If You Could Bring Back One Vikings Player, Who Would It Be?
by kcskol on Jun 30, 2011 5:35 PM CDT
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PrintEDIT - Great topic by kcskol, so to the front page it goes! Discuss, everybody! - Chris
I was watching the videos of the Vikings five best plays in the Metrodome, and it reminded me of how much I loved seeing Cris Carter on the field. It got me to thinking, "Which former Viking (in their prime) would I most want to bring back to this year's team?"
Of the guys I had the pleasure of watching, I thought of Chris Doleman, John Randle, Keith Millard (in his one or two fabulous years), Joey Browner, Gary Zimmerman, Randy Moss (oh boy, this one kind of hurts) and Randall McDaniel. The Vikings also had a string of really, really good centers through the years. I think the most instant positional upgrade would be Browner at safety -- though Birk at center could be argued too (prior centers were just as talented, if not more so, but perhaps a bit undersized for today's game). The biggest game changer would, in my mind, be Moss.
That said, I find myself most wanting to see Cris Carter back in purple and making those wonderous leaping/diving/one-handed catches. I miss his ability to make highlight reel catches each and every game. He was fun to watch, and he was a leader in the locker room. He might not fill the biggest need or offer the greatest on-field impact, but he's the one I'd most like to see out there. Who's your pick?
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Korey Stringer
Left us far too early. RIP, big man.
"Lord I pray for the eyes of an eagle, the heart of a lion and the balls of a combat helicopter pilot."
by Ted Glover on Jun 30, 2011 10:20 AM CDT reply actions 10 recs
Browner based on our current needs otherwise Chuck Foreman.
I sure would love to see Chuck Foreman in his prime again. The guy was just a delight to watch. His whirling style and some of his moves were so unique & what a great pass catcher he was also.
HAHA...
cmon! NOBODY moved like Barry.
Loved Foreman in the day… before he started carrying the ball out at the end of his arm…
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Jul 5, 2011 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
One is hard how about one offense one defense
How about Paul Krause on D and Ron Yary on O. If not Yary, Mick Tinglehoff.
by SouthernNorseman on Jun 30, 2011 12:27 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Was thinking about those guys...
But would Mick and Ron be big enough for today’s game? I’m not so sure….
T – Ron Yary – Height: 6-5 Weight: 255
C – Mick Tingelhoff – Height: 6-2 Weight: 237
T – B. McKinnie – Height: 6-8 Weight: 335
C – Matt Birk – Height: 6-4 Weight: 310
Wow, what a difference in 35 years! The players today are just so much bigger that, on the line anyway, I think the old guys would struggle.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
We could use
Joey Browner or Robert Griffith right about now. Matt Birk would also be an excellent choice.
But team needs aside, I wanna see the 2011 version of this moustached maniac!
(Partially because he’s from Fargo, ND, where I reside)
He was known as the Policeman! Ahahah
Let the Frazier era begin
I have to concur with a couple of the others.
Joey Browner was a serious bad ass. Birk is good choice as well as would be any of the Purple People Eaters. Ahmad Rashad or Cris Carter would be nice also as well as John Gilliam.
Fuad was money in the bank.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
The Original ('98) Randy Moss... not the epic fail of 2010
“Straight cash hommie!”
by solafide on Jun 30, 2011 2:37 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
How could it not be Moss. The most exciting player to ever play the game
Who cares about all the off the field crap. One player i would want to see on the field in his prime: Randy Moss. I tried justifying CC or Randle(I’ve never seen any of the PPE’s play or Foreman or Tark because I’m too young for that), but i can’t justify them, any of them. I want to see Moss and Moss only. Dude was uncoverable!
Skol!
where's the love for page, eller and marshall?
don’t forget fran the man, either!
by danny lloyd on Jun 30, 2011 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Yup.
Unfortunately, I never really got to see them play.
In the back of my mind, I wonder how the Purple People Eaters would do against today’s 300 lb plus O-linemen. Just wondering how much the game has changed since then — bigger and faster players, more passing, more atheletic left tackles, etc.
well, if you are talking who to bring back to play on this 2011 team...
then your list is a good one. if i could take one on offense and one on defense. i’ll take joey browner and cris carter….and all of the o-line you mentioned! plus, i think eller and marshall would kick mckinnie’s and loadholdt’s asses, even with the weight/size differences.
Page would still dominate inside...
so dang fast off the snap of the ball. Eller and Marshall would struggle at DE, but would fit nicely as an OLB, especially Marshall who had more speed than Eller. BUT, if we were talking the ENTIRE unit playing together, they would do just fine.
Being placed on the main page is quite an honor
…and I’d like commemorate this occasion with a prepared statement.
