Tag: 70 Greatest Redskins

Commanders season opener in 42 days: Washington’s best No. 42

42 Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Taylor days away from the Commanders opening the 2023 season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 42 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 42?

On June 1, 1978, Washington Redskins receiver Charley Taylor announced his retirement from the NFL.

Since that day, though Taylor’s jersey was never retired, no Washington player has yet to wear No. 42 in a regular season NFL game.

Taylor came to Washington in 1964, a first-round draft choice out of Arizona State. He had played running back for the Sun Devils and continued to play running back his first three seasons in Washington (1964-66).

When Otto Graham, a former Cleveland Browns quarterback, became the Washington head coach (1966-68), Graham made a move that changed NFL history. During the 1966 season, Graham switched Taylor to wide receiver.

Instantly Taylor led the NFL in receptions in his first two seasons at receiver with 72 in 1966 and 70 in 1967. Pairing Taylor and Bobby Mitchell outside with Sonny Jurgensen at quarterback for the Washington offense was exciting.

Taylor had been a Pro Bowler at running back his first two seasons, and Graham thought he could be even better at receiver. Graham was certainly correct, and Taylor became a Pro Bowler again in 1966 and was an All-Pro first-team receiver in 1967.

Taylor’s last largely productive season as a pass catcher was the 1969 season, Vince Lombardi’s lone season as Washington’s head coach. Catching 71 passes for 883 yards and eight receiving touchdowns, Taylor was voted All-Pro second team.

Taylor was off to a great start in 1971 when Washington started 5-0. In the sixth game (at Kansas City), Taylor caught a pass in the first half. However, the tackle in the end zone broke his ankle, and Taylor was lost for the season, having already collected 24 receptions and four touchdowns in 5.5 games.

With George Allen becoming the head coach in 1971, the Redskins offense was much more conservative, with running back Larry Brown becoming the nucleus. Thus, Taylor caught 49, 59, 54 and 53 passes in those seasons (1972-75), still making the Pro Bowl each of those seasons.

A broken shoulder in the 1976 preseason cost Taylor his entire season. At age 36 in 1977, a lingering hamstring problem limited Taylor to only seven starts and 14 receptions, leading to his retirement in June, as he had seriously contemplated a final season in 1978.

When he announced his retirement, Charley Taylor had caught more receptions (649) than any other receiver in NFL history. This despite the fact he was a running back his first two seasons and missed another season entirely (1976).

He concluded his career amassing 9,110 receiving yards and 79 touchdowns. Though Taylor never played in a 16-game regular season, he still remains second in franchise history in receptions (649) and receiving yards (9,110) and has the most receiving touchdowns (79). Taylor also rushed 442 times for 1,488 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Charley Taylor was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002. After all, Taylor had already been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 1984. He was an 8-time Pro Bowler and 4-Time All-Pro selection.

Upon retirement, Taylor worked in the scouting department before becoming wide receivers coach under Joe Gibbs from 1981-1992 and Richie Petitbon in 1993.

Taylor died on Feb. 19, 2022, at the age of 80.

Commanders season opener in 47 days: Washington’s best No. 47

47 Chris Cooley days until Washington opens the 2023 NFL season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 47 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 47?

Let’s take a moment and mention a few players who deserve some honorable mention at No. 47.

A.J. Johnson (1989-94) was drafted by Washington in the 6th round, No. 149 overall. Johnson, in his six seasons with Washington at defensive back started 22 of his 70 games, intercepting 9 passes and returning two for touchdowns.

Jim Shorter (1964-67), in his four seasons for Washington, started 33 games intercepting 12 passes. He also recovered five fumbles, scoring one touchdown.

Dick James (1956-63), in his eight seasons for Washington, played running back and defensive back. On offense, he started 66 games, rushed for 1,741 yards and 16 touchdowns. He caught 92 passes for 1,568 and 14 touchdowns. Defensively he intercepted 12 passes and recovered 11 fumbles. James was a Pro Bowler in the 1961 season. James was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002.

