Tag: Billy Kilmer

Commanders limited partner Mitchell Rales flying Sonny Jurgensen in for Sunday’s opener

Rales sent his private plane to pick up Sonny, Billy Kilmer, Jim Hart so they can attend the season opener.

Sunday is the beginning of a new era for the Washington Commanders. It’s the first game under the new ownership group, led by managing partner Josh Harris. The Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday from FedEx Field and several of the team’s legends will be in attendance.

You can add three more to that list, thanks to one of Harris’ limited partners Mitchell Rales.

Per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, Rales sent his private plane to Florida to pick up Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, Jim Hart and their wives ahead of Sunday’s game. With Jurgensen’s current health, flying commercial was not an option, so Rales wanted to ensure one of the most iconic players in franchise history would be present Sunday.

Rales, Harris and Mark Ein all grew up Washington fans, admiring Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer. The team has already announced that John Riggins, Robert Griffin III and Champ Bailey are coming back. When Harris first took over in July, Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green was at Commanders Park, expressing optimism for the future.

Jurgensen, 89, spent 11 of his 18 seasons with Washington. After his playing career ended, Jurgensen joined the team’s broadcast booth, forming a legendary trio with fellow Hall of Famer Sam Huff and Frank Herzog. Jurgensen finally had his No. 9 jersey officially retired last season.

Kilmer, 84, spent the final eight seasons of his 18-year NFL career with Washington. He is a member of Washington’s Ring of Fame and one of the 80 greatest players in franchise history.

Hart played 19 seasons in the NFL. He spent his final season [1984] in Washington after playing for the Cardinals for the first 18 seasons. The Cardinals were in St. Louis when Hart played.

Kudos to Rales for this amazing gesture, ensuring Jurgensen and Kilmer, who’ve given so much to the franchise, will be “home” for Sunday’s game.

What if George Allen were the Commanders GM in June 2023?

Remember the Over-the-Hill Gang?

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It’s almost July and the Commanders have not signed a veteran free agent whose stock has lowered following the June 1 annual cuts.

The ownership of the Commanders has not yet been settled officially, which apparently has put the team on hold to make free agent signing move.

When George Allen was head coach and general manager (1971-1977) he would stop at nothing to sign a player whenever he could. He was even worse when it came to trading for aging veterans. But that story is for another day.

Way back in 1976, Allen was anxious in June. You see, Allen’s teams had made the playoffs (only four from the conference qualified in those days) each of his first four seasons in Washington (1971-1974).

But in June of 1976, Allen had much to make him nervous. The 1975 team was his first to not make the playoffs, finishing 8-6. Sonny Jurgensen had retired following the 1974 season and Billy Kilmer was now age 36 and on the decline.

Allen had Joe Theismann who was only age 26, but Allen didn’t like Joe’s style and was content to keep Theismann inexperienced for as long as he could.

Larry Brown who had been one of the few to have rushed for 5,000 yards in five NFL seasons had been run into the ground and so banged up he was not expected back in 1976. Brown did return but only gained 56 yards in 20 carries and retired following the season.

Allen had Mike Thomas who had rushed for 919 yards as a rookie in 1975. But Moses Denson provided little hope for the future. So Allen went out and signed a free agent running back in June.

Allen had it all figured out, as he planned on making the running back his fullback. Allen would use him as a fullback for short yardage gains and also to block for Thomas.This fullback started all 14 games in that 1976 season, carrying the ball only 162 times for 572 yards (3.5 ypa).

But the fullback did block well for the halfback, Thomas. Thomas enjoyed his best career season in 1976 gaining 1,101 yards on 254 carries (4.3 ypa) and 5 touchdowns.

George Allen was a great defensive coach, but sometimes his ideas for the offense left players and coaches scratching their heads. Allen continued to start Billy Kilmer as much as he could in 1976. Kilmer was given 9 starts and struggled so at times that Allen gave Theismann the other five starts.

Yet, amazingly the team finished 10-4 earning a wild card playoff birth.

What’s that?

You say, I forgot to provide you the name of the fullback whom Allen had signed in June?

Oh, sorry about that.

John Riggins.

Washington history’s in the NFL playoff’s Divisional Round

Looking back at Washington’s win over Green Bay in the 1972 divisional round.

