Badass Vikings

The Vikings weren't supposed to be great in 2011, but not many expected Minnesota would finish with the third-worst record in the NFL at 3-13.

The lack of wins could be a reflection in the lack of badasses. Defensive end Jared Allen (#69) was a badass when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs and has continued his mullet-fueled mayhem while donning Viking purple. Allen's 22 sacks was a Favre-like fall down from breaking Michael Strahan's 22.5 in 2001.

Guard Steve Hutchinson was a badass when he came over from Seattle in 2006, but a broken thumb two years ago and a concussion last year means big #76 has not played a full season since 2009 and may not be back in 2012.

Adrian Peterson (#28) is a linebacker playing running, which is pretty badass, but an ugly knee injury forced the former Oklahoma Sooner to miss the final four games of 2011. Plus, you may want to hold off buying a #28 jersey just yet as Peterson announced on Twitter he is thinking about changing his number.

As for historically badass Vikings, the first players that jump to mind are the Purple People Eaters of the 1960s and '70s. Alan Page (#88) and Carl Eller (#81) are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Jim Marshall (#70) is often discussed as one of the best players NOT in Canton, but The Norse Nightmare, Gary Larsen (#77) was pretty badass.

Guard Randall McDaniel (#64) started 12 straight Pro Bowls from 1989 to 2000, which is amazingly badass. Chris Doleman (#56) is fourth in NFL history with 150.5 sacks. One of my favorite all-time players was #93, John Randle, and his recent induction into Canton was well-deserved.

But if you want to really impress people with your knowledge of badass Vikings, sport either a #53 or 73 jersey. Mick Tingelhoff (#53) never missed a start at center in his 17 years with Minnesota. Ron Yary (#73) was the first offensive lineman to ever be selected with the first overall pick in the draft and only missed two games in his 15 seasons due to a broken ankle.

Next up Cleveland Browns.