Christopher J: The Best Head Coaches in Minnesota Vikings History...

Christopher J: The Best Head Coaches in Minnesota Vikings History...: Ranking the head coaches in Minnesota Vikings history            With Mike Zimmer now the 9th head coach in the Minnesota Vikings'...

The Best Head Coaches in Minnesota Vikings History

Ranking the head coaches in Minnesota Vikings history

           With Mike Zimmer now the 9th head coach in the Minnesota Vikings' 58 year history, let's take a look at his predecessors who have led Purple Gang in the past.

            How do they rank, from best to worst?

      1) Bud Grant – 1967-1983, 1985 - An easy choice for the top spot, Grant served the most games as the Vikings’ head coach, from 1967-1985. His 1994 Hall of Fame induction was long overdue; he deserved to be enshrined within two years of his retirement in 1986. Grant’s regular season record of 158-96-5 and winning percentage of .622 ranks 13^th all-time among NFL head coaches, ahead of Joe Gibbs, Hank Stram, and Mike Ditka. Grant’s teams won the NFC Central Division 11 times in his 18 years. He once stated, “Offense sells tickets but defense wins ballgames,” and his defenses were often ranked first in the league from 1968-1977, giving up the least points and yardage of any team. Grant’s 10-12 post-season record isn’t great, and the obvious blemish on his credentials is the Vikes’ four Super Bowl losses. Joe Kapp, quarterback of the 1969 team, stated that Grant didn’t have the team well-prepared to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl IV. There was also the release of Alan Page in 1978, with Page going on to have three more outstanding years with the Bears. Grant did benefit from some of former general manager Jim Finks’ excellent draft choices (outstanding players such as Carl Eller, Ron Yary, and Chuck Foreman, among others). Still, Grant pulled it all together and the team won games, often dominating their opponents. Successful players loved playing for Bud.

2) Mike Zimmer - 2014 - present - In six years at the helm Zimmer has a 57-38-1 record for a .599 winning percentage. He has done a good job so far, showing that he is an excellent judge of talent, and has put players in situations where they can succeed (unlike Dennis Green and Brad Childress, among others). A former defensive coordinator, his schemes and gameplans so far have worked extremely well. In 2017 Minnesota's defense ranked first in the NFL, allowing the fewest points and the least amount of yards. The Vikings made it to the playoffs in 2015, 2017, and 2019, and have been a contending team in the NFC.

      3) Jerry Burns – 1986 - 1991 - Grant’s longtime offensive coordinator, sometimes credited with creating the “West Coast offense,” Burns’ record of 52-43 and .547 winning percentage land him in the third spot. Burns worked from 1986-1991, with a 3-3 post-season record. The 1987 team destroyed the Saints and 49’ers in the playoffs before Darrin Nelson’s dropped pass in the NFC championship game against the Redskins ended the Vikes’ season. That was as close to the Super Bowl as the Vikes and been in ten years, and as close as they would get for another eleven. The 1988 team dominated during the season with 9 players being selected to the Pro Bowl, before losing to the 49’ers in the playoffs. Burns was sometimes criticized for being hands-off, not wearing a head-set and delegating too much authority to his assistant coaches, like offensive coordinator Bob Schnelker – but come on Burnsie, even I knew when the offense lined up a certain way that there was going to be a “shotgun draw” running play. (Ironically Schnelker, while a player, scored the Vikings first touchdown on a pass from Fran Tarkenton in 1961). Unfortunately Burns was also stuck with the results of owner/general manager Mike Lynn’s ridiculous Herschel Walker trade, and also should have been named head coach when Grant first retired in 1983 (another dumb move by Lynn, who instead named Les Steckel head coach). Most Vikings liked playing for Burnsie, and his teams’ success can’t be ignored.

