Tag: Redskins

Commanders vs Lions: A look back at their NFC playoff history

A look back at the previous playoff meetings between the Commanders and Lions.

The Commanders and Lions have met three times in the NFC Playoffs during the NFL’s Super Bowl era.

First, isn’t it odd that in 58 NFL seasons since 1966, Washington and Detroit have only met in the playoffs three times? The three meetings took place in the 1982, 1991, and 1999 seasons, and interestingly enough, Washington won all three.

  • 1982: The season being cut short by the players’ strike, the owners moved to allow eight teams in each conference, rather than the usual five, to qualify for the playoffs. Washington sailed through the nine-game season at 8-1, was the top seed, and thus matched against the eighth-seeded Lions (4-6) at RFK Stadium in Washington.  Jeris White returned an interception 77 yards, and Joe Theismann threw three touchdown passes to Alvin Garrett. Washington led 24-0 at the half, winning 31-7.

  • 1991: The Lions, led by Barry Sanders, had won the NFC Central Division at 12-4 and walloped the Cowboys 38-6 in Detroit in the playoff’s first round. However, they had to travel to Washington for the NFC Championship game because that Redskins team was the best in franchise history, going 14-2. The Lions kept things close early, trailing only 17-10 at the half. However, the Redskins outscored the Lions 24-0 in the second half for a 41-10 win and a trip to Super Bowl XXVI, where they defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions

  • 1999: The Redskins (10-6) won the NFC East facing the last team to qualify, the Lions (8-8) at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium. On this day, former Washington quarterback Gus Frerotte was the Lions quarterback going up against Brad Johnson for Washington. The Redskins defense held the Lions to 45 rushing yards, led 27-0 at the half and coasted to a 27-13 win. However, they would lose the next weekend to the Bucs in Tampa, 14-13.

Though Washington has won all three previous playoff meetings, it has absolutely no bearing on this current group of coaches and players.

The Lions enter Saturday’s game well rested, having earned a bye last week, being the NFC’s top-seeded team. Detroit is the NFL’s highest-scoring team, averaging 33 points a game.

The sixth-seed Commanders are coming off a 23-20 win over the third-seeded Tampa Bay Bucs last weekend in Tampa.

What Jay Gruden said after Kirk Cousins passed for over 500 yards

Kirk Cousins had a memorable performance on Thursday Night and Jay Gruden had jokes.

Things are going well for former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins. After suffering an Achilles injury that prematurely ended his final season in Minnesota, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March.

On Thursday night, Cousins passed for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns in a thrilling walk-off overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football. The Falcons improved to 3-2 with the win.

The coach who fought for Cousins to be Washington’s starting quarterback back in 2015, Jay Gruden, was watching and took to X after the game to joke about Cousins’ performance.

Gruden joked about the compensation Washington received when Cousins walked as a free agent after the 2017 season.

If you know Gruden, he’s having some fun. He never wanted to lose Cousins but understood that Cousins wouldn’t re-sign with Washington and should’ve been traded before his final season with the then-Redskins.

Washington struggled to replace Cousins until April’s NFL draft when the now-Commanders selected Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Daniels is the talk of the NFL and has the Commanders sitting at 3-1. Gruden also happens to be a big-time Daniels supporter.

 

U.S. Senator demands Commanders honor Native American family

A U.S. Senator speaks on the Commanders honoring the franchise’s past regarding a return to RFK.

RFK, the former home of the then-Washington Redskins, was in the news again Wednesday.

A U.S. Senate subcommittee met regarding the administration of RFK being transferred to the city (Washington) from the National Park Service.

However, Republican Steve Daines of Montana spoke up, saying he represents his constituents in Montana: “I’m here representing a voice that is not being listened to, and that is the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana and the Wetzel family. I serve them…”

The U.S. House has approved the transfer, which would provide the city the go-ahead to redevelop the area where RFK stands deteriorating presently. The District mayor has, in the past, declared she wished for affordable housing and retail shops in the area. However, then she was opposed to the former owner Daniel Snyder and the name “Redskins.”

Daines appeared at the hearing with two posters dating back to the Redskins history with Walter “Blackie” Wetzel and Robert F. Kennedy and the Redskins old logo, which was actually suggested by Wetzel and approved by the franchise, resulting in their iconic helmet worn from the 1972 through 2019 seasons.

