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Home | Sports | Vikings

Five decades, five lines

By Patrick Reusse, Star Tribune

Last update: December 21, 2007 - 10:10 PM

1966

The Vikings had three offensive linemen -- left tackle Grady Alderman, left guard Milt Sunde and center Mick Tingelhoff -- make the Pro Bowl. Jim Vellone was at right guard and Doug Davis at right tackle.

1971

The emergence of second-year tackle Ron Yary gave the Vikings a solid line with Tingelhoff, tackles Alderman and Yary and guards Sunde and Ed White. Yary made the first of his seven consecutive Pro Bowls; Tingelhoff was a six-time selection.

1988

Jerry Burns' best team (11-5) featured perennial Pro Bowl players Gary Zimmerman at left tackle and Randall McDaniel at left guard. The center was Kirk Lowdermilk, with Terry Tausch at right guard and Tim Irwin at right tackle.

1998

The Vikings' 15-1 season featured three Pro Bowl picks -- left tackle Todd Steussie, McDaniel and center Jeff Christy. David Dixon was the right guard and Korey Stringer the right tackle. McDaniel made 11 Pro Bowls.

2007

The Vikings are on pace for one of the best rushing seasons in league history with an offensive line anchored by Pro Bowl selections Matt Birk at center (for the sixth time) and Steve Hutchinson (for the fifth time) at left guard. Bryant McKinnie is the left tackle, with Anthony Herrera at right guard and Ryan Cook at right tackle.