Tag: Henry Ellard

Commanders Terry McLaurin increasing production in recent games

Terry McLaurin on the verge of setting a new franchise record. And all signs point to a strong finish this season.

Terry McLaurin is again the receiving leader for Washington this season.

Through nine games, McLaurin has started and played in all nine, has received the most targets (70), the most receptions (47),  receiving yards (568), most receptions per game (5.2) and receiving yards per game (63.1).

With the Commanders pass protection improving, as well as Sam Howell’s reading of the defenses, McLaurin has increased his production considerably in recent games.

For instance, in the season’s first three games, McLaurin had receiving totals of 31, 54 and 41 yards. In his last six games, the receiving yards have increased to 86, 49, 81, 90, 63 and 73 yards. Consequently, the former Ohio State Buckeye averaged 42 receiving yards in his first three games but now is averaging 73.7 yards over the last six games.

McLaurin, in his rookie season, was limited to 14 games yet totaled 919 receiving yards. In his three following seasons, McLaurin’s receiving yardage totals were 1,118 (2020), 1,053 (2021), 1,191 (2022).

If McLaurin again exceeds 1,000 receiving yards this season (2023), he would become the first in Washington NFL franchise history to have accumulated 1,000 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons.

Gary Clark produced three consecutive 1,000 yards receiving seasons 1989-1991 and five in total (1986-1987). Art Monk also produced five 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including three consecutively from 1984-86. Santana Moss also generated three 1,000-yard seasons for Washington (2005, 2008, 2010). Many have forgotten, but Henry Ellard had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (1994-96).

Charley Taylor, playing in only 14-game regular seasons, collected 1,119 receiving yards in 1966 from Hall-of-Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.

From a historical perspective, it is worth remembering Ellard, Monk, Clark and Moss played in 16-game regular seasons.

Former Washington stars Larry Brown, Joe Jacoby are Hall of Fame semifinalists

Could this be the year for Joe Jacoby and Larry Brown?

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

Joe Jacoby has again made the semifinalist list for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On Wednesday, the Hall announced 60 candidates in the seniors and coaches/contributors categories for the class of 2024, and Jacoby and Larry Brown are the headliners for the Washington Commanders franchise.

Each of those categories has a committee of 12 members. They will now vote to select 12 seniors and 12 coaches/contributors for the next round of the process. On July 27, the committee will reveal those 24 names.

One of the original “Hogs,” Jacoby (1981-93) was voted to the 1980s All-Decade team and was an All-Pro twice. He was selected for four Pro Bowls and started for Washington’s three Super Bowl championship teams. The counter trey or counter gap was a tremendously effective play when left tackle Jacoby and left guard Russ Grimm would pull to the right side of the line and the running back would follow behind the powerful duo.

Brown (1969-76) was one of the tougher runners of his era. He rushed for more than 5,000 yards in his first five seasons. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and the 1972 AP Most Valuable Player, leading the Redskins to Super Bowl VII.

Others with Washington ties who made the semifinalist lists are Henry Ellard, Marty Schottenheimer, Mike Shanahan, Carl Banks and Clark Shaughnessy. However, each of these players and coaches made their most significant contributions as part of other NFL franchises.

  • Ellard spent his first 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before coming to Washington for his next five seasons.
  • Schottenheimer coached the Browns to two consecutive AFC championship games and the Chiefs to a 101-58-1 record in 10 seasons before coming to Washington for an 8-8 season in 2001.
  • Shanahan was 138-86 in his 14 seasons with the Broncos, which included two Super Bowl championships. He went 24-40 in his four seasons as Washington head coach.
  • Banks, in his nine seasons with the New York Giants, was a starter on two Super Bowl championship teams. He was also voted to the 1980s All-Decade team, and was a Pro Bowler once and All-Pro once. He played for Washington during the 1993 season.
  • Shaughnessy was with Washington as an offensive consultant in 1947. He then was the Rams head coach for two seasons and spent 12 seasons (1951-62) on the Bears defensive staff.

London Fletcher comes up short in bid for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Unfortunately, London Fletcher and Henry Ellard miss the cut for 2023.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 15 finalists for the class of 2023 Wednesday, with three players named finalists in their first year on the ballot.

Noticeably absent from the list was former Washington linebacker London Fletcher. The 16-year NFL veteran played his final seven seasons in Washington, where he made four consecutive Pro Bowls and was twice named second-team All-Pro.

