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 offensive linemen, where fans voted separately for one center, two guards and two tackles.
View images of the Vikings All-Decade Team candidates at offensive line.
CENTERS
John Sullivan, 2010-14
Fan Votes: 4,504 of 5,355 total votes at C (84 percent)
Stats from the Decade: 77 games (77 starts); four fumbles; missed all of 2015 because of an injury
Thoughts from the Panel
"I think John Sullivan is a cinch at center." – Paul Allen
Also received votes …
Pat Elflein, 2017-19
Stats from the Decade: 43 games (42 starts); two fumbles, one fumble recovery
Note: Elflein started 27 of 28 games at center from 2017-18 before moving to left guard.
GUARDS
Steve Hutchinson, 2010-11
Fan Votes: 4,613
Stats from the Decade: 25 games (25 starts); one fumble recovery
Thoughts from the Panel
"I did go with Steve Hutchinson at guard, and I don't know that I had a great analytical reason for it other than to say, I'll take [a Hall of Famer] for two years over anyone else." – Kevin Seifert
"I did have Joe Berger in there. I mean, Hutchinson and Berger are the two that I had [at guard]. I like Berger, as well, for his versatility because he did play guard, and he did play center." – Pete Bercich
Joe Berger, 2011-17
Fan Votes: 3,659
Stats from the Decade: 107 games (64 starts) at G and C; one fumble recovery
Note: Berger made 35 of his 64 starts at either guard position.
Thoughts from the Panel
"I'm going to use Joe Berger as one of my guards. With Joe, he was the right guard in the 2017 postseason, he started both those games [in the Divisional round and NFC Championship], 149 snaps."
– Paul Allen
Also received votes …
Brandon Fusco, 2011-16
Stats from the Decade: 67 games (64 starts)
Thoughts from the Panel
"My other guard is going to be Brandon Fusco, and here's why: six seasons, [64] starts, two playoff starts, a full-time starter for Adrian Peterson during the 2012 MVP year; 3,752 snaps, and only 12 penalties. I know Steve Hutchinson can be mentioned in this for his two years, but I'm going to go with Fusco."
– Allen
Charlie Johnson, 2011-14
Stats from the Decade: 61 games (61 starts)
TACKLES
Phil Loadholt, 2009-14
Fan Votes: 3,881
Stats from the Decade: 89 games (89 starts); two fumble recoveries
Thoughts from the Panel
"Phil Loadholt, I think, would be the right tackle. Although, Brian O'Neill, if he has another season like he had this year, I think he could definitely be that guy." – Bercich
Brian O'Neill, 2018-19
Fan Votes: 2,962
Stats from the Decade: 30 games (26 starts); one fumble recovery
Matt Kalil, 2012-16
Fan Vote: 1,842
Stats from the Decade: 66 games (66 starts)
Thoughts from the Panel
"Kalil would be my left tackle. He's the only offensive lineman the Vikings have had in the last decade that's gone to the Pro Bowl. He had a good year [in 2012] and did well." – Bercich
Riley Reiff, 2017-19
Fan Votes: 1,463
Stats from the Decade: 43 games (43 starts)
Thoughts from the Panel
"I think left tackle, between Matt Kalil and Riley Reiff, deserves conversation. I'm going to go with Riley Reiff, who started four playoff games." – Allen