The shorthand of the entire presentation by Senator Daines was that he was actually not demanding the Washington Commanders reach back and take on again the name “Redskins.”

He is, however, demanding the Commanders bring back the old historic logo. Daines threatens that if they do not, he will block the RFK site bill.

Prior to Wednesday’s subcommittee meeting, the Commanders released this statement, “We have spoken directly with the Wetzel family and are working collaboratively to recognize Blackie Wetzel for his contributions in creating our former logo,” a Commanders spokesperson said in a statement.

Commanders fans have no reason to get excited. Nothing here points to the Harris Ownership Group making a huge leap back to the team being named the “Redskins.”

However, perhaps there will be some sort of utilization of the old logo in limited circumstances.

In 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd death, former minority owner Fred Smith began an attack upon majority owner Daniel Snyder threatening Snyder should drop the “Redskins” name. Shortly afterward, Federal Express, Nike, and Pepsi withdrew their support from Snyder, and the name “Redskins” was dropped.

Commanders could cure franchise ills by firing Ron Rivera, elevating Eric Bieniemy

The Washington Commanders should let Ron Rivera go and elevate Eric Bieniemy, for several reasons that make far too much sense.

The Washington Commanders fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio last week after a debacle of a Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys in which head coach Ron Rivera’s team in which Washington allowed 376 total yards and five touchdowns in a 45-10 disaster.

On Sunday, against the Miami Dolphins, and with Rivera taking control of the defense, the Commanders allowed 405 total yards and five touchdowns in a 45-15 disaster.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, Del Rio’s defense was undone with too much man coverage that gave his defenders too little help against potentially explosive plays, and this version of Washington’s defense looked no different.

Moreover, it would appear that Rivera has lost traction with the idea of situational football.

It’s been a problem all season, and it’s highly doubtful that the Commanders — who are still trying to escape the stink of the Den Snyder era with new ownership — will retain Rivera in 2024. As the team is now effectively out of playoff hope with a 4-9 record, the time may be now to move on.

When you suggest firing a coach, the first and most reasonable question is, who do you replace him with? In this case, there’s first-year offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who was shut out over and over for head coaching opportunities when he was the Kansas City Chiefs’ OC. Giving Bieniemy an opportunity to finish this season out would answer some questions about his NFL head coaching viability that would never happen with his former team.

There’s also this franchise’s frankly disgusting history with race relations. George Preston Marshall, the team’s owner from 1932 through 1969, so opposed the idea of Black players on his team while the rest of the league integrated, he actually got into a protracted battle with Stewart L. Udall, John F. Kennedy’s Secretary of the Interior, over Marshall’s insistence that the then-Redskins would remain all-white.

A monument, and a name: Why the Redskins have two wrongs to right

It was only after Udall threatened Marshall’s ability to build a stadium on public land that Marshall — who once actually said that since other teams had signed Black players, “Does it matter which team has the Negroes?” — finally recanted his position.

Washington selected Syracuse running back Ernie Davis as the first pick in 1962 draft and traded his rights to the Browns for Cleveland first-round pick Leroy Jackson and running back/receiver Bobby Mitchell. Mitchell thrived in his new environment. After catching 142 passes for 1,462 yards and 16 touchdowns through his four years in Cleveland, he amassed 72 catches for 1,384 yards, both league highs, in 1962 alone. He followed that up with 1,436 receiving yards in 1963, another league high, and he led the NFL with 10 touchdown receptions in 1964. His yards per touch averages in 1963 and 1964—20.4 and 21.3, respectively—are excellent indications of the threat he presented as a receiver, rusher and returner.

Despite (or perhaps due to) the integration of his team, Marshall wasn’t above making a noxious point at the worst possible time. At one team meeting during the Redskins’ annual preseason jaunt through the South, the song “Dixie” began to play in the room. The entire team stood for the de facto anthem of the Confederacy, and Marshall tapped Mitchell on the shoulder.

“Bobby Mitchell, sing!”

Mitchell wasn’t just expected to stand and sing there and then—he was expected to do so as the song was played before the exhibition games by Marshall’s own band. He mouthed the words, seething inside.

