Presidents Day Discussion: Who Is On The Vikings' "Mount Rushmore?"
by Christopher Gates on Feb 21, 2011 3:05 PM CST
in Minnesota Vikings
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I assume that many of you out there, just like myself, have somehow managed to get the day off today to celebrate Presidents Day. Above, you can see the unmistakable image of Mount Rushmore, which immortalizes four of America's greatest Commanders-in-Chief for the contributions they made to the formation of the greatest damn country on the face of the planet.
Seeing that sort of got me to thinking. . .if we were to immortalize four individuals, past or present, for the contributions they've made to the formation of the greatest damn football team on the planet, who would they be? I'll put my list after the jump. . .a couple of them were easy, and a couple of them I actually agonized quite a bit over. I'll do the easy ones first.
Bud Grant - When any history of the Minnesota Vikings is discussed, there's one name that should come to the forefront above all others, and that's the name of Bud Grant. Professional football's third-winningest coach (behind only Don Shula and George Halas) with 290 victories, and the NFL's eighth-winningest coach with a record of 158-96-5, Grant is probably more vital to the history of the Minnesota Vikings than any other individual in the team's history. People tend to like to discount Grant's achievements as a coach because, while he led the Vikings to the Super Bowl four times, he never led them to a Super Bowl win. We in the business of writing about football like to refer to such people as "idiots."
One thing that I read about Bud Grant that I didn't know while I was looking up his bio for this story. . .the man required all of his players to stand at attention in a straight line for the entirety of the National Anthem on game day. . .and the team even had National Anthem practice. Yes. . .we're talkin' 'bout practice. There's no way a coach would be able to get away with that in today's NFL.
Fran Tarkenton - Before there was Favre, before there was Marino, Sir Francis of Tarkenton owned the passing section of the National Football League record books. From the Vikings' first game, in which the rookie Tarkenton came off the bench and threw four touchdown passes in a shocking 38-13 thrashing of the Chicago Bears, to being traded to the New York Giants in 1967 and coming back to the Vikings in 1972, he is as synonymous with Vikings' football as any individual player. When he retired from the game, he was the NFL's all-time leader in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yardage, and passing touchdowns, as well as rushing yards by a quarterback and victories by a starting quarterback. Here's where he ranks in those categories today, despite not having played a game since 1978:
Passing yardage - 6th
Pass completions - 8th
Pass attempts - 8th
Passing touchdowns - 4th
Victories by a starting quarterback - 5th
Rushing yards for a quarterback - 4th
Keep in mind, all of the seasons that Tarkenton played consisted of a 14-game regular season, rather than the 16 games of today.
Tarkenton is another one that people like to discount because his team never won a Super Bowl. . .and, again, to put it as simply as I can, anyone that would view Tarkenton as anything other than one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the league is truly, truly ignorant about the sport of football. Really, there isn't a polite way to say it.
Strangely, in all the research I did about Tarkenton, I don't recall coming across any instances of fans burning his jersey or cheering for him to be injured when he was traded to the New York Giants, or during the time he played for them. Isn't that weird? Don't all fans do that when a legendary quarterback gets traded away from their team?
No? Oh. . .okay, then. Forget I said anything.
Alan Page - This one and the next one were selections I really agonized over. . .but the Purple People Eaters, one of the most dominant defenses of all-time, need a representative on this list, and Alan Page has a list of accomplishments as long as both of your arms, both on the field and off the field. We can start with his being the first defensive player in the history of the league to be named the NFL MVP, a feat he accomplished in 1971. When the Sporting News did their list of the NFL's 100 Greatest Players back in 1999, it was Page that was the highest-ranking Viking on the list, coming in at number 34 (Fran Tarkenton came in at number 59, the only other Viking on the list). He amassed 148.5 career sacks from the defensive tackle position, a was a member of the NFL's All-Decade team from the 1970s.
Oh, and he's also a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. He got his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1978 (while he was still active in the NFL), and was elected to the Court in 1993. Another impressive feat from one of the most impressive players. . .and one of the most impressive people. . .to ever set foot on an NFL field.
Adrian Peterson - Okay, this one is the one I agonized over more than any other, because there were a lot of guys that could have gone in this spot. I could have gone with Cris Carter. . .or Randy Moss. . .or Jim Marshall. . .or Mick Tinglehoff. . .or Ron Yary. . .or Chuck Foreman. . .or a host of others. But instead the spot goes to the guy that could end up being one of the all-time greats at his position.
