It's on to the defensive secondary. The Minnesota Vikings have fielded many great defenses in their 59 years. The defensive lines have routinely received most of the credit for the greatness. The credit is deserved. Those defensive lines were often populated with Hall of Famers. It wasn't four excellent players on the line and seven slappies in the back. Those defensive lines were backed by some pretty good secondaries. Here are my favorite Vikings cornerbacks.
Favorite Vikings Cornerback Duos
1. Antoine Winfield-Cedric Griffin
Antoine Winfield is one of my favorite Vikings. He was so damn much fun to watch play the game. Every one of his tackles should be recorded and used as a tutorial at every level of football. It'd be a long tutorial as he made a lot of tackles. If his tackling became the norm there'd be a great reduction in head trauma. Cedric Griffen always seemed to be on the verge of becoming one of the better cornerbacks in the league. He never quite got there but he was a very good football player.
2. Nate Wright-Bobby Bryant
This is the cornerback duo of my youth so they have a special place in my memories. I always felt like Nate Wright received more national attention but Bobby Bryant is the one with Pro Bowl appearances. Bryant is one of the most underrated players in franchise history. He should be in the Vikings' Ring of Honor. Wright might be best remembered for being shoved to the ground by Drew Pearson in the 1975 playoffs. It was the worst officiating decision in the history of football. It may even be the worst decision the world has ever seen.
3. Carl Lee-Najee Mustafaa
I think of Carl Lee as the first great cover corner in Vikings franchise history. From 1988-90, he was one of the best corners in the league. Najaa Mustafaa was a terrific #2 corner. As with Cedric Griffin, I always felt like Mustafaa was on the verge of breaking out. He never quite got there.
4. Xavier Rhodes-Terence Newman
From 2016-18, Xavier Rhodes was one of the best cover corners in the league. During those years, he was at his best against the best. He routinely shut down the best receivers. Julio Jones, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, etc. They were eliminated from the game. Terence Newman was a football player that I wish that the Vikings had about a decade earlier. He came to Minnesota at the age of 37. He played at a Pro Bowl level for three seasons. He was also a coach on the field.
5. Xavier Rhodes-Trae Waynes
I had to include this pair. I don't think that their potential as a duo was ever fully realized. Terence Newman kept Trae Waynes on the bench for a couple years. As Waynes started to emerge as a very good cornerback Rhodes started to fade. Rhodes and Waynes were probably the most talented duo the Vikings have ever had. It's disappointing that their best years weren't the same years.
Other Duos Deserving Mention:
Earsell Mackbee-Ed Sharockman
John Swain-Willie Teal
Carl Lee-Issaic Holt
Carl Lee-Audray McMillian
DeWayne Washington-Corey Fuller
Jimmy Hitchcock-Corey Fuller
When DeWayne Washington was selected in the 1994 NFL Draft it was the first time that the Vikings had ever selected a corner in the first round. Xavier Rhodes was the second in 2013. Under Mike Zimmer, the Vikings have finally put serious draft capital in the cornerback position. Waynes, Mike Hughes, and Jeff Gladney have been first round picks over the past six years. The Vikings drafted two corners in the first round in their first 53 years. In the last six years they have drafted three corners in the first round. There's a shift in priorities.
In my hopeful opinion, the Vikings are about to enter an exciting time at the cornerback position. This offseason brought massive change at the position. The top three cornerbacks from 2019 departed in free agency. With five career starts, Mike Hughes is the most experienced corner on the team. Behind him are several very talented youngsters, including 2020 first round pick Jeff Gladney. It's an exciting time. Maybe a cornerback duo of Hughes and Gladney will soon be one of my favorites.
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