Who Are Your Top Ten Greatest Vikings (Players Only)?

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I am a huge fan of the NFL Network's Top Ten lists that they run. The other day, I noticed they had a list devoted solely to the top ten greatest Steelers of all time. Putting aside my disdain for the Steelers, I started to ponder what the top ten greatest Vikings list would look like. Most of the players on I put on my list I never had a chance to watch play. However, I have studied Vikings' history extensively and I am quite familiar with the accomplishments of the following players on my list. So without further ado, If I were to make a top ten list I believe I would put the following players on the list:


10). Jim Marshall - Defensive End - 1961-1979. I obviously wasn't alive during Marshall's reign as a Purple People Eater in Minnesota, but from what I have studied, there wasn't more steady player for us back in the day. Is ten too low for Jim? Probably and his ranking by me is simply due to the fact that he isn't in the Hall of Fame (even though he damn well should be).

9). Randy Moss - Wide Receiver - 1998-2004, 2010. Here is player I can admit to watching extensively. Moss is my all-time favorite Viking. I loved growing up watching Randy Moss. Moss changed the way the NFL plays defense and will be in the Hall of Fame in the near future.

8. Adrian Peterson - Half Back - 2007-present. What is there to say about Adrian Peterson that wouldn't be an understatement? Peterson is the best player in the NFL right now. When it is all said and done, Peterson could be the NFL's all-time rushing leader.

7). Ron Yary - Offensive Tackle - 1968-1981. I know I never saw him play, but Yary was a staple at left tackle for years for the Vikings. Quite simply, Yary dominated for our team and rightfully earned a place in Canton. Hopefully current Viking Matt Kalil is on his way to become the next Yary for us.

6). Cris Carter - Wide Receiver - 1990-2001. I am glad to say I got to watch most of Cris Carter's career in Minnesota. Cris had some of the best hands I have ever seen and had the best hands in the NFL when he played. Cris was a consistent receiver that could excel in all areas of the playing field. I am very happy that Carter finally earned a place in Canton.

5). John Randle - Defensive Tackle - 1990-2000. I am very fortunate I was able to watch most of John Randle's career in purple. It pained me to see him go to Seattle. Randle has the most career sacks for an interior lineman in NFL history. Outside of his immense talent, I think Randle will always be remembered for his boisterous personality.

4). Paul Krause - Safety - 1968-1979. I never saw him play, but damn, I wish I could have. I am fortunate enough to own his autograph. Krause earned six trips to the Pro Bowl and six All-Pro awards during his time with the purple.

3). Carl Eller - Defensive End - 1964-1978. Eller was a terror off the edge of the Purple People Eater's defense. Eller is credited with being the Vikings' all-time sack leader. Eller had nasty streak and intimidated opponents every time he played.

2). Alan Page - Defensive Tackle - 1967-1978. Alan Page may have been the most dominant defensive player to ever wear the purple. Page was the first defesnive player to win the NFL MVP award and is only one of two defensive players to win the award in NFL history. I am fortunate to own a signed Alan Page jersey.

1). Fran Tarkenton - Quarterback - 1961-1966, 1972-1978. In my opinion, there is no better player in franchise history than Fran. One could say Fran's legacy was cemented during the first game in his career when he came off the bench to beat the Chicago Bears by scoring five touchdowns. When Tarkenton retired, he was the all-time passing leader in both team history and NFL history. One could only wonder what the Vikings could have been had Fran Tarkenton stayed with the Vikings throughout his whole career.


I know my list will be subject to criticism, and I welcome it. I look forward to seeing everyone's top ten lists in this thread!

[Eli]

A mix of favorites and greats.

1. Joe Kapp. They broke the mold when this guy left.
2. Alan Page. Greatest DL in Vikings history, and one of the best in NFL history.
3. Chuck Foreman. Insanely talented as both a runner and receiver.
4. Randall McDaniel. Greatest OL the Vikings have ever had.
5. Joey Browner. All time underrated.
6. Anthony Carter. Second to only Moss in talent, but played during the lean years. (Cris who?)
7. Chris Doleman. Loved watching this guy.
8. Paul Krause. The numbers speak for themselves.
9. Adrian Peterson. Future Hall of Famer.
10. Randy Moss. Maybe the greatest receiving talent in NFL history, and an a**hole.

