Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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2 former Vikings make list of 'top 25 players not in the Hall of Fame'
OK, stop me if you've heard this one before: Jim Marshall should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Every year, Marshall shows up on lists of the best NFL players who aren't yet in Canton, and he did again for CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo's ranking of the top 25. He placed Marshall at No. 20 on the list and wrote the following:
A valued member of Minnesota's "Purple People Eaters" defensive line, Marshall holds numerous NFL records, including the most seasons played by a defensive player (20, along with Junior Seau and Darrell Green), most consecutive games by a defensive player (282), most consecutive starts by a defensive player (270), and most career fumble recoveries (30). Marshall, who was still a starter at age 42, helped the Vikings win three NFC titles along with the NFL Championship in 1969.
Another player on DeArdo's list also spent time in Minnesota, although the bulk of his career was in a 49ers uniform: running back Roger Craig was listed at No. 4.
The only running back on this list, Craig played an integral role in the 49ers success during the 1980s. A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-1980s Team, Craig became the first player in league history to have 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season (1985). A three-time Super Bowl champion, Craig became the first player to score three touchdowns in a Super Bowl during the 49ers win over the Dolphins in Super Bowl [XIX].
Craig finished his NFL career by playing 1992 and 1993 for the Vikings, during which he appeared in 29 games. He totaled 535 rushing yards and five touchdowns for Minnesota, and he added 333 receiving yards and a score through the air.