Chris Cooley “Captain Chaos” (2004-12), played all nine seasons of his NFL career in Washington. Cooley was drafted by Washington out of Utah State in the third round (81 overall) in the 2004 draft. He started 103 of his 117 games, catching 429 passes for 4,711 yards (11.0 YPR) for 33 touchdowns. His receptions resulted in 251 first downs. He averaged 3.7 receptions per game and 40.3 yards per game. Cooley was a Pro Bowler in 2007 and 2008. Cooley was voted one of the top 90 players in Washington’s history in 2022.

 

Commanders season opener in 51 days: Washington’s best No. 51

51 Monte Coleman days until Week 1 for the Washington Commanders.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 51 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 51?

He only started 62 games for the Washington Redskins, yet I can’t imagine anyone not agreeing that Monte Coleman was the best player in franchise history to wear jersey No. 51.

Coleman was drafted by Bobby Beathard in the 1979 draft, 289th overall. The speedy linebacker from Central Arkansas only had three seasons he started double-digit games for Washington. However, there was not a season that Coleman was not a significant leader of the Washington punt and kickoff coverage teams.

In his second season, when Coleman was forced to start ten games, all Coleman did was go out and finish the season as the NFL leader in combined tackles with 118.

Coleman was a good enough athlete and an intense enough competitor that he excelled in whatever defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon needed him to do. There were seasons when Coleman was primarily a third-down pass coverage linebacker. There were seasons Petitbon liked to use Coleman more often to be a blitzing linebacker.

Coleman finished his Washington career with 17 interceptions (3 for TD) and 49.5 quarterback sacks. Too bad there are not official stats on quarterback hits from Coleman’s era.

The agile linebacker was a major contributor on four Washington Super Bowl teams and three Washington Super Bowl championship teams (1982, 1987, 1991).

Playing 215 games in his 16-season-long career from 1979-1994  (all with Washington) was quite the accomplishment. In 2002, Coleman was voted  one of the 70 Greatest Washington Redskins

For those reasons and others known especially by his teammates over those 16 years, Monte Coleman is the greatest No. 51 in Washington NFL history.

 

Commanders season opener in 52 days: Washington’s best No. 52

52 days until the Commanders open the 2023 season under new ownership.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 52 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 52?

Cory Raymer (1995-2001, 2004-05) was drafted 37th overall by Washington in the 1995 draft. Raymer started every game for three seasons (1998, 1999, 2001). In his eight seasons in Washington, the former Wisconsin Badger played 80 games, starting 72.

Rocky McIntosh (2006-11) out of Miami, was drafted 35th overall by Washington in 2006. In his six Washington seasons, McIntosh played 92 games, starting 69. He intercepted three passes, defended 18 passes and forced eight fumbles. He was credited with 463 tackles, 16 for a loss and 23 QB hits.

Neal Olkewicz (1979-89) came to Washington as an undrafted 6-0, 230-pound linebacker out of Maryland. Olkewicz played in 150 games, starting 137. He intercepted six passes (one TD) and recovered 15 fumbles. He recorded 13.5 sacks. He started for three Washington Super Bowl teams (1982, 1983, 1987). In 2002 Olkewicz was voted one of the 70 Greatest Washington Redskins.

 

 

Commanders season opener in 56 days: Washington’s best No. 56

56 days until the Commanders begin the 2023 NFL season. Who was the best No. 56?

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 56 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 56?

LaVar Arrington (2000-2005) was an exciting linebacker out of Penn State who made so many splash plays he was drafted second overall in the 2000 NFL draft by Washington. Following his rookie season, Arrington produced greatly, earning three consecutive Pro Bowler designations. He was voted AP All-Pro second team in 2001. In 2002 Arrington produced 12 tackles for a loss, 95 combined tackles (70 solo, 25 assisted), 8 passes defended, 3 fumbles recovered (one touchdown), and his career-high 11 quarterback sacks. Arrington led the NFL in 2003 with 6 forced fumbles. He also was voted AP All-Pro second team. He had six quarterback sacks and 9 tackles for a loss. Unfortunately, injuries and frustration outlined his final two seasons in Washington, resulting in his playing in only 17 of the 32 games.

