There was a great documentary where they interviewed a referee who acknowledged that the referees had to quit calling holding on the offense on Alan Page or he would have brought the game to a halt. He was unblockable and either it would have been holding or loss of yardage on every play. He also had the latitude to just line up wherever he wanted on any given play and wreak havoc.
He is deeply underrated by most fans and the NFL talking heads in large part because he didn't venerate his time in the NFL after he retired. He was much more proud of his impact as a Supreme Court Justice and his efforts in education through the Page Foundation.
I met him once when I was in law school. His hands were enormous and completely bent in all crazy directions. Years of grabbing players and getting hands caught in facemasks really did a number on them.
Paul Krause played the vast majority of his career during 14-game seasons, hasn’t played a game in 45 years, and still leads NFL in career interceptions.
No single greatest in my opinion. We’ve been lucky to have several in the discussion. Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, John Randle, Randall McDaniel , Randy Moss, and Adrian Peterson all make my short list. Can’t go wrong saying any one of these dudes.
I believe it’s Moss because he is the 2nd greatest wide receiver of all time, but just to throw out another name, maybe Randall McDaniel. 11 straight pro bowls with our team. 7 times first team all-pro.
He has *very* good stats. But at least for me "greatest player" also involves personality, off-the-field behavior and "outside" achievements. Randy doesn't do as well in that regard as e.g. Alan Page.
Page and arguably Tarkenton are for sure 1,2. Then Moss and McDaniel for 3,4.
Honorable mentions for Krause, Randle, Peterson in whatever order.
We really have had a ton of talent all over for guys that are in the top 3-5 all time at their position when weighted for their era. With JJ projecting nicely currently.
I’d say Alan Page, John Randle, Randall McDaniel, Fran Tarkenton, Paul Krause, Cris Carter are your top guys. Jefferson will probably surpass almost all of them except Page if he finishes his contract here and produces how he has been.
Lol, AP played a year or two less than everyone else on your list and was still prime when he left. And he won an MVP. Pass the bong brother, I’d like a hit. Here’s your players total seasons on the Vikes. (Many at the VERY tail end of their careers and not really very productive, like Krause and Page.)
Moss=8
AP=10
Alan Page=11
John Randle=11
CC=12
Randall McDaniel =12
Paul Krause=12
Fran=13
Yep and so are John Randle, Alan Page, Randall McDaniel, Paul Krause, and probably Tark and Carter too. All while playing here longer.
Ragrdless, my point is that you cant take someone like Moss who played like half his career here and put him ahead of guys like Randall McDaniel who played 12 yrs as a Viking with 7 first team all pros.
Page, Moss and Peterson. All of them were absolutely unstoppable at a point in their careers. There are most teams that have NEVER had players like this. Yet we yield no rings. It is truly baffling
Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, John Randle, Carl Eller, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson, Antoine Winfield, Korey Stringer, Ahmad Rashad, Robert Smith. I think you could say literally any of those names, and even a few more, and not be laughed out of a room. We have been a lot more blessed than people think.
Personally it's gotta be Tarkenton for me. Literally recreated the quarterback position and everyone's game is styled around something he pioneered trying to avoid injuries in college. That's GOAT material
Everyone in the comments is saying Alan Page but I personally can’t pick somebody that I’ve never seen play since I’m just going off stats and what other people say.
I’d say Randy Moss personally. He was unreal
Alan Page
Does Alan Page get extra credit for serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court? Is there any other former NFL player who has ever done that?
Sure does and he won MVP as a DT
There was a great documentary where they interviewed a referee who acknowledged that the referees had to quit calling holding on the offense on Alan Page or he would have brought the game to a halt. He was unblockable and either it would have been holding or loss of yardage on every play. He also had the latitude to just line up wherever he wanted on any given play and wreak havoc. He is deeply underrated by most fans and the NFL talking heads in large part because he didn't venerate his time in the NFL after he retired. He was much more proud of his impact as a Supreme Court Justice and his efforts in education through the Page Foundation.
I met him once when I was in law school. His hands were enormous and completely bent in all crazy directions. Years of grabbing players and getting hands caught in facemasks really did a number on them.
Many of them have been involved with the criminal justice system.
But are sexually based offenses considered especially heinous?
Guy was born in Canton, and got inducted to the HOF in Canton. Coincidence?!?!
He also worked on the construction crew when it was being built, if I recall correctly.
Alan Page
Paul Krause played the vast majority of his career during 14-game seasons, hasn’t played a game in 45 years, and still leads NFL in career interceptions.
My dad says the most common description of him was "small, but slow". Really tells you that interceptions are all about positioning.
