Thursday, June 27, 2024

Throwback Thursday: Minnesota Vikings All - Rookie Team

Here’s a look at the best rookies at each position in the history of the Minnesota Vikings. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner, and/or Khyree Jackson are on next year’s look at the outstanding rookies in franchise history? Maybe Will Reichard can top Blair Walsh’s great rookie season. 

Quarterback
Fran Tarkenton-1961

Fran Tarkenton got his rookie season rolling early when he led the Vikings to a win over the Chicago Bears in the first game in franchise history. He's in the Hall of Fame and an easy choice here. Christian Ponder and Teddy Bridgewater are the only other quarterbacks to play significant roles as rookies. So, Tarkenton easily takes it.

Running backs
Adrian Peterson-2007
Chuck Foreman-1973

Easy choices. Each took home rookie of the year awards. Each was an immediate difference-maker.

Receivers
Randy Moss-1998
Justin Jefferson-2020

Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson each had one of the best rookie receiver seasons in NFL history. Randy Moss scored an NFL rookie record 17 touchdowns. At the time, Jefferson’s 1,400 receiving yards was topped only by the 1,473 yards posted by Bill Groman in the first season of the AFL. Randy Moss was an easy choice for rookie of the year. Justin Jefferson should’ve been. Jefferson’s great rookie season topped that of 1976 Rookie of the Year Sammy White and 1963 Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley. The Vikings have a nice history of rookie receivers. 

Tight end
Joe Senser-1980

Joe Senser's 4-year career was way too short but it started well. 42 catches and 7 TDs.

Tackles
Gary Zimmerman-1986
Korey Stringer-1995

Ron Yary would've made this team at right tackle if it wasn't for Bud Grant's "rookies aren't ready to start" philosophy. Gary Zimmerman was great. So was Korey Stringer. His life and career ended way too soon. In a little way, his being on this team helps keep his spirit alive. Zimmerman played two seasons in the USFL before he became an NFL rookie so he was a "seasoned" rookie. Matt Kalil made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012 but I’m going with Zimmerman at left tackle on this team. 

Guards
Randall McDaniel-1988
Ed Ingram-2022

Randall McDaniel is an automatic choice. Ed Ingram has had a rough rookie season. From stepping on his quarterback’s right foot multiple times to some blocking whiffs, he’s had many low moments. He’s also shown some potential. From violent blocks to helping linemates, he’s made scattered plays that show promise. He gets the nod on this team because Marcus Johnson didn’t set a high bar in 2005. Ed White would probably get the nod if Bud Grant started rookies.

Center 
Mick Tingelhoff-1962

Mick Tingelhoff started every game in his 17-year Hall of Fame career. That streak started with his rookie season.

Defensive ends
Carl Eller-1964
Kevin Williams-2003

Carl Eller is an easy choice. Kevin Williams played his rookie season at defensive end and collected 10.5 sacks. He went on to a dominant, All-Decade career on the interior the next season. 

Defensive tackles
Alan Page-1967
Keith Millard-1985

Alan Page is an automatic choice. Even Bud Grant couldn't keep Page on the bench as a rookie. Keith Millard was an immediate force in the middle of the Vikings line. 11 sacks as a rookie. Like Gary Zimmerman, Millard wasn't a raw NFL rookie after a short stint in the USFL.

Linebackers
Anthony Barr-2014
Eric Kendricks-2015
Matt Blair-1974

Anthony Barr was an impact playmaker from his rookie season. Eric Kendricks edges out Jeff Siemon. It took about a month for Kendricks to force his way into the starting lineup. With each game he got better at this job. Matt Blair played his way into the starting lineup as a rookie and became a defensive cornerstone.

Cornerbacks
DeWayne Washington-1994
Cameron Dantzler-2020

DeWayne Washington was an impact starter as a rookie. He was an impact starter all four of his years in Minnesota. I will never understand how the Vikings let him leave town in free agency. Rookie cornerbacks don’t jump right into a Mike Zimmer defense. It takes a while for them to learn the nuances of the techniques and schemes. Cameron Dantzler was forced to learn on the run. Injuries kept him from starting every game. When he was on the field, he was good, at times he was very good. 

Safeties

Joey Browner-1983
Harrison Smith-2012

Joey Browner and Harrison Smith are two of the best safeties in Vikings franchise history. Browner gets the nod despite not starting a single game at safety as a rookie. He was a dynamo on special teams. Smith was a defensive force from the start.

Kicker
Blair Walsh-2013

Blair Walsh's best season was his first season. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Punter
Ryan Wright-2022

Perhaps there’s a recency bias but Ryan Wright’s great rookie season edges Bobby Walden’s great rookie season in 1964.

Returner
Cordarrelle Patterson-2013

Cordarrelle Patterson edges Percy Harvin. Patterson was All-Pro as a rookie and has been the league’s best kick returner ever since. 



No comments:

Post a Comment