Everson Griffen, Brian Robison join elite company

We know that defensive ends Brian Robison and Everson Griffen have been performing at a high level for the Minnesota Vikings for a very long time. Now, we can quantify at least a small part of their place in team history.

With their performances so far this season, Griffen and Robison have both vaulted themselves into the top ten in sacks in Minnesota Vikings history. As of today, they’ve each been credited with 57 sacks, which puts them in a tie for eightth place. (The graphic from the Vikings is erroneous. . .Doug Martin has 50.5 sacks as a Viking, not 60.5, so Griffen and Robison are ahead of him, too.)

Robison is the longest-tenured member of the Vikings, having spent his whole career in purple since he was drafted in 2007. Griffen was drafted by the team in 2010, but played relatively sparingly until Jared Allen moved on after the 2014 season. Griffen became the starter at that point, and has been one of the NFL’s best pass rushers ever since.

While Robison’s role has been reduced this season. . .he has just one sack through the team’s first seven games. . .Griffen has been on a tear, collecting nine sacks so far this season. That total puts him third in the NFL behind Jacksonville’s Calais Campbell and Dallas’ DeMarcus Lawrence. He also has a sack in each of the Vikings’ seven games this season.

Next up on the list for Griffen and Robison is potential Hall of Famer Kevin Williams, who had 60 sacks with the Vikings. From there, it’s a pretty significant jump to the next spot on the list. That would be Jared Allen, who collected 85.5 sacks during his time in purple.