1989 Minnesota Vikings season

1989 draft Notes: Undrafted free agents ==Staff==

The defensive line of Chris Doleman, Keith Millard, Al Noga and Henry Thomas were key contributors in helping the Vikings rank number one in the NFL in total defense. In addition, the Vikings set a franchise record with 71 sacks in one season. Chris Doleman had 21 sacks and was one shy of tying the NFL record. Schedule Game summaries Week 2 at Chicago Bears Week 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers Week 5: vs Detroit Lions Week 6 vs Green Bay Packers Standings ==Postseason==

Schedule ==Herschel Walker trade==

In 1989, at the height of his NFL career, the Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for a total of five players (LB Jesse Solomon, DB Issiac Holt, RB Darrin Nelson, LB David Howard, DE Alex Stewart) and six draft picks (which led to Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson). This was judged to be one of the turning points in the rise of the Cowboys to the top echelon of the NFL. Walker's trade was widely perceived as an exceptionally poor move considering what the Vikings had to give up in order to get him, and remains one of the most frequently vilified roster moves of the team's history. The Vikings coaches reluctantly accepted Walker after the trade and never totally used the tool they had been given. Scout.com says, "Walker was never used properly by the coaching brain trust (a total oxymoron in this case)". ==Statistics==

Team leaders League rankings ==Awards and records==

• Keith Millard – NFL Defensive Player of the Year (AP, UPI, PFWA) • Chris Doleman – NFL sacks leader (21.0) • Randall McDaniel – NFC Pro Bowl selection Milestones • Chris Doleman, third player in NFL history to reach 20 sacks in a season • Chris Doleman, franchise record, 21 sacks ==References==