OLD SCHOOL

[Purple bruise]

I've never seen a better defensive football player than Page, which is why he's still my favorite player of all time.

Krause's instincts for intercepting passes may never be matched and you're right about those hits. Those great Vikings defenses were intimidating.

Ah, those were the days when football was FOOTBALL! Thanks for the link to that video, Purple Bruise.

You are welcome and are so spot on about 88 Jim, he and 10 were/ are my favorite all-time Viking players. Amazingly he actually played DT, for a lot of his career at less than 220 lbs.. Had the Vikes not had Eller and Marshall I can only imagine what he could have done as a DE (of course their great play all enhanced eachother's great play). As it was, he was the first defensive player ever named as the MVP.

[VikeMike]

The main difference between Krause and Smith is that Smith goes for the big hit and Krause never seemed to ... He was technically a solid tackler -- he went for the waist or below and wrapped up the runner. Smith, in one year, did seem to have a nose for the football, but we'll have to see if he'll ever come close to keeping up with the pace that Krause set.

[MV711]

This is what I am talking about Pay particular attention to #22 Paul Krause. Harrison Smith, right down to his number 22 , appears to be his clone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0jDjLDexA

Fantastic clips!!! Brings back a lot of very good memories at the Met with the way football was made to be played. Good hard hits and plenty of emotion.

Bring back those days Vikings!!!

[Just Me]

The main difference between Krause and Smith is that Smith goes for the big hit and Krause never seemed to ... He was technically a solid tackler -- he went for the waist or below and wrapped up the runner. Smith, in one year, did seem to have a nose for the football, but we'll have to see if he'll ever come close to keeping up with the pace that Krause set.

For the most part I agree, but Krause was always looking for the ball first (you can see it in the clips) and the receiver second. STILL the all-time leader in INTs in the NFL!

(Fun clip to watch - thanks to the OP for the link)

[King James]

It's hard to believe that this Vikings team never won a super bowl. They were so good.

[Mothman]

It's hard to believe that this Vikings team never won a super bowl. They were so good.

They just kept running into teams that were a little better... at least for one game. The Chiefs, Steelers, Dolphins and Raiders teams that beat them were all extremely good teams too.

[losperros]

They just kept running into teams that were a little better... at least for one game. The Chiefs, Steelers, Dolphins and Raiders teams that beat them were all extremely good teams too.

And better coached than the Vikings. Yeah, I know. I've just committed Vikings sacrilege!

But I really believe the Vikings weren't as well prepared or game-day-coached as the other teams that you mentioned. At least not for that one day showdown called the Super Bowl. Just my two cents.

[King James]

I wasn't around until the 90's so I didnt get to live those Purple People Eater days. According to my dad, who is a Steelers fan btw , said that the Vikings only played good games back then when the weather was harsh.

[Mothman]

And better coached than the Vikings. Yeah, I know. I've just committed Vikings sacrilege! But I really believe the Vikings weren't as well prepared or game-day-coached as the other teams that you mentioned. At least not for that one day showdown called the Super Bowl. Just my two cents.

LOL! It may sound like sacrilege but you're right. I don't know if those teams were better coached overall but in those 4 particular games, Bud was out-coached. Grant was a great head coach but in the Super Bowls, he tended to be too conservative and predictable. There were match-up problems in some of those games too.

Sigh... what could have been... the Vikes were just 4 wins away from being considered one of the greatest teams of all time. Hopefully, in some alternate universe, they won those 4 games.

I wasn't around until the 90's so I didnt get to live those Purple People Eater days. According to my dad, who is a Steelers fan btw , said that the Vikings only played good games back then when the weather was harsh.

No offense, but your dad is absolutely wrong about that and it's reflected in the team's W/L records during that era. From 1969 to 1976, the Vikings had one season with fewer than 10 wins. They won 11+ games 6 times in 8 years and went 12-2 four times! This was when there were 14 games in a season, not 16. Believe me, those games weren't all played in bad weather and there's no way they could have compiled those records if they were only playing well in harsh weather conditions. The late '60s/early '70s Vikes were just plain good.

[Delaqure]

What a great video. It really makes me wish I had a video recording system in those days. I would have loved to tape and keep some of those games. I wish the NFL would put out some more DVDs of the old days and old games. There were some great ones. As much as it sucked to be a viking fan and watch that team lose the big one so many times, it HAS to be a thorn in the side for the players of that era. I feel bad for them. They deserved a ring.

I really hope the vikes get me a superbowl before I leave this world. We've been so close too many times.

Please God? Is it too much to ask?

[Purple bruise]

Here are a few more OLD SCHOOL highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDmeTo-8aoI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IoFVZ8hEW0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T9Unxq9Elk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gsX9KvMjPw
Enjoy

[CaptainKirov]

How about some love for Gary Larsen. He laid some big hits too. Man i wish i coulda seen some of this live

Packer QBs always have it rough. Bart Starr had to run from Eller, Page, Larsen and Marhsall. Favre had to run away from Allen, Williams, Williams and even John Randel.....so who had it worse?