In his first four NFL seasons, Adrian Peterson has pretty much crushed everything in his path. In his rookie year, he set a single-game rushing record with 296 against the San Diego Chargers, and he was only the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 3,000 or more yards in his first two NFL seasons. Only four other running backs reached the 5,000-yard plateau as quickly as Adrian Peterson did, as it took him only 51 games. At this point of his career, only Jim Brown and Barry Sanders have averaged more rushing yards per game than AP has. He's the only running back ever to have two 200-yard games in his rookie season. . .and, if not for an illegal horse collar tackle in the aforementioned game against the Chargers, he would have put up the first 300-yard rushing performance in the history of the league.
Peterson entered the NFL with the "injury prone" tag, but has played in 60 of the 64 regular season games the Vikings have played over the course of his career, missing two games in 2007 and two more this past season. Next season, he will likely pass Bill Brown, Chuck Foreman, and Robert Smith to become the leading rusher in Minnesota Vikings' history. Smith currently holds the franchise mark with 6,818 career yards, Foreman has 5,887, and Brown has 5,757. . .Peterson currently has 5,751. And, with the exception of the 2009 season, Peterson really hasn't had much of a passing game to support his efforts.
Adrian Peterson has a chance to be the greatest. . .the greatest running back of all-time, and the greatest Viking of all-time. That's why he's on this list.
So, if you were putting together a "Mount Rushmore" for the Minnesota Vikings, who would be on it?
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Randy for president
there would instantly be a National Moon a Packer Day, and i sure as hell wouldn’t mind
by muffin man on Feb 21, 2011 3:19 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I cannot argue with the first three
Although APs stats have been and are great, it would be hard for me to put a 4 year player on the Mount. Not sure who I would put there. As you said there have been so many great ones. If pushed I would go with Chris Carter the should be first ballot Hall of Famer.
Skol
by SouthernNorseman on Feb 21, 2011 3:25 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Honestly I would need abotu 20 faces..
because the last one on there would have to be Fuad Reviz. that man kept us in and won us more games than i can shake a stick at.. Plus his name was just bad ass.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
I hope they invite Fuad's son Nick to camp
I have been watching him play for the last 8 years in high school and at Tennessee and the kid has heart. He reminds me of Sam Mills the undersized LB from the Saints and Panthers.
by SouthernNorseman on Feb 21, 2011 4:14 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
genetically blend vikings great faces together!
That way we can fit all the greats on there! Blend Randy and Chris together! Imagine how that would look…
Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the aftermath of the chaos of the 2010 season. I now look forward to the draft. Help the O-Line! SKOL VIKINGS!!
And why did Cris Carter not get into HOF?? As my coach would say, the ballot voters had their thumb up their butt and their mind in Arkansas. I have nothing against Arkansas though.
by ccrunner on Feb 21, 2011 6:27 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
good one
…. the moonshot with a big smiling afro
cc needs in there with HOF under his face
OH YEA
This is gonna be a fun ride
by cowgirl attitude on Feb 23, 2011 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
Bud Grant, Alan Page, Cris Carter & Chuck Foreman
I know, I know…no Fran? But I plain dislike the man. (although I don’t let my Packer friends know that) Perhaps Adrian instead of Chuck Foreman, but not for a few more years.
Question: Which face would change expression more often; the Bud Grant in stone or the real game day Bud Grant?
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Erosion
After seeing Bud at the Bears game this year I’d have to believe the elements would work faster on the stone version than they have on the flesh and blood one. To say the man is a rock should make stones blush and fidget under the responsibility.
Farewell Childress. You did things your way; now enjoy the highway.
by dwarg on Feb 21, 2011 10:28 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That would be my mountain side faces too.
I might have gone with Eller instead of Page, but Page is a good choice too.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
New Twins motto: "Twins baseball: Poor fans can screw themselves!" -BatGirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Feb 21, 2011 3:43 PM CST reply actions
Bud Grant, Cris Carter, Fran Tarkenton, and John Randle with the face paint
How sweet would it be to see John Randle’s snarling braveheart face instead of Abraham Lincolns? Bud Grant is the best coach we’ve ever had. Cris Carter is the best wide receiver and Fran Tarkenton is the best Franchise QB. Peterson could get on this list down the road ,but a little to early for that now.
by Vikings55Thunder on Feb 21, 2011 4:36 PM CST reply actions
This is so tough. Hard to disagree with you.
One thing I’m having an issue with when coming up w/ my four is the fact that I have to have a member of the original PPEs.
Disagree with Randle
The only reason why is because I could never put John Randle ahead of Alan Page. I could never put any defensive lineman in the history of the NFL over Alan Page.
I'm completely fine with Page to...
