Tag: Coy Bacon

Commanders season opener in 79 days: Washington’s best No. 79?

Remember when Washington stole Jim Lachey in a trade with the Raiders?

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 79 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 79?

Ty Nsekhe (2015-18) was a good swing tackle for Washington. At 6-8, 325 Nsekhe was massive at either tackle position. In 2016 he was forced into action as a starter four straight games during another suspension of starter Trent Williams. Though not Trent Williams, Nsekhe performed admirably.

Coy Bacon came to Washington in 1978, but couldn’t wear jersey No. 79 because Ron McDole was playing his last NFL season in No. 79. Bacon then wore No. 79 his last three NFL seasons 1979-81, generating an impressive 13.5 and 11.0 sacks in ’79 and ’80. At age 39, in 1981, Bacon had three sacks in three games before an injury cut his season short, ending his NFL career.

Ron McDole was one of the original “Over the Hill Gang” brought to Washington by George Allen in 1971. McDole played through the 1978 season. The former Nebraska Cornhusker collected 42.5 sacks in his eight seasons in Washington, including his career high of 9.5 in 1976 at the age of 37. Almost magically, the defensive end in a four man front, intercepted six passes with Washington, including a touchdown in 1971. He is the second-best to wear No. 79 in franchise history.

Jim Lachey is the best Washington player to have worn No. 79. The former Ohio State Buckeye was traded to Washington in the Jay Schroeder trade to the Raiders. Lachey was instantly a starter at left tackle, as Joe Jacoby was moved to right tackle. Lachey was a Pro Bowler three consecutive seasons 1989-91 and first team All-Pro in 1990 and 1991. Sadly in 1993 a bad knee injury forced out the entire season and limited him to three games in 1995, having played his last at age 32.

 

Commanders season opener in 80 days: Washington’s best No. 80?

Several players have had success wearing No. 80. Who wore it best?

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 80 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 80?

This one needs some comparing of players who competed in different eras. That is always understandably tough to do. This one gets really interesting. Here are some of the best.

Coy Bacon is an often forgotten fierce pass rusher. Bacon came to Washington at age 36, playing his last four NFL seasons for the Redskins. Interestingly enough, Bacon only wore No. 80 for one season (1978) when he achieved an impressive 11.0 sacks.

Virgil Seay was one of the original Smurfs for the Redskins. Seay only stood 5-8, a wide receiver for Washington (1981-84). Catching 43 passes for 792 yards, Seay impressively averaged 18.4 yards a reception those four seasons, also catching 5 touchdown passes.

Stephen Alexander was a promising tight end. The former Oklahoma Sooner was drafted 48th overall in 1998. By the 2000 season he was selected to the Pro Bowl, catching 47 passes (33 first downs) for 510 yards. But after a disappointing 2001 season (injured), Alexander signed with the Chargers as an unrestricted free agent.

Laveranues Coles only played in Washington two seasons (2003-04). Many don’t realize Coles caught 82 and 90 passes those two seasons for 1,204 yards and 950 yards, averaging 14.7 yards and 10.6 yards a reception. Coles was Pro Bowler in 2003, then traded to the Jets for Santana Moss.

Jamison Crowder in his four seasons (2015-18) in Washington caught 221 passes (121 for first downs) for 2,628 yards averaging 11.9 yards a reception, scoring 14 touchdowns. Crowder also returned a punt for a touchdown in 2016.

Roy Jefferson was traded to Washington in 1971 by George Allen at the age of 28. Jefferson played the next six seasons (1971-77) for Washington. He was a Pro Bowler (1971) leading the team in receptions with 47 for 701 yards, 14.9 yards per reception.

Those Washington teams under Allen were very much run-oriented, so that must be considered heavily as NFL teams throw much more today. Jefferson scored the only touchdown in the 1972 playoff 16-3 win over the Packers.

In his six seasons for Washington, Jefferson caught 208 receptions for 3,119 yards averaging 15.0 yards per reception along with 16 receiving touchdowns.

Ivan Lambert is a long-time Washington football fan, having memories dating back to the 1969 season. You can follow Ivan’s coverage of the Commanders @IvanLambert18  and Commanders Wire coverage @Washington_Wire.