Tag: George Allen

Remembering former Washington running back Duane Thomas

Looking back at the life of former Washington and Dallas RB Duane Thomas.

Former Washington running back Duane Thomas died last week. Thomas was age 77.

Thomas came to Washington to play for the Redskins under quite unusual circumstances.

Dallas already possessed the talents of running back Calvin Hill, yet when the Cowboys announced their first-round pick of 1970, the name was running back Duane Thomas.

The Cowboys were right; Thomas was better and the starter. At 6-1, 220, Thomas was such a smooth runner that critics sometimes said he wasn’t running hard. Yet, when watching replays, one observes him making people miss and running by many, as he led the NFL, averaging 5.3 yards per carry his rookie season.

Though he led Dallas in rushing his first two seasons and led the Cowboys to two Super Bowls, he was unhappy. For instance, Thomas refused to talk in team meetings and to the press covering the NFL. He referred to then-Dallas head coach Tom Landry as ‘the plastic man.’

Once when a reporter referred to the Super Bowl as the ultimate NFL game, Thomas replied back defiantly, “If it’s the ultimate game, how come they’re playing it again next year?”

Thomas gained 95 yards, leading the Cowboys to their 24-3 win over the Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. However, because of the way he treated the media, they took out their revenge, refusing to vote for Thomas as the Super Bowl MVP.

Landry had endured enough throughout that 1971 season and had Thomas traded in the offseason. However, he would not play for the Chargers or anyone else in the 1972 season.

In 1973 Thomas’ value was plunging, yet Redskins head coach George Allen came to rescue the Chargers. Teams loved trading with the desperate Allen, always willing to over trade draft pick(s) for another veteran.

So Allen traded a round one and round two choice to the Chargers for the troubled, moody Thomas. Then Allen proceeded to continue to run Larry Brown into the ground, cutting his career short, only having Thomas carry the ball 32 times for 95 yards in 1973.

In 1974, Thomas carried the ball 95 times for 347 yards and five rushing touchdowns. But that was it for Thomas, as the Redskins cut him during the 1975 training camp. He never played another NFL game.

Perhaps most interesting was Thomas’s arrival in Washington. He learned no one else was wearing his old number, which he had worn as a Cowboy, so he requested it, No. 33.

However, Washington had unofficially retired No. 33, and no one had worn it since Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh. The story goes that someone from the team informed Thomas that they had contacted Baugh, requesting if Thomas could wear No. 33, but Baugh refused.

Baugh, when hearing of this, strongly rejected the narrative, declaring he had not been contacted and that if Thomas wanted to wear No. 33, Baugh was fine with it. But, Thomas was given No. 47 and wore it both of his two seasons with the Redskins.

 

New book on Washington NFL history to be released Nov. 1

A new book on the legendary George Allen is coming out next week. We have all the details.

Hey, Commanders fans, do you want to learn some Washington Redskins history?

Mike Richman is your man. I talked with Mike recently so Mike could convey to me why he is excited about his newest book, set to be released and in stores on Nov. 1.

George Allen: A Football Life portrays the NFL coaching career of Allen, who never had a losing NFL season. Allen won an NFC Championship with the Washington Redskins in 1972 before falling 14-7 in Super VII to the last undefeated Super Bowl Champions, the Miami Dolphins.

The foreword is written by a former Allen assistant coach with the Rams, Dick Vermeil. Vermeil, as a head coach, would later win a Pac-8 title and Rose Bowl with UCLA, an NFC Championship with the Philadelphia Eagles and a Super Bowl with the St Louis Rams.

“I went to a 1970 game,” said Richman. The Redskins hosted the Cincinnati Bengals at RFK Stadium. The Redskins won that game 20-0. I think that is my most vivid first memory of the Redskins. My father took me to that game, and I remember Larry Brown had a really good game rushing.”

Richman was hooked. He was, from that moment forward, a life-long, committed fan of the Washington Redskins.

A journalism major, Richman had written three books previously regarding the Redskins franchise. Richman had authored The Redskins Encyclopedia, Washington Redskins Football Vault and Joe Gibbs, An Enduring Legacy.

“With that in mind, my writing the George Allen biography was sort of the final piece of the puzzle for me to continue learning about the Redskins organization and those teams in particular,” expressed Richman.

“I grew up with those teams that Allen coached (1971-77). I was emotionally attached. I knew who all of the players were, George Allen, and that team was mine, the one I grew up with.”

How good were those teams? Well, they finished 9-4-1 (1971), 11-3 going to the Super Bowl (1972), 10-4 (1973), 10-4 (1974), 8-6 (1975), 10-4 (1976) and 9-5 (1977). Indeed, Allen produced winning seasons each of his seven years in Washington.

Can you imagine Commanders fans experiencing seven consecutive winning records like this?