It’s time for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

50 years ago, the 1972 Washington Redskins became the first team in Washington history to play in a Super Bowl.

During the divisional round, the Redskins had earned home-field advantage due to finishing 11-3 and NFC East champs. Coming to town were the NFC Central Champion, Green Bay Packers (10-4).

On a cool Christmas Eve, Washington’s defense shut down the powerful Packers running game, defeating the Packers 16-3.

The Packers had gained 2,127 rushing yards in 14 games. Washington coach George Allen concerned about the Packers strong running game, determined he would remove middle linebacker Myron Pottios from the starting lineup.

Allen would replace Pottios with defensive tackle Manny Sistrunk, meaning the Burgundy and Gold was switching from a 4-3 to a 5-2 with an extra defensive tackle.

The Packers powerful inside running game had been led all season by the duo of John Brockington and MacArthur Lane. Allen felt he could get away with the move because he did not feel Packers quarterback Scott Hunter was an effective enough passer. The Redskins would plan on attacking the Packers at their offensive strength, taking it away, and take it away they did.

Lane would generate 56 yards in his 14 carries, including a long of 18 yards. Brockington enjoyed no success whatsoever, as his 13 carries generated a mere 9 yards.

Meanwhile, Washington’s workhorse running back Larry Brown did not break a big run, with his longest being only 13 yards, but Brown did accumulate 101 yards in his 25 carries.

The Packers knocked Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer out of the game in the first quarter on what today would be ruled a helmet-to-helmet infraction. Green Bay also led on Chester Marcol’s 17-yard field goal in the second quarter.

However, Billy Kilmer found Roy Jefferson for a 32-yard post-pattern touchdown and Curt Knight’s 42-yard field goal gave Washington a 10-3 halftime lead.

Knight added field goals from 35 and 46 in the second half, as Washington controlled the line of scrimmage. Roy Jefferson enjoyed collecting five receptions for 84 yards.

50 years ago today, remembering a Washington NFC Championship

Remembering Washington’s 1972 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC championship.

50 years ago Saturday (December 31, 1972), I was in the upstairs living room of my neighbor’s home (the Broy family) watching on their color TV set the Washington Redskins win the NFC Championship Game over Dallas 26-3.

Oh, there was such an energy of anticipation leading up to that game. Dallas was the hated divisional rival. Hated because not only were they in the division, but frankly because they had won the NFC the previous two seasons (1970-71), and winning the Super Bowl over Miami to close out the 1971 season.

In the ’72 season, the Redskins had waltzed through the NFC 11-1 before resting some players the last two weeks to finish 11-3. They had already wrapped up the division title and home field, while Dallas would be the fourth team to qualify (wild card) with the three division winners Washington, Green Bay and San Francisco.

Week one of the playoffs saw Washington shut down Green Bay 16-3 at RFK, while Dallas had traveled to San Francisco, overcome a 28-13 deficit, winning 30-28, setting up the heated rivalry game for the NFC Championship at RFK.

In the AFC’s first week of the playoffs, the Steelers via the Immaculate Reception by Franco Harris had defeated the Raiders 13-7 and the Dolphins remained undefeated, with a 20-14 win over the Browns.

In Week two of the playoffs, the AFC Championship saw Miami defeat Pittsburgh in the early game 21-17 to win the AFC, so we all knew if Washington won this RFK game, they would have to face the undefeated 16-0 Dolphins in Super Bowl VII.

Many particulars of that NFC championship game have blurred over five decades. Yet a few memories have remained crystal clear. A first-half slant-pattern to Charley Taylor from Billy Kilmer to lead 10-3 at the half. There was also a feeling of nervousness that Washington still only led 10-3 after three quarters.

When suddenly, the game was blown wide open! Billy Kilmer’s 45-yard pass down the right sideline was chased down by Taylor for a 17-3 lead. It seemed like Washington scored each possession in the final quarter as Curt Knight then added three consecutive field goals until it was 26-3. Washington was routing Dallas and going to the Super Bowl!

RFK was going crazy! Washington fans stormed the field in the last seconds. Redskins head coach George Allen was being carried off of the field when suddenly a Redskins fan, wanting a souvenir of the NFC Championship euphoria, suddenly (and selfishly) reached up and yanked Allen’s cap right off of his head.

