Tag: Joe Theismann

Commanders 2023 training camp roundup: Highlights and videos from Day 1

Some video highlights from Day 1 of Commanders training camp.

The Washington Commanders opened training camp Wednesday with a 90-minute session that was closed to the public. While the fans weren’t in attendance, the local media was, and they shared videos and highlights from Day 1 of camp.

It was a solid day for quarterback Sam Howell. Howell was sharp and appeared in sync with tight ends Logan Thomas and Cole Turner. While Howell had a solid start, third-string quarterback Jake Fromm didn’t have the best day.

Here’s a roundup of highlights from Day 1 of Commanders training camp.

ChatGPT ranks top 10 quarterbacks in Notre Dame history

Do you agree with these rankings?

No position in sports is more important than the quarterback. Notre Dame is lucky that it will have a good one this season in [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag]. Though his services only will be for one year, the potential for him to have a history-making season is high. With that will come high expectations.

But how will Hartman measure up to the great Notre Dame quarterbacks of the past? For that, let’s turn to AI writing tool ChatGPT and see what it believes is a fair list for the top 10 men under center to play for the Irish.

Keep in mind that ChatGPT has this disclaimer:

“Ranking the top 10 quarterbacks in Notre Dame history is subjective and open to interpretation, as different eras and playing styles contribute to individual greatness. However, based on their impact on the program, statistical achievements, and team success, the following list represents 10 notable quarterbacks in Notre Dame’s storied history.”

And this one:

“Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there are many other talented quarterbacks who have contributed to the Notre Dame football legacy. The rankings can vary depending on personal opinions and criteria used to evaluate their performances.”

On that, here is the list with some entries edited for clarity and accuracy:

Commanders announce new preseason TV broadcasting trio

Two former players and a popular local broadcaster will call Washington’s preseason games in 2023.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

The Washington Commanders announced not only the pending sale of the team but a new broadcast team for the Commanders’ preseason games in 2023.

The new team will consist of Chick Hernandez, Brian Mitchell and Logan Paulsen. Hernandez will carry the play-by-play announcer duties with Mitchell and Paulsen providing analysis.

Hernandez has done play-by-play in the past during the preseason. He was once teamed with Joe Theismann as the analyst and former Washington running back Clinton Portis was on the sidelines.

No doubt, many Commanders fans will be glad to have Hernandez back in the fold. He is a local native; he is a diehard, and he exhibits passion and pleasure regarding the team. Perhaps most importantly, he has demonstrated his enthusiasm for the team for decades.

“I know Chick will be good at this and he and Brian Mitchell have a really good rapport, having worked together for years. Brian is now available with the NBCSW deal going away. Logan will be basically a second analyst from the sideline vs. just a reporter. He’s just too smart,” Julie Donaldson, Commanders senior vice president of media and content, told Commanders Wire.

It is my hope that both Paulsen and Mitchell will be able to continue to be objective and possess the freedom to not only praise the team when it is due but also offer honest criticism when it is also due. Both are no doubt, quite capable.

Most recently, the preseason broadcasts for the Commanders games were the 2022 trio of Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Rick “Doc” Walker (color commentator) and Paulsen (sideline reporter).

Notre Dame quarterbacks through the years

Not the best but who is your favorite ND quarterback of all-time?

In the long history of Notre Dame football its difficult to come up with a favorite all-time quarterback.  Sure, the likes of [autotag]Paul Hornung[/autotag], [autotag]Joe Montana[/autotag], [autotag]Joe Theismann[/autotag], and [autotag]Brady Quinn[/autotag] all achieved great things in blue and gold but so many others reached great heights as well.

Then there were others that didn’t go on to get drafted into the NFL but led successful Notre Dame squads in their own right like [autotag]Kevin McDougal[/autotag], [autotag]Tony Rice[/autotag], and [autotag]Everett Golson[/autotag].

Who is your favorite quarterback in the history of Notre Dame football?

Who do you think was the best?

And who is your favorite one-hit-wonder?

A day after [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag] announced he was entering the transfer portal, here is a look back at photos of several Notre Dame quarterbacks over the years.

Remembering Washington’s first Super Bowl win part 2

Some of the numbers from Washington’s Super Bowl triumph over Miami 40 years ago.

Jan. 30, 1983 (40-year anniversary), the Washington Redskins won their first Super Bowl championship, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

This week Commanders Wire will take several looks at that first Washington Super Bowl Championship victory.

Part one

Game Highlights

Remembering some of the numbers of Super Bowl XVII:

The Dolphins, having routed the Jets 28-0 in the AFC championship, were a 3-point favorite.

Washington entered the game 11-1, while Miami was 10-2.

Miami’s head coach Don Shula was coaching in his 5th Super Bowl, while Joe Gibbs was only in his first season of playoff competition.