   
4) Dennis Green – 1992 - 2001 - Most fans, even his critics, would place Green behind Grant in the number two slot on this list. His 97-62 regular season record, a .610 winning percentage, is certainly impressive. His first season in 1992 saw the Vikings improve to an 11-5 record, which is definitely an accomplishment, considering the shambles the team had been in at the end of 1991. I started to dislike Dennis in 1993 when he dumped offensive coordinator Jack Burns and made his pal Brian Billick coordinator. As the years went on Green surrounded himself with his cronies as assistant coaches, a couple of which were roundly criticized by players as unqualified (see defensive backs coach Richard Solomon). While his teams were playoff contenders every year, Green could hardly be considered a smart judge of talent. Even though he bragged about his “projects” they never amounted to much (offensive lineman Bernard Daffney, defensive end James Harris, among others) and this whole “coach’em up” concept is something I think can be silly and also annoys me about coaches in general. Who knows why, but Green didn’t get along with All-Pro guard Randall McDaniel, which is another thing I don’t get about coaches who never played professionally. If the guy is a great player…what’s your problem? Green dumped quarterbacks Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson, who both went on to have outstanding careers and won Super Bowls with Oakland and Tampa Bay, respectively. Instead Green chose to go with journeyman Sean Salisbury, washed up Jim McMahon, and choker Randall Cunningham as his quarterbacks at various points. (There’s no way Cunningham was going to repeat his 1998 performance in 1999). His drafting of defensive end Demetrius Underwood in the first round in 1999 was absurd, and not being aware of the late Korey Stringer’s physical condition in training camp in 2001 is inexcusable. While he didn’t miss the kick or make any of the stupid plays that cost the Vikings the NFC championship game against the Falcons after the 1998 season, “taking a knee” with the league’s best offense on the field with time left on the clock before halftime is unbelievable. Losing that game…all these years later, it’s still too much to think about.

      5) Mike Tice – 2001 - 2005 - Tice did a decent job with the players he had, posting a 32-33 record and .492 winning percentage with a 1-1 playoff record that included a huge win against the Packers in 2004. Although he did make some questionable decisions in terms of player personnel, he probably would have gotten better with experience if he had stayed on the job. While maybe he wasn’t the right fit for the Vikings at the time, Tice seemed to be open with the media, and also reminded fans to “enjoy the season.” He seemed pretty organized and I think he’d make a good head coach somewhere, even though former Vikes punter Mitch Berger reportedly referred to him as a “meathead” and he was implicated in a ticket scalping scam that cost him a $100,000 fine.

6) Norm Van Brocklin – 1961- 1966 - The first Vikings coach, his 29-51-4 record and .363 winning percentage don’t impress. Didn’t seem to be much of a judge of talent. Especially since he had a good quarterback in Fran Tarkenton but didn’t utilize him in the right way, or maybe just refused to. I’m assuming Van Brocklin’s in the Hall of Fame based on his career as a NFL quarterback in the 1950’s. Can’t be for anything he did with the Vikings, since he did nothing.

      7) Leslie Frazier – 2010 - 2013 - It doesn't seem like Frazier was in charge for three and a half seasons; it also feels like his 22-31-1 won-loss record and .398 winning percentage should have been better. Unfortunately he came into a chaotic situation, had little talent on the roster, and had a number of key players get injured during each season. Frazier seemed to delegate too much authority to coordinators who were conservative play callers.

8) Brad Childress – 2006 - 2010 - Most fans might place Childress fourth on this list, after Grant, Green, and Zimmer. To me he doesn’t deserve to be ranked any higher, only lower. His 39-35 record and .527 winning percentage is misleading. The only reason the Vikings won a lot of games in 2009 is because Brett Favre had a great season. I knew the Vikes were in trouble when a few weeks after Childress was hired in 2006 I read in an interview that he’d rather draft a quarterback from a smaller school, “knock the edges off, and then in a few years you’ve got something.” Good grief. These coaches and their projects. It’s ridiculous. Childress was not a keen judge of talent; a lot of the players he had a hand in drafting or signing were not very good. Just look at the mess the team is in at the end of the 2011 season. He referred to the offense he designed as a “kick-ass offense” but it was usually more like the Vikings kicking themselves in the ass. I should probably blame the Wilfs, the owners who hired Childress in the first place. They brought him in to “clean things up and restore order” after the Love Boat scandal and other shenanigans going on the clubhouse, but in the end there was more turmoil and chaos with Childress in charge (see the Randy Moss trade/release and loss of a draft pick). In an interview former quarterback Gus Frerotte stated that Childress absolutely refused to allow his quarterbacks to call an audible at the line of scrimmage; Frerotte noted that now, as a high school coach, he even lets his quarterbacks call audibles. The thing that bothers me a lot though is the 12^th man on the field fiasco at the end of the NFC championship game against the Saints after the 2009 season. Yes, the coaches don’t miss the blocks and tackles, fumble the ball, throw the interceptions, or miss calls like the referees do. But the penalty for having 12 men on the field…12 men on the field? That was just too much. How could that happen? Not to mention, you’ve got 23 assistant coaches helping you…and there’s 12 guys on the field? That is still unreal to me. To Childress’ credit, he did take responsibility for that disaster at a press conference in the days following the game. Oh well. So close to going to the Super Bowl, and yet another missed opportunity. In retrospect, the Wilfs could have went after Sean Payton or Mike McCarthy – both of whom became head coaches in 2006 as well and later went on to win Super Bowls with the Saints and Packers, respectively. Nice.

