All-time Vikings team sees plenty of “Purple People Eaters” on defense
All-time Vikings team sees plenty of “Purple People Eaters” on defense
The Minnesota Vikings were the first team to reach four Super Bowls. Unfortunately, they were also the first team to lose four Super Bowls (although the Bills would match the dubious mark in the early 1990s). Minnesota also made six other trips to the NFC Championship Game, and that success is thanks to quite a few great players.
The most dominant and colorful were part of the 1970s defense known as the “Purple People Eaters,” which stymied conference opponents throughout the decade. Other stars include a mobile Hall of Fame quarterback and some of the best at the running back and wide receiver positions.
Head Coach: Harold “Bud” Grant not only has the best record in franchise history (158-96-5 in 18 seasons), but he led the team to four Super Bowls and a conference title game in an eight-year span. The Hall of Famer took the Vikings to the playoffs 12 times, but his team only scored 34 points in their four losses in the “big game.” Dennis Green was a fiery coach who led Minnesota to a 97-62 mark and eight playoff appearances in his nine full seasons. The 15-1 record in 1998 was the best in team history, but the Vikings lost to the Saints in the NFC Championship Game. Minnesota returned to the title contest two years later, but was shut out by the Giants. Jerry Burns bridged the gap between Grant and Green, compiling a 52-43 record over six seasons. Under Burns, the Vikings reached the 1987 NFC Championship Game and lost to the Redskins on a late touchdown pass from Doug Williams to Gary Clark. Current coach Mike Zimmer has a 47-32-1 mark and was at the helm for the “Miracle in Minneapolis,” a late scoring pass from Kirk Cousins to Stefon Diggs to beat New Orleans in the 2017 Division round. Brad Childress (39-35) led the team to the NFC title game in 2009, which they lost to the Saints.
Quarterback: Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is the team’s all-time leader with 33,098 yards and 239 touchdowns. He was the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1975 when threw for 2,994 yards and a league-high 25 scoring passes. Tarkenton appeared in three Super Bowls and was selected to five Pro Bowls. He ran for 2,548 yards and 22 touchdowns, earning him the nickname “The Scrambler.” Daunte Culpepper was a three-time Pro Bowler who ranks third with 20,162 yards and 135 touchdowns. He led the league with 4,717 yards in 2004 and also ran for 29 scores. Tommy Kramer is second in franchise history with 24,775 yards and 159 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowler in 1986 and threw for 3,000 or more yards five times. Wade Wilson led the team to the NFC title game in 1987 and made the Pro Bowl the following year.
Running Back: Adrian Peterson is the franchise leader with 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns. He was an MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2012, when he ran for 2,097 yards, the second-most in league history. “All Day” ran for 1,000 or more yards in seven seasons and led the NFL three times. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro and he played in the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Robert Smith ran for 6,818 yards and 32 scores in eight seasons. The two-time Pro Bowler ran for 1,000 or more yards four times, including a league-leading 1,521 in his final season in 2000. Walter “Chuck” Foreman ranks third with 5,887 yards and second with 52 touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time Super Bowl participant, a 1975 All-Pro and the 1973 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Dave “Rocky” Osborn ran for 4,320 yards in 11 seasons. He played in three Super Bowls and was a Pro Bowler in 1970. Tommy Mason ran for 28 touchdowns in six years. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1963.
Fullback: Bill Brown ran for 5,757 yards and is tied for second with 52 touchdowns. “Boom Boom” was a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time Super Bowl participant. Ted Brown had 4,546 yards and 40 scores, and he ran for 1,063 yards in 1981. Jim Kleinsasser played 181 games and had 192 receptions in 12 seasons.