I just had to put face paint Randle in there to spice things up a bit. I think it would definitely get more publicity if he was one of them.
by Vikings55Thunder on Feb 21, 2011 7:31 PM CST up reply actions
Two thoughts.
I like the list. Can I be a jerk and bring up two issues however?
Peterson.
The issue I have with Peterson is that he’s still playing. Wait, let me restart. I love Adrian Peterson. If the man needed a kidney transplant and I was a donor, well, my drinking days are done. So please don’t hate me or call me an AP hater. OK- now back to my point. By all accounts and standards The Great AP will in fact do everything you said he will do. If we have a single player on this team that I would say can and will lead us to a Super Bowl, it’s him. But again- his time isn’t done. We’re not ready to wrap everything up. What if by some freak twist of fate 2011 is his last season as a Viking?? What if, G-d allmight forbid, he suffers a career-ending injury next season? He will be in the pantheon of the greatest RBs of all time regardless, and an eventuall Hall of Famer. But should something like that happen, he’ll be best remembered for his promise, rather than his fulfillment.
Again, don’t get me wrong. He’s undoubtedly going to deserve being on this list. But I don’t want to put someone on this Mount unless their career is over, and we have the benefit of looking back at the entirety. Yes, Peterson is 30% promise, 70% “I’ve already done it, suckers”. But I want to wait till it’s 100% “Juicy Purple Greatness” before we break out the chisel, if we’re only talking about four here.
Tarkenton.
OK, let’s start this one right. Sir Francis belongs on this Mount. Period.
That said, I would like to ask if anyone else here is bothered by this guys’ attitude over the past few years? Again, he belongs on the wall because in football, you honor the past achievements on the field more than the attitude or mistakes later on (or even during, at times) on it. Like Brett Favre- his record as a QB isn’t and shouldn’t be tarnished just cuz he’s a bit of a dirty old man.
But it does bother me how a.) Tarkenton blasted Favre for doing things that, well, Tarkenton himself did. Like flip-flopping over retirement. Or cajoling teams to trade him away- like he in fact did to the Vikings the first time and to the Giants later on. It stank to me more of professional jealousy- I’m going to say it, I think Tarkenton was frightened his status as a Viking QB might be diminished had Favre gotten us a Lombardi in 2009, which for all the world it sure looked like he was gonna; and b.) how Tarkenton really doesn’t show love for the fans anymore? When we had our celebration of the 50 greatest Vikings, he didn’t even want to show up- Bud Grant called him and convinced him to. And Tarkenton didn’t even stick around for the halftime celebration- unless I missed him, please correct me if I’m wrong. But his words generally don’t show a feeling of love and respect for his old team and their current fanbase, at least maybe not as much as I’d like a legendary QB (and about the only legendary QB our history’s got- Culpepper comes in second, and that’s like saying “my first car was a Mustang and my second car was a Honda”) too.
Maybe I’m just being weird on that one- I just wanted to see what everyone else thought.
Nothing's tougher than being a diehard Vikings fan.
I agree with both points
however the reason I would not want Tark is that his business ethics reflect what we are now seeing in his behavior towards the fans and the Vikings organization. I think if we are to put someone on the Mt. Rushmore of the Vikings they should have demonstrated high quality Character on and off the field.
Bud Grant – Allen page – John Randle – Chris Carter
I cannot find any thing that would disqualify any of these guys from consideration in their on or off field behaviour
"If you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow."
John Wayne
by just another viking on Feb 21, 2011 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Would also consider Doleman and Chris Walsh
"If you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow."
John Wayne
by just another viking on Feb 21, 2011 5:33 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I like your 4 better than mine(below)
I actually like some of the reasons for leaving Tark off. I was thinking that we had to put a QB on there because it’s the most important position in the game. Our team’s history never revolved around our QBs (unless you’re talking lackthereof). Our team was built on Defense, OLine, and some of the best WRs/RBs ever. I’m going to have to trash my 4 and I’m going with yours. Randle deserves it, CC deserves it, Grant and Page built the foundation that we’re standing on today. You’ve completely swayed my opinion on having Tark on there. I feel like I was just abused and I’m no longer a man. Nice work.
P.S. A name not yet mentioned (that i have seen anyways). What about Jack Del Rio?
Or Scott Studwell?
"Time for some Percy Harvin Magic Baby!"-Me right before he returned a Kickoff for a Touchdown against Shits, err, Pittsburgh...
by marsexxxy23 on Feb 21, 2011 5:54 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Your list
Is the list I thought of when reading this headline.