When Washington pulled even 10-10 late in the half, the Redskins then gave up Fulton Walker’s 98-yard kickoff return putting Miami up 17-10.

Washington absolutely shut down the Miami offense, outscoring the Dolphins 17-0 in the second half for their 27-17 win.

Washington took its first lead (20-17) in the final quarter when John Riggins ran for 43-yard touchdown.

Many actually forget, but Washington drove again and scored when Joe Theismann rolled right and found Charlie Brown from six yards for the final 27-17 margin.

The Redskins defense held the Dolphins to a mere 9 first downs and 176 total yards from scrimmage.

Washington pounded the Dolphins on the ground all day, rushing 52 times for 276 yards, 166 by John Riggins, voted Super Bowl MVP.

John Riggins’ 38 rushing carries remains a Super Bowl game record.

John Riggins’ 166 rushing yards set a new Super Bowl game record. It has since been surpassed by Marcus Allen (191) in SB XVIII and Timmy Smith (204) SB XXII.

The Washington defense rattled Miami QB David Woodley that with the exception of his 76-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Cefalo, Woodley completed a mere 3 of 13 passes for 21 yards.

John Riggins’ run of 43 yards was actually not the longest Washington rush of the day. In the third quarter, Joe Theismann handed to John Riggins, running to his right, who then handed to Alvin Garrett, coming back to the left. Garrett gained 44 yards on the play.

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

Joe Theismann comments on Commanders quarterbacks

Theismann talks Washington’s quarterbacks and likes Sam Howell. He desperately wants someone to be Washington’s quarterback for more than a year or two.

Joe Theismann, a guest Monday on the Al Galdi Podcast, was asked to comment on the current state of the Washington Commanders quarterback room.

“Well, I don’t think Carson Wentz will be back. I think Taylor (Heinicke) was in the last year of his contract, so you have Sam Howell as the last man standing.”

“I thought he (Howell) performed well, but it is hard to evaluate someone on 20 passes. And the Cowboy game was a difficult game to evaluate anyway because they were so bad (on offense), and we were so good on the defensive side.”

“I think, foundationally he is really good. Now the question is, what is it going to be like playing in five to ten to fifteen games? The durability, being smart enough to be able to stay on the field.”

“I tell young quarterbacks all of the time, “Your single job is to make yourself available to be able to play and practice so you can get better.”

“I like everything about Sam, and I am curious. Certainly, I believe we have the team around him; the wide receivers, the running backs. The offensive line, we can find areas that can improve and get better.”

“Defensively, I thought we finished really strongly, and our punter is the best in football. That (quarterback) is the one element this team has really been missing. Sam can be the beginning.”

“I would love to see somebody play quarterback in Washington for more than a year or two. I think we all would and are looking for that next person. They have had 43 starting quarterbacks since I got hurt (in 1985). Are you kidding me? It’s crazy! It’s time for somebody to take the job and go with it. Stay a while.”

Why did it not work out for Carson Wentz at quarterback?

“I don’t know. I do know mechanically; he struggled at times. After he became hurt, he just became a different quarterback. He did a decent job in Indianapolis. Not playing, not getting into a rhythm is difficult.”

“I thought Taylor would have had a better record had the refs not screwed us in the Giants game…If we win that game, Taylor still stays the quarterback. After Carson had been off so long, and you put him back out on the field? I think he should have come out of the game after his second interception. You could see at that point it wasn’t comfortable for him. ”

“But I don’t know what happened, but I do know the economics won’t work. So I would be very surprised if he is back.”

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

Joe Theismann recalls Washington Super Bowl win 40 years ago Monday

Joe Theismann remembers Washington’s first Super Bowl win 40 years to the day.

40 years ago, Monday, Jan. 30, 1983, the Washington Redskins won their first Super Bowl Championship, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

This week Commanders Wire will take several looks at that first Washington Super Bowl Championship victory.

Joe Theismann appeared this morning as a guest on the Al Galdi Podcast. Here are some of Theismann’s memories regarding SB XVII.

AG: “Do you ever get tired of talking about Super Bowl XVII? Or not really?

JT: “Oh, heavens, no!”

“That was such an incredible experience for us as a city, for us as a football team and for me personally. As kids growing up you dream about the opportunity to play in a Super Bowl.”

“To be a part of that football team and a part of that team in that era, it was an incredible run for us as a football team (Theismann played for Joe Gibbs 1981-85). To have the chance to be the quarterback for that football team was a fun ride.”

“I described ourselves as a bunch of characters with character. Tremendous different personalities, but when it came time to play, everybody absolutely did everything they could for one another.”

Galdi played the audio from NFL Films of Theismann talking with the team prior to kickoff.

“We’ve worked harder than anybody to get here. Nobody can beat us. And it’s worth 70,000 dollars and a big ring!”

Regarding the fourth quarter, 4th & 1 John Riggins 43-yard touchdown run:

“I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 4th and 1, it was 70 Chip.”