Wide Receiver: Hall of Famer Cris Carter holds franchise records with 1,004 catches, 12,383 yards, and 110 touchdowns. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro and the 1999 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner. Carter had 1,000 or more yards in eight seasons and led the league in receiving touchdowns three times. Randy Moss is another Hall of Famer who is second with 587 catches, 9,316 yards, and 92 scores. “The Freak” is a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. He had 1,000 or more yards six times and led the league in touchdowns three times. Anthony Carter is a three-time Pro Bowler who ranks third with 7,636 yards and 52 scores. Jake Reed joined with Moss and Cris Carter to form the trio that helped the team to a 15-1 record in 1998. His 6,433 yards includes four seasons with 1,000 or more. Sammy White and Ahmad Rashad were teammates in the Super Bowl XI season. White was a two-time Pro Bowler who had 6,400 yards and 50 scores. Rashad was a four-time Pro Bowler who went on to a broadcasting career. Current Vikings Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs complement each other well. Thielen is a possession receiver who has been selected to a pair of Pro Bowls. Diggs is a deep threat who is known for his last-second touchdown to win a 2017 Division game.
Tight End: Steve Jordan ranks third in team history with 498 caches to go along with 6,307 yards and 28 touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler also played in the 1987 NFC Championship Game. Kyle Rudolph is fifth with 41 scores. The two-time Pro Bowler was a member of the 2011 All-Rookie Team and played in the 2017 NFC title game.
Tackle: Ron Yary and Grady Alderman are both Hall of Famers who spent 14 seasons in Minnesota. Yary was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro, and he appeared in all four Super Bowls on the right side. Alderman was a three-time Super Bowl participant, a six-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1969. Gary Zimmerman, another Hall of Famer, was selected to four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. Steve Riley and Todd Steussie were both two-time Pro Bowlers. Riley played in two Super Bowls and Steussie appeared in two NFC Championship Games. Bryant McKinnie was a Pro Bowler and played in the NFC title game in 2009. Tim Irwin played in 188 games over 13 seasons. Korey Stringer was a Pro Bowler in 2000, but died the following preseason due to heat exhaustion.
Guard: Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel was selected to 11 Pro Bowls and seven All-Pro teams in 12 seasons with the Vikings. Milt Sunde was a three-time Super Bowl participant who made the Pro Bowl in 1966. Steve Hutchinson was a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro in five seasons in Minnesota. David Dixon played 152 games and two NFC Championship Games. Ed White was a three-time Pro Bowler who appeared in all four Super Bowls. Wes Hamilton started in Super Bowl XI.
Center: Mick Tingelhoff was a Hall of Famer who played in 240 games. He was a six-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro and a four-time Super Bowl participant. Matt Birk went to six Pro Bowls and played in two NFC Championship Games over 10 seasons in Minnesota. Jeff Christy was a two-time Pro Bowler and started the 1998 NFC title game.
Defensive End: Hall of Famers Jim Marshall, Carl Eller and Chris Doleman all harassed quarterbacks in the purple and gold. Marshall holds team records with 270 games played and 29 fumbles recovered. He played in four Super Bowls and two Pro Bowls. Eller was a four-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro who is second with 23 fumble recoveries. Doleman tops the team list with 31 forced fumbles and is second with 96½ sacks, including an NFL-high 21 in 1989. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who ranks third with 737 solo tackles. Jared Allen is third with 85½ sacks in just six years, and he led the league with 22 in 2011. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. Everson Griffen ranks fourth with 66½ sacks and was a three-time Pro Bowler. Brian Robison is fifth with 60 sacks, including nine in 2013. Doug Martin had 50½ sacks, including 11 ½ in 1982, the first year it was recognized as a league stat, and 13 more the following season.
Defensive Tackle: Two more Hall of Famers, Alan Page, and John Randle, reside on the right side. Page was one of the stars of the “Purple People Eaters” and played in all four Super Bowls. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a six-time All-Pro. Page was the NFL’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 1971 after recovering three fumbles and scoring two safeties. Randle is the all-time franchise leader with 114 sacks, including eight seasons of 10 or more. He was a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro six times each. Henry Thomas ranks fourth with 640 solo tackles and seventh with 56 sacks. Gary Larsen was a two-time Pro Bowler and a three-time Super Bowl participant. Keith Millard was a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. His 53 sacks include 18 in 1989. The early 2000s were dominated by the “Williams Wall.” Kevin is tied for fifth on the team list with 60 sacks, with 11½ coming in 2004. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro. Pat made three Pro Bowls in six years.
Outside Linebacker: Matt Blair is a six-time Pro Bowler, a two-time Super Bowl participant, and an All-Pro in 1980. Chad Greenway, a two-time Pro Bowler, is the team’s all-time leader with 1,101 tackles, including six seasons with 100 or more. Current star Anthony Barr has gone to four Pro Bowls in five years. Ed McDaniel ranks sixth with 603 solo tackles, including five years with 100 or more and 128 in his 1998 Pro Bowl season. Wally Hilgenberg (191 games) and Roy Winston (158) both played in all four Super Bowls. Fred McNeill appeared in two Super Bowls and played 167 games overall.
Middle Linebacker: Jeff Siemon was a three-time Super Bowl participant and a four-time Pro Bowler who had 11 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. Scott Studwell played in 201 games and two Pro Bowls. E. J. Henderson had 751 tackles and was a Pro Bowler in 2010.
Cornerback: Bobby Bryant is second in team history with 51 interceptions, including three returned for scores. He played in four Super Bowls and two Pro Bowls. Ed Sharockman ranks third with 40 picks and also scored three touchdowns. He appeared in Super Bowl IV. Carl Lee ranks seventh with 29 interceptions and tops the team list with 771 solo tackles. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1988. Nate Wright has 31 picks and played in three Super Bowls. Antoine Winfield was a three-time Pro Bowler who scored four touchdowns (two on interceptions and two on fumble returns). His 613 solo tackles ranks fifth in franchise history. Current corner Xavier Rhodes is a two-time Pro Bowler and a 2017 All-Pro.
Safety: Hall of Famer Paul Krause is the team’s all-time leader with 53 interceptions, including 10 in his 1975 All-Pro season. He played in four Super Bowls and was a six-time Pro Bowler. Joey Browner ranks fourth with 37 picks and returned three for scores. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro in the 1980s. Hard-hitting Harrison Smith has 20 interceptions, with a team-record four returned for touchdowns. He is a four-time Pro Bowler, a 2017 All-Pro, and his 433 solo tackles rank 10th in club history. Robert Griffith was a 2000 Pro Bowler who had 17 interceptions and 495 solo tackles. Darren Sharper went to a pair of Pro Bowls and returned three of his 18 picks for scores. Orlando Thomas had 22 interceptions, including a league-leading nine in 1995.
Kicker: Fred Cox is the team leader with 1,365 points and led the league in scoring twice. He played in all four Vikings Super Bowls, was an All-Pro in 1969 and made the Pro Bowl in 1970.
Punter: Greg Coleman holds franchise records with 720 punts and 29,391 yards, including 3,000 or more five times in 10 years. Chris Kluwe was a member of the 2005 All-Rookie Team, played in the 2009 NFC Championship Game and had 3,000 or more yards in each of his eight seasons. Mitch Berger went to the Pro Bowl in 1999.
Returners: Cordarrelle Patterson is the all-time franchise leader with 4,075 kickoff return yards and his five touchdowns are tied for the top spot on the team list. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. Darren Nelson (3,623) and Qadry Ismail (3,273) each rank in the top five in kickoff return yards. David Palmer had 3,274 kickoff return and 1,610 punt return yards. Percy Harvin had 3,183 kick return yards and five scores. He made the 2009 Pro Bowl with 1,156 yards. Marcus Sherels tops the all-time punt return list with 2,447 yards and five touchdowns. Leo Lewis ranks second with 1,812 punt return yards and led the NFL with 58 punt returns in 1988.
Special Teams: Heath Farwell missed the 2008 season with a torn ACL, then made the Pro Bowl and played in the NFC Championship Game the following year.
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-By: Kevin Rakas