Fletcher was named as one of 28 modern-era semifinalists in November, along with former Washington wide receiver Henry Ellard, who also failed to make it as a finalist.

Fletcher was an NFL Ironman, having played in 256 consecutive games, tied for No. 4 in NFL history. His 215 straight starts at linebacker is an NFL record.

In 16 NFL seasons, Fletcher played in 256 games and recorded 2,039 tackles, 39 sacks, 109 tackles for loss, 19 forced fumbles, 23 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries and three touchdowns.

Fletcher’s numbers compare favorably to Ray Lewis — a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. However, Fletcher wasn’t as outspoken as Lewis when both played, which, unfairly, hurts him more than some will admit.

Ellard’s candidacy is also strong. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before spending five seasons in Washington. Ellard had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for Washington in the 1990s. He finished his career with 814 receptions for 13,777 yards and 65 touchdowns.

Washington is no stranger to having qualified players somehow not make the Hall of Fame. The first name that comes to mind is Joe Jacoby, and there is also Brian Mitchell.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Terry McLaurin moving up in Commanders’ career receiving list

Terry McLaurin is only in his fourth NFL season. He also joined an elite list during Sunday’s game.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is off to a fantastic start to his NFL career. In Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, McLaurin’s first catch was a 19-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give Washington an early 10-0 lead.

The touchdown was McLaurin’s third on the season.

For McLaurin, who is only in his fourth NFL season, joined some fairly elite company in the Week 13 game against the Giants.

Courtesy of Washington’s PR, McLaurin moved from No. 13 to No. 11 in the franchise’s career receptions list. He passed Henry Ellard and Michael Westbrook.

McLaurin also went over 4,000 yards in his NFL career.

However, perhaps the most significant honor of McLaurin’s work Sunday was becoming only the sixth player in NFL history to catch at least 50 passes and have 900 yards or more receiving in each of his first four seasons.

Washington trails the Giants 20-13 in the fourth quarter and McLaurin has six receptions for 87 yards on the day.

London Fletcher is a semifinalist for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Washington wide receiver Henry Ellard also made the cut.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed 28 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2023 class, and two former Washington stars made the cut.

Linebacker London Fletcher and wide receiver Henry Ellard were among the 28 players, which was trimmed down from 129 players on Tuesday.

Fletcher signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent from John Carroll University in 1998. Fletcher spent four seasons with the Rams before signing with Buffalo, where he spent the next five years of his career. Fletcher signed with Washington as a free agent in 2007 and played seven seasons in the burgundy and gold.

In 16 NFL seasons, Fletcher played in 256 games and recorded 2,039 tackles, 39 sacks, 109 tackles for loss, 19 forced fumbles, 23 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries and three touchdowns. He appeared in four Pro Bowls [all with Washington], was a two-time second-team All-Pro, is in Washington’s Ring of Fame, and is also one of the franchise’s 90 greatest players. Fletcher is currently a radio analyst for the Washington Commanders.

Fletcher’s numbers rival Ray Lewis, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 — his first year of eligibility.

Fletcher was a quiet leader during his career, while Lewis was more demonstrative. Fletcher belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Ellard enjoyed a 16-year NFL career, the first 11 of which were spent with the Los Angeles Rams. Ellard signed with Washington in 1994 and enjoyed three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Overall, he spent five seasons in Washington, finishing his career with the New England Patriots in 1998.

Ellard caught 814 passes for 13,777 yards, with 65 touchdowns. In five seasons with Washington, Ellard had 216 receptions for 3,930 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ellard had a terrific career and put up outstanding numbers despite playing with a myriad of quarterbacks.

Here is the complete list of semifinalists.

2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists include eight former Patriots

Eight ex-Patriots made the cut as semifinalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The semifinalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class were revealed on Tuesday, and eight of the names on that list were former New England Patriots players.

Of course, the two most noteworthy names from a Patriots perspective were former defensive stars Vince Wilfork and Rodney Harrison, both of whom have already been inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Darrelle Revis, one of the all-time great corners, is also on the list. He spent the brunt of his career serving as a division rival on the New York Jets, but he did sign with the Patriots for a one-and-done Super Bowl season in 2014.

The other names include linebacker James Harrison, receiver Reggie Wayne, running back Fred Taylor, receiver Torry Holt and tight end Henry Ellard.

There were a total of 28 players named as semifinalists, which means ex-Patriots make up a significant portion of the candidates left standing. The next step is whittling the list down to 15 and seeing which players are one step closer to being immortalized in Canton.

[listicle id=131318]