“First, I’d like to thank my wife. She always believed in me…except for the times when she knew better. And of course, I want to thank my parents. It was their genes and nurturing that made me what I am today… which for better or worse is exactly what I am today. Thanks also to my children for leaving me alone long enough to get this post posted. And finally, thank you Sony Trinitron and the 1976 Vikings. Without you, the ‘70s might have come and gone without my first crush: those awesome helmets and purple jerseys. It’s been all joy and bitter moments ever since, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Skol Vikings!
Ahem. What a waste of a wish.
I should have said, “2010 coin toss.” Frankly, I could use the extra year of healing.
I kid you not
Living in New York CIty in May and June of 1994 was magical. I don’t really follow the Rangers or Knicks anymore, but if I see they are on national TV, I’ll watch for old times sake. I stay more connected with the Mets… and Vikings (obviously).
Thank you, sir. Thank you indeed.
[insert videoclip of a phenomenally handsome, fit and intelligent Vikings fan taking a bow here]
You’ll just have to imagine that part (as I am), because I’m not technically gifted enough to find and insert such a clip — nor do I have ready access to those particular attributes for purposes of filming.
Hello???
Any former Viking?? It’s gotta be Fran Tarkenton – no doubt. He only held every passing record known to man when he retired and I’m pretty sure he’d thrive in the west coast offense today. Come on – it’s not even close!! Give me #10!!
by Siegfried59 on Jun 30, 2011 6:56 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
I would...
… agree with that for sure. No other Viking QB comes even remotely close.
I could add Matt Blair, great player but his attitude and enthusiasm was infectious. I would also love to see Keith Millard in the trenches.
But above all, John Randall .. oh an Randy Moss.
by HammeroftheGods on Jun 30, 2011 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Matt Blair crossed my mind to.
When you absolutely positively need a kick blocked Matt was awesome.
Agreed
If we had Tarkenton behind the center, we would instantly have a reliable leader calling the shots, not the merry-go-round QB’s that we’ve had for the past 20+ years.
by SaintBeowulf on Jun 30, 2011 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Ed White was a freaking beast....
dominating inside, winning arm wrestling contests. To see him and Hutch pulling for AP, (same position, I know) would be a sight.
How about....
Gary Zimmerman and Randall McDaniel. Those were two amazing guys, for sure.
by HammeroftheGods on Jun 30, 2011 7:36 PM CDT reply actions
the best oldtimer for this years team.
steve christie. hear me out. this years team has a qb who has zero starts and one with 2. how did dilfer win that superbowl ? christie was his center controlling the line … when he was here as a team the vikings were always top 5 running with middle of road rbs christie in his prime keeps line working keeps qb focused on one less thing . the tiff between chilly and birk has really hurt the vikings . we have peterson . if we had the line working as one instead of a hodgepodge the last 4 years just think how much better his numbers would be .
oops dilfer.
sorry old myself but he did lead line to sb win in tampa not baltimore for dilfer.
I think you mean Jeff Christy
Steve Christie was a kicker for the Bills (among others).
SBNation Minnesota - For the greatest sports fans in the world.
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by Christopher Gates on Jun 30, 2011 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Christie was awesome but he also had a tremendous line to work with,
It was beastly to say the least.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
Steve Christie?
That’s a joke – right? So you’d rather have a run of the mill center and a rookie QB than a HOF QB who took 3 teams to super bowls in his mid 30’s and owned every passing record?? I seriously don’t know why Sir Francis doesn’t get more love. Maybe it’s been so long since we had a true franchise QB that no one under 45 remembers what it’s like to have one any more. Sad.
by Siegfried59 on Jun 30, 2011 7:53 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Jerry Ball
Please, just one season with Ball and Pat Williams lined up next to each other. Every buffet in the Twin Cities would go bankrupt.
JOE KAPP!
He might not terrorize opponent’s defensive back, but defensive ends learned to fear him! LOL.
by kagey on Jun 30, 2011 8:57 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
+ 11
Him straight running through a Browns defensive tackle? the man had GRIT.
Eclectic fan? You don't know the half of it.
Chris Walsh
He was so Amped all the time
What a fantastic guy, Loved his motivation. Really miss the guy.
"If you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow."
John Wayne
by just another viking on Jun 30, 2011 8:58 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I came here to say the same.
Remember when he played with a broken jaw? I was just a kid at the time, and I still remember it vividly.
"I wanted to do it because it's fun, it's fun to do bad things and drive into a car."
by PurplePeopleEaters on Jul 1, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Tough Question
Alan Page would be an instant defensive masterpiece. John Randle would wreck QBs. CC, The original Moss would be amazing (still my favorite to don the purple and gold). I would love to see Scramblin’ Fran rip the league up, I really never minded Tommy Kramer (upsetting those Niners? Man, that was clutch). With a team like ours, haters focus on the bad, but the fans remember how many greats have played the game, there are few wrong answers.