      9) Les Steckel – 1984 - probably the only worse season than 2011 in the Vikings history is 1984. Steckel’s old-school coaching methods turned off players from the start. Yelling like a marine drill sergeant didn’t work with professional football players. Players were worn out before midseason from all the hitting in training camp and practices. Steckel also made many questionable player personnel decisions, starting guys who wouldn’t have made other teams’ rosters. His 3-13 record included the Vikings being completely blown out on the field in some games. Les gained some measure of redemption in an odd way the following year in 1985. After being fired as the Vikings head man he became receivers coach for the New England Patriots – and went with them to Super Bowl XX. Seems like everyone gets a chance to go to the Super Bowl, except for the Vikings.

Christopher J: The Best 59 Minnesota Vikings of All Time

Christopher J: The Best 59 Minnesota Vikings of All Time: Nine years ago in honor of the Minnesota Vikings 50th season, fans voted for the best 50 Vikings of all time. Longtime head coach Bud Gra...

The Best 59 Minnesota Vikings of All Time

Nine years ago in honor of the Minnesota Vikings 50th season, fans voted for the best 50 Vikings of all time. Longtime head coach Bud Grant was included on that list, but this one ranks only players. Being that 2019 was the 59^th season in the franchise's history, the top 59 are included here. Selection and ranking were based on longevity (seasons with the team), individual statistics and honors, the player's contribution to the team's wins, and overall team success during the player's tenure.

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59) Greg Coleman, P: Coleman was steady during his ten years with the team from 1977-1987, punting in 138 games, still the team record.

58) Stu Voigt, TE: Voigt was a steady tight end during his 11 years and 131 games with the team from 1970-1980, contributing during the team's Super Bowl seasons in the mid-'70's.

57) Steve Hutchinson, G: Started 89 games in six years with the team from 2006-2011, and was selected to four Pro Bowls.

56) Steve Riley, OT: A first round pick in 1974, Riley started 121 games at left tackle during his 11 year career, protecting the blind side of quarterbacks Fran Tarkenton and Tommy Kramer.

55) Doug Martin, DE: A former first round pick, Martin started and ended his career with the team on controversial notes, but was a pretty good defensive lineman player from 1980-1989. He played in 126 games, starting 94, and his 60.5 sacks rank ninth in team history.

54) Ted Brown, RB: Brown played in 106 games during his eight year career with Minnesota from 1979-1986, ranking fifth on the team's rushing list with 4,546 yards and seventh in scoring with 53 touchdowns.

53) Lonnie Warwick, MLB: Warwick played in 92 games and started 75. The middle linebacker in a defense that dominated opponents' offenses in 1968, 1969, and 1970, he intercepted 12 passes, recorded 7.5 sacks and recovered 6 fumbles in his eight year career with the Vikes from 1965-1972.

52) Gene Washington, WR: Playing in 81 games in his six seasons with the Vikings from 1967-1972, Washington was named to the Pro Bowl in 1969 and 1970 and was the team's top receiver during those dominant years.

51) Fred Cox, K: The Vikings placekicker from 1963 through 1977 appeared in 210 games and is the team's all-time scoring leader with 1,365 points.

50) Dave Osborn, RB: A tough runner and reliable receiver out of the backfield, Osborn's 4,320 rushing yards rank sixth in team history. He was named to one Pro Bowl during his 11 years and 137 games with the team from 1965-1975.

