The Washington Redskins Team of the Decade

So, as it turns out, the Washington Redskins haven't had a great decade. If you're a Redskins fan, you already know it. If you're not a Redskins fan, you may be saying to yourself, what sport do they play again?

The Redskins record for the decade (2000-2009) is 70-88. They have four 10+ loss seasons and only one 10-win season (2005).

They have made two playoff appearances (2005, 2007) and have one playoff win (at Tampa Bay, 2005).

Those numbers are dwarfed by their number of head coaches: six, this decade.

The Criteria and Awards

The Criteria

In choosing a player for each position, I only looked at the career a player had on the Redskins in this decade. Darrell Green is a Hall of Fame cornerback, but he only played sparingly in the decade until 2002, so that doesn't count for much.

So anyone who played from 2000-2009 is eligible (looking at you Zeron Flemister), but I selected one person for each position plus some honorable mentions.

Also, career statistics are only for seasons in this decade.

The Honorable Mention Awards

Since both Die Hard and Die Hard 2 were set during the Christmas holiday, it seems like a nice way to tie this list together with the holiday season. So the first degree honorable mention relates to Die Hard, the second degree honorable mention to Die Hard 2 and so on.

The Carl Winslow Memorial Mention of Honor

As Carl Winslow expertly played the role of Carl Winslow in Die Hard, it would be hard not to honor one of America's finest policemen. (Note: I have no idea what something called a Reginald VelJohnson is.)

The Marvin Honorable Mention in Janitorial Excellence

So John McClain is really just a big nobody in Die Hard 2 without janitor/airport maintenance worker Marvin. He has maps of the whole airport, an unencrypted bad guy walkie-talkie, and points McClain to the robber's hideout in the church. That is worthy of an honorable mention.

The Zeus Carver Gun Training Honorable Mention

Zeus Carver, played by Samuel L. Jackson, helps John McClain in Die Hard: With a Vengeance. Near the end of the movie when McClain and Carver have boarded the enemy's cargo ship, McClain hands Carver a machine gun which leads to the exchange that not all black people know how to shoot a gun. This fact becomes evident when Carver tries to shoot the bad guy (Simon Gruber) with the safety on.

The Frederick Kaludis CB Radio Honorable Mention

Kevin Smith does a masterful job as the "Warlock" in Live Free or Die Hard. He is a technology god, a hacker of legendary proportions on the internet. He provides a crucial role, including pointing McClain in the direction of Woodlawn, MD and the Social Security Administration. He also is a fan of the CB Radio, and for that, he gets an honorable mention.

Quarterback- Mark Brunell

Resume: Three years, one quality, record as a starter 15-18.

Best Year, 2005: 3050 yards, 23 TD, 10 INT

Career Statistics with Redskins: 6033 yards, 38 TD, 20 INT

Choosing a quarterback for this all-decade team is like choosing between being punched in the face and being kicked in the face. Not a ringing endorsement.

Mark Brunell put together one great year, and he's the quarterback of the decade. The 2005 Washington Redskins were a legitimately good team; their only of the decade.

The only other choice it could possibly be is Jason Campbell and he hasn't led them to the playoffs. While he is improving, Mark Brunell gave us one year, and that's all it takes.

Running Back- Clinton Portis

Resume: Six seasons, four quality, one Pro Bowl with Redskins

Best Year, 2005: 352 att, 1516 yards, 4.3 avg, 11 TD...also closed the season with five 100-yard games.

Career Statistics with Redskins: 1613 att, 6597 yards, 4.1 avg, 44 TD...second all-time on the Redskins rushing yards list

Clinton Portis has been a workhorse for this franchise for most of the decade. Think about where the Redskins were in 2003, after losing Stephen Davis. They went 5-11 with Trung Candidate as the featured back, along with young guys like Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright. The Redskins traded for Portis in 2004 and he saved the franchise from an anemic offense.

The Carl Winslow Memorial Mention of Honor

Stephen Davis

Resume: Three years, two quality, one Pro Bowl with Redskins

Best Year, 2000: 332 att, 1318 yards, 4.0 avg, 11 TD

Career Numbers with Redskins: 895 att, 2390 yards, 4.0 avg, 23 TD

Remember that Davis' biggest year was in 1999, where he exploded on the scene. He had a couple great years and would have been much higher rated if the 1999 season had been included.

Fullback- Mike Sellers

Resume: Since he came back to Washington in 2004, he has blocked for five straight 1000-yard rushers (Portis four, Betts one).

