Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Offensive Tackles
1. Ron Yary (1968-81)
2. Gary Zimmerman (1986-92)
3. Grady Alderman (1961-74)
4. Todd Steussie (1994-2000)
5. Korey Stringer (1995-2000)
6. Christian Darrisaw (2021-present)
7. Bryant McKinnie (2002-10)
8. Tim Irwin (1981-93)
9. Phil Loadholt (2009-14)
10. Steve Riley (1974-84)
The Vikings have a solid offensive tackle tradition. It’s especially strong at the very top as Ron Yary and Gary Zimmerman have busts in Canton.
For most of his career, Ron Yary was arguably the best offensive tackle in the league.
If Gary Zimmerman’s time in Minnesota didn’t end in a contract dispute perhaps he’d be better remembered. Despite playing two more seasons with the Vikings, it feels like he’s more recognized for his time with the Denver Broncos. It’s a shame. The best years of his career were with the Vikings. On the field, Zimmerman made it look easy. Watching Zimmerman pass block was like watching Neo after he’d figured out the Matrix.
Grady Alderman is one of the most underrated players in Vikings history. He was the team’s left tackle from 1961-73. With six Pro Bowls and a couple All-Pro considerations, you’d think that he’d be considered a franchise great. His solid play on the left side put Yary on the right side when he came to Minnesota as the first pick in the draft in 1968. Alderman should be in the Vikings Ring of Honor.
Todd Steussie was a reliable blind-side blocker for all of his time in Minnesota. The Vikings put together an excellent offensive line under head coach Dennis Green. Steussie and guard Randall McDaniel formed one of the best left sides the Vikings have ever fielded.
Korey Stringer. I mentioned yesterday that tight end Joe Senser was one of the greatest “what ifs” in Vikings franchise history. Nope. It’s Stringer. RIP Big K.
I’ve seen enough. In only three seasons, Christian Darrisaw is already one of the Vikings best offensive tackles. Yary and Zimmerman set a very high bar but Darrisaw’s potential is immense.
Bryant McKinnie is one of the most annoying Vikings players I’ve ever known. He had the natural talent to join Yary and Zimmerman at the top of this list. He had the natural talent to be even better. Instead, he just coasted. He never appeared to care about what he was doing on the field. Still, he was one the Vikings best offensive tackles.
Solid football player. When I think of a solid football player, I can easily see Tim Irwin. If there was anything consistent about the Vikings in the 1980s, it was the presence and play of Irwin. From 1982-93, he started every game and he was solid in every game. Irwin has a unique connection to the team’s present as he was the youth football coach of Harrison Smith.
Phil Loadholt was another solid player. He was an immediate starter as a rookie in 2009. He was Brett Favre’s right side protector. It felt comfortable that the old quarterback had gigantic tackles in McKinnie and Loadholt protecting him. At only six seasons, his career was too short.
Speaking of solid players. Steve Riley was another solid player. From 1975-81, he formed an excellent tackle pairing with Yary. There was a symmetry to their pairing as each was a first-round pick out of USC.
No comments:
Post a Comment