I would also like to add that Alan Page is extraordinarily friendly, approachable, extremely smart, and diplomatic (these last two are probably givens). If you ever get the chance to meet him when he’s not doing his job, I suggest it. I also hear he’s the only person in any professional sport to have helped build, and then be inducted into, the same sports hall of fame (he’s from Canton). Beyond that, I think that off-the-field accomplishments/behavior/ethics should come into play in this imaginary scenario. We already have a Hall of Fame for on field performance (OJs in it and until we take him out, that honor should be strictly reserved for on-the-field performance) and immortal memorialization like this needs to be holistic.
Also, rec’d.
Excellent post and that's the issue I'm having
I would put Moss in there before AP just because we’ve seen the full amount of greatness that he has, but again, he’s still playing so I leave him off as well. My full 4 will be down below.
Orlando you must be on the same wavelength as Inverness
I thought the same thing. Why did he have to be called by Bud to come. Why doesn’t he come around and show the community and fans who loved him that he is grateful.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Fran the Man. I too am a little disappointed.
Four is tough and the consensu here on AD is another thing. You have to go with guys that established history.
I could lobby for Osborne who is a midwest boy who grutted it out every game. So along with the 1st 3 I would go Osborne or Randle. Randle made some above average years exciting, just cause John was John! A face that epitomises determination
AKA : Revenge4Webb
by CitrusFLViking on Feb 21, 2011 7:22 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know what Fran's problem is these days
Earlier this year he came out with a hate-filled tirade against Mark Richt and the state of the UGA football program. It’s strange that he has come out (very) publicly against two brands that he is most associated with and two fanbases who hold him in the highest regard.
I don’t know if his recent attitude should keep him off the mount, though, so I’ll throw out two lists
With Fran: Fran, Grant, Page, Carter
Without Fran: Grant, Page, Carter, and Marshall (who is second on the all-time consecutive games started list behind Favre)
Finks definitely is the greatest Viking ever
…even if he didn’t step on the field for them.
My list:
Finks
Page
Grant
???
I like Fran, but IMO Bob Hollway deserves a mention. He was the architect of perhaps the best 3-year defense in the history of the NFL, the ‘69-71 PPE. I’m not sure another D in the modern era has been able to hold opponents to 10 points per game, 3 straight seasons. I realize Hollway was gone for the ’71 season, and Finks certainly gave him a lot of talent to work with, but he was the architect of that D.
I’ll throw in Jim Marshall as well, since he was team captain. He wasn’t the player that Page or Eller were, but leadership counts. I always loved Eller, too, and the chalkboard incident proved he could be a leader in his own right.
Alan Page, Ron Yary, Randall McDaniel, & John Randle
I only listed players. Obviously Bud Grant belongs but I just wanted to list players.
And I tried to list players that spent all or the majority of the careers with the Vikings.
Plus 4
I agree but a head coach is an exemption. Assistants and front office -NO
AKA : Revenge4Webb
by CitrusFLViking on Feb 21, 2011 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure there's a mountain tough enough to hold that bunch.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Great list
can’t go wrong with those 4.
by HammeroftheGods on Feb 22, 2011 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
Grant, Page, Tark, CC
Best coach ever.
Original PPE member.
Best QB we’ve ever had.
Best hands in the game bar none(WHY IS HE NOT IN THE HOF????)
One guy that I wanted to put on here because he ate, slept, drank, pissed Purple is Chris Walsh. Yeah yeah yeah, he’s not the sexy pick, but I think he’s a helluva representative of our team.
I'd have to say.
Carter, McDaniel, Page and Randle is who I would up.
The two best offensive players we’ve ever had (in my opinion) and the 2 best defensive players we’ve ever had.
Maybe not even best, but the most impactful.
"Time for some Percy Harvin Magic Baby!"-Me right before he returned a Kickoff for a Touchdown against Shits, err, Pittsburgh...
by marsexxxy23 on Feb 21, 2011 5:53 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Easy. No Fran.
Bud Grant (who would occupy Washington’s spot on Rushmore), Alan Page, Scott Studwell, Chuck Foreman.
Tarkenton’s last name should be changed to Tankenton, as he possibly tanked in more NFL playoff games than any other QB in NFL history.
I AM VIKING, HEAR ME ROAR!!!
I'd keep em all, but replace AP with Cris Carter
Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the aftermath of the chaos of the 2010 season. I now look forward to the draft. Help the O-Line! SKOL VIKINGS!!
And why did Cris Carter not get into HOF?? As my coach would say, the ballot voters had their thumb up their butt and their mind in Arkansas. I have nothing against Arkansas though.