Len Hauss (1964-77) was an iron man for Washington, playing in 196 games, starting 194 over his 14-year career for the Burgundy and Gold. Hauss was drafted No. 115 overall out of Georgia. His rookie season he did not start two games. However, from that time forward in his 14 NFL seasons, Hauss never missed a game or a start. Hauss was a Pro Bowler for five seasons. He was voted AP All-Pro second team twice. He helped cement the offensive line that produced Larry Brown rushing for 5,000 yards in 5 seasons (14 game schedules). He started and was a key offensive leader for the playoffs for five teams (only four teams qualified in each conference) and the 1972 NFC Champion and Super Bowl VII team. He was named one of the top 70 Washington Redskins in 2002. Hauss died on Dec. 15, 2021, at age 79.

Commanders season opener in 57 days: Washington’s best No. 57

Two great linebackers wore No. 57 for Washington.

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 57 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 57?

Rich Milot (1979-87) was not drafted until the seventh round (182) by Bobby Beathard in the 1979 NFL draft. Milot had played linebacker at Penn State, and though not fast, he was a quick study and ended up playing in 121 games for Washington, starting 91. Milot never scored a touchdown from his linebacker spot, but he did intercept 13 passes, recovered five fumbles and registered 20.5 sacks in his nine years with Washington. He was a key figure on three Super Bowl teams and two Super Bowl championship teams. Milot later credited his linebacker coach Larry Peccatiello, saying he was a teacher of the game. Milot may have had his best game in a 1984 playoff loss to the Bears as Milot collected 3.5 QB sacks and recovered a fumble. Milot died on Aug. 13, 2021; Milot was 64.

Ken Harvey (1994-98) came to Washington after playing his first six NFL seasons with the Cardinals. The Cardinals had drafted the former California Bear in the 1988 draft, 12th overall. Harvey played his last five seasons in Washington. He started every game his first three seasons, only missing one game due to injury his first four seasons in Washington. He was a Pro Bowler in each of those four seasons (1994-97). His final NFL season was limited to 11 games due to injury (1998). Harvey was very intense and made things happen for Washington. For instance, in his five Washington seasons, Harvey forced 13 fumbles, recovered six fumbles, registered 391 combined tackles (326 solo, 65 assisted) and sacked opposing quarterbacks 41.5 times.  In 2002, Harvey was appropriately named one of the 70 greatest Washington Redskins.

 

Commanders season opener in 58 days: Washington’s best No. 58

Wilber Marshall was a phenomenal linebacker for Washington as he was one of the NFL’s top defenders during his time with the franchise.

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 58 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 58?

Antonio Pierce (2001-2004) played his college ball at Arizona and was not drafted. Signed by Washington, defensive coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer had Pierce start eight games in 2001. Defensive coordinators Marvin Lewis (2002) and George Edwards in 2003 started Pierce in only one of the 23 games he played. In 2004, Pierce had his best year in Washington, playing for new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. He registered 87 solo tackles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions, including a 78-yard interception touchdown return against the 49ers. Unfortunately, when his contract expired, the New York Giants offered Pierce more than Washington. Thus, Pierce played five seasons with the Giants, which included a Pro Bowl 2006 season.

Wilber Marshall (1988-92): After four seasons with the Bears, Marshall came to Washington for five seasons. Marshall’s 1991 and 1992 seasons were spectacular. His intensity was ferocious, leading the Washington defense week after week. Marshall received votes for defensive player of the year in 1991 and was third in the voting in 1992. He was AP All-Pro 2nd team in 1991 and 1st team in 1992. He was the defensive leader for three straight playoff teams (1990-92), including the 1991 Super Bowl Championship team. In his five Washington seasons, the former Florida Gator All-American intercepted 12 passes (two for touchdowns). He forced 13 fumbles, recovered 7, and registered 24.5 sacks. In those five seasons, Marshall registered 621 combined tackles. Marshall was deservedly named one of the 70 Greatest Washington Redskins.