2 Vikings Land Among NFL’s 25 Greatest Players Ever

It’s the quiet part of the NFL offseason—between minicamps and training camps—giving outlets like CBS Sports a chance to rank the top 25 players in NFL history.

 

CBS Sports dropped its list of the top 25 players in NFL history — and two Vikings made the cut. You will agree.

The Minnesota Vikings avoided major snubs, with Alan Page ranked No. 21 and Randy Moss at No. 17 on CBS Sports‘ list of the NFL’s 25 greatest players ever.

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Page at No. 21

Before becoming a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice in 1993 and Chief Justice in 2009, Alan Page had a remarkable NFL career, playing for the Vikings from 1967 to 1978 and finishing with the Chicago Bears. CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo ranks Page as the 21st-best player in NFL history, citing his role as the anchor of the Vikings’ “Purple People Eater” defense and his unique achievement as the first defensive player to win NFL MVP. A Pro Bowler from 1968-76, Page recorded 148.5 career sacks, a staggering total for a defensive tackle, and helped the Vikings secure three NFC titles and the 1969 NFL championship. He capped his career with three strong seasons in Chicago, including three sacks in his final game. Page’s inclusion on CBS Sports’ top 25 list is undeniable.

 

 

 

 

 

CBS Sports Includes 2 Vikings in Top 25 of All Time List

Alan Page and Randy Moss represented the Vikings.

 

Randy Moss at No. 17

Randy Moss, selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft, transformed football with his unmatched athleticism, acrobatic catches, and rebellious persona, earning the No. 17 spot on CBS Sports’ list of the NFL’s 25 greatest players. Bryan DeArdo justifies Moss’ ranking, noting his nickname “The Freak” reflected his seemingly superhuman abilities. As a rookie, Moss caught 17 touchdowns for the 15-1 Vikings. In 2007, his partnership with Tom Brady on the undefeated Patriots set records, with Brady throwing 50 touchdown passes and Moss hauling in 23 touchdown catches. Moss ranks second all-time in touchdown receptions and fourth in receiving yards, trailing only Jerry Rice in the former. His unique skill set was unprecedented before 1998 and unmatched since, making a strong case he could’ve ranked even higher with little debate.

 

 

 

 

 

CBS Sports’ Criteria

In a nutshell, here’s how DeArdo arrived at his 25 best:

— Individual success/accolades won
— Dominance during his era
— Longevity and career milestones achieved
— Enduring impact/legacy
— Team success/championships won
— Ranking relative to his position

Naturally, championships dinged any Vikings players. They’ve never won the chip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Snubs?

Perhaps nitpicking from a Vikings-themed website, but a case could be made for these men to receive Top 25 love or at least honorable mentions:

 

• Cris Carter (WR, 1990-2001)
• Carl Eller (DE, 1964-1978)
• Randall McDaniel (G, 1988-1999)
• Paul Krause (S, 1968-1979)
• Jim Marshall (DE, 1961-1979)
• Adrian Peterson (RB, 2007-2016)
• Fran Tarkenton (QB, 1961-1978)

Jerry Rice earned the No. 2 spot on Bryan DeArdo’s CBS Sports list of the NFL’s 25 greatest players. DeArdo places Rice on the NFL’s Mount Rushmore, citing his extensive record book, including three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers and a record eighth Super Bowl touchdown with the Raiders at age 40.

Rice’s 22,895 career receiving yards dwarf the next-closest wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, by over 5,000 yards. In 1987, he set a then-record 22 touchdowns in just 12 games, a mark that held for 20 years. Rounding out the top five are Jim Brown (RB, No. 3), Walter Payton (RB, No. 4), and Joe Montana (QB, No. 5).