Tag: Ricky Sanders

Commanders season opener in 83 days: Washington’s best No. 83?

Another easy pick.

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Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 83 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 83?

Overwhelmingly the answer can only be one player. One former U.S. President once passed a ball to this Washington receiver after asking the celebrating audience, “Where’s Ricky Sanders?”

Former President Ronald Reagan surprised the fans gathering in DC, celebrating the 1987 Super Bowl Championship season, which included a huge 42-10 romp of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.

Washington actually trailed 10-0 early in the second quarter when Sanders beat Mark Haynes, who was up on Sanders in press man-to-man coverage. Sanders badly beat Haynes down the right sideline, and Doug Williams’ pass was hauled in by Sanders for an 80-yard touchdown.

Later in the quarter, with Washington now leading 21-10, Williams again found Sanders deep for a 50-yard touchdown, giving the then Redskins a 28-10 lead.

Sanders would set a then-record 193 yards receiving in a Super Bowl game. Sanders had a huge game collecting 9 receptions, including the two long touchdowns from Williams.

Playing his college ball at Southwest Texas State, New England chose Sanders 16th overall in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft.

Following two seasons in the USFL (Houston Gamblers), Sanders signed with Washington in 1986. His best seasons were the 1988 and 1989 seasons. In ’88, Sanders caught 73 passes (1,1489 yards), including 12 touchdowns. The following season Sanders collected a career-high 80 receptions for 1,138 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

In his eight seasons for Washington, Sanders collected 414 receptions for 5,854 yards averaging 14.1 yards per reception and 36 receiving touchdowns. Sanders was one-third of the famous Washington receiving trio of Art Monk, Gary Clark and Sanders, affectionately referred to as “the Posse”.

In Super Bowl XXVI, Sanders caught one pass from Mark Rypien for 41 yards in the Redskins’ 37-24 win over Buffalo.

 

‘The Posse’ present at Commanders practice Friday

Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders were at practice Friday.

It’s alumni weekend for the Washington Commanders as the franchise adds 10 legends to the “90 greatest” list during Sunday’s game. One franchise legend who was honored, former tight end Chris Cooley, will not be attending.

Others who are being honored, such as current team broadcaster London Fletcher and assistant defensive line coach Ryan Kerrigan, will obviously be in town.

Another familiar face in town this weekend is Pro Football of Famer Art Monk. Monk, who was the NFL’s all-time leader in reception when he retired, joined the Hall of Fame in 2008 after a ridiculous wait.

Monk wasn’t the only great Washington receiver in town for alumni weekend. His old teammates, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders were also at practice. Even better, “The Posse” spent time with Washington’s current group of wide receivers at dinner.

This is terrific. In a time for fans where it feels like there isn’t a lot to cheer about, seeing Terry McLaurin — the current fan favorite — embracing and talking with Monk, Clark and Sanders was a feel-good moment. When Washington was the model franchise of the NFL in the 1980s and early 1990s, “The Posse” was critical to the team’s success. All three receivers brought something different to the field.

The team should continue to hold alumni events to bring these players back. Fans believe in and still respect some of the greats from Washington’s past.

1991: The greatest season in Washington Football history, Week 9

We could use some good news. Ivan has the latest in his series, looking back at Week 9 of the 1991 season — the greatest season in Washington’s franchise history.

This 2021 NFL season reminds us that 30 years ago Washington assembled its greatest team in franchise history, going 14-2 and racing through the playoffs to the Super Bowl XXVI championship and Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Week 9—Washington 17, NY Giants 13— October 27, 1991

Washington overcame a 13-point halftime deficit, coming back to defeat the NY Giants 17-13, before a Sunday night national TV audience and a sold-out Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Coming into the game undefeated (7-0) Washington was dominated in the first half by the Giants, who limited the Redskins to 26 passing yards and 9 rushing yards in only 16 offensive snaps. On the other hand, the Giants in 36 offensive snaps, had gained 119 passing yards and 88 rushing.

Adding salt to the wound was Gary Clark dropping what should have been a touchdown pass from QB Mark Rypien, permitting the Giants to keep their 13-0 lead at the half.

Rypien came back to Clark on a quick in-pattern, from seven yards out in the third quarter, reducing the Giants’ lead to 13-7.

The duo connected again in the final quarter, Rypien rolling out to his left, then looking across the field to his right and throwing deep, to Clark who had gotten behind the defense for a 54-yard touchdown pass, providing Washington their first lead 14-13.

Chip Lohmiller added a 35-yard field goal, and the Washington defense shut out the Giants in the second half, pushing Washington’s record to 8-0.

Rypien finished his night completing 12 of 25 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Earnest Byner limited, playing through an injury gained only 11 yards in 10 carries. However, Ricky Ervins’ 82 rushing yards on 20 carries led Washington.

“The Posse” of Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders each collected three receptions on the night. Clark led in receiving yardage with 70 yards, Monk supplied 42 yards and Sanders 33.

Rodney Hampton led the Giants’ rushing attack with 83 yards in his 21 rushing attempts. Hampton enjoyed a very busy night, also leading Giant receivers with six receptions (39 yards), while Stephen Baker’s three receptions produced 77 yards.

Wilber Marshall intercepted a Jeff Hostetler pass, as the defending Super Bowl champion Giants fell to 4-4 for 1991.

Here is the second half of that game.

 

1991: The greatest season in Washington Football history, Week 6

Ivan focuses on Washington’s Week 6 win over the Bears in that magical 1991 season.

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This 2021 NFL season reminds us that 30 years ago Washington assembled its greatest team in franchise history, going 14-2 and racing through the playoffs to the Super Bowl XXVI championship and Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Week 6—Washington 20, Chicago 7— October 6, 1991

Mark Rypien and Art Monk connected for two touchdown passes, as Washington won their fifth straight game, defeating the Chicago Bears 20-7 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Leading 3-0, Rypien found Monk for a 26-yard TD, enlarging the Washington lead to 10-0 at the half. Rypien and Monk teamed up again in the final quarter from five yards out, providing Washington with a 17-7 lead.

Washington kicker Chip Lohmiller was successful on two field goal attempts from 47 yards (first quarter) and 23 yards (fourth quarter).

The Bears actually moved the chains 19 times to Washington’s 12, as Chicago out-gained Washington on the ground (120-75) and passing (199-168).

Yet the Washington defense created big plays, forcing three Bears turnovers. Wilber Marshall, Kurt Gouveia and Fred Stokes all intercepted Bears’ QB Jim Harbaugh. And Washington linebacker Andre Collins also recorded the lone QB sack of the game.

Rypien concluded his day completing 18-31 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and 1 interception. Monk led Washington receivers with six receptions for 69 yards and his two TDs, while Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders contributed five receptions for 44 yards and four receptions for 38 yards.

Neal Anderson led the Bears with 73 yards on his 18 carries including his one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Harbaugh struggled at times completing only 17 of his 41 attempts for 206 yards and his three interceptions, for a paltry QB rating of 27.1.

The win elevated Washington’s record to 5-0, while the Bears fell to 4-2.