In an attempt to pass the time between now and Sunday, here’s an All-Time Minnesota Vikings Team made up of players from the various iterations of the Pac-12 Conference.
Quarterback
Warren Moon, Washington
It came down to Warren Moon and Joe Kapp. Maybe Steve Dils. Moon threw such a pretty ball. Kapp didn’t.
Running Back
Hugh McElhenny, Washington
The Vikings grabbed Hugh McElhenny in the expansion draft. He was at the end of his career but still represented the Vikings in the 1961 Pro Bowl. The pick came down to McElhenny or Darrin Nelson.
Fullback
Rick Fenney, Washington
Receivers
Ahmad Rashad, Oregon
Bob Grim, Oregon State
Ahmad Rashad was great. Bob Grim started some games.
Tight End
Rhett Ellison, USC
Offensive Tackles
Ron Yary, USC
Gary Zimmerman, Oregon
There’s a couple easy choices. Two Hall of Famers.
Offensive Guards
Randall McDaniel, Arizona State
Ed White, California
Another couple easy choices.
Center
Brent Boyd, UCLA
Brent Boyd started several games for the Vikings at guard but was drafted with center possibly in mind. The Vikings have a strong center tradition. Mick Tingelhoff, Dennis Swilley, Kirk Lowdermilk, Jeff Christy, Matt Birk, John Sullivan. Hopefully, Garrett Bradbury becomes part of that strong tradition. None of them played their college ball at a Pac-8, PAC-10, Pac-12 school. So, Brent Boyd’s the pick.
Defensive Ends
Everson Griffen, USC
Doug Martin, Washington
Everson Griffen has been a terrific football player for a decade. Doug Martin is one of the most underrated players in Vikings franchise history.
Defensive Tackles
Keith Millard, Washington State
Charlie Johnson, Colorado
Keith Millard would already be in the Hall of Fame if injuries hadn’t whittled away at his career. There was a several-year stretch in which he played the defensive tackle position as well as anyone ever has.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr, UCLA
Jeff Siemon, Stanford
Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Strong group.
Cornerbacks
Jackie Wallace, Arizona
Anthony Parker, Arizona State
The Vikings haven’t found a lot of cornerback help in the Pac-8, Pac-10, Pac-12.
Safeties
Joey Browner, USC
John Harris, Arizona State
Joey Browner has a Hall of Fame argument. John Harris was a solid player for a few years.
Kicker
Ryan Longwell, California
Compared to the Vikings recent kicking situation, the Ryan Longwell years were dreamy.
Punter
Jeff Locke, UCLA
Returner
Darrin Nelson, Stanford
***
The Vikings have found several gems in the Pac-8, Pac-10, Pac-12, whatever Conference. Five of those gems (Moon, McElhenny, Yary, Zimmerman, McDaniel) had Hall of Fame careers. It’s a stretch to group Moon and McElhenny with Vikings Hall of Famers but they did play in Minnesota for a couple years. Moon’s two healthy years with Cris Carter were so much fun. Damn, Moon threw a pretty football. A few others, Browner in particular, have a Hall of Fame case to be made. The offensive and defensive linemen have been very good to great. The linebackers are pretty good too.
As a Cal alum, the Golden Bears impact on Vikings franchise team history has been a little disappointing. Ed White is an easy pick for best Bear to ever wear a Vikings uniform. Joe Kapp brought some fun and excitement to his too few years in Minnesota. It would’ve been nice if Ryan Longwell’s entire career was in Minnesota. His six years with the Vikings might’ve been the best kicking in franchise history. Or, maybe if just feels that way because of the recent kicking atrocities.
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