebut, the other would shift, the other would counter. It was like two chess grand masters at work. I know there's never going to be another Ray Lewis but that's be my dream.
Yep, I'm pretty sure I remember the exact game you're talking about. That was so fun to watch, two elite players going head to head iLB is such an undervalued position in today's NFL, and part of me gets it because the game is different than it was 20-30 years ago. But still... iLB it's usually the leader on the defense, responsible for stopping the run, rushing the passer, covering TEs, zone coverage in the middle of the field, etc. The position is so versatile
Jack del Rio was that guy for us. Not as good as ray, but he was definitely given the freedom to call the defensive schemes on the field and counter opposing offenses through defensive audibles. Easily our greatest MLB, and should have been on OP's list. He and studwell (all time vikes tackle leader) should be the starters. I would also differentiate between MLB and the other linebackers, as it's a completely different position
All I know is the defensive line is fucking feasting if Chris Doleman, Jim Marshall, and Kevin Williams are coming off the bench. Have to run a BEAR front with this personnel 😂 Also, Krause over Browner
No Gus Frerotte? This is horse shit
I will forever ride the Gus bus after that 99 yard dime to Berrian after the defense stuffed the Bears on the goal line 4 plays in a row.
I love Rudy, but Hockenson is just a better TE. Paul Krause>Browner
Hock over Rudolph Smith over cook
How the fuck did Blair Walsh make this list over Longwell or Fuad Reveiz?
Walsh was a God until Seattle. Guy was automatic from anything less than 60. Still in that Seattle game he literally scored EVERY SINGLE POINT. That one missed kick screwed him up big time. Longwell struggled with anything more than like 45. Don't know about Faud in probably too young (34). Walsh probably could have nailed 60+ since he routinely kicked it out of the endzone every kickoff.
Forget his extra points? Oof!!
A couple of down years nothing we are not accustomed too. Bailey, Longwell, even Carlson missed extra points. With Walsh we routinely attempted 50+ yard kicks in a time where that was very uncommon. His rookie year, he missed 3 total kicks and that was with 10 50+ yard field goals. He didn't miss a single 50 yarder. Honestly I think the swap from Kluwe to Locke messed him up pretty badly since he was so good with Kluwe as the holder.
We are struggling on defense a bit. Also-isn’t Hockenson doing better than Rudolph ever did? I don’t have the numbers, but I always remember feeling like Rudolph was leaving something on the table
I would put Hock over Rudolph (assuming he’ll still be productive for at least a few more years). Rudolph was great in the redzone, not so much between the 20s.
I always thought Rudolph felt like he was more than he was. Don’t get me wrong at all. Very good player and a hell of a member of the community. I kind of felt bad when he retired as a Viking, held a press conference and basically everyone went…K?
I still remember during his entire career in MN people here on Reddit were angry he never produced to the level of his contract. He was always mentioned as the most over payed player on the team.
I don't know if Rudolph left a ton on the table but was limited by his timing. He came in with Christian Ponder and still managed a Pro Bowl his 2nd year, then got rookie Bridgewater, not terrible but still a new player new to him, which lasted another season, then the Bradford year, and now he is already 6 years in the league. He was also never as athletic as Hock and his size I think slowed him down with age faster than some too, but reliable in the end zone and hard to bring down on top of good blocking. I think Hock could overtake, but looking at Vikings career it's hard to go Hock just yet. If he stays on the team and produces as he has, he may be the best though.
>Blair Walsh 😢
Yeah what the fuck? Put Ryan Longwell there
I’d go with Gary Zimmerman over Matt Birk.
Why does nobody know how to spell Cris Carter’s name anymore?
I’d replace Bobby Bryant as a starter at CB and no Ed Sharockman? As much as I love #29, Xavier only had 1 or 2 years as a superstar. Great list for not being a fan Edit: You might catch some heat for Blair Walsh. Ryan Longwell, Dan Bailey or even Kai Forbath would be better than Walsh
Ryan Longwell just had that shady past...
Eww Sharper.
Went to the AZ game last year and saw someone wearing a Sharper jersey, which is a way to go, but definitely not a good one.
I'd change Daunte to Cousins
This content is way too low.
I love that SS had no HM. There's nobody even fucking close to Smith. Dude is absolutely all-world.
TJ has been our best TE
I’m not old enough to have seen Steve Jordan play, so I give people the benefit of the doubt. I do think TJ is already better than Rudolph and TJ will eventually go down as the best TE in Vikings history.
I’m going Kirk over Culpepper. As much as I love Culpepper.
Robert Smith over Cook. Jim Marshall over Jared Allen. Paul Krause. Walsh should never be mentioned.
