It's time for the linebackers. The Minnesota Vikings have aligned in a 4-3 front for all but five of their 59 years. From 1981-85, Bud Grant, sadly Les Steckel in 1984, and the defensive coaches opted for the 3-4 during those seasons. Perhaps it was from wanting to get both Jeff Siemon and Scott Studwell on the field. Perhaps it was from seeing odd fronts dismantle their offensive line in four Super Bowls. Who knows? The Vikings were in a 3-4 for five seasons. It was very odd to see. For the purpose of this list I'm looking at Vikings linebacker trios. Here are my favorites.
1. Chad Greenway-E.J. Henderson-Ben Leber
This trio was so much fun. They were together from 2007-10. It's difficult to believe that it was only four years. It should've been 2006-10 but a knee injury in the first preseason game wiped out Chad Greenway's rookie season. The trio made only three combined Pro Bowls. Greenway went to two. E.J. Henderson went to one. Ben Leber was very underrated. He was best at clutch moments. If the defense needed a big play, Leber often made it. This trio, as well as the entire defense, was at their peak in 2009. That's why it was such a giant loss when Henderson had that brutal leg injury in the 12th game. Rookie Jasper Brinkley filled in admirably but Henderson was the pacesetter and a leader of that defense. He was missed during the playoff run. Speaking of that playoff run, Leber did NOT commit pass interference in overtime of the NFC Championship game. I doubt that the Saints speak much of that blown call.
2. Anthony Barr-Eric Kendricks-Eric Wilson
No offense to the linebacker that fills out this trio but this is about the duo of Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. The Vikings are in a base defense with three linebackers on the field for only about a third of their defensive snaps. An injury to Ben Gedeon last season put Eric Wilson in the Vikings base defense. He brought an energy and athleticism to the defense. I like him in the trio if the Vikings have a trio of linebackers on the field. Even before Barr got the big contract last offseason, most fans have wanted to see more big plays from him. I think that Barr does exactly what Mike Zimmer and the defensive coaches want him to do. The defense goes through him and he's very good at running it. Kendricks gets better every season and he's gotten to the point where he's arguably the best middle linebacker in the league. And he's still ascending.
The Chad Greenway-Anthony Barr-Eric Kendricks trio from 2015-16 probably should be the pick here. Those are three of my all-time favorite linebackers. Unfortunately, Greenway's career was winding down and he was on the sideline watching more than he was on the field playing.
3. Matt Blair-Jeff Siemon-Fred McNeill
This was the Vikings trio from 1977 until they switched to the 3-4 in 1981. In my humble opinion this should've been the trio a year or two earlier but the Vikings kept trotting out the declining Wally Hilgenberg over Fred McNeill. Matt Blair was one of my favorite Vikings players throughout his career. In addition to his terrific play at linebacker, he was the best I've ever seen at blocking place kicks. He deserves Hall of Fame consideration. The Vikings have a strong tradition of middle linebackers. I think that Jeff Siemon and Eric Kendricks are the most talented in team history. In Super Bowl XI against the Radiers, Siemon looked like the only Vikings defensive player that came to play. He's still making tackles in that game. I still don't understand how or why McNeill rode the bench until his fourth season.
4. Mike Merriweather-Scott Studwell-Ray Berry
The late 1980s Vikings defense was all about their defensive line, Joey Browner, and Carl Lee. The linebackers were an afterthought. Mike Merriweather was an outstanding football player. A contract dispute with the Steelers ended in a trade to the Vikings on the eve of the 1989 NFL Draft. He might've been in his seventh season but he sure played like an energized rookie. Scott Studwell is a Vikings legend. He's a legend for his excellent 14-year playing career and his nearly 30 years in the team's front office. Ray Berry was a solid football player. The player that would've truly completed this trio was one of the players sent to Dallas in the Heschel Walker trade. Jesse Solomon. When I saw the ridiculously long list of picks and players that were included in that damn trade it was Solomon that bothered me the most.
5. Roy Winston-Lonnie Warwick-Wally Hilgenberg
This the linebacker trio that backed the Purple People Eaters. Roy Winston and Wally Hilgenberg were still grinding during my early days as a fan. Since this was the trio of the late 1960s they achieved mythical status in my mind. Winston-Warwick-Hilgenberg. I loved the stories about how this trio was always together. And they were always standing or sitting in the order in which they lined up on the field.
Others deserving mention:
Roy Winston-Rip Hawkins-Steve Stonebreaker
*Matt Blair-Jeff Siemon-Scott Studwell-Fred McNeill
Jesse Solomon-Scott Studwell-David Howard
Carlos Jenkins-Jack Del Rio-Mike Merriweather
Carlos Jenkins-Jack Del Rio-Ed McDaniel
Dwayne Rudd-Ed McDaniel-Kailee Wong
Ben Leber-Napoleon Harris-E.J. Henderson
Chad Greenway-Jasper Brinkley-Anthony Barr
Chad Greenway-Eric Kendricks-Anthony Barr
Anthony Barr-Eric Kendricks-Ben Gedeon
*I had to include this group from the 3-4 days.
The trio that included Ed McDaniel and Dwayne Rudd was an interesting trio. Ed McDaniel was a terrific linebacker. He's one of the most underrated players in Vikings history. Dwayne Rudd was one of the most talented and physically gifted linebackers in Vikings history. He also ranks with Bryant McKinnie as the most annoying players in Vikings history. Rudd celebrated routine plays as if he'd saved the world.
Troy Dye was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oregon. I think that he could challenge Eric Wilson and Ben Gedeon for that third linebacker spot this season.
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