Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament: (2) Randy Moss vs (3) Jim Marshall

We keep marching along in our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament with our latest match-up in the Sweet 16. And, as I said last week when I updated the brackets, I personally think that this is the most compelling match-up that we've had thus far, as it's a real "old school" vs "new school" match-up.

Randy Moss

Alma Mater: Marshall University
Acquired by Vikings: Round 1, 1998 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 7-ish (1998-2004, plus four games in 2010)
Position: Wide receiver
How He Got Here: Defeated Paul Allen 232-22 in Round 1; Defeated Ahmad Rashad 177-26 in Round 2

What can be said about Randy Moss? From his slide down the draft board into Minnesota's lap in 1998 to pairing with Cris Carter as one of the best 1-2 punches in the history of the game, Moss made every game the Vikings played during his tenure a "must-watch." A lot of his detractors will remember him more for his off-field headlines, but he did a lot of great stuff off the field that never got reported. On the field, however, he really had no peer during his heyday.

Warning, the songs in the video there have some naughty words.

Jim Marshall

Alma Mater: THE. . .dramatic pause. . .Ohio State University
Acquired by Vikings: Acquired via trade with Cleveland Browns before 1961 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 19 (1961-1979)
Position: Defensive end
How He Got Here: Defeated Blair Walsh 181-8 in Round 1; Defeated Scott Studwell 141-47 in Round 2

The NFL's original iron man, Jim Marshall played in a record 282 consecutive games, including 270 consecutive starts. All of the starts came in Minnesota. His streak overcame such things as injury, being stranded during an off-season snowmobile trip (during which Marshall, literally, burned his money to survive), and a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Yes, the man shot himself in the side while cleaning his gun during the week and played for the Vikings that Sunday. He is unofficially the Vikings' second-leading sack artist with 127, holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries with 30, and his #70 is one of just six numbers that have officially be retired by the Minnesota Vikings. He also holds the record for the NFL's shortest play at negative-66 yards for that one play that we've all seen a million damn times (and is, unfortunately, in the video below). The fact that Jim Marshall is not in the Hall of Fame is a travesty, to say the least.

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 Randy Moss, rec the comment that says "Vote - Randy Moss"
If you want to vote for Jim Marshall, rec the comment that says "Vote - Jim Marshall"

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