Eclectic fan? You don't know the half of it.
Correction
It was Wilson that led that upset win in 87. I’m a fool.
Eclectic fan? You don't know the half of it.
it was actually AC's 200+ receiving yards that did it ;-)
"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."
For this years team
I would choose Tarkenton or John Randle as the two greats most able to really elevate our team.
Daunte Culpepper and Dwight Smith
- M. Beasley makes an alley-oop dunk. Assist: R. Rubio
- K. Love makes a 25-foot three-pointer from the top of the arc. Assist: R. Rubio
- W. Johnson misses a 16-foot jumper from the left wing.
Carter over Moss any day of the week and twice on Sunday
by Mel Allen on Jul 1, 2011 1:24 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Moss needed a supporting cast to be great.
Moss is a 1 dimensional WR……sure he was the greatest down field threat to ever play the game, but CC is arguably the greatest possession WR to ever play. CC’s hands and field awareness were 2nd to Jerry Rice and no one else…imo.
Culpepper
Tarkenton was a great player, but long before my time. A great choice I’m sure. But Culpepper in his prime…the guy had one of the greatest seasons a quarterback has ever had. Yes, that was with Moss, but he would still tear it up with Sydney and Percy. And I would just love to see him get his roll on again in that purple #11. My other choice would be CC. Still can’t believe he’s not in the HOF. Greatest receiver not named Jerry Rice.
Good news!
According to Dr. Prometheus, Chris Carter WILL return to help us win the Super Bowl!
OK, had to. Anyways… I hate to say it, but there is the very, very strong temptation to say… Brett Favre (since the post did say ‘in their prime’- as in, in this case, 2009). Still, that a.) still stings a bit too much after 2010 to say, and b.) anything that could potentially start another rumor of his ‘return-return-return’ (return? Lost track…) must be squashed immediately.
That said… yes, Chris Carter/ Randy Moss would also be big temptations, but assuming El Sid is back, I’m not seeing WR as necessarily something that could change the field. (Of course, that said, Randy Moss did show up in a similiar situation… and he changed the field. Maybe like Favre, 2010 still stings too much to openly say it.)
I’m going to therefore have to go with Birk. We need a good O-line to keep Ponder upright, and a solid center is the lynchpin to that whole operation- and lord knows, our current Center/s aren’t exactly holding the fort down.
HAAADOKEN! Daily Norseman
How to choose....
When I first read the post, I thought I knew who I’d pick. It was an easy choice!
But then I started reading through the comments, and by the time I got to this point, I’m all misty-eyed ’n stuff. The Vikings have fielded more than their share of some of the greatest football players ever to put on cleats, it would be tough to build an All-Time Greatest Viking team, let alone pick just 1. Or, cheating, 1 on offense, 1 on defense, especially with the needs that the 2011 Vikes have.
So I’ll cheat.
On offense, we desperately need Matt Birk 2.0 to anchor the line, so I’ll go with the original. But if I had my druthers, we’d bring Tark back so that Ponder and Webb can squabble over the scraps, while Cris and Randy remind the world why they were the best WR tandem that the NFL has EVER seen.
On defense, Joey Browner and Paul Krause together would shut down the backfield once and for all, while I want me some Phat Pat in his prime, back to clog up the middle so that the rest of the team can get after the QB. An for a linebacker, it was a REALLY tough choice between Scott Studwell, and Matt Blair, but in the end, Matt Blair pulls it out as the best all-around LB in Viking history, IMO.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Wow I was going to write pretty much exactly what you wrote.
Thanks! It would be fun to make a all time Vike team, pull players from whenever to make it up… deal with the tough questions like who really was our best RB? AD? robert smith? um that guy from the 70’s :D
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
Tough to compare
I really expected that the original Purple People Eaters would have to make an all-time squad, but when I compared their sizes to the guys we have today…. I hate to say it, but I don’t think they have any business trying to outplay guys who outweigh them by 100+ lbs. Talk about changes that the League has going through, the size difference is just tremendous.
An All-Time Viking Team? Why don’t you get the post rolling :), it’ll give us something else to squabble over!
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
me I can't type more than three sentences without irritating someone...
I would go with skill for the time and not skill for the now though. I mean I’m sure that not everyone would be able to play up to standard with the changes in physique but the heart, determination and down right mule headiness counts for a lot in my book.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
It would have to be Tark
Ponder would have a good QB to learn from.