Mine in order
Brad Childress, Nafahu Tahi, Madieu Williams, and Ontarrio Smith
What you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your entire rambling incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Feb 21, 2011 7:17 PM CST reply actions
Good list Gonzo
Tough call. CC and John Randle are two names that come to mind that would be hard for me to leave off the Mt.
Honorary Mention
Steve Jordan
Anthony Carter
Paul Krause
Randal McDaniel
"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."
More honorary mentions (not mentioned anywhere yet)
Ahmad Rashad, Joey Browner, Bill Brown, Joe Kapp, Jeff Siemon, Fred Cox, Gene Washington and my personal favorite, Gary Cuozzo.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
I totally forgot about Browner he should be in the running too
"If you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow."
John Wayne
by just another viking on Feb 22, 2011 6:34 PM CST up reply actions
Great honorable list NM
but ya gotta have Osborne on that list at least. This guy not only showed us what hard work meant but has been a vital part of the community since. Kudos to Krause, Bill Brown, McDanial and the late Karl Kassulke. They lived a Minnesota Viking B4 and after their carrers. Ozzie by far the most infuencial with all his years of playing.
One reason Bud is so loved. he does the same things.
Those guys would be on my All-Vikings For Life Team.
Ya might throw Studwell in there. They came and stayed and contributed
AKA : Revenge4Webb
Paul Krause would have to seriously considered. Cris Carter too.
I agree with A.P. but just not right now. In 5 years if he remains at the top of his game then by all means yes.
A.Page, R.McDaniel, J.Randle, C.Carter
Those four would MT. Rushmore, Bud Grant would be “Crazy Horse”
Tarkenton, Grant, Page, C. Carter,
This was a really great story idea and I’m amazed that iron man Jim Marshall hasn’t been mentioned more in this thread. They would have to carve the back of his head, going the wrong way. (actually he was a great player – MAN! We’ve had A LOT of great players!)
The ultimate 4 some!
Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History, Bar None!
Brett Favre will be back in a shortened 2011 due to a lock out, Guaranteed!
Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in Super Bowl XLVI, Guaranteed!
by REVENGE4FAVRE on Feb 22, 2011 10:03 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
Hey R4F! Nice photoshop skilz.
It looks like Alan Page is about to sack Favre and send him back to that algae-colored bay of Lake Michigan. Favre was a great QB, but I will not accept him on Mt. Vike-more. Not now! Not ever! Too much GB and not enough purple in his career to warrant this blasphemy! LOL!
But I dig the art! ;-)
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Agreed Odin
As an old man it is a miracle i can do what I can on a computer. Would love to be able to do the stuff R4F did there.
By the way, a while back i thing WSVike made our DN clan map and I have wanted him to add a few states I have learned we have fans in. He did an out standing job. I wonder how many of the SBNation teams coulld boast a map so colored and covered in purple.
Thanks WS Viking. I really wanted to update and post it. It was very cool
AKA : Revenge4Webb
by CitrusFLViking on Feb 22, 2011 11:05 PM CST up reply actions
It looks like Favre Cc'ed his Jenn Sterger pics to AP
AP looks like… “Oh my god!!! WTF!!! Why? I think I’m blind…”
And Favre is laughing at his reaction to the pics.
I personally would have Bud Grant as my sort of Lincoln monument figure. Randy Moss would be 1 of my 4 on Mt. Vike-more. Randy was a FREAK as a member of the good ole’ purple and gold. He’ll go down as one of the greatest WR’s in NFL history, due partly to his time on the Minnesota Vikings.
by Supabad1edy on Feb 22, 2011 12:33 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Why isn't..
… the big dog getting any love?
How could you have this without John Randle?
Seriously, four is too small a number. There are too many that you’d have to leave out with just four.
by HammeroftheGods on Feb 22, 2011 2:41 PM CST reply actions
The four are......
1. Page- the BEST interior DL of all time.
2. Krause- in the top 3 all time at the safety position.
3. Tarkenton- he revolutionized the QB position.
4. Marshall- his consecutive games played streak is more impressive than Favre’s, simply for the fact that he was slamming bodies on EVERY down he played.
Peterson gets to be the giant Crazy Horse sculpture
Then Grant, Page, Tarkenton, and Carter can be on Rushmore
Who gets to be the T-Rex at Wall Drug?
Grant is out
Grant is out because he was not a player. He may be the “face” of the vikings but not Mt eligible. Tark, Carter, Marshall, McDaniel. I can/could swap Page for Marshall and we will HAVE to make sure there is room available for AP in very near future.
Also, there are many others that are very close or worthy that could be on monuments surrounding Mt Vikemore.
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