Now, the Commanders, who have never had a Black head coach outside of Terry Robiskie, who took the interim job for three gamesafter Norv Turner was fired in 2000, have a wrong they can not only right for the moral and ethical good, but perhaps because it makes the most football sense.

A practical solution for an organization that has made precious little sense for far too long.

Washington shunned via a Super Bowl banner

It’s as if the NFL completely removed Washington’s rich Super Bowl history.

This week, someone displayed a blatant disregard for the Washington Redskins Super Bowl history.

Apparently, there were nylon parking lot banners representing NFL Super Bowls. When it came time to represent the 22nd Super Bowl, in which Washington defeated Denver 42-10, it was determined to remove the Redskins and Washington logos altogether.

The banner correctly stated Super Bowl XXII, displayed the Broncos logo, but instead of the Redskins logo they wore on their helmet for all five of Washington’s Super Bowls, the NFL logo was used instead.

Yes, someone or some group was attempting to distance themselves from the iconic logo. But even more, the decision-maker shunned Washington by not even choosing to use the current “W” logo of the Commanders.

Image

What in the world was the person thinking who made such a decision?

“Let’s not give Washington the time of day.”

“Let’s give Washington the brush off.”

“Let’s shun and ignore Washington, even if they did win that Super Bowl in a 42-10 route.”

Is this going to be the future trend of the NFL? Will there be a move to remove Redskins Super Bowl history and NFL history in various ways?

What is the explanation for such shaming, scolding and scorn toward the players and coaches who won that Super Bowl as the Washington Redskins?

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

Remembering RFK Stadium in the 1970s

Remembering some wonderful moments from RFK Stadium in the 1970s.

Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK) holds lasting memories for so many of us.

The stadium is going to be the object of demolition, and then a renovation on the 190-acre property will result in an indoor sports complex as well as housing, pedestrian and bicycle bridges across the Anacostia River to connect residents to River Terrace, the RFK Campus, Hill East, and Kingman and Heritage Islands.

My first memories of RFK are the 1969 Redskin season

I was instantly hooked for life. Sonny Jurgensen, Larry Brown, Charley Taylor, Sam Huff, Chris Hanburger. All coached by then-legendary coach Vince Lombardi. I still recall those helmets with the spear.

1970 brought new uniforms with the R on the helmet, and George Allen stirred up the DMV during his years 1971-77. RFK became a real home-field advantage.

How will I ever forget the 1972 comeback to Dallas in RFK after being down 13-0 and 20-7 to win 24-20? The two playoff games at RFK that season brought two Washington victories including a 26-3 whooping of Dallas in the NFC Championship game.

The very next season (‘73) Brig Owens in the 4th quarter with his pick-six against Dallas on MNF, and Dallas still driving late only to be stopped at the 1-yard line by Ken Houston’s tackle of Walt Garrison.

Jurgensen led a late drive to defeat Miami 20-17 in 1974, and RFK was really rocking when the Burgundy and Gold were destroying Dallas 28-0, but then had to hold on to win only 28-21.

Overtime came to the NFL in 1975, and it was Washington who had three overtime games that first year, and two at RFK, beating Dallas 30-24 and losing to the Raiders 26-23.

The worst field conditions I ever saw at RFK were a 1976 MNF game in the rain against the Cardinals (an NFC divisional rival in those days). Eddie Brown’s 71-yard punt return touchdown will always be one of the greatest scoring plays in RFK history.

Interestingly, I recall George Allen’s last game as Washington’s coach. At RFK, it was a 17-14 victory over the LA Rams in the 1977 season finale, a Saturday afternoon contest. Allen finished his Washington coaching career (67-30-1 .691).

Jack Pardee coached Washington the 1978-1980 seasons. The ‘78 team started out 6-0 including a MNF win over Dallas at RFK 9-5, with President Jimmy Carter in attendance.

Earl Campbell and the Houston Oilers opened the season at RFK in 1979. Washington came up short 29-27. Also of note that season was the RFK game against the Cowboys when Pardee elected to have Mark Moseley kick a late field goal to give Washington a 34-20 victory. Dallas talked of Pardee running up the score.

Commanders, Pro Football Hall of Fame, others remember Charley Taylor

The Washington Commanders, Pro Football Hall of Fame, others remember Charley Taylor.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Saturday was a tough day for longtime fans of the Washington Commanders as Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Charley Taylor died at age 80.

