Tag: Chip Lohmiller

The best kicker in Washington’s NFL history

Who is the best kicker in Washington’s franchise history since Mark Moseley?

Who is the best kicker in Washington’s NFL football history?

A similar question was raised on Twitter Sunday in the following fashion:

The question resulted in many responses, and the overwhelming response was Chip Lohmiller.

Lohmiller indeed saw success while kicking for the Burgundy and Gold (1988-94). It is not altogether surprising that most respondents chose Lohmiller. From 1988-92 Washington won 7, 10, 10, 14,  and 9 games. Thus with Washington winning many more games than they were losing, fans easily associate their kicker of those years as the best kicker.

Lohmiller was a good athlete. In fact he loved running down on kickoff coverage and getting in the action from time to time. Lohmiller also experienced some very good games, demonstrating his kicking skill, such as a 1991 Monday Night Football Washington win at Dallas 33-31. In that great MNF win, Lohmiller was phenomenal, connecting on kicks from 53, 52, 45 and 46 yards.

Yet, the actual success rate of Lohmiller’s kicking in his years with Washington is obviously something of which the Washington fans responding on Twitter were not aware. They will be surprised to learn that Lohmiller connected on only 175 of 245 attempts. Consequently, Lohmiller only made 71.4% of his field goal attempts with Washington.

Why did the vast majority of fans responding overwhelmingly feel Lohmiller was the best Washington kicker since Mark Moseley? Well, in theory it just might be because those teams were often much better, winning games and therefore, his misses were not as acute, not as harmful to the team’s success.

Kai Forbath meanwhile connected on 60 of his 69 attempts (87.0%). Why is his terrific kicking too often overlooked by Washington fans? Because after coming to Washington during the 2012 season, his next two seasons were his last two full seasons in Washington. Frankly, the Redskins of 2013 and 2014 were one of the absolute worst teams in the entire NFL. His success meant little to fans, because the team was still getting beaten soundly many games.

For what it is worth, five kickers in Washington NFL history have attempted at least 100 field goals. Here are the results:

  • Dustin Hopkins   163-194   84.0%
  • Shaun Suisham    81-101   80.2%
  • Chip Lohmiller    175-245  71.4%
  • Mark Moseley     263-397  66.2%
  • Curt Knight         101-175  57.7%

1991: The greatest season in Washington Football history, Week 9

We could use some good news. Ivan has the latest in his series, looking back at Week 9 of the 1991 season — the greatest season in Washington’s franchise history.

This 2021 NFL season reminds us that 30 years ago Washington assembled its greatest team in franchise history, going 14-2 and racing through the playoffs to the Super Bowl XXVI championship and Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Week 9—Washington 17, NY Giants 13— October 27, 1991

Washington overcame a 13-point halftime deficit, coming back to defeat the NY Giants 17-13, before a Sunday night national TV audience and a sold-out Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Coming into the game undefeated (7-0) Washington was dominated in the first half by the Giants, who limited the Redskins to 26 passing yards and 9 rushing yards in only 16 offensive snaps. On the other hand, the Giants in 36 offensive snaps, had gained 119 passing yards and 88 rushing.

Adding salt to the wound was Gary Clark dropping what should have been a touchdown pass from QB Mark Rypien, permitting the Giants to keep their 13-0 lead at the half.

Rypien came back to Clark on a quick in-pattern, from seven yards out in the third quarter, reducing the Giants’ lead to 13-7.

The duo connected again in the final quarter, Rypien rolling out to his left, then looking across the field to his right and throwing deep, to Clark who had gotten behind the defense for a 54-yard touchdown pass, providing Washington their first lead 14-13.

Chip Lohmiller added a 35-yard field goal, and the Washington defense shut out the Giants in the second half, pushing Washington’s record to 8-0.

Rypien finished his night completing 12 of 25 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Earnest Byner limited, playing through an injury gained only 11 yards in 10 carries. However, Ricky Ervins’ 82 rushing yards on 20 carries led Washington.

“The Posse” of Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders each collected three receptions on the night. Clark led in receiving yardage with 70 yards, Monk supplied 42 yards and Sanders 33.

Rodney Hampton led the Giants’ rushing attack with 83 yards in his 21 rushing attempts. Hampton enjoyed a very busy night, also leading Giant receivers with six receptions (39 yards), while Stephen Baker’s three receptions produced 77 yards.

Wilber Marshall intercepted a Jeff Hostetler pass, as the defending Super Bowl champion Giants fell to 4-4 for 1991.

Here is the second half of that game.