A new decade is upon us, as the Vikings have their sights set on 2020 and beyond. But before we fully turn to what's next, Vikings fans looked back at some of their favorite players from the previous decade.
Minnesota went 81-77-2in the seasons between 2010 and 2019, winning a pair of NFC North titles and making four total playoff appearances during the decade (2-4 in postseason play).
There isn't an All-Decade Team for the Minnesota Vikings, but if there was one, who would be on it for their play with the team between 2010-19?
Vikings.com opened the topic for debate to a panel featuring "Voice of the Vikings" Paul Allen, analyst Pete Bercich, Mark Rosen and Kevin Seifert. Fans also were invited to vote online for their best players of the decade. More than 5,000 ballots were cast at each position.
Today's recap covers linebackers, where fans could select three players.
Three players — Chad Greenway, Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr — claimed the linebackers' share of votes, with each garnering more than 4,000 nods.
The panel concurred.
"I think those are the three," Seifert said in agreement with Rosen.
Note: all tackles numbers are based on league stats.
Chad Greenway, 2010-16
Fan Votes: 4,957
Stats from the Decade: 108 games (97 starts); 780 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 18 passes defended, six interceptions, 44 tackles for loss; 91-yard interception return TD
Eric Kendricks, 2015-19
Fan Votes: 4,805
Stats from the Decade: 74 games (70 starts); 532 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 35 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 34 tackles for loss; 77-yard and 31-yard interception return TDs
Anthony Barr, 2014-19
Fan Votes: 4,105
Stats from the Decade: 85 games (85 starts); 417 tackles, 15 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 26 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 safety; 27-yard fumble return TD
View images of the Vikings All-Decade Team linebackers.
LB Chad Greenway
LB Chad Greenway
LB Chad Greenway
LB Chad Greenway
Thoughts from the panel
"You look at Kendricks, especially, an All-Pro for sure in one year if not more than one year, just in terms of how he can play the modern-day middle linebacker. [Greenway] was a guy who not only could play every down, which is important for linebackers, but he was always around the ball. There's people up here that know much more about linebacking than me, but when I see a player who is always around the ball, whether it's pass or run, I think this is a guy who gets the game, has great instincts and enough athleticism to do it, as well." — Seifert
"The productivity of Eric Kendricks and Chad Greenway is what stands out. Greenway is a leading tackler in the franchise, and you look at Eric Kendricks and his ability, the 12 passes defended this year, so important because of the way the game is changing and they want to get these running backs 1-on-1 with linebackers all of the time now. Anthony Barr, just because of his pure playmaking ability. … I don't think we've seen a more dynamic athlete play that position. You may have to go back to Matt Blair to find a guy with that athleticism at that position." — Bercich
"It's the same three for me. Anthony Barr is so good at covering the pass in very sneaky fashion. It's not talked about because the ball doesn't go his way a lot. Kendricks has led the team in tackles in five consecutive years. Chad Greenway has led it in tackles six, tied with Scott Studwell. Those are team records. Eric is going to blow by that like they are tied to a post. Eric was so good in the 49ers game, and to see Eric, the All-Pro, progress and improve in big spots the way he has, he is on his way to stardom." — Allen
Also received votes …
E.J. Henderson, 2010-11
Stats from the Decade: 32 games (30 starts); 214 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 7 passes defended, 3 interceptions
Erin Henderson, 2010-13
Stats from the Decade: 52 games (33 starts); 276 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 8 passes defended, 2 interceptions
Eric Wilson, 2017-19
Stats from the Decade: 48 games (10 starts); 175 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Ben Gedeon, 2017-19
Stats from the Decade: 39 games (22 starts); 160 tackles, 2 passes defended
Audie Cole, 2012-16
Stats from the Decade: 57 games (7 starts); 145 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 passes defended, 3 tackles for loss
Gerald Hodges, 2013-15
Stats from the Decade: 29 games (10 starts); 126 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 7 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 tackles for loss; 27-yard interception return TD
Jasper Brinkley, 2010-12; 2014
Stats from the Decade: 48 games (26 starts); 191 tackles, 1.0 sack, 4 forced fumbles, 3 passes defended, 6 tackles for loss
