The best defensive ends in Minnesota Vikings history
NFL defensive ends have varied
responsibilities on the field; they have to contain runners with the ball to
the inside - no one should get to their outside. They must be able to shed
blockers to get to the ball and make tackles behind the line, as well as shut
down screen passes. Most importantly they have to pressure quarterbacks on
passing plays, either sacking them for a loss or hurrying them into throwing an
incompletion or interception.
Some of the Vikings' defensive ends have been the best in NFL history. Here are the top ten:
Some of the Vikings' defensive ends have been the best in NFL history. Here are the top ten:
10)
Neil Elshire: From 1981-1986 Elshire
appeared in 63 games, starting 27, and registered 19 QB sacks in six seasons,
with a high of 9.5 in 1983.
9)
Ray Edwards: In five seasons from
2006-2010 Edwards played in 72 games, starting 58, and recorded 29.5 sacks,
with 8.5 coming in 2009.
8)
Al Noga: Scoring two touchdowns
on one interception and three fumble recoveries, Noga had 29.5 QB sacks in five
years from 1988-1992, with 11.5 in 1989. He played in 73 games, starting 56.
7)
Brian Robison: In eleven seasons from
2007-2017 Robison has played in 173 games, starting 103. He has registered 60
QB sacks, forced 13 fumbles, and recovered 8.
6)
Everson Griffen: Named to three Pro
Bowls in eight seasons from 2010-2017, Griffen has played in 121 games,
starting 63. He has 61 sacks, forced 9 fumbles and recovered 6, returning one
for a TD, and also intercepted one pass, running it in for a score.
5) Doug Martin: A former first round pick, Martin started and ended his career with the team on controversial notes, but was a pretty good player on the field in ten seasons from 1980-1989. He played in 126 games, starting 94, and recorded 60.5 sacks and 7 fumble recoveries.
4) Jared Allen: Named to the Pro Bowl four times in his six years with the team from 2008-2013, Allen's 88.5 sacks place him sixth in team history. He also intercepted 4 passes, forced 16 fumbles, recovered 9, and registered 4 safeties while starting all 96 games he appeared in at right end.
3) Chris Doleman: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Doleman played in 154 games, starting 142, in 10 seasons with the Vikings from 1985-1993 and 1999. He leads the team with 33 forced fumbles, is fifth in sacks with 96.5, sixth in fumble recoveries with 16, and seventh in tackles-for-loss with 60. He also intercepted five passes, scored two touchdowns, and recorded two safeties.
2) Jim Marshall: Starting all 270 games in which he played as a Viking at right defensive end from 1961-1979, Marshall is second in team history with 127 QB sacks, first with 29 fumble recoveries, and fourth in tackle-for-loss with 74. A two time Pro Bowl selection, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
1) Carl Eller: The team's all-time leader in QB sacks with 130, Eller was selected to six Pro Bowls. He ranks second in tackles-for-loss with 87, second in fumble recoveries with 23, and seventh in forced fumbles with 15. He also blocked 15 kicks. Eller played in 209 games, fourth in team history, and started 201 from 1964-1978. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2004, an honor that was long overdue. Eller is the best defensive end in Vikings' history as well as one of the NFL's all-time bests.
5) Doug Martin: A former first round pick, Martin started and ended his career with the team on controversial notes, but was a pretty good player on the field in ten seasons from 1980-1989. He played in 126 games, starting 94, and recorded 60.5 sacks and 7 fumble recoveries.
4) Jared Allen: Named to the Pro Bowl four times in his six years with the team from 2008-2013, Allen's 88.5 sacks place him sixth in team history. He also intercepted 4 passes, forced 16 fumbles, recovered 9, and registered 4 safeties while starting all 96 games he appeared in at right end.
3) Chris Doleman: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Doleman played in 154 games, starting 142, in 10 seasons with the Vikings from 1985-1993 and 1999. He leads the team with 33 forced fumbles, is fifth in sacks with 96.5, sixth in fumble recoveries with 16, and seventh in tackles-for-loss with 60. He also intercepted five passes, scored two touchdowns, and recorded two safeties.
2) Jim Marshall: Starting all 270 games in which he played as a Viking at right defensive end from 1961-1979, Marshall is second in team history with 127 QB sacks, first with 29 fumble recoveries, and fourth in tackle-for-loss with 74. A two time Pro Bowl selection, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
1) Carl Eller: The team's all-time leader in QB sacks with 130, Eller was selected to six Pro Bowls. He ranks second in tackles-for-loss with 87, second in fumble recoveries with 23, and seventh in forced fumbles with 15. He also blocked 15 kicks. Eller played in 209 games, fourth in team history, and started 201 from 1964-1978. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2004, an honor that was long overdue. Eller is the best defensive end in Vikings' history as well as one of the NFL's all-time bests.
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