49) Robert Smith, RB: A two time Pro Bowl selection, Smith played in 98 games during his eight seasons with the team from 1993-2000, rushing for 6,818 yards, second in team history.

48) Chad Greenway, LB: A two time Pro Bowl selection, Greenway played in 156 games, starting 144, in a ten year career with Minnesota from 2007-2016. He recorded 18 quarterback sacks, forced 8 fumbles and recovered 11, and intercepted 11 passes, returning two for touchdowns.

47) Doug Sutherland, DT: Sutherland played in 138 games during his 10 years with the Vikings, starting 90 from 1971-1980. He plugged the middle of the defensive line at left tackle during the mid-1970's when the team had highly rated defenses.

46) Nate Wright, CB: A steady cornerback during the mid-1970's when the team led the league each year in many defensive categories, Wright played in 129 games, starting 89, in his ten years with the team from 1971-1980. He ranks 5th with 31 interceptions and knocked down 55 passes.

45) Tommy Kramer, QB: While injured often during his 13 years with the Vikes from 1977-1989, Kramer did start 110 games at quarterback and ranks second in most passing categories, including yards and touchdowns.

44) Tim Irwin, OT: During his 13 years with the team from 1981-1993 Irwin played in 188 games, starting 181, at right tackle. Standing at 6-7, he also blocked a few extra points and field goals while on the special teams unit.

43) Matt Birk, C: Birk played in 146 games and started 123 from 1998-2008, earning six Pro Bowl nods while snapping the ball at center.

42) Fred McNeil, LB: Playing in 167 games and starting 122 at outside linebacker during his 12 years with the team from 1974-1985, McNeil recovered 16 fumbles, intercepted 7 passes, and recorded 13 quarterback sacks.

41) Ed McDaniel, LB: Ranking third in tackles for loss with 90.5, McDaniel is second among Viking linebackers with 20.5 sacks and sixth on the team with 17 forced fumbles. He had 5 fumble recoveries, intercepted 4 passes and was named to the Pro Bowl once during his nine seasons and 125 games, 109 starts, with the Vikings from 1992-2001.

40) John Gilliam, WR: Named to the Pro Bowl after each of his four seasons with the team, Gilliam's 20 yard average-per-reception is by far highest among Viking players with at least 100 catches.

39) Ed Sharockman, CB: A consistent defensive back on Minnesota's great defenses of the late '60's and early '70's, Sharockman played in 142 games, starting 121, during his 12 years with the team. He ranks third with 40 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns, and also recovered 9 fumbles.

38) Karl Kassulke, S: Another key player on the team's outstanding defenses in the late 60's and early '70's, Kassulke played in 131 games at safety, starting 121, intercepting 19 passes. Selected to one Pro Bowl, he had 9 fumble recoveries and his 8 sacks are third among defensive backs.

37) Ed White, OG: Selected to three Pro Bowls in his eight years with the team, White played in 122 games and started 94 at guard during the team's dominant run in the early and mid-1970's.

36) Gary Zimmerman, OT: Named to three Pro Bowls in his seven years with the Vikings Zimmerman held down left tackle for 108 consecutive games during the late '80's and early 90's.

35) Wally Hilgenberg, LB: A tough outside linebacker on the Vikings' great defenses of the late 60's and throughout the 70's, Hilgenberg played in 158 games, starting 118, in 12 seasons. He recovered 13 fumbles, recorded 8 sacks, picked off 8 passes and scored two touchdowns.

34) Harrison Smith: Named to five Pro Bowls and one All Pro team in eight seasons from 2012-2019, Smith has played in 114 games, starting 113. He has intercepted 23 passes, returning four for touchdowns, knocked down 56 balls, forced seven fumbles and recovered eight, and has recorded 13 QB sacks, which is first all-time among Viking defensive backs.

33) Keith Millard, DT: Selected All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl twice, Millard was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1989 when he recorded 18 sacks. Millard was a key piece of the team's outstanding defenses in the late '80's, appearing in 75 games and starting 64 during his six years with the Vikes from 1985-1990.

