The best cornerbacks in Minnesota Viking history
With rules regarding the passing game changing
through the years in the NFL, favoring offensive players to a great degree, the
position of cornerback may have become the most difficult position to play in
pro football. Cornerbacks have to cover wide receivers, who are often the best
athletes on the field. They also have to be sure tacklers. The Vikings have had
some good corners who were important parts of dominant defenses; here are the
top ten in franchise history.
10) Cedric Griffin: In six years from 2006-2011 Griffin played in 80 games, starting 70, and intercepted eight passes. He knocked down 50 balls, forced 14 fumbles, and recovered 3.
9) Willie Teal: Teal played in 80 games and started 61 in
seven years with Minnesota from 1980-1986. He intercepted 15 passes, returning
one for a touchdown, and recovered 5 fumbles. 10) Cedric Griffin: In six years from 2006-2011 Griffin played in 80 games, starting 70, and intercepted eight passes. He knocked down 50 balls, forced 14 fumbles, and recovered 3.
8) Earsell Mackbee: In five seasons with the Vikings from 1965-1969 Mackbee played in 66 games, starting 56, including the team's dominant 1969 season. He picked off 15 passes, taking one back for a touchdown, and recovered 4 fumbles.
7) Audray McMillian: In five years with the team from 1989-1993 McMillian played in 79 games, starting 43, and was selected to one Pro Bowl. He intercepted 19 passes and returned three for scores.
6) Xavier Rhodes: In five seasons from 2013-2017 Rhodes has been named to two Pro
Bowls, while playing in 75 games, starting 68. Teams rarely throw in his
direction; he has intercepted 9 passes, returning one for a score, has defensed
59 balls, and has forced two fumbles.
5) Nate Wright: 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 in his ten years with the team from 1971-1980 and ranks fifth in Viking history with 31 interceptions.
4) Ed Sharockman: 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 Minnesota from 1961-1972. He ranks third with 40 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns, and also recovered 9 fumbles.
3)
Antoine Winfield: Selected to three Pro Bowls during his nine
years with the Vikings from 2004-2012, he played in 119 games, starting 115. Of
Winfield's 21 interceptions two have been 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.5) Nate Wright: 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 in his ten years with the team from 1971-1980 and ranks fifth in Viking history with 31 interceptions.
4) Ed Sharockman: 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 Minnesota from 1961-1972. He ranks third with 40 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns, and also recovered 9 fumbles.
2) Carl Lee: Selected three times to the Pro Bowl, Lee played in 169 games, starting 144, during 11 seasons with the team from 1983-1993. A key player at cornerback on Minnesota's great defenses in the late 1980's, he is the Vikings all-time leader in passes defensed with 128, recovered 6 fumbles, and is sixth with 29 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
1) Bobby Bryant: A playmaker at cornerback, Bryant was selected to two Pro Bowls in 13 seasons, playing in 161 games and starting 121 from 1968-1980. 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 during the 1970's.
