Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament: (2) John Randle vs (10) Bobby Bryant

The second round of our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament continues, ladies and gentlemen! In this match-up, one of the greatest pass-rushing defensive tackles in NFL history takes on the man that might be the best pure cover corner the Minnesota Vikings have ever had.

John Randle

Alma Mater: Texas A&M-Kingsville (then known as Texas A&I)
Acquired by Vikings: Signed as an undrafted free agent following the 1990 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 11 (1990-2000)
Position: Defensive tackle
How He Got Here: Defeated Henry Thomas 195-6 in Round 1

A guy who is on the short list of the greatest undrafted players in the history of the NFL, John Randle was a terror to opposing quarterbacks for much of the 1990s for the Vikings. (Seriously, the guy went undrafted when the draft was still twelve rounds long.) In all eleven seasons he spent in Minnesota, he played in all sixteen games, and registered double-digit sacks seven times in a row. He led the NFL in sacks from the defensive tackle position in 1997 with 15.5, and is the team's all-time leading sack artist with 114 in purple, 17.5 more than second place Chris Doleman. Randle was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Bobby Bryant

Alma Mater: University of South Carolina
Acquired by Vikings: Round 7, 1967 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 14 (1967-1980)
Position: Cornerback
How He Got Here: Defeated Tommy Kramer 95-69 in Round 1

In terms of pass coverage ability, Bobby Bryant might be the best cornerback to ever wear the purple and gold. In his career with the Vikings, he tallied 51 interceptions, putting him second in team history behind Paul Krause's 53. Another of the ten Vikings to play in all four of Minnesota's Super Bowl appearances, he was nicknamed "Bones" because of his slight build. He was listed at 6'1" and 170 pounds. . .I'd guess he was probably closer to 160 than 170. That caused him to miss some games over his career, but when he was on the field he was a difference maker. A Pro Bowl selection in 1975 and 1976, Bryant also returned punts and kicks for the Vikings in addition to his duties in the secondary.

Sadly, I can't find a good video of Bobby Bryant to post, so again I'll refer you to Vikings.com for his 50 Greatest Vikings bio video.

If you need a primer on how the voting for our contest works, we have one for you at this link here. Remember, rec the comments to register your vote. Putting "Vote - Name" in the subject line of a post does not count.

If you want to vote for John Randle, rec the comment that says "Vote - John Randle"
If you want to vote for Bobby Bryant, rec the comment that says "Vote - Bobby Bryant"

Voting is open for 24 hours, just like always, folks. Have at it!