A 13-year NFL veteran — all with Washington — Taylor was arguably the NFL’s top wide receiver during his playing days (1964-75, 1977), retiring as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (649). While Taylor’s record has since been surpassed many times over, his numbers were incredible considering the era in which he played. NFL offenses didn’t employ the “run and shoot” and “Air Raid” in Taylor’s era.

After his outstanding career ended, Taylor went into coaching, joining Joe Gibbs’ first coaching staff in Washington. Taylor would remain on Washington’s coaching staff throughout Gibbs’ 12 seasons as head coach and Richie Petitbon’s lone season as head coach in 1993.

Taylor remained a part of the Washington community after leaving the organization officially after the 1993 season.

Charley Taylor wasn’t just one of the greatest Washington players ever; he was an NFL legend and also, more importantly, a terrific human being.

After his death Saturday, the Commanders, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and others remembered Taylor.

 

Kansas City Chiefs issue statement, intend to keep their nickname

The Kansas City Chiefs will not follow the former Washington Redskins’ example regarding changing a nickname some find offensive.

The former Washington Redskins didn’t change their name from that offensive moniker until there was massive pressure from advertisers and minority shareholders. Owner Daniel Snyder had said for years that he would never change the name, and he held fast on that for 20 years until money talked.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who have had that name since 1963 when they moved from Dallas and changed their name from the Texans, apparently do not intend to follow suit. In a statement released Thursday, the team cited multi-year discussions with Native American advocates, and pointed out several new procedures to minimize any offense:

  • While we have discouraged fans from wearing headdresses for several years, effective immediately, fans will be prohibited from wearing headdresses into the stadium.
  • Face painting is still allowed for all fans, but any face paint that is styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions will be prohibited.
  • Fans will be asked to remove any American Indian-themed face paint prior to passing security screening outside the stadium.
  • We are engaged in a thorough review process of the Arrowhead Chop and plan to have additional discussions in the future.
  • We are exploring all options for a modified engagement moment from the Drum Deck that maintains a unifying effect between our fans and our players but better represents the spiritual significance of the drum in American Indian cultures.
  • This includes discussions around how to shift the focus of the drum to something that symbolizes the heartbeat of the stadium.
  • As allowed by NFL guidelines and the City of Kansas City Health Department for the coronavirus-impacted 2020 season, we will continue with many of the traditions that we have introduced over the past six years, including the Blessing of the Four Directions, the Blessing of the Drum, as well as inviting members of tribes with a historic connection to our region to participate in our American Indian Heritage Month Game.
  • Finally, we are exploring the creation of a more formalized education program with input from both our local and national partners.

The Chiefs have not received anywhere near the pressure the Redskins did to change their name, which is the primary reason the franchise feels comfortable staying put. But the Arrowhead Chop, which the team’s fans have enjoyed for decades, has been a problem for some groups, and it was something I noticed everywhere as I walked around the outside of Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium before Super Bowl LIV.

“Even if they’re die-hard fans of our home football team, they are fans in spite of the chanting, the tomahawk chop, the face-paint, the chicken-feather headdresses, not because of it,” Gaylene Crouser, executive director of the Kansas City Indian Center, told the Associated Press in January.

“It’s the portrayal, imagery of the kind of warrior savage, the uncivilized kind of perception and stereotype that has unfairly lingered around Indian country for a really long time,” Kevin Allis, the CEO of the National Congress of American Indians, told Reuters.

Like it or not, until and unless the Chiefs experience financial pressure to change their name, the minimization to any possible offense will be limited in scope.

Derrius Guice released after arrest for alleged domestic violence

The Washington Football Team announced it has released running back Derrius Guice.
Guice was arrested in northern Virginia on Friday and charged with counts related to alleged domestic violence, the Washington Post reported.
Guice was drafted by the Washington Football Team in 2018 and was expected to be a major part of their team in 2020

The Washington Football Team announced it has released running back Derrius Guice.
Guice was arrested in northern Virginia on Friday and charged with counts related to alleged domestic violence, the Washington Post reported.
Guice was drafted by the Washington Football Team in 2018 and was expected to be a major part of their team in 2020