“Clint Didier started in motion, stopped and came back. As I handed the ball to John, I had the best seat in the house. I hand the ball to John, the hole opens up, I said, ‘we got the first down’ and Don McNeal hits him. It looked like butter just falling off of a hot knife. McNeal just sort of slid down his side, and then J.R. took off.”

“I saw Clint Didier running down the field, and I was running down the field yelling at Clint, ‘Don’t clip anybody! Don’t clip anybody!’ J.R. gets in the end zone and it is an unbelievable play.”

I have included the play with the call from the legendary Frank Herzog on the Redskins Radio broadcast.

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

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.

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

John Riggins took a bow for the RFK fans in the 82 playoffs

Remembering Washington’s divisional-round win over the Vikings in the 1982 playoffs.

This weekend, the NFL Divisional Playoff round will be played.

40 years ago, the 1982 Washington Redskins became the first team in franchise history to win a Super Bowl. How did that team fare in the divisional round?

After defeating the Lions 31-7 in the Wild-card round, the Minnesota Vikings came to RFK for a Saturday 12:30 pm start on January 15, 1983.

The “Hogs” were catching on around the league to some degree and the Vikings hearing of it during the week, volleyed back to the DMV that they were going to butcher the “Hogs.” Joe Theismann later expressed, “That’s the worst thing they could have done.”

The Hogs offensive line was motivated, and 33-year-old John Riggins was motivated to play in his first Super Bowl. Riggins carried 37 times for 185 yards, a new Redskins playoff record.

As the clock reached the final minute, the game clinched, Washington leading Minnesota 21-7, John Riggins was being substituted with Wilber Jackson. As Riggins went toward the sideline, the RFK faithful cheered, thanking Riggins.

Can you imagine Joe Gibbs surprise when Riggins suddenly stopped, removed his helmet, took a bow to both sides of the crowd in the stadium, waved his left arm in thanks and headed to the sideline with his helmet in his right hand? Then the volume sharply increased for Riggins.

Some fans had already been chanting the last couple of minutes, “We want Dallas”. Now the numbers grew until virtually the entire stadium had joined in the refrain, “We want Dallas”. This was significant, because it set the stage for the entire week being “Dallas Week”. The chant would begin the next week BEFORE the championship game against the Cowboys began.

Washington had jumped on the Vikings early with a Theismann touchdown pass to Don Warren from three yards and a Riggins run from two yards for an opening quarter 14-0 lead.

Ted Brown narrowed the Redskins lead to 14-7 with an 18-yard run, but the Washington offense responded with a Theismann 18-yard pass to Charley Brown for a halftime 21-7 margin. In the first half, Washington had controlled the line of scrimmage, possessing the ball 18:47 to only 11:13 for Minnesota, and out-gained the Vikings 280 to 147.

Theismann was efficient, completing 17 of 23 attempts for 213 yards, two touchdowns and a 113.1 passer rating.

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

Former Washington wide receiver Calvin Muhammad dies

Muhammad played two seasons for Washington and was a key part of the offense in 1984.

Calvin Muhammad, who had his best NFL year with the Washington Redskins in 1984, has died. He died on Jan. 4, 2023, at the age of 64.

In that ’84 season, when starting wide receiver Charley Brown went down with a sprained ankle against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins having already lost receiver Alvin Garrett were extremely thin, with only Art Monk proven of those remaining.

So on October 3, 1984, Washington traded a 1985 fourth-round draft pick which became Jamie Kimmel to the Raiders for the speedy Muhammad. Muhammad, who had played his college ball at Texas Southern, had been selected by the Raiders in the 1980 NFL Draft in the 12th round (322 overall).

During the ’84 season, Muhammad stepped in nicely, starting eight games, making 42 receptions for 729 yards, averaging 17.4 yards per reception, including four receiving touchdowns.

Joe Theismann and Art Monk were having a career year, as Monk set a then-new NFL record with 106 receptions for 1,372 yards, along with seven touchdown passes.

My favorite memory of Muhammad as a Redskin, occurred when Theismann rolled right and hurled an 80-yard touchdown pass to Muhammad in a big 34-14 win over the Cowboys at RFK.

While at Texas Southern, Muhammad had determined to convert to Islam. Upon choosing that religion, he also changed his name, having been born Calvin Vincent Raley on Dec. 10, 1958, in Jacksonville.

Muhammad had ironically been a member of the Oakland Raiders during the previous 1983 season in which Washington had defeated the Raiders at RFK 37-35. In that game, Muhammad caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett. The Raiders received tremendous revenge later in the ’83 season, crushing the Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII 38-9.

Muhammad wore number 89 which Garrett had worn from 1981-84, which conveyed to fans that Garrett’s days in Washington were officially concluded, having only played in one game in that 1984 season.

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