Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
Tim Irwin, T | No. 74 Overall, 1981 | Years with Vikings: 1981-93
After backing up Yary as a rookie, Irwin started every game — 181 regular-season contests — for Minnesota the rest of his career.
In fact, the only things that kept Irwin from suiting up for a full 16 of each of his final 12 seasons with Minnesota were strikes in the 1982 and 1987 seasons.
Irwin's career spanned multiple transitions for the Vikings, including the final season at Metropolitan Stadium and the move inside the Metrodome. He played with Bud Grant, Les Steckel, Grant, Jerry Burns and Dennis Green as his head coaches. The Vikings knew they could always count on Irwin, who helped Minnesota make the playoffs five times in his final seven seasons with the team.
— Craig Peters
Henry Thomas, DT | No. 72 Overall, 1987 | Years with Vikings: 1987-94
I know Tarkenton will be the runaway winner here, but hear me out: "Hardware Hank" Thomas.
Drafted in the third round of the 1987 NFL Draft, Thomas made an immediate impact despite navigating the strike-shortened season – played mostly by replacement players – as a rookie. Thomas started 11 of 12 games played that first season. He helped the Vikings upset the 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs to advance to the NFC Championship game, where Minnesota was defeated by Washington.
Thomas nabbed two interceptions in his first two NFL seasons, which isn't exactly a common feat by a defensive tackle. He also totaled 654 tackles (league stats), 56 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Thomas scored two defensive touchdowns for Minnesota.
He showed great durability over his career, missing just six games over eight seasons in Purple, and appeared in back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1991 and 1992. In 1993, he was named Second-Team All-Pro by The Associated Press.
Thomas played in nine postseason games for the Vikings. Following his time in Minnesota, he went on to play two seasons for Detroit and four for New England. He finished his NFL career credited with 93.5 sacks and 1,006 tackles (league stats).
– Lindsey Young