A Pro Bowl fullback in 2008. Had seven touchdowns on only 12 receptions in 2005.

Wide Receiver- Santana Moss

Resume: Five years, two quality, one Pro Bowl with the Redskins

Best Year, 2005: 84 rec, 1483 yards, 9 TD

Career Statistics with the Redskins: 332 rec, 4825 yards, 27 TD

Santana Moss essentially had one year (2005) where he was unstoppable. The Redskins No. 2 wide receiver that year was David Patten and still, no one could stop him. He provided two of the most exciting moments of the decade Week Two at the Dallas Cowboys. The offense had done nothing the entire game and down 13-0 late in the fourth quarter, Mark Brunell hit Santana Moss on two long bombs for touchdowns to win the game.

The Frederick Kaludis CB Radio Honorable Mention

Brandon Lloyd

Brandon Lloyd was a lethal combination, but not of size and speed. His particular brew was a bad attitude and no talent. That sounds like that's worth $10 million in guaranteed money. Well done, sir, well done.

Wide Receiver- Laveranues Coles

Resume: Two years, two quality, one Pro Bowl with Redskins

Best Year, 2003: 82 rec, 1204 yards, 6 TD

Career Statistics with Redskins: 172 rec, 2154 yards, 7 TD

Even though he only played two years with the Redskins, he's the only other legitimate wide receiver they have had this entire decade. He's here because Darnerian McCants is not allowed to make anyone's all-decade team.

The Zeus Carver Gun Training Honorable Mention

Rod Gardner

(Note: Rod Gardner does not count because he could not consistently catch. Every easy catch was literally a 50-50 proposition, but he also made a lot of acrobatic catches. He should have been 100 times better with his size and ability.)

Tight End- Chris Cooley

Resume: Six years, four quality, two Pro Bowls with Redskins

Best Year, 2008: 83 rec, 849 yards, 1 TD

Career Statistics with Redskins: 343 rec, 3789 yards, 30 TD

One of the Redskins best draft picks of the decade. As a third round pick in 2004, Cooley has become an elite NFL tight end.

The Marvin Honorable Mention in Janitorial Excellence

Robert Royal

One of my favorite Redskins of the decade. In Madden 06 with the Redskins, you had to run the Joe Gibbs max protect offense to win. You either had to run the ball or run playaction. Surprisingly, Robert Royal was an unstoppable monster. He could block like a tackle and catch like a Oreck vacuum. Watch out for big Rob Royal, because he's coming. There's nothing you can do to stop the Rob Royal offense.

Left Tackle- Chris Samuels

Resume: A six-time Pro Bowler with the Redskins. Started 141 games for the Redskins this decade.

Chris Samuels will go down as one of the greatest Redskins of all-time. He was a devastating run blocker, working in tandem with five different starting left guards in his career and it didn't matter. In 2008, when the Redskins lost Samuels after 12 games, their average yard-per-rush dropped by 1.2 yards per carry.

As a pass blocker, he wasn't in the same elite status. Whenever he would face the best pass rushers of the era, like Michael Strahan, he would struggle in protection and give up sacks.

Left Guard- Derrick Dockery

Resume: Currently in his fifth year and second stint with the Redskins.

Dockery has been a good addition to the 2009 Redskins and their beleaguered offensive line. He has a reputation of being an above-average run and pass blocker. When he received a seven-year, $49 million offer from the Buffalo Bills, the Redskins wisely passed.

Center- Casey Rabach

Resume: Rabach has been the starting center since 2005.

Rabach largely fits into the same category as Dockery. A good addition to any offensive line, but not a game-changer.

Right Guard- Randy Thomas

Resume: A six-year veteran, the Redskins best guard of the decade

Randy Thomas has been a crushing run blocker and agile pass blocker with the Redskins for the last six years. With Thomas, Samuels, and Jansen, the Redskins could run right or left with power. Joe Gibbs loved bringing Thomas on the 1980s counter trey, a play he was perfect for.

Right Tackle- Jon Jansen

Resume: Unbelievably, Jon Jansen never made the Pro Bowl.

From 1999 to 2008, Jansen was a rock, an equal to his six-time Pro Bowl counterpart Chris Samuels. Jansen was a great run blocker with quick feet and powerful technique. While Samuels was a Pro Bowl run blocker, Jansen excelled in pass protection. When faced with elite pass rushing talent, Jansen often won the battle.

When history ultimately judges the Redskins two offensive tackles of the decade, one will have six Pro Bowls and the other will have none, when in fact they were equals on the field.