The band was playing “Hail to the Redskins;” I can still see the joy of the players and fans, those gold uniform pants, with the Burgundy jerseys and the unmistakable helmet logo, which had been suggested by a Native American chief himself. It was the first season Washington wore that helmet logo, and it would be theirs through the 2019 season.

50 years ago, a Happy New Years’ Eve for all the fans of the Burgundy and Gold, especially this nine-year-old boy watching from out in Berryville, VA on Baltimore TV 2, because, get this, the game was blacked out on the CBS 9 Washington affiliate! That’s another story for another day.

How could a diehard Washington fan ever forget a day like that?

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Washington at Giants 50 years ago: Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer

The Giants and Washington, 50 years ago, Billy Kilmer replacing the injured Sonny Jurgensen at quarterback.

Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, the Commanders and the Giants have been in the news this week.

Boy, does THAT bring back memories.

Similarly to this 2022 season, Washington in 1972 was coming into the road game against the Giants feeling really good about themselves. After an early season 24-23 loss at the Patriots, George Allen had reinserted Sonny Jurgensen as his starting quarterback. Washington had defeated the Eagles 14-0 and romped the Cardinals in St Louis 33-3.

In Sonny’s third start, the offense started slowly against Dallas, falling behind 13-0 and 20-7, but then Sonny, Larry Brown and Charley Harraway played key roles in a terrific come-from-behind 24-20 victory in front of a frenzied home crowd at RFK.

After the great comeback win over Dallas, Sonny led the Burgundy and Gold (5-1) to New York to face the Giants (4-2). In those days, the Giants played their games on the grass field of Yankee Stadium. Unlike modern-day field accommodations,  the Yankees had played 81 games on the field, and the Giants would play half of their six exhibition games on the field and seven regular season games. There was no time for the field to recover, and the NFL season was thus very destructive to a grass field.

In the first quarter, Jurgensen on a drop back went untouched; however, he stepped in an uneven spot on the turf and tore his Achilles tendon. Billy Kilmer took over, and Washington would lead by as much as 23-9, winning 23-16 for their fourth straight win.

Kilmer had taken over for Jurgensen, and George Allen’s best team (1972) would go on to win nine consecutive games, the NFC East at 11-3, and the NFC Championship before losing to the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl VII.

George Allen created his own narrative, and Jurgensen was treated unfairly as if he himself was divisive. Allen went as far to prohibit Jurgensen from the sideline during the Super Bowl, though Kilmer desired Jurgensen’s help.

Kilmer more than once defended Sonny, stating the two actually remained good friends and that Jurgensen was always attempting to help Kilmer as quarterback, wanting the team to win. George Allen was sometimes paranoid, but that is another story for another day.

This week we learned the present organizational leadership apparently knows little to nothing of this past bond between Kilmer and Jurgensen. Kilmer told Thom Loverro he would love to be a part of Sonny’s No. 9 being retired on Jan. 8, 2023, in the season finale against Dallas. “Nobody has said anything to me about what’s going on. I want to come up.”

After playing for Washington from 1964-74, Sonny was part of the radio broadcast team from 1981-2018.

Sorry, but I have to ask, will the organization understand that Frank Herzog, Larry Michael and Chris Cooley need to be there as well?

Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke is extremely popular among his teammates

Offense, defense, it doesn’t matter. Heinicke’s teammates believe in him.

Fans of the Washington Commanders always love the backup quarterback. It’s been that way since the early 1970s when franchise legends Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen were in town.

Recent quarterback controversies were divisive among the fan base, such as Robert Griffin III vs. Kirk Cousins, both of whom were selected in the 2012 NFL draft.

Does Washington have a new quarterback controversy on its hands with Taylor Heinicke vs. Carson Wentz?

As of now, probably not. However, things can change quickly if Heinicke can rally Washington’s struggling offense in his first start of the 2022 season in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers. Wentz suffered a fractured ring finger on his right throwing hand and is out for at least the next four weeks.

Heinicke isn’t your typical backup quarterback. He already has his fans amongst Washington’s fans. While many fans loved Heinicke, they viewed him as a high-quality NFL backup. But there are others who felt Heinicke could do more if he were surrounded by better skill players.

