Tag: George Allen (1971-77)

Commanders don’t do ‘Dallas Week’ these days

Washington fans from long ago remember how special “Dallas Week” was through the years.

Those old enough to recall Washington vs. Dallas NFL games will recall the term “Dallas Week.”

Dallas had won the division five consecutive seasons from 1966-1970 and Washington only had one single winning season those years (1969) when they were 7-5-2.

George Allen was hired to be the new Washington head coach, and he instantly talked of how Dallas had owned the division but Washington was going to fight for the division.

In his first season, Washington headed to the old Cotton Bowl Stadium to face the Cowboys in Week 3. During the week, Allen began to refer to the week as “Dallas Week.”  What followed shocked one city and excited the other.

Both teams were 2-0 when Washington went to Dallas to face the defending conference champs in a wet, rainy game. Washington shocked the NFC Champion Cowboys 20-16.

Allen had fired up the city the week of the game, and when the team arrived at Dulles Airport Sunday night, thousands of fans were at the airport to greet the victors back home. “Dallas Week” had been born!

“Dallas Week” continued to be huge through the George Allen years (1971-77). There were huge wins for both teams, and both became in the top tier of NFC teams.

Dallas won the Super Bowl that 1971 season and Washington returned the next season to defeat Dallas in the NFC Championship game 26-3 at RFK.

In 1973, Brig Owens had a fourth-quarter pick-six, and then Ken Houston stopped Walt Garrison on the one-yard line to hold on for a 14-7 win at RFK. In 1974, Roger Staubach was concussed, and his replacement Clint Longley threw two touchdown passes leading Dallas to a 24-23 Thanksgiving Day win.

Dallas, in 1979, won perhaps the greatest regular-season game in the storied rivalry. Washington led at Dallas 34-21 after a long John Riggins touchdown run. But Staubach brought back Dallas to win 35-34 in the final seconds.

Joe Gibbs (1981-92) had his fair share of big wins and losses against Dallas. Washington won the 1982 NFC Championship game over Dallas 31-17 at RFK. In the 1983 season opener, Washington led 23-3 at the half at RFK, but Dallas stormed back to win 31-30. When the teams met late in the year at Dallas, both were 12-2. Washington crushed Dallas 31-10. The next season in Dallas, the Cowboys led 21-6, only to see Washington come back and win 30-28.

1989 was a miserable year for Dallas as they went only 1-15. Yet, that win was at RFK against Washington. In 1991, Dallas at home led Washington 21-10 on MNF. But Washington came back to win 33-31, went on to win their first 11 games of the season, and then lost at RFK to Dallas.

The 1995 Cowboys were again dominant, winning their third Super Bowl in four seasons. But strangely they lost both times to an ineffective 6-10 Washington team.

Yes, back in those days, it was “Dallas Week.” Today, the DMV appears to have mostly fickle, bandwagon fans, nothing like the 70-90s years. “Dallas Week” means little to the fan base compared to what it did for 30 years dating from George Allen’s arrival.

Tuesday, former Washington tight end Rick “Doc” Walker was filling in for Kevin Sheehan on his Team 980 radio program. Walker talked often of “Dallas Week” of how he missed the energy it once provided the DMV.

Walker also talked with two former Washington defensive greats, defensive tackle Darryl Grant (1981-1990) and defensive end Dexter Manley (1981-89) who were both teammates with Walker (1980-85).

This week has no energy, no juice as the rivalries’ games did in the past. We can only hope the new administration will bring back “Dallas Week” once again to the DMV.

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.

New Commanders co-owner Mitchell Rales: ‘This is incredibly humbling’

Rales also grew up a passionate fan of the team and is excited for the future.

Friday’s introductory press conference for the Josh Harris new ownership team was humbling for new minority owner Mitchell Rales.

Rales talked of how his family moved to the area when he was age 10. The family started going to Redskins games, and he went to every home game those years growing up in the area.

“This is incredibly humbling. I mean, I wish my parents were here to see this day,” Rales said.

He spoke of being chosen to play in a Maryland seniors high school all-star game but having to be matched up often against a lineman much bigger and better. He knew then college football was not for him, and he has known that his respect for players at a higher level has grown immensely over the years.

His candidness was refreshing in that he had the courage to admit the task before the new ownership group is quite the challenge. He is right. The franchise has not won a playoff game since the 2005 season, and only two playoff wins came in the 24 years Daniel Snyder owned and too often interfered with the football operations. Consequently, much of the fan base in the last decade has determined enough was enough. They were not going to give Snyder any more of their money.

“So we’re here to really build this again from the bottom up, the right way, by engaging everybody in a passionate, inspiring way,” Rales said. “And we’re going to need help from everybody here. Not just us. We can’t do it on our own. We’re going to work our butts off, but we need everybody to rally to the occasion.”

Rales appealed to the past, while also acknowledging you can’t live in the past. Rales knows what it was like during those George Allen years when the Redskins, in Allen’s seven years, never had a losing season. During those seven years, the Redskins posted records of 9-4-1 (1971), 11-3 (1972), 10-4 (1973), 10-4 (1974), 8-6 (1975), 10-4 (1976) and 9-5 (1977).

Ask yourself now, how great would it be for you as a fan, for the DMV fan base, if the next seven seasons, the team posted records as good as the Allen teams did?

Even more, the Gibbs teams of (1981-92) were even better, with only one losing season, four Super Bowl games and three Super Bowl championships. Dare we even think if they could be duplicated, how the DMV would respond?

“I remember what it was like, and I want to see those days here again, more for the community building of our fans and our other communities than even myself. So thank you, and I look forward to working with all of you in the time to come.”

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.

Perhaps Daniel Snyder’s largest error as owner of Washington

The mistakes were countless, but what do you think Snyder’s biggest mistake was?

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What do you recall as one of the biggest Daniel Snyder mistakes as owner of Washington’s NFL franchise?

During the hugely disappointing 2000 season in which Washington was 7-6, Snyder feeling he needed to make a splash fired head coach Norv Turner, and Washington finished 8-8.

After that 2000 season Snyder then hired a very hands-on football coach in Marty Schottenheimer. Marty felt he needed to get his message across to his team that the culture was going to be much different with Marty at the helm. He angered veterans in training camp, cut starting quarterback Jeff George after only two games, and the team went on to start 0-5.

But say what you will about Marty Schottenheimer, the man could coach a football team. He had taken the Cleveland Browns to consecutive AFC Championship games (1986-87). If that wasn’t enough, he coached the Kansas City Chiefs to a 101-58-1 .634 winning percentage.

Can Washington fans even imagine their team going an entire decade with a .634 winning percentage? Well not one of them under the age of 30 can do so.

Joe Gibbs in his first coaching term in Washington was 124-60 (.674). He also won 4 NFC Championships and 3 Super Bowls. George Allen in his seven seasons as Washington head coach (1971-77) was 67-30-1 (.691), winning one NFC championship, losing one Super Bowl.

Back to Marty. After being 0-5 the team was 6-8 when they traveled to New Orleans for a Sunday Night national television broadcast. Washington was physical, aggressive and frankly manhandled the Saints 40-10. Schottenheimer must have been so proud of his team’s performance.

When the 2001 team finished 8-8 there was a real hope, a real confidence that Marty could bring seasons of winning to Washington. But there was Schottenheimer and Snyder unable to form an agreement on how much power Marty would have over the football team.

Snyder had badly disrupted the 1999 playoff team, playing general manager ruining team chemistry. In Schottenheimer he saw someone strong enough who would seize and demand more control than made Snyder comfortable.  Snyder fired him, went out and hired Steve Spurrier, promising him a general manager that according to Spurrier, never truly materialized.

Schottenheimer never won a Super Bowl, but in his 21 years of NFL head coaching experience he did win 200 games (200-126-1 .613).  Had Snyder simply let Marty do his thing, and Snyder simply given up wanting to be head of player personnel, Washington fans most likely would have enjoyed winning football for a decade and not experienced the Steve Spurrier and Jim Zorn eras.

Might this have been the biggest mistake Snyder made in his years as owner?

Washington’s Bubba Tyer honored by Pro Football Hall of Fame

Washington’s legendary former trainer receives a big honor.

Former Washington Redskins and Commanders trainer Lamar “Bubba” Tyer is becoming a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence for the class of 2023.

Tyer spent 37 years in the Washington organization; in 25 of those years, Tyer was the head athletic trainer. He retired in 2009.

Tyer’s service began with the Washington Redskins in 1971 when the team’s headquarters was in Herndon. During his career, he served under head coaches George Allen (1971-77), Jack Pardee (1978-80), Joe Gibbs 1981-92), Richie Petitbon (1993), Norv Turner (1994-200) and Marty Schottenheimer (2001).

Then in 2002, he moved to serve as a front-office administrator, retired and was inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Fame at FedExField in 2003. However, when Joe Gibbs returned, Tyer rejoined “Coach Joe” as Washington’s Director of Sports Medicine. He served with Gibbs (2004-07) and Jim Zorn’s first season 2008, before retiring in January 2009.

When the Washington Football Team lost its head trainer in 2021, Ryan Vermillion, due to a criminal investigation, resulting in his being placed on administrative leave on Oct. 4, 2021, the team, in desperate need with several injuries, contacted Tyer, still retired. He rose to the occasion, volunteered and served the remainder of the season.

The 17 recipients for 2023 will be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame with an evening reception on June 28. There will also be an awards luncheon the following day, which will be hosted by Dan Fouts, the former San Diego Chargers HOF quarterback.

 

 

 

Which Washington offensive coordinators do you recall?

Looking back at some of Washington’s previous offensive coordinators. It’s a pretty good list.

As a little kid following the team as closely as I could, I recall hearing for the first time of an offensive coordinator. George Allen was a defensive-minded head coach for Washington, but I was learning they had this coach in charge of the offense (to some degree), and he was Ted Marchibroda (1971-74).

I learned in just a few years that Marchibroda really knew offense when as head coach of the Colts, his teams were exciting on offense, winning the AFC East. I began hearing how Allen had actually been too conservative, handcuffing Marchibroda.

Charlie Waller (1975-77) was the next Washington offensive coordinator. I naturally thought he must be great. Until a couple of years later and I heard Joe Theismann praising then-offensive coordinator Joe Walton (1978-80) for being his most organized ever, coordinating the quarterback pass drops with the timing of the offense.

I was a teenager (didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did) but have always remembered this Theismann comment because it struck me, causing me to wonder what Waller had been doing with the offense the previous seasons.

When Joe Gibbs was the head coach, Joe Bugel (1981-89) was listed as the offensive coordinator, but it was Coach Joe always calling the plays. Steve Spurrier didn’t have an OC, either. That time it didn’t work out so well.

When Coach Joe came out of retirement, he determined he needed not one but both Al Saunders (2006-07) and Don Breaux (2004-07) as his offensive coordinators.

Sherman Smith (2008-09), Kyle Shanahan (2010-13), Sean McVay (2014-16), Matt Cavanaugh (2017-18), and Kevin O’Connell (2019) all brought their own backgrounds and philosophies to the role.

Frankly, I don’t know what type of OC Scott Turner (2020-22) was. I heard all of the complaining about the play-calling this season. But I do know this. When I watched the All-22 viewpoint, I often saw guys schemed open and Washington quarterbacks not getting the ball to them.

Yes, it is important whom they hire, but in 2023 they are going to NEED better offensive line play and better quarterback play.

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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?

The 1972 Washington Redskins were a ‘special’ team

Washington’s 1972 team was a special group.

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

Kicking off the season was a Monday Night Football contest, as Washington traveled to the Minnesota Vikings of Fran Tarkenton, the Purple People Eaters and coach Bud Grant.

When future Hall-of-Famer Tarkenton connected with John Gilliam for the only score of the third quarter, Washington trailed the Vikings 14-10. Washington would come back to win 24-21, behind touchdown runs by Larry Brown and Charley Harraway. Surprisingly the Vikings had outgained Washington 382-203 and collected 26 First Downs to only 11 by the Redskins.

How had Washington won this MNF game? They sacked Tarkenton four times. They won the turnover battle 2-1, and there was the one play I have recalled all of these years from watching the game in my youth.

Early in the opening quarter, Washington had stopped the Vikings deep in their own territory forcing a punt. Vikings punter Mike Eischeid lined up on his own 18-yard line to punt. Washington reserve receiver Bill Malinchak lined up outside on the right of the rushing Washington line. As Eischeid’s foot met the ball on the 20-yard line, suddenly a thump was heard as an outstretched Malinchak’s hand blocked the punt, sending the ball toward the left to Eischeid’s right. Malinchak scooped up the ball at the 16 and ran into the end zone untouched for the game’s first score.

Head coach George Allen had already been an NFL innovator. When the defensive coordinator for George Halas’ Bears, Allen had invented the nickel back, replacing a linebacker with an extra defensive back on passing downs. In 1969 as head coach of the Rams he had hired the first special teams’ coach in the NFL (Dick Vermeil).

In ’72 Allen repeatedly preached the importance of special teams preparation and making big plays on special teams. Special teams coach Marv Levy and Allen produced remarkable results as Washington blocked 5 field goals and 4 punts in the ’72 season. In 1990-93 the same Levy coached the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive AFC Championships and 4 Super Bowl appearances.

Special teams played a major role 50 years ago as Washington (11-3) won the NFC East, the NFC championship, and played in Super Bowl VII. This present generation of coaches stands on the shoulders of those like Allen who changed the NFL forever with his emphasis on special teams.