Left Defensive End- Marco Coleman

Resume: Two years, one quality, one Pro Bowl with Redskins

Best Year, 2000: 41 solo tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles

Career Statistics with Redskins: 74 solo tackles, 16.5 sacks, five forced fumbles

For a journeyman like Marco Coleman, it's time to celebrate the best stop of his career. Coleman and Bruce Smith formed a vaunted pass rush early on in the decade. In 2000, the two combined for 22 sacks (the exact number Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo have this year).

Defensive Tackle- Cornelius Griffin

Resume: Six years, three quality

Best Year, 2002: 55 solo tackles, six sacks

Career Statistics with Redskins: 327 solo tackles, 29 sacks

Cornelius Griffin has been the longest tenured defensive tackle of the decade. Albert Haynesworth may have more of impact in one year than Griffin, but Griffin has been holding down the middle of the defensive line since 2002. Griffin has flouted the history of free agent defensive tackle becoming busts on the Redskins set before him by people like Dana Stubblefield.

His preferred nickname is "Corny," though he just doesn't know it yet, so don't call him that to his face. He is a large, large man, so if you're bold enough to use the nickname, you better make sure to be very large or very fast.

Defensive Tackle- Dan Wilkinson

Resume: Three years

Best Year, 2001: 19 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions

Career Statistics with Redskins: 46 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions

"Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson had more of an impact in 1998 and 1999 than he did in the 2000s. He was a starter for three years in the decade and much more deserving than spot starters like Kedric Golston or Anthony Montgomery.

Right Defensive End- Andre Carter

Resume: Four years, two quality

Best Year, 2009: 45 solo tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles through 14 games

Career Statistics with Redskins: 159 solo tackles, 31.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles

After a disappointing 2008 season, Andre Carter went home frustrated. He felt old, at just 29. Carter ramped up his workout regime and camp into training camp ready to have the best year in his career. He has become re-dedicated and a locker room leader.

The Carl Winslow Memorial Mention of Honor

Bruce Smith

Some people like to lump Bruce Smith's tenure in Washington with all the other older high-priced free agents that Daniel Synder brought in after buying the team. That couldn't be more wrong.

The four years he played with the Redskins were remarkably. We like to marvel at Brett Favre playing at age 40, well what about at a position where you bang heads with a 350-pound player who's two feet away from you every play?

In his four years in Washington (ages 37-40), Smith had 137 solo tackles and 29 sacks. He had 10 sacks in 2000 at age 37 and five sacks in limited time at age 40.

Left Outside Linebacker- LaVar Arrington

Resume: Six years, three quality, three Pro Bowls with Redskins

Best Year, 2002: 70 solo tackles, 11 sacks, three fumble recoveries, one touchdown

Career Statistics with Redskins: 321 solo tackles, 22.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, three interceptions, one touchdown

LaVar Arrington's career can be seen from many different angles. He had an immediate impact, making a Pro Bowl in just his second year. However, by the end of the 2005 season, Arrington was largely irrelevant. He was the No. 2 overall pick in 2000, seen by many as a bust.

A three-year peak without any of the longevity.

Now, as a radio show host and Redskins commentator, he has found a second career and a new voice.

Middle Linebacker- London Fletcher

Resume: Three years, three quality

Best Year, 2007: 100 solo tackles, three interceptions

Career Statistics with Redskins: 272 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, four interceptions

There's little more to say about what London Fletcher has meant to the Redskins defense the last three years. In 2006, the Redskins defense was 27th in points and 31st in yards allowed. In 2007, Fletcher's first season with the Redskins, they jumped up to 11th in points and 8th in yards allowed.

Fletcher even made Peter King's (Sports Illustrated) NFL Team of the Decade, so who cares if he never makes a Pro Bowl? He's only averaged 100 tackles a year for the entire decade. People who know the NFL understand what he has meant to the three franchises lucky enough to have him.

Right Outside Linebacker- Jessie Armstead

Resume: Two years, two quality

Best Year, 2002: 79 solo tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries

Career Statistics with Redskins: 155 solo tackles, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries

LaVar Arrington, Jeremiah Trotter, and Jessie Armstead in 2002 and 2003 probably formed the best linebacking corps of the decade. While Trotter didn't show the same vision and quickness for making tackles as he did on the Eagles, little drop off was seen in Armstead. After two 90-100 tackle years from the former rival, Armstead retired.

Cornerback- Champ Bailey

Resume: Four years, four quality, four Pro Bowls.