32) Henry Thomas, DT: Selected to two Pro Bowls while appearing in 118 games and starting 117 in 8 years, Thomas ranks sixth in tackles-for-loss with 62. He is eleventh with 56 sacks, forced 12 fumbles, and recovered 8, returning two for touchdowns. He also had two interceptions and notched a safety.

31) Antoine Winfield, CB: Selected to three Pro Bowls during his nine years with the Vikings, he played in 119 games, starting 115. Of Winfield's 21 interceptions two were returned for touchdowns. He defensed 73 passes, which is fourth in team history, recorded 6.5 QB sacks, forced 11 fumbles and recovered 9, returning two of those for touchdowns as well.

30) Jared Allen, DE: Named to the Pro Bowl four times in his six years with the team, 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.

29) Kevin Williams, DT: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Williams started all 171 games he  appeared in over 11 seasons. He ranks eighth with 60 QB sacks, knocked down 66 passes, forced 8 fumbles, and recovered 13, returning two for touchdowns. Williams also intercepted 5 passes, bring back two for scores.

28) Grady Alderman, OT: Holding down left tackle on offense for 14 years from 1961-1974, Alderman played in 193 games, starting 167, and was selected to the Pro Bowl six times.

27) Gary Larsen, DT: A member of one of the best front fours in NFL history, defensive tackle Larsen played in 135 games, starting 107, in 10 seasons for the Vikings. He recorded 37 sacks, recovered 10 fumbles, and was named to two Pro Bowls.

26) Ahmad Rashad, WR: Selected to four Pro Bowls in his seven years with the team, Rashad had 400 receptions and scored 34 touchdowns in 98 games, 94 starts. He was part of one of the most memorable plays in NFL history, catching a touchdown pass on the game's last play against the Browns in 1980.

25) Sammy White, WR: A two time Pro Bowler, White played in 128 games, starting 118, and was the team's top receiver in the late '70's, averaging 16.3 yards per catch. His 50 touchdown receptions are fourth in team history.

24) Steve Jordan, TE: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Jordan was a consistent and durable tight end, appearing in 176 games and starting 149 in 13 seasons. He had 498 receptions and scored 28 touchdowns.

23) Carl Lee, CB: Selected three times to the Pro Bowl, Lee played in 169 games, starting 144, during 11 seasons with the team. A key player at cornerback on the team's great defenses in the late 1980's, he is the all-time leader in passes defensed with 128, recovered 6 fumbles, and is sixth with 29 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

22) Roy Winston, LB: In 15 seasons Winston played in 191 games, starting 158 at outside linebacker on dominant Viking defenses in the late '60's and early '70's. A playmaker, he had 16 sacks, fourth among linebackers and 14 fumble recoveries, third among linebackers, and 12 interceptions, second among linebackers, while scoring 3 touchdowns. He also is fifth all-time with 68 tackles-for-loss.

21) Bill Brown, RB: A tough runner, he is in fourth place in rushing yards with 5,757 and second with 52 touchdowns. He added 286 receptions and another 23 TD's as a receiver out of the backfield. Brown played in 180 games during 13 seasons and was selected four times to the Pro Bowl.

20) Bobby Bryant, CB: A playmaker at cornerback, Bryant was selected to two Pro Bowls in 13 seasons, playing in 161 games and starting 127. He is second in team history with 51 interceptions and second in passes defensed with 77. He also recovered 14 fumbles and scored four touchdowns, in addition to coming up with a number of big plays in playoff games.

19) Scott Studwell, MLB: Fifth in team history with 201 games played, Studwell started 161 at middle linebacker and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice. He forced 12 fumbles, recovered 16, intercepted 11 passes, and had 9 QB sacks. He ranks ninth with 46 tackles-for-loss.

18) Jeff Siemon, MLB: A key player as the middle linebacker on the team's top defenses in the mid-1970's, Siemon played in 156 games, starting 123, and was selected to four Pro Bowls. He forced 14 fumbles, recovered 11, had 6 QB sacks, and 11 interceptions.

17) Anthony Carter, WR: A dynamic game-changing receiver, Carter averaged 16 yards per catch and is third in team history with 478 receptions, 7,636 yards and 52 touchdowns. Selected to the Pro Bowl three times, he played in 133 games and started 125 in his nine years with the team.

