I've recently been thinking about some of my favorite duos, or combos, over my years as a fan of the Minnesota Vikings. These duos include pass catching duos, backfield duos, pass rushing duos, etc. I'm not sure what triggered this. Maybe it's the breakup of the Stefon Diggs-Adam Thielen pass catching duo. Or the likely breakup of the Everson Griffen-Danielle Hunter pass rushing duo. Maybe it's the departure of a trio of corners. Maybe I was dreaming about the Williams Wall. Maybe this long, weird offseason is the reason. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I've been thinking about my favorite Vikings duos and in the case of the linebackers, a trio. I'll start with the Running Backs.
Running Back Duos
1. Adrian Peterson-Chester Taylor
I often feel bad for Chester Taylor that the Vikings backfield became a duo in his second season with the team. After sitting behind Jamal Lewis for four years, he bolted to the Vikings in free agency for a chance to be a team's top back. He had a very good first season in Minnesota. Then the Vikings drafted Adrian Peterson and Taylor's days as this team's top back were over. Taylor was still the starter for the first half of the 2007 season but that was in name only. Peterson was a future Hall of Famer almost from his first game in the league. If not the first game, he was by the time he went for 296 against the San Diego Chargers. Adrian Peterson was out of this world. Taylor was excellent as a third down and change-of-pace back The Peterson-Taylor backfield duo was outstanding.
2. Robert Smith-Leroy Hoard
This really was a lightning and thunder running back combo. Robert Smith was the lightning. Hoard brought the thunder. If it hadn't taken Smith four years to shake free from a ridiculous string of injuries, he might be in Canton. From 1997-2000, he was one of the best backs in the league. Then he shocked everyone by retiring at 28. His best statistical season was his last. Hoard was a throwback back. He was a hammer and incredible change of pace from Smith's lightning speed.
3. Bill Brown-Dave Osborn
My days as a Minnesota Vikings fan started as the football careers of Bill Brown and Dave Osborn started to fade. If I'd been able to watch them during their prime years, they might rank behind only Peterson-Taylor as a duo. Brown played in the last era in which the fullback often carried the bulk of the running load. If not for the two Jims (Brown and Taylor) he might've been the best fullback of the 1960s. Some middle linebackers might put Bill Brown with the two Jims. There was nothing remarkable about Dave Osborn. He was just a good football player. In my early years of learning Vikings history, it was Osborn's 972 yards in 1967 that stood as the best rushing season in franchise history. Then Chuck Foreman took over.
4. Chuck Foreman-anyone
Chuck Foreman was a fantastic running back. From 1973-77, he was one of the best backs in the league. For about half of that time he was the best. He was certainly the most versatile. From old guys Bill Brown and Dave Osborn to journeymen Ed Marinaro, Brent McClanahan, and Sammy Johnson, Foreman and anyone was a great duo. Chuck Foreman should be in Canton. If nothing else, his Hall of Fame case should be heard by the Senior Committee.
5. Tommy Mason-Hugh McElhenny
Tommy Mason might be best known as the first draft pick in Minnesota Vikings franchise history. He was also a very good and very versatile football player. Unfortunately, injuries chipped away at his career. The great Hugh McElhenny was the big name pulled from the expansion draft. He was at the end of his career. Perhaps due to his name, McElhenny did manage a Pro Bowl nod in the Vikings inaugural season.
Other Duos Deserving Mention:
Rickey Young-Ted Brown
Darrin Nelson-Ted Brown
Terry Allen-Roger Craig
Adrian Peterson-Toby Gerhart
Latavius Murray-Jerick McKinnon
Current Duo:
Dalvin Cook-Alexander Mattison
They've only been together for a single season but Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison have the potential to soar up this list.
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