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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 76 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 76?
Walt Rock came to Washington following his five seasons in San Francisco (1963-67). A Pro Bowler in the 1965 season, Rock became a Redskin in 1968 and played six seasons for Washington before retiring after the 1973 season. A left tackle in his first year in Washington, Rock moved to right tackle and was a solid performer on the playoff teams of 1971 and 1972. He anchored the right side of the line helping RB Larry Brown become the AP 1972 Player of the Year. Injuries reduced Rock to starting 7 games in his final season.
Ed Simmons was drafted in the 6th round (164th overall) in 1987. Simmons played in 142 games for Washington, starting 104. Drafted out of Eastern Washington, Simmons played for Washington from 1987-1997. Simmons started 11 games for the 1990 playoff team and 11 games for the 1992 playoff team. Simmons was voted into the Eastern Washington Hall of Fame and the Top 70 Washington Redskins.
Morgan Moses was born in Richmond, played at Virginia, and was drafted by Washington 66th overall in the 2014 NFL draft. By his second season, he started every game and continued to do so for six straight seasons (2015-2020). Moses was an iron man at right tackle for those six seasons playing in 96, 96, 95, 95, 91 and 98 percent of the offensive snaps.
Jon Jansen was drafted out of Michigan the 37th player selected in the 1999 NFL Draft. An instant starter, Jansen started all 16 games of each of his first five NFL seasons (1999-2003). Jansen missed all of the 2004 season, as he was injured in the Hall of Fame preseason game. He returned in 2005 to his best season, being voted AP All-Pro second team. Jansen played 126 games in his nine seasons in Washington, starting 123.