I think I’d take Lee and Bryant over Rhodes since his peak ended abruptly. Also think Longwell deserves a HM more than Walsh. But good team.
I know that doesn’t say blair walsh
Moss and AD on the same team is the greatest combination ever. The sickest pick your poison scenario.
EJ Henderson over Barr
If you’re basing this list on talent and production, I think Kirk at least deserves an honorable mention. Look at the all-time Vikings statistics, he’s 2nd in passing yards (behind Tarkenton) and 3rd in TDs (behind Tarkenton and Kramer).
You got those two flip flopped. 2nd in TDs 3rd in yards. Also 3rd in games played as a vikings QB Tark and Kramer are the only other ones ahead of him. I would also argue that if you are looking at pure stats Cunningham should be an honorable mention as well. Higher td%, yards per completion and attempt thank Kirk. Kirk also has an insanely low int% at 1.8%.
JJ over Cris Carter Kirk over Culpepper Kai Forbath over Gary Anderson Darren Sharper is a scrub
I’d put in Favre over Culpepper and Hock over Rudolph.
QB: Kirk over Duante, even though Duante has more playoff wins than Kirk. RB: Robert Smith over Dalvin. T: Korey Stringer at least gets HM. LB: EJ Henderson over Matt Blair CB: Carl Lee over Xavier Rhodes. Najee Mustafa/Reggie Rutland or Corey Fuller over Audrey McMillain S: Robert Griffith over that scumbag 42. Kraus and Browner are starters, Harrison is HM.
Last WR spot goes to diggs, thielen or harvin over Anthony Carter.
Is everyone in their prime? Is this just for one year or a team built for longevity? Favre is better than Culpepper. Arguably, Favre may be better than Tarkenton. I’d probably even take Cousins over Culpepper. I’d take Hock over Rudolph. Fuck Matt Birk he’s dead to me. Can’t forget Shiancoe for locker room cameo.
If Birk is dead to you then I would hope Favre is too.
>Can’t forget Shiancoe for locker room cameo That thing will haunt me.
Smoot for team building
Love that boat controversy right?
not a vikings fan so if this list looks wrong let me know what to change
It's Cris Carter, not Chris.
That could just be auto correct🤷♂️
Lions fan successfully invaded our sub by giving us offseason content
Why just the SB era? They only had 6 pre super bowl seasons.
so players who played before the superbowl dont get included
If I'm running a pass first offense, I'd rather have Robert Smith over AP of Dalvin. He can always break a td and never fumbles. I might actually want kirk as my qb. Not a cousins fan because you need perfect o line and talented skill players. CC, Randy Moss, JJ fit that bill like no other.
Glad some vikings fans still support and promote a child beating, testicle whipping Adrian Peterson.
Best running back of all time! Don’t forget it!
Lol you have more of a problem of That, you did notice Serial Rapist Packers Legend Sharper right?
didnt read after there was support for AP. The entire list is fucked at that point and i wont have any part in supporting fucked up people.
I mean it’s not really support it’s just facts. Adrian Peterson not a good human but he’s easily the best RB in Vikings history and it’s not even close. If Tom Brady murders 20 people he’s still technically the best QB of all time
We can all agree that AP is the best RB in vikes history and a garbage human being.
Foreman, Cox, Krause, Bryant over whoever.
I would put our best team against anyone's in the league. The Vikes have always had premier players and even generational players regularly.
Sad state of affairs in that LB corps. They have not been stellar ever....good maybe. The fact you have Anthony Barr in there is telling. Corners are the same. So either the talent has been lacking or the coaching is even worse over the years.
Blair Walsh over Longwell?
Kyle Rudolph over the Big Shank? WTF
The wild card miss against Seattle absolutely destroyed Blair Walsh. Can’t say I blame him but he was a damn near lock before that
I’m taking Robert Smith over Cook. I see a lot of ppl wondering why Blair Walsh is on the list, he was shaping up to be the best kicker we had before that missed kick. He was very solid the day he was drafted until that critical miss
Man, B-Rob at least deserves an honorable mention at DE..
As a kid I was a huge fan of Jeff Sieman. He was a hell of a linebacker. Ed White was extremely good on O line.
I would give a nod to Ahmad Rashad over Anthony Carter ...
hm Bryant Mckinney and Phil loadholt?
The lack of CB talent is crazy. Least talented position group in vikes history?
This is a great list. I’d personally have Cousins over Culpepper, Krause over Browner, and Thielen over Anthony Carter - but that’s mainly due to generational bias, as I was an infant just developing object permanence when he retired.