10 greatest Minnesota Vikings safety duos of all-time
By Tim Arcand
Joey Browner and John Harris (1986-1988)
- 3 seasons
- 24 interceptions
- 8 fumble recoveries
- 1 touchdown
- 81 starts
The second-best safety duo in Vikings history is Joey Browner and John Harris. It was a very close battle with Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith for the second spot, but the extra season Browner and Harris played together and the eight fumble recoveries gave them the edge.
This duo came together at the opposite ends of their careers. Harris, a seventh-round draft pick of the Seahawks in 1978, started all 16 games as a rookie. After spending eight years in Seattle, he was traded to the Vikings where he finished his career after another three seasons.
Harris’ best season came in 1981 when he led the Seahawks with 10 interceptions. In each of his three years with Minnesota, he intercepted three passes and he finished with a total of 50 in his NFL career.
Browner, the Vikings’ first-round draft pick in 1983, quickly established himself as a coverage specialist early in his career. By his third season in 1985, he became the full-time starter. This duo was a turnover machine averaging a combined 10.6 interceptions and fumble recoveries each year.
A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro, Browner was the dominate half of this pair. Gil Brandt lists Browner 23rd on his all-time list of best safeties. Browner’s 37 interceptions are the fourth-most in Minnesota franchise history.