Top 5 Vikings of all time

[supafreak84]

To generate a little offseason discussion and out of curiosity...who do you all have as your top 5 Vikings of all time? Feel free to use any reasoning you'd like in your rankings. I wasn't born in time to watch or remember Fran and the Purple People Eaters, but this would be my ranking;

1. Randy Moss- Probably the best talent to ever play the position. While his immaturity probably didn't allow him to play at max potential, his statistics and production as the top offensive threat in the game were still incredible. Changed the game 

2. John Randle- The greatest undrafted player of all time and he was Aaron Donald before there was Aaron Donald. The heart and soul of our defense for a long time and consistently dominant whether playing inside or on the edge. 

3. Randall McDaniel- The greatest guard of his generation. 9x all pro, 12x pro bowl selection, and started 220 of the 222 career games he played. Just a dominator. 

4. Adrian Peterson- One of the greatest backs of all time and maybe the last "franchise" running back. Just one of those freak talents that don't come around very often. Workhorse who constantly strapped an otherwise mostly inept offense on his back and one games just on his talent. 

5. Cris Carter- Mr Consistant had the greatest hands I've ever seen and was one of the top players ever at his position. 

It's interesting that quarterback really isn't even in the discussion when talking about the best Vikings ever. For a franchise that's been around as long as ours that's really a telling statistic 

[Guest]

I mean, it's before my time...but knowing the Vikings' history there's no way I can't include Page or Tark.

[Guest]

1). Alan Page  
2). Randy Moss
3). Randall McDaniel (had to consider Gary Zimmerman too)
4). Fran Tarkenton
5). Paul Krause*


* He led the league with 12 interceptions as a rookie before going on to set the NFL career interceptions record with 81 (which he picked off from 45 different quarterbacks) and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.[2] Krause was selected eight times to the Pro Bowl during his 16 seasons in the NFL.

[Guest]

@PurpleCrush said:
I mean, it's before my time...but knowing the Vikings' history there's no way I can't include Page or Tark.

Would you put Page over anybody on the list, John Randle? I know Tarkenton was a really good player at the time but I wouldn't put him talentwise over anybody on the list. Our franchises best quarterback, yes from a longevity and production standpoint, but nobody is really considering Tark in the conversation for best to ever play the position 

[Guest]

@supafreak84 said:

@PurpleCrush said:
I mean, it's before my time...but knowing the Vikings' history there's no way I can't include Page or Tark.

Would you put Page over anybody on the list, John Randle? I know Tarkenton was a really good player at the time but I wouldn't put him talentwise over anybody on the list. Our franchises best quarterback, yes from a longevity and production standpoint, but nobody is really considering Tark in the conversation for best to ever play the position 

Tough, but I'd say yes. Looking back at his career accomplishments, Page was the first ever Defensive player to win MVP. Was part of one of the most dominant defenses ever (you know you're good when you have a memorable nickname lol). Part of multiple SB teams. 

As for Tark, he may not be in the conversation for best to ever play now, but when he retired he held nearly every major passing record and was part of 3 SB teams himself. Was predominantly known as the first scrambling QB. I'd have to put him on the list. Again, as you mentioned, this list is in regards to greatest Vikings ever.

[Guest]

Vikings have been blessed @ DL and WR over the generations:

Marshall
Eller
Page
Hank Thomas
Doleman
Millard
KW
Randle
I'm sure I'm missing some...

Ahmad Rashad
Sammy White
AC
CC
Moss
JJ
AT


and if we're mentioning greatest Vikings? Then Jim Finks, Bud Grant, Hutchinson and Gary Zimmerman are part of that discussion too

[Guest]

1 - Fran Tarkenton
2 - Alan Page
3 - Cris Carter
4 - Randy Moss
5 - Adrian Peterson
6 - Carl Eller
7 - John Randle
8 - Randall McDaniel
9 - Ron Yary
10- Mick Tingelhoff

[Guest]

This list seems difficult for me. Moss, Randle and AD seem like easy picks. But on the other hand guys who played in other Era's where equally impressive with not as much spot light. Going off memory now.
Tarkington was the all time leading passer for at least 15 years.
Jim Marshall played more consecutive games. Still leads the NFL in fumble recoveries.
Carl Eller probably had 120 career sacks. That was before stats on sacks where kept.
Paul Krause.. all time leader in INT.
Ron Yary. 7-8 pro bowls over 200 games.
Chuck Foreman was as good as OJ Simpson in the 70s.
Keith Millard. Short career but had like 20 sacks in a season.
Doleman 
Fred Cox was the all time leading scorer at one point. All though his percentage was iffy. Lol

Lots of guys left to list. Not sure i can pick just 5. Many Vikings from the past deserve their flowers

[Guest]

Moss
Page
McDaniel
Peterson
Randle

[Guest]

Wheres the Keenum love?