[Demi]

The other day, I noticed they had a list devoted solely to the top ten greatest Steelers of all time.

Did Vitamin S make the list?

[King James]

1. Randy Moss (he's the #1 reason why I became a fan in the first place)
2. Cris Carter
3. Adrian Peterson
4. Duante Culpepper
5. Pat Williams
6. Jared Allen
7. Matt Birk
8. Percy Harvin
9. Kevin Williams
10.John Randle

[Tark10]

Any list that doesn't have Tarkenton as number one here is almost comical. I realize many posters may be too young to have watched him in action. They made the playoffs 6 yrs in a row with 3 Super Bowl appearances in that time frame ('73-78). He also played 13 yrs for this team and was voted Offensive Player Of The Year in 1975.

[Mothman]

Here's my list:

1.) Alan Page: Perhaps the best player to ever don a Vikings uniform and a notable presence on the best teams in Vikes history.

2.) Fran Tarkenton: The greatest QB in Vikings history. Fran's first pro game was the Vikings first pro game and he spent the majority of his career in a Vikings uniform.

3.) Jim Marshall: Another member of the Purple People Eaters and a Minnesota Viking for 19 years. he played in 282 games and never missed one. Marshall is the NFL's true Iron Man, favor fans.

4.) Carl Eller: yet another member of the Purple People eaters and one of the most fearsome pass rushers I've ever seen.

5.) Adrian Peterson: Only nostalgia and my love of the Vikings greatest defensive line kept me from ranking Peterson higher. If Page isn't the best player to ever don a Vikes uniform, Peterson might deserve that label.

6.) Mick Tingelhoff: The Vikings starting center from '62 to '78 and arguably the best center of his era (he was certainly one of the very best), Mick deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Tingelhoff was another Vikings Iron Man. he started 240 regular season games and numerous playoff appearances for the Vikes.

7.) Cris Carter: I've only seen one wide receiver better and that's Jerry Rice. I've never seen a WR with better hands or more body control. carter routinely made catches many receivers simply wouldn't make.

8.) John Randle: For reasons already stated in this thread. Randle was a memorable character and a great player. He was a fun to watch.

9.) Randall McDaniel: the best guard I've ever seen. Period.

10.) Paul Krause: the NFL's all-time INT leader by a wide margin and a starter on some of the best defenses of all time. I debated about including him because it meant leaving off some other deserving Vikes but his amazing INT record simply has to be acknowledged and he was a great player.

[Mothman]

Any list that doesn't have Tarkenton as number one here is almost comical. I realize many posters may be too young to have watched him in action. They made the playoffs 6 yrs in a row with 3 Super Bowl appearances in that time frame ('73-78). He also played 13 yrs for this team and was voted Offensive Player Of The Year in 1975.

All good reasons to put him on the list but I wouldn't go so far as to say any list that doesn't rank him #1 is almost comical. I love that you're such a huge Tarkenton fan and honestly, I am too but the Vikings have had several players that could legitimately be considered their greatest of all time. I think it depends on what criteria each person is using to make their list. For example, there are great Vikings players who were with the team even longer than Tarkenton and played in more Super Bowls. Page was league MVP in '71 (the first defensive player to ever receive that honor) and played 11+ years for the Vikes without missing a game. He was arguably the best player on one of the greatest defensive lines in NFL history. Marshall was with the team from day 1 and played in Minnesota for his entire, stellar 19 year career so I would certainly understand if someone considered him the greatest Viking.

Fran's a great pick to top the list. I just don't think he's the only legitimate choice.

[Mothman]

HardcoreVikesFan, I envy you that signed Page jersey!

