Tag: The Posse

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.