Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament: (5) Anthony Carter vs (12) Gary Zimmerman

We have nearly completed the first round of our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament, everybody! In this first round match-up, one of the Vikings' most dynamic wide receivers takes on a cornerstone of the offensive line from years gone by.

Anthony Carter

Alma Mater: University of Michigan
Acquired by Vikings: Trade with Miami Dolphins before 1985 season
Seasons in Minnesota: 8 (1985-1993)
Position: Wide receiver

Carter was originally selected by the Dolphins in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL Draft. However, he instead played for two seasons with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL, and moved on to the Oakland Invaders in 1985. After the USFL folded, Carter was traded to Minnesota. He led the team in receptions for five of his first six seasons, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1987 and 1988. Nobody will ever forget the game he put together as the Vikings upset the mighty San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs to get to the NFC Championship Game, as he caught 10 passes for 227 yards. For his career, Anthony Carter is third in every major receiving category for the Vikings, with 478 receptions for 7,636 yards and 52 touchdowns.

Gary Zimmerman

Alma Mater: University of Oregon
Acquired by Vikings: Trade with New York Giants prior to 1986 season
Seasons in Minnesota: 7 (1986-1992)
Position: Offensive tackle

Another USFL refugee, Zimmerman played for the Los Angeles Express in 1984 and 1985. After the USFL folded, Zimmerman was selected by the New York Giants in the Supplemental Draft, with the Giants using a first round pick to acquire him, but they traded him to the Vikings before he ever played a game for them. Zimmerman quickly became one of the best left tackles in football. He made the Pro Bowl four times as a Viking, and was an All-Pro in all of those seasons as well. Notorious for not talking to the media after remarks he made in the locker room became public, Zimmerman is part of the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1980s and 1990s, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Here's a review of how the voting process works, folks.

-If you want to vote for Anthony Carter, rec the comment that says, "Vote - Anthony Carter"
-If you want to vote for Gary Zimmerman, rec the comment that says, "Vote - Gary Zimmerman"

Don't rec both comments. . .we're on the honor system here, folks. Although I don't know why you'd rec both anyway. . .you'd end up just canceling yourself out.

Please do not reply to either of the top two comments. . .if you want to debate or make your case or what have you, feel free to do so underneath those top two comments. Remember. . .only recs count, so make sure that's how you register your vote.

The voting will remain open until 8 AM Central time tomorrow, at which point the next two match-ups will be posted.

Have at it, everybody!