The Washington Redskins have a sixth-round quarterback with a cool-sounding name fighting for a roster spot and creating a stir by leading the 'Skins to dramatic wins in the preseason?
Been there, done that. The "Cult of Colt" was preceded by "Save the Babe."
25 years ago, Babe Laufenberg played the role of fan-favorite underdog, fighting against the odds for a roster spot.
It may be a stretch to call Laufenberg a DC legend, but he is probably the most famous Redskin never to play a down in an NFL game in a Washington uniform.
The quarterback thrilled big crowds in sweltering weather during the preseason, but he never got the chance to show the RFK faithful what he could do when the games counted.
The chances of Laufenberg ever being heard of at all looked slim when the Redskins drafted him in the sixth round of the 1983 draft. Ahead of the Indiana Hoosier on the depth chart was Joe Theismann, who had just quarterbacked the Redskins to a win in Super Bowl XVII.
Bob Holly was the backup, but that job saw as little action as the Maytag repairman. Theismann prided himself in being durable, and he rarely left a game.
Still, Laufenberg managed to draw a regular paycheck in 1983, landing on injured reserve with a mysterious ailment. The next draft, the Redskins showed how impressed they were with Laufenberg's potential when they took a quarterback in the third round.
Jay Schroeder was a UCLA product who hadn't played football in two years, having played minor-league baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays' organization. In addition, Washington signed an experienced veteran, former Cardinal Jim Hart, as its second-team signal caller.
The battle for third string, behind Theismann and Hart, was joined in the third preseason game when the New England Patriots paid an August visit to RFK. Theismann played in the first half and turned a 17-10 lead over to Schroeder.
The rookie's first pass attempt was tipped and intercepted deep in Redskin territory, leading to a Patriot TD. In four series, Schroeder had nearly as many of his passes caught by Pats (two) as by 'Skins (three).
In came Laufenberg, with the Redskins trailing 31-17. He led a drive to a field goal and then passed Washington into New England territory again. A 36-yard TD pass to Steve Stapler got the Redskins within striking distance.
Even though a last-gasp drive to the Patriot 30 ended with Laufenberg throwing an interception, the gusty performance made the underdog QB a fan favorite.
It didn't quite make him enough of a favorite of the organization to win him a roster spot, but his peculiar arm ailment returned and he again got a spot on injured reserve. Laufenberg would get one more chance in 1985.
He gave it his all in training camp. "I've got a world of respect for Babe," said Joe Gibbs. "No one we have has worked harder or had a better attitude. He deserved this opportunity."
The Patriots again visited RFK in August, and Laufenberg knew he would have, as he put it, his "one big chance" to unseat Schroeder for the last QB roster spot in the second half. He made the most of it, although there were some shaky moments.
14 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago
Not a skins fan and really prefer the college game but that is one of the bes titles I've seen in a while.
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Bill Newton 10 months ago
Thanks for the great article, brings back some Redskin memories including the Theisman injury that still breaks my heart and turns my gut to this day. Colt Brennan is a gunslinging cowboy (pardon the metaphor) he keeps you on the end of his seat every down knowing his next throw could either be a game-winning touchdown or an game-losing interception. I see this situation developing to be more like the Shuler/Frerotte scenario, well it will be if Zorn makes Brennan the back-up to Campbell over Collins. I guess the last thing a first year coach needs is a QB controversy.
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Sean Crowe 10 months ago
Nicely done.
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Ken Armer 10 months ago
I watch the babe often as he breaks down the cowboys, and sadly didn't know this history about him. Thanks for the new knowledge.
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Evan Wiley 10 months ago
I'd like to see more about Brennan in this article....maybe some comparisona nd contrast between the two....not to sound like an english teacher or anything.
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Rich Tandler 10 months ago
Thanks for the comment, Evan. I think that there is Brennan information overload out there. The purpose of the piece is to present some information about a situation similar to Colt's and let the reader do the comparing and contrasting.
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Shaun Ahmad 10 months ago
Excellent article.
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Marcus 10 months ago
this is a real good article. thanks for writing this.
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J. Michael Morris 10 months ago
I like it and my opinion matters.
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big ROC Stockton, CA 10 months ago
It's pretty easy to put great numbers when you are playing against the 3rