Tag: George Starke

Commanders season opener in 74 days: Washington’s best No. 74?

74 George Starke days until Week 1.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 74 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 74?

Markus Koch (1986-1991) was a 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive lineman who could provide flexibility playing both tackle and end. Drafted in the second round (30th overall), Koch brought high expectations. He was very active and productive on special teams but never really developed into the star some expected. He did start 13 games during the 1990 playoff season. He also started 6,7 and 6 games of the 1988, 1989, and 1991 Super Bowl Championship seasons. He started 34 of his 68 games, collecting 10.5 sacks.

Jim Snowden (1965-71) started 97 of the 98 games he played for Washington at left tackle and right tackle. Drafted 59th overall out of Notre Dame in the 1964 NFL Draft by Washington, he missed the 1964 season. However, Snowden then was durable and dependable, playing in every single regular season game for his entire seven years with Washington.

George Starke (1973-84) was drafted by Washington in the 11th round (272 overall) in the 1971 NFL draft. It looked like Starke may not make it in the NFL when he was waived by Washington, then by Kansas City, then Dallas, before Washington tried Starke again in 1973, and he started seven games. By 1974 Starke was the full-time starting right tackle, a job he kept until injuries forced him to miss seven games of his final NFL season (1984). Starke was an original member of “the Hogs” and a starter for two NFC Championship teams and the 1982 Super Bowl championship team. Starke was voted one of the 70 Greatest Washington Redskins.

Commanders waiver claims: The one time they struck gold

Washington has struck gold with waivers before. Could it happen again with either of the new cornerbacks?

What benefit will the Commanders receive from claiming two cornerbacks off of waivers last week?

Yes, the reality is both Rachad Wildgoose and Tariq Castro-Fields were not valued as the top 53 players on their respective teams. Consequently, Wildgoose was let go by the Jets and Castro-Fields by the 49ers.

Did you notice head coach Ron Rivera looked to GM Martin Mayhew while admitting, “I think he’s (Wildgoose) a second-year player from the Jets,” and Mayhew confirmed that was correct.

It illustrates the league has too many players out there for a head coach to know everyone available. This is why you hire scouts and rely on Mayhew and Marty Hurney. One man cannot do it all, nor should he attempt to.

Mayhew himself was a good corner in the NFL with Washington (1989-92) and Tampa Bay (1993-96). You don’t last in the NFL eight seasons (starting the vast majority of your games) unless you know much about the position and are a great athlete.

Mayhew spoke highly of Washington’s new corners. After all, would anyone else in the organization know as much about what it takes to play corner as Mayhew?

Most of the time you claim a player off waivers, and he reminds you why he was on waivers. But then there are times the guy was maturing and blossomed when provided another opportunity.

Such was the case when Washington drafted an offensive tackle in the 11th round (272 overall). It didn’t work out, he went to Kansas City, but they waived him a month later.

The next season the Cowboys claimed him, but he didn’t impress enough there either and was waived during the preseason. The very next day Washington claimed him off waivers, hoping it would work for him the second time around. 28 days later, they again waived him.

Thinking he could play, they tried again a third season. He broke through, making the roster, even starting 7 games. His fourth season he started every game, playing well enough he started at right tackle for 12 consecutive seasons.

When he retired he had played in 156 games (all for Washington) starting 146. He had become good enough to be the starting right tackle for 6 Redskins playoff teams, 2 Super Bowl teams and 1 Super Bowl championship team.

He deservedly became an original member of “The Hogs,” and the Washington football organization does not regret having claimed George Starke off of waivers.