Best Year, 2002: 62 solo tackles, 24 passes defensed, two interceptions

Career Statistics with Redskins: 231 solo tackles, 13 interceptions, 51 passes defensed

With four straight Pro Bowls, Champ Bailey emerged as one of the best young players in football and the best cornerback in football. When it seemed unlikely Bailey would resign with the Redskins, he was swapped for Denver's Clinton Portis. Bailey would go on to make four more Pro Bowl's in Denver (eight straight total).

Bailey was the definition of a shutdown corner while being a great tackler while playing close to the line of scrimmage.

Free Safety- Sean Taylor

Resume: Four years, three quality, one Pro Bowl (one also awarded posthumously)

Best Year, 2006: 89 solo tackles, one interception, three forced fumbles

Career Statistics with Redskins: 244 solo tackles, two sacks, 12 interceptions, eight forced fumbles, one touchdown

The late Sean Taylor was everything today's Washington Redskins need in their secondary. He was a relentless hitter, a ranger in coverage, and an athletic freak. Simply put, the franchise has missed Sean and been unable to replace him.

Strong Safety- Sam Shade

Resume: Three years, two quality

Best Year, 2000: 81 solo tackles, one sack, two interceptions

Career Statistics with Redskins: 171 solo tackles, two sacks, four interceptions

This choice can be summarized as anyone but LaRon Landry. Sam Shade is a conscious choice, even if it's an irrational one.

Sam Shade was the kind of hard-nosed strong safety that LaRon Landry isn't. He was at his best playing close to the line of scrimmage in run support. Shade didn't have to fly around the field looking for the big hit because he was always in the right position in the first place.

Double moves on Sam Shade? Forget about it.

(Note: This picture of Marty is fantastic: the playsheet down the front of the pants is an amazing look).

Cornerback- Shawn Springs

Resume: Five years, three quality

Best Year, 2004: 52 solo tackles, six sacks, five interceptions

Career Statistics with Redskins: 223 solo tackles, seven sacks, 12 interceptions

Everyone knows about Champ Bailey, but Shawn Springs was a complete cornerback in a time when the Redskins couldn't trust anyone else. Springs was an amazing cover guy and the best tackling corner the Redskins have had this decade.

The only problem was that Springs was always injured. In five seasons, he missed 18 starts, over 20 percent of the games. Shawn Springs was as good a corner as any when he played, including Champ Bailey, he just missed a lot of time.

Best Draft Pick- Chris Samuels

Chris Samuels was taken No. 3 overall in 2000 and was a bookend left tackle for the entire decade. With six Pro Bowls, he's tied for fifth in Redskins history.

Using a top draft pick on a tackle sounds like a good idea, hopefully the 2010 draft is a repeat of 2000 for the Redskins.

Worst Draft Pick- Dr. Bunsen Honeydew

Through some top-notch investigative reporting/dumpster-diving, I have obtained an exclusive copy of Vinny Cerrato's draft notes about one of their former players, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.

Pros

-High Football IQ
-Graduated from Carnegie Melonhead University
-Great Locker Room Guy- Amazing at Chemistry
-Team Leader- Very Convincing, Doesn't Take No for an Answer (Just Ask Beaker)

Cons

-Lacks Vision as Runner- Actually, Doesn't Have Any Eyes
-Needs to Get Out of the Science Lab and into the Weight Room
-Prone to Big Hits/Having Head Cracked Open, Spilling Melon Innards onto Field

(Note: Full disclosure, I own 50 Muppet Shares of Muppet Labs. Though the shares are printed on cereal box cardboard, I just wanted to protect my journalistic integrity.)

GM and Owner of the Decade- Vinny Cerrato/Daniel Synder

Thank goodness the Redskins have had some stability with their GM and Owner.

Is there anyone else who thinks that Dan and Vinny were the evil versions of Bert and Ernie? I mean they're best friends, but instead of learning about bird calls or singing songs, they run a football team. I assume (like Bert and Ernie) that Dan and Vinny sleep in the same bedroom, but in separate beds.

Coach of the Decade- Joe Gibbs

Resume: Four years, two playoff appearances, one playoff win

Record: 30-34

Even though people would question whether Joe Gibbs II was a success, he was the only coach in the decade who made the Redskins into anything of value.

The Gibbs Excels At All Things. All Hail The Gibbs.

Looking Forward...An Analysis of New GM Bruce Allen

If you liked this slideshow, be sure to check out my analysis of new General Manager Bruce Allen and why things made not have changed that much at Redskins Park.