After starting 15 games last season, Heinicke gets another shot, beginning with the Packers. This time, he’ll have more than just Terry McLaurin. The Commanders now have first-round pick Jahan Dotson [questionable for Week 7] and a healthy Curtis Samuel.

In addition, Logan Thomas is back [although he is out in Week 7], and running back J.D. McKissic is healthy. The Commanders also have a pair of young tight ends, Cole Turner and Armani Rogers, and rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr.

As it became apparent that Heinicke would be the quarterback for Washington in the short term, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post spoke with several of Heinicke’s teammates, who showered him with praise.

“The kid is a gamer,” tight end Logan Thomas said. “I think everyone knows that.”

What about Dotson?

“I always say he’s the coolest quarterback in the room with the most swag,” Dotson said. “I’m big on sneakers. His sneaker game, day to day he’s bringing in some cool dunks and stuff like that.”

McLaurin has always praised Heinicke, and it was no different over the past week.

“Whether he’s making plays down the field, extending the plays with his legs, diving for pylons, he’s a guy who’s always just going to leave it out on the field,” McLaurin said. “Anybody who’s on this team is going to respect that.”

Defensive end Chase Young, like McLaurin, has long been a fan of Heinicke.

“We just know he’s going to go hard. He’s a dawg,” Young said. “Relentless. The dude, you can’t really break him. And he’s good. S—, he can f—ing play.”

Others heaped praise on Heinicke, too. But you get the point. This team believes in him, and it’s not lip service.

If Heinicke can go out and help the Commanders defeat the Packers, the Heinicke hype train will be at an all-time high. Again.

 

All quotes were courtesy of Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. 

Stat of the Day: Josh Allen’s rushing touchdowns

Bills quarterback Josh Allen is still figuring out the nuances of the position, but he has no problem confounding defenses with his legs.

Through his first two seasons, Bills quarterback Josh Allen has shown that he has a howitzer of an arm, though he’s not always effective with it. Last season, Allen completed just 18 of 74 passes of 20 or more air yards, per Pro Football Focus, and his 61.4 passer rating on deep balls was fourth-worst in the NFL among quarterbacks who took at least 50% of their snaps, behind Philip Rivers, Jared Goff, and Kyle Allen. Perhaps Stefon Diggs can help him with that.

But if there’s one thing Allen’s proven to do well at a historical rate for his position, it’s getting the ball in the end zone with his feet. Allen has 17 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons, which is the second-highest for a quarterback in NFL history. Cam Newton amassed 22 rushing touchdowns in 2011 and 2012.

To put Allen’s total in perspective, Shaun Alexander, Nick Chubb, Todd Gurley, Duane Thomas, Marshawn Lynch, Chuck Foreman, Franco Harris, and Marion Motley weren’t able to amass 17 rushing touchdowns in their first two seasons. Allen was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2018 draft. The second pick in that same draft, Giants running back Saquon Barkley, also has 17 rushing touchdowns.

(Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson are tied with the most rushing touchdowns in their first two seasons with 32).

This 15-yard touchdown scramble against the Cowboys in Week 13 last season shows how much of a pain Allen can be to deal with as a runner when your defense is trying to defend five receivers. At 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds, he requires help if you’re a smaller defensive back.

Two quarterbacks are tied with 15 rushing touchdowns in their first two seasons. Billy Kilmer of the 49ers in 1961-62, and Steve Grogan for the Patriots in 1975-76. Kilmer was one of three quarterbacks San Francisco had on its roster in those seasons — John Brodie and Bob Waters were the others — in head coach Red Hickey’s dream to bring the shotgun formation to the NFL. Brodie was the passer, while Kilmer and Waters were more versatile in what looked at times like a nebulous option offense. Kilmer ran for 987 yards in his first two seasons, placing him sixth all-time behind Lamar Jackson, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Allen, Michael Vick, and Russell Wilson.

Pretty good for a guy who later filled out his uniform in this fashion.

(Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK).

Now, if Allen wants to pass Newton for the top of the leaderboard in his third season, he’ll have to total 12 rushing touchdowns in 2020 — at the end of his third season, Newton had 28, and Dak Prescott snuck up into second place with 18.