16) Randy Moss, WR: A five time Pro Bowl selection during his seven seasons and 113 games with Minnesota, Moss is second in team history in a number of receiving categories, including 587 receptions, 9,316 yards, and 92 touchdowns.

15) Joey Browner, S: Selected to the Pro Bowl as a safety six times in his nine seasons, Browner played in 145 games, starting 117. He is fourth in interceptions with 37, third in passes defensed with 76, fifth in forced fumbles with 18, and fifth in fumble recoveries in 17. He also recorded 9.5 QB sacks, second among Viking defensive backs, and scored 4 touchdowns.

14) Adrian Peterson, RB: After ten seasons and 123 games, Peterson holds the Viking record in rushing yards with 11,747 and is first in rushing touchdowns with 97. A seven time Pro Bowl selection.

13) Chuck Foreman, RB: An exceptional runner and receiver who could turn around a game, Foreman was selected to the Pro Bowl five times in his seven seasons in Minnesota. He rushed for 5,887 yards and 52 touchdowns, and caught 336 passes for another 23 scores.

12) Chris Doleman, DE: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Doleman played in 154 games, starting 142, in 10 seasons with the Vikings. He leads the team with 33 forced fumbles, is sixth in fumble recoveries with 16, seventh in tackles-for-loss with 60, and fifth in sacks with 96.5. He also intercepted five passes, scored two touchdowns, and recorded two safeties.

11) Matt Blair, LB: Selected to six Pro Bowls in his 12 seasons, Blair played in 160 games, starting 130. He is fourth in forced fumbles with 19, third in fumble recoveries with 20, and tenth in tackles-for-loss with 44. His 23 sacks and 16 interceptions are first among Vikings linebackers. He also blocked 20 kicks in his career.

10) Mick Tingelhoff, C: A six time Pro Bowl selection, Tingelhoff started every Viking game at center from 1962 through 1977, 240 consecutive games in all. He anchored the Vikings offensive line and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015.

9) John Randle, DT: A standout defensive tackle who played in 176 games and started 150, Randle was named to six Pro Bowls in his 11 seasons with the Vikings. He recovered 9 fumbles, ranks third in forced fumbles with 25, and is third in QB sacks with 114. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

8) Ron Yary, OT: Selected to the Pro Bowl seven times in his 14 years with the Vikings, Yary played in 199 games and started 180 at right offensive tackle. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

7) Randall McDaniel, OG: Selected to the Pro Bowl a record 12 times in his 12 years with the Vikings, he played in 190 games, starting 188 at left guard. McDaniel was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

6) Paul Krause, S: The NFL's record holder for interceptions with 81, Krause is the Vikings leader in that category with 53 picks, returning two of those for touchdowns. He also recovered 11 fumbles, bringing back two for scores, and knocked down 54 passes. In 12 years with the team he played in 172 games, starting 146, and was selected to six Pro Bowls. Krause was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

5) Jim Marshall, DE: Starting all 270 games in which he played as a Viking at right defensive end, Marshall is second in team history with 127 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.

4) Carl Eller, DE: 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. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004, an honor that was long overdue.

3) Cris Carter, WR: Selected to 8 consecutive Pro Bowls in his 12 years with the team, Carter played in 188 games, starting 177. He holds most Viking receiving records, including 1,004 receptions, 12,383 yards, and 110 touchdowns. He ranks fourth all-time in NFL history in receptions and touchdown catches, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2013.

2) Fran Tarkenton, QB: The Vikings record holder in most passing categories, Tarkenton played in 177 games, starting 170, and was selected to five Pro Bowls in his 13 seasons with the team. Named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1975, he is also among the leaders in league history for records among quarterbacks. Tarkenton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

1) Alan Page, DT: A defensive tackle who changed the game in the late 1960's and early 1970's, Page was named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1971. Selected to the Pro Bowl nine times in his 12 years with the Vikings, he played in 160 games and started 157. He is fourth in team history with 108.5 sacks, fourth with 18 fumble recoveries, third with 77 tackles-for-loss, and second with 28 forced fumbles. Page was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. He is the greatest Minnesota Viking of all time.

sources for statistics:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/
http://min.scout.com/