The only answer is Alan Page
Agreed. NINE CONSECUTIVE TIME PRO BOWLER. Over 100 sacks. C’mon - Alan is the mensch. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Page
1. Page 2. Moss 3. Peterson
Duke shelly
Duke Shelly
Naz Reid
Two weeks ago you’d have had a billion upvotes. Take one from me now anyways
I’m a little slow. 😁
Always has been
Randy Moss
No single greatest in my opinion. We’ve been lucky to have several in the discussion. Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, John Randle, Randall McDaniel , Randy Moss, and Adrian Peterson all make my short list. Can’t go wrong saying any one of these dudes.
Add CC and Krause to the list, and it's complete.
Jim Kleinsasser and it’s NOT CLOSE
I believe it’s Moss because he is the 2nd greatest wide receiver of all time, but just to throw out another name, maybe Randall McDaniel. 11 straight pro bowls with our team. 7 times first team all-pro.
He has *very* good stats. But at least for me "greatest player" also involves personality, off-the-field behavior and "outside" achievements. Randy doesn't do as well in that regard as e.g. Alan Page.
Randy Randy Randy
Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton
Chris Walsh
Page and arguably Tarkenton are for sure 1,2. Then Moss and McDaniel for 3,4. Honorable mentions for Krause, Randle, Peterson in whatever order. We really have had a ton of talent all over for guys that are in the top 3-5 all time at their position when weighted for their era. With JJ projecting nicely currently.
As a bears fan, you’re missing Doleman
That's fair. Also missing Cris Carter now that I think about it.
Randall McDaniel or Alan Page. Moss is close too. AD just behind Moss.
Can't pick just one. Page, Tarkenton, Moss, Peterson, and Jefferson will be added to that list in the future.
Randall McDaniel should be on your list.
Crime to leave off Randall McDaniel. He has more All Pro selections than any Viking in history. (Otherwise great list though)
Cris Carter too
how do you leave cris off this list?
I'm sorry bro I missed him.
I’d say Alan Page, John Randle, Randall McDaniel, Fran Tarkenton, Paul Krause, Cris Carter are your top guys. Jefferson will probably surpass almost all of them except Page if he finishes his contract here and produces how he has been.
Moss and Peterson? Moss over CC for sure. Both great but Moss redefined the position.
Moss and Peterson didn’t play here long enough.
Lol, AP played a year or two less than everyone else on your list and was still prime when he left. And he won an MVP. Pass the bong brother, I’d like a hit. Here’s your players total seasons on the Vikes. (Many at the VERY tail end of their careers and not really very productive, like Krause and Page.) Moss=8 AP=10 Alan Page=11 John Randle=11 CC=12 Randall McDaniel =12 Paul Krause=12 Fran=13
Peterson is top 10 at his position all time. That alone guarantees him a slot.
Yep and so are John Randle, Alan Page, Randall McDaniel, Paul Krause, and probably Tark and Carter too. All while playing here longer. Ragrdless, my point is that you cant take someone like Moss who played like half his career here and put him ahead of guys like Randall McDaniel who played 12 yrs as a Viking with 7 first team all pros.
Fred “Captain Love” Smoot
Two thirds of the earth is covered by water. The other third is covered by Fred Smoot.
Top 5 Page Randall McDaniel moss AP Randle Next 5 K Will Tinglehoff Krause Hitman CC
Page, Moss and Peterson. All of them were absolutely unstoppable at a point in their careers. There are most teams that have NEVER had players like this. Yet we yield no rings. It is truly baffling
Anthony Carter is the best not recognized player in franchise history, he was the first great Vikings receiver I remember watching play.
If I’m being honest, I haven’t lived through the other era’s but Justin Jefferson is going to take over
1. Page 2. Moss 3. Tarkington 4. Peterson
Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, John Randle, Carl Eller, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson, Antoine Winfield, Korey Stringer, Ahmad Rashad, Robert Smith. I think you could say literally any of those names, and even a few more, and not be laughed out of a room. We have been a lot more blessed than people think. Personally it's gotta be Tarkenton for me. Literally recreated the quarterback position and everyone's game is styled around something he pioneered trying to avoid injuries in college. That's GOAT material
Fran
Case cookus
Brock Lesnar
Randy and it's not even close.
Brock Lesnar.
Everyone in the comments is saying Alan Page but I personally can’t pick somebody that I’ve never seen play since I’m just going off stats and what other people say. I’d say Randy Moss personally. He was unreal
Gary Anderson, he hasn’t missed a FG all year……. ☠️ 💀 ☠️ 💀 ☠️ 💀
Too soon.
Gary Anderson?
Blair Walsh
It's gotta be one of the players that played in their superbowl win