When I talked with Mike, we enjoyed recalling the old George Allen memories that Richman expresses in his book. For instance, did you know George Allen was the first coach to introduce the nickelback in the NFL? Did you know he was the first to hire a coach specifically for special teams? Did you know George Allen, not once, but twice, traded away a draft pick he had already dealt away in a previous trade?

Allen was a true NFL innovator and a daring coach who sold the DMV fan base upon his arrival in 1971 on “The Future is Now.” Richman tells of how Allen traded away so many draft choices for experienced NFL veterans. How Allen’s Redskins quickly became known as “The Ramskins” and the “The Over the Hill Gang”.

Commanders fans, this book will be a great Christmas present for Redskins or NFL fans who would love to journey back in time and recall through the pages of the biography of how George Allen put together those winning teams in his seven years in Washington.

 

Commanders season opener in 67 days: Washington’s best No. 67

67 Ray Brown days until Week 1 for the Washington Commanders.

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 67 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 67?

Rusty Tillman (1970-77) came to Washington at just the right time for his career. Having played at Northern Arizona and being undrafted, he was signed by Washington on Feb. 6, 1970. It would be his opportunity to play for Vince Lombardi. However, Lombardi was becoming ill and died on Sept. 3.

George Allen came to Washington in 1971, and being the first NFL coach to hire a special teams coach, his emphasis and Tillman’s hunger to make an impact was a perfect match. Tillman, a linebacker, was never going to be an NFL starter. So, he became a special teams beast. In fact, he earned the nickname “King” as he flew down on kickoff coverage, literally a kamikaze into the returning team’s wedge. With no regard for his body, Tillman became a fan favorite, even revered and respected on all coverage and return teams for his huge efforts.

For eight seasons, Tillman put his body through a beating, becoming a fan favorite. But it came to an end when Tillman was released during the 1978 preseason, ending his NFL playing career. Tillman turned to coaching as a special teams coach, of course, and later defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, Buccaneers and Colts. Though he was not a starter, he was still named one of the 70 Greatest Redskins when the franchise celebrated 70 years in the NFL (1932-2002).

Ray Brown (1989-95, 2004-05) had a most unusual career with Washington. Brown was tremendously fit, lasting 19 years in the NFL as an offensive lineman.

Brown came to Washington at age 27, having already played for the Cardinals three seasons. Brown was a reserve “Hog” his first two seasons, and when injured, he missed the greatest Redskins season (1991). Brown then started at left guard the next four seasons (1992-95). Brown then started six seasons for the 49ers and was a Pro Bowler in 2001. He started every game for the Lions in both 2002 & 2003. Returning to Washington, Brown played in all 16 games at right tackle, starting 14 at age 42. 2005 was his final season at age 43, playing in 15 games at guard.

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.

Two years in, how does Ron Rivera compare?

Ron Rivera just finished his second season as Washington’s head coach. We compare the first two years of every Washington head coach dating back to George Allen.

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Washington coach Ron Rivera completed his second season as the franchise’s head coach Sunday.

The thought occurred to me, since I have been following this team in my childhood, how have other Washington coaches produced in their first two seasons coaching this franchise?

1971: George Allen 9-4-1 regular season; wildcard 4th seed. In his 1972 season, Washington won NFC East Title at 11-3, the number one seed, a 26-3 NFC Championship win over defending Super Bowl Champion Dallas and a trip to Super Bowl VII where they lost 14-7 to the 17-0 Miami Dolphins.

1978: Jack Pardee started 6-0, but faded, finishing 8-8, and his 1979 team finished 10-6, but failed to make a top-four spot for the playoffs.

1981: Enter Joe Jackson Gibbs, who lost his first five games, before closing 8-3 to finish 8-8. His second season Washington was 8-1, plus 4-0 in the playoffs, winning Super Bowl XVII 27-17 over Miami.

1994: Norv Turner was in a total rebuild situation going 3-13 and 6-10 in his first two seasons.

2002: Steve Spurrier’s two seasons 2002-03, Washington was 7-9 and 5-11. You thought it was worse, didn’t you? You see, that proves our standards and expectations were higher then.

2004: Joe Gibbs agreed to return in 2004 going 6-10 and then 10-6 in 2005 with a playoff win at Tampa.

2008: Jim Zorn opened 6-2 in 2008, but then the team finished 8-8, followed by a 4-12 2009 and he was fired.

2010: Mike Shanahan’s first two teams were 6-10 and 5-11.

2014: Jay Gruden after a 4-12 first season won the NFC East at 9-7 in 2015.

2020: Ron Rivera followed a disastrous 2019 when Washington was 3-13, fired Jay Gruden and finished the season with interim coach Bill Callahan. Rivera battled his own cancer, endured the gruesome treatments, yet Washington won the weak NFC East in 2020 at 7-9. In 2021, Washington started 2-6, won four straight then lost four straight to division rivals Dallas and Philadelphia, finishing 7-10.

 

Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said Cowboys ‘will win’ Sunday

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said his team “will win” Sunday. Has “Dallas Week” returned?

Dallas Week may have returned to Washington, at least for this year anyway.

If you were not around following the Washington – Dallas rivalry of George Allen years, you just don’t know what “Dallas Week” meant.  During the Joe Gibbs years, certainly Washington had huge games with Dallas, yes, but the buildup of George Allen (1971-77) remains unmatched. In fact, it was Allen who coined the term, “Dallas Week”.

Today, Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said, “We are going to win this game. I am confident in that. The prep that is going into it; more importantly we want to improve too along the way… They are working hard, we are working hard. But we are clearly planning on going to Washington to win the game. There is no doubt about that.”

Personally, I don’t think he sounded that confident when he felt he needed to explain it.

Yet, it was a sound bite that would attract responses.

WFT coach Ron Rivera responded.

I certainly agree with Rivera “that is interesting, but it is not important.”You don’t focus on those things; you focus on preparing yourself to play on Sunday”. On the other hand, why then feel the need to explain your response further? Sometimes less is more.

In my personal opinion, Jonathan Allen had the best perspective when he replied, “The only guarantee in this world is death and taxes” (Benjamin Franklin).

Bobby McCain added, “We will let him (McCarthy) focus on being confident. We will focus on winning…”

As J P Finlay reminded Thursday amidst all the “talk”, Dallas’ three best pass rushers Randy Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons could all be together again for the first time since Week 1.

So I am hoping for the WFT to keep their mouths shut, and simply come out and run the ball straight at the speed of the Dallas pass rushers.

Today, words also came to mind my dad told me more than a few times growing up in Berryville, VA, “Boy, there is a good reason why God gave you two ears and one mouth”.

In other words, the wise man is quick to listen and learn and much slower to speak.

 

 

 

Cowboys’ McCarthy won’t join ranks of one-and-done coaches

The NFL is no stranger to quick hooks among the coaching ranks, but Stephen Jones confirms that Mike McCarthy will return in 2021,

The 2020 season has gone badly enough that the question had to be asked on Monday: will first-year head coach Mike McCarthy survive the proverbial bloodbath to return next year? The answer from Stephen Jones was an unequivocal yes, but that got the wheels turning. Just how bad do things have to go for a coach to last a year or less?

Not as bad as some might think. There is a rich history of trigger-happy owners showing their new charges the door in a hurry. Peruse the handy list below to take a look at some of the quickest hooks the league has ever seen. Note: for those wondering, Bill Belichick’s day-long employment with the New York Jets is not included; he never actually coached a game.

Year Team Coach Record
2019 CLE Freddie Kitchens 6-10
2019 ARI Steve Wilks 3-13
2013 CLE Rob Chudzinski 4-12
2011 OAK Hue Jackson 8-8
2009 SEA Jim Mora 5-11
2007 MIA Cam Cameron 1-15
2007 ATL Bobby Petrino 3-10
2006 OAK Art Shell 2-14
2001 WAS Marty Schottenheimer 8-8
2000 NYJ Al Groh 9-7
1999 GB Ray Rhodes 8-8
1994 NYJ Pete Carroll 6-10
1993 WAS Richie Petitbon 4-12
1984 MIN Les Steckel 3-13
1978 SF Pete McCulley 1-8
1977 LAR George Allen 0-2*
1976 NYJ Lou Holtz 3-10

Poor Al Groh got shown the door after a winning record! A nine-win season would require the Cowboys to run off a seven-game win streak, a statistical improbability that would dash the dreams of all draft fans. Three different men finished a respectable .500 before getting the axe. The majority of the coaches, though, really put in the kind of work that rightfully earned them a ticket to the unemployment line. This much is clear, however: working for the Jets, Browns, or Raiders could be considered an occupational hazard.

Still, just two team owners, if they had any semblance of self-awareness, would look back and rue the day they moved on from their coaches so quickly. Pete Carroll would go on to build a mini-dynasty that’s still going with the Seattle Seahawks, winning one Super Bowl and appearing in another. And Marty Schottenheimer went on to a critically-acclaimed run with the San Diego Chargers, though he always fell short of the promised land.

This won’t be the case for McCarthy and the Joneses. Even though a three- or four-win season in 2020 seems as likely as any other outcome, and as badly as some fans already want to pivot in a new direction, it’s not happening. It’s hard to say that the newest coach in Dallas deserves as much criticism as he’s received, given the circumstances he’s faced.

At a minimum, McCarthy’s job security for next year was likely locked in the moment starting quarterback Dak Prescott was lost for the season. Even though a divorce is inevitable, as it always is in the league whose initials are said to stand for “Not For Long,” it won’t happen in Dallas this off-season.

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