Dear Lakers,
When I said to hurry up and hire a coach already, I didn't mean to hire Mike Brown.
There are a lot of good choices...
And a lot of needs that could be filled, but I would have to go with John Randle. The defensive line isn’t the teams biggest need, but I just loved that crazy passion that Randle brought to the game. I just really liked watching him play.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
because face paint never goes out of style
and face paint and a mullet on the D Line would be so awesome the earth would stop spinning…
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
It really would be too awesome for words...
To have John Randle and Jared Allen on the same defensive line :)
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
would have to fly up to catch a game for sure.
and hope the other team brought four quarter backs :D
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
This one is easy
Troy Williamson
"If I can't get to it, nobody can't get to it" - Randy Moss #84
by Ihatethefudgepackers on Jul 1, 2011 3:20 PM CDT reply actions
Gene Washington
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
I'm torn between Randle and Culpepper
Culpepper in his prime was close to an MVP…or an interception and fumble machine. Can I pick which version I would rather have?
But Jon Randle was a maniac who made the defense better by his attitude and intensity. We could sure use that on-field motivator now.
#88
The one and only Alan Page. It would be awesome to see him wrecking offenses again in the ice and snow. As far as an offensive player, I’d have to go with # 44. Chuck Foreman was poetry in motion on the field.
I have mentioned a few old-timers.......
but, there are so many to pick from. A REAL workhorse I would love to have back again would be Bill Brown. Steady, tough and reliable, the “if you need 4 yards, he’ll get you 4 yards, if you need 6 yards, he’ll get you 4 yards type of back.” Would be great on special teams, much like Farwell.
Brett Favre
He made Greg Lewis look good. He brought us to the NFC Championship game, and he’d have won it if the NFL didn’t rig it for the Saints to win… There were like 6 obvious calls that went the wrong way, all against the Vikings. That one year was more fun than any other for a Vikings fan. Bring Back Brett, let him mentor Ponder for a year, especially if it’s a shortened season.
Also, I would kinda like Chris Hovan and John Randle back, Hovan/Randle/Williams/Allen/Griffin/Robison would be a beastly D-line
you doing that put Griffith and Winfield at CB's
See people cry.. Studwell at linebacker…
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
Robert Smith...
Only got a passing mention from Grime up there ^^ but he deserves a post of his own.
And yeah…you’re thinking… ‘But we have AD!’…
exactly! yep! I want that problem!
He was a joy to watch run, a class act, a Big 10 alum, and he left the game with dignity…. sadly, too soon.
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Jul 5, 2011 3:22 PM CDT reply actions
yeah I will say this when he retired I was seriously pissed.
Just led the league in rushing yards… GAH still upset about it.
Anyway, suprisingly no one has mention Herschel Walker….
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
Robert Smith left too soon that is true.
He was smart about though. He just didn’t want to be 50 years old & not being able to get out of bed. I’m surprised more players that are financially secure don’t leave a little early.
Hey guys. . .
For any of you that want to. . . .Come over to the POD and get your votes in for the NFC NORTHS All time FAVORITES at the WR position. I took a short break due to kids and weather but I’m back and got the series going again. Don’t worry about any BS we are cool with you guys coming over and having some fun with us. And as a Lions fan Thank GOD you cant bring anyone back cause John Randell Was a Lions/NFC killer. SUH’s motor reminds me so much of John that it is scary.
How many lumps you want Doc?
This is simple even other teams should vote for Moss.
one of the best receivers of all time period.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
John Randle!
Move KWill to NT and man alive will QB’s will nightmares and our secondary improves by leaps and bounds overnight. As skol girl mentioned above his passion for the game and his presence on the field would make our D the most feared! Moss would be a close second, he would make Ponder’s, and AP’s lives a whole lot easier.
It’s not a glamorous pick, but:
RANDALL MCDANIEL!
Greatest offensive guard to ever play the position- and a class act through and through.
by Odin'sDrunkenSon on Jul 11, 2011 9:16 AM CDT reply actions
well...
Moss did say a couple months ago he wouldn’t be opposed to going back, YET AGAIN, to the Vikes…
Moss and Rice… hell, I could think of a lot worse combinations to give a rookie quarterback. ;)
by Odin'sDrunkenSon on Jul 11, 2011 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually I wish you hadn't specified players
because I wouldn’t mind seeing Bud Grant back in action on the side lines..
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
Moss
We shouldn’t have gotten rid of him last year. Zygi dropped the ball on that one. Childress or Moss? Hmm…. CHILDRESS!
Tired of crying
Do you suppose
there is any possibility at all of getting him back? I’m unsure of his status at the moment.
I would say 100% no
I don’t think Wilf wants a return of the circus we had last year. I know I don’t.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
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