I have a helmet signed by the starting PPE defensive line of Page, Eller, Marshall and Larsen. It's awesome.

[dead_poet]

I have a helmet signed by the starting PPE defensive line of Page, Eller, Marshall and Larsen. It's awesome.

If that goes missing I have no idea who took it.

[MV711]

Here's my list:

1.) Alan Page: Perhaps the best player to ever don a Vikings uniform and a notable presence on the best teams in Vikes history.

2.) Fran Tarkenton: The greatest QB in Vikings history. Fran's first pro game was the Vikings first pro game and he spent the majority of his career in a Vikings uniform.

3.) Jim Marshall: Another member of the Purple People Eaters and a Minnesota Viking for 19 years. he played in 282 games and never missed one. Marshall is the NFL's true Iron Man, favor fans.

4.) Carl Eller: yet another member of the Purple People eaters and one of the most fearsome pass rushers I've ever seen.

5.) Adrian Peterson: Only nostalgia and my love of the Vikings greatest defensive line kept me from ranking Peterson higher. If Page isn't the best player to ever don a Vikes uniform, Peterson might deserve that label.

6.) Mick Tingelhoff: The Vikings starting center from '62 to '78 and arguably the best center of his era (he was certainly one of the very best), Mick deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Tingelhoff was another Vikings Iron Man. he started 240 regular season games and numerous playoff appearances for the Vikes.

7.) Cris Carter: I've only seen one wide receiver better and that's Jerry Rice. I've never seen a WR with better hands or more body control. carter routinely made catches many receivers simply wouldn't make.

8.) John Randle: For reasons already stated in this thread. Randle was a memorable character and a great player. He was a fun to watch.

9.) Randall McDaniel: the best guard I've ever seen. Period.

10.) Paul Krause: the NFL's all-time INT leader by a wide margin and a starter on some of the best defenses of all time. I debated about including him because it meant leaving off some other deserving Vikes but his amazing INT record simply has to be acknowledged and he was a great player.

Being old school, I agree with this list 100% but Randy Moss should be included as a #11.

[Mothman]

Being old school, I agree with this list 100% but Randy Moss should be included as a #11.

Moss was so talented and exciting that I wouldn't argue with anybody including him on their "Greatest Vikings" list, whether he was at #11 or higher. However, I have "Moss issues" and wouldn't even place him in my top 15 greatest Vikings. Despite his obvious talent and all the great plays he made I have a hard time considering him one of the greatest Vikes because I saw him quit on his teammates. There's nothing great about that.

[S197]

HardcoreVikesFan, I envy you that signed Page jersey!

I have a helmet signed by the starting PPE defensive line of Page, Eller, Marshall and Larsen. It's awesome.

Wow! Got any pics of the helmet? I'd love to see it.

[King James]

The reason I didn't put Tarkenton on the list is because I chose to pick the Vikings that I grew up watching. I wasn't alive during the Tarkenton era and if I was I still wouldn't put him on my list.

If anything these old school guys would be on my list.

1. Chuck Foreman
2. Paul Krause
3. Allen Page
4. Ahmad Rashad
5. Jim Marshall
6. Scott Studwell
7. Carl Eller
8. Gary Larsen
9. Joey Browner
10.Sammy White

Tarkenton was a great QB. Probably the best qb the Vikings ever had but I wouldn't say he is the greatest player on the team. There are plenty of great Vikings who deserve a lot of credit. I made this list soley based off highlights ive seen from these players from over the years.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I am assuming you're asking our opinions of all-time best over our favorite?

Either or hahaha. My list is the best ten in franchise history. My top ten favorite would look much different.

HardcoreVikesFan, I envy you that signed Page jersey!

I have a helmet signed by the starting PPE defensive line of Page, Eller, Marshall and Larsen. It's awesome.

I got the jersey for a great deal. If I could, I would post the image right now. I just don't want to sign up for an image hosting website.

[Mothman]

Wow! Got any pics of the helmet? I'd love to see it.

I'll take some and post them for you!