The Vikings’ Best Team From 2000-2025: Critiques, Comments, and Corrections
Earlier in the week, PurplePTSD attempted to construct the Vikings’ best possible team using players from 2000-2025. The exercise is, by nature, a subjective one. As a result, there was some appeal in getting at least one sober second thought (so to speak).
Cole Smith — who is on social media — has been a Vikings writer for a little while, doing some of his work for both of Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD (among other spots). So, too, does he have a recently-launched YouTube channel: The Skol Cole Show. His knowledge of Vikings football runs deep, so he seemed uniquely-qualified to offer some questions, critiques, and commentary on the team.
The Vikings’ Best Team: Skol Cole Offers His Two Cents
Before going too far, consider the team that got assembled. The offense is working out of 11-personnel while the defense is working as a 4-3 that’s in nickel.
Check out the offense:
| LT: Bryant McKinnie | LG: Steve Hutchinson | C: Matt Birk | RG: Joe Berger | RT: Brian O’Neill |
| QB: Brett Favre | ||||
| RB: Adrian Peterson | ||||
| WR: Justin Jefferson | TE: Jim Kleinsasser | WR: Stefon Diggs | WR: Randy Moss |
And now the defense:
| DE: Jared Allen | DT: Kevin Williams | DT: Pat Williams | DE: Danielle Hunter | |
| LB: Eric Kendricks | LB: Chad Greenway | |||
| CB: Xavier Rhodes | S: Harrison Smith | S: Anthony Harris | CB: Byron Murphy Jr. | CB: Antoine Winfield Sr. |
Consider Mr. Smith’s take on the offense.
To start, he critiques a choice along the offensive line: “First off, I’m going to go old-school and actually put David Dixon at right guard. He started all but three games from 2000-04, and although the Tice years were dysfunctional, the offensive line was always a strength.”
There’s then a belief that adjusting the tight end position makes sense: “If this team had an H-back as a TE2 option, I’m going with Kleinsasser there. Instead, I’m going to go with Kyle Rudolph, who can exploit the middle of the field that’s getting tied up covering Moss and Jefferson.”
There’s then a shift over to defense, prompting Smith to reflect on the corner position.
Smith’s argument: “Third cornerback could be several guys, but I’m not sure any of them really matter. If you wanted to get super technical, you could have Trae Waynes or Cedric Griffin as CB2 and have Winfield as your pure nickel. But Byron Murphy, Jr’s 2024 season exceeded anything any Vikings corner not named Brian Williams in 2003 has put out.”
A final thought: “This is a great list and shows how good the rosters have been. If you had three linebackers I’d put EJ Henderson as the additional one. EDGE/DE is a battle but you got the right two. I don’t think anyone would have an issue with you putting Darrisaw at left tackle although I understand the reasoning behind McKinnie.”
As with a lot of conversations, there are areas where Cole and I agree, disagree, and/or find a point of uncertainty.
On offense, I’ll give way to his suggestions. Berger has been shown the door; Dixon gets onto the team. And then I’ll somewhat reluctantly move things over to Rudolph, someone who was always solid but not elite. He’s yet another pass catcher for Brett Favre — the 2009 version — to throw to in this fictional football universe.
I’ll go ahead and hold my ground on defense, largely due to Cole being a bit tepid in his recommendations. Neither of Waynes nor Griffin inspire a ton of optimism even if each were solid. A trio consisting of Rhodes, Winfield, and Murphy appears better, at least partly due to being able to shuffle Winfield and Murphy inside and outside.
My thanks for Cole Smith for offering the feedback. Go ahead and read his work on VT & P/PTSD. So, too, can one find him on social media and on YouTube.
