100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players: 20-11

The Flea Flicker countdown of the 100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players continues with players ranked 20-11. 

100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players: 20-11

  20. Kevin Williams, DT

  19. Joey Browner, S

  18. Gary Zimmerman, OT

  17. Harrison Smith, S

  16. Chuck Foreman, RB

  15. Jared Allen, DE

  14. Chris Doleman, DE

  13. Ron Yary, OT

  12. Mick Tingelhoff, C

  11. Paul Krause, S

It’s time for the Hall of Famers. Gary Zimmerman, Chris Doleman, Ron Yary, Mick Tingelhoff, and Paul Krause are in Canton. Jared Allen could make it any year now. If injuries hadn’t cut into their talent and careers, Joey Browner and Chuck Foreman would be there already. Despite their shortened careers, both have a case that they deserve to be there. Kevin Williams had a Hall of Fame caliber career. Harrison Smith is having a Hall of Fame caliber career. 

When I think of Kevin Williams I often think of a play against the Kansas City Chiefs from his rookie season (2003). At the snap, Williams blows through Will Shields, wrecks an attempted block by Tony Richardson, and stops Priest Holmes for a loss. Shields, Richardson, and Holmes made the Pro Bowl that season. They were among the best in the league at their respective positions. Shields is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and rookie Kevin Williams went through him as if he was made of paper. It was an astonishing play. He had a lot of plays like that over his career. I think that he’s a Hall of Fame player. Now it’s up to the Hall voters. Richard Seymour goes in this year. Williams and Seymour were similar players with similar careers. 

Joey Browner is one of a handful of Vikings defensive players that I’ve seen simply take over a game. There was a 1988 playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams in which it felt like there were about six Joey Browners on the field. He had several games like that. He was an incredible football player. I always felt that he was the safety equal of peers Ronnie Lott and Kenny Easley. Those two are in the Hall of Famer. Browner should join them.

I wish that Gary Zimmerman had played his entire NFL career in Minnesota. His defection to Denver was tough. It worked out for him as he won a Super Bowl with the Broncos. He was just so steady. Pass rushers didn’t get past him. I’m not sure if the NFL was easy for him but there sure were times when it looked easy. 

Maybe it’s a recency thing but I have Harrison Smith ahead of Joey Browner mostly for his longevity and durability. Every now and then, I imagine a defensive backfield with both Browner and Smith in it. It’s a beautiful dream. I like them both so much. Smith plays everywhere. He can play deep, in coverage, against the run, rush the passer. A quarterback needs to know where Smith is but he can be anywhere. He’s a smart, instinctive, terrific football player. 

When I first became a Vikings fan, I was so intrigued by their defense. It was Chuck Foreman that hauled my attention to the offense. No back had ever caught passes like he did. At least, none that I’d ever seen. He was such a fun runner. Those spins! Oh my! The Vikings offense was always at it’s best when the ball was in his hands. 

One of the sad facts about the great players in Vikings franchise history is that few played their entire career in Minnesota. Mick Tingelhoff is the team’s only Hall of Fame player that played zero games for another team. Hopefully, Harrison Smith becomes the second. 

Paul Krause’s 81 career interceptions is an NFL record that may never be broken. There were more holes in his game than fellow great Vikings safeties Browner and Smith but 81 interceptions is such a ridiculous number.