100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players: 80-71

The Flea Flicker countdown of the 100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players continues with players ranked 80-71. 

100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players: 80-71

  80. Phil Loadholt, OT

  79. Wade Wilson, QB

  78. Orlando Thomas, S

  77. Chester Taylor, RB

  76. Ed Sharockman, CB

  75. Nate Wright, CB

  74. Lonnie Warwick, LB

  73. Roy Winston, LB

  72. Brian Robison, DE

  71. Percy Harvin, WR

The 1980s were a somewhat confusing time for Vikings quarterbacks. Actually, nearly every decade since Fran Tarkenton retired has been a confusing time for Vikings quarterbacks. Tommy Kramer was drafted in the first round in 1977 to be Tarkenton’s heir. When Kramer was on the field, he was a fun gunslinger. Injuries too often kept him off the field. Wade Wilson was a late-round pick in 1981. He developed into a reliable starter by the end of the late-1980s. He even made the Pro Bowl in 1988. 

Chester Taylor was signed as a free agent in 2006 to be the Vikings top running back. He gained over 1200 yards that season. Then the Vikings drafted Adrian Peterson and Taylor was relegated to being one of the league’s best backups. He was a terrific third-down back. 

Ed Sharockman was one of the Vikings starting corners for most of the 1960s. He collected 40 interceptions during an underrated career. 

Nate Wright is best known for being the player shoved to the ground by Drew Pearson in the 1975 playoffs. Despite that unfortunate play, Wright was one of the best corners in Vikings franchise history.

Lonnie Warwick and Roy Winston were two-thirds of the linebacker trio that played in the giant shadow of the Purple People Eaters. Warwick, Winston, and Wally Hilgenberg were a solid trio. 

Brian Robison is an example of a player getting a boost on this list for the person that he is. He was a terrific football player but he was also really great with the fans. He still is. His “96 Questions” was a blast. 

Percy Harvin should be higher on this list. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure why he isn’t. It just seemed to fall this way. Perhaps it’s the shortness of his time in Minnesota. Perhaps it’s the disappointment and frustration with his departure. Who knows? Despite being a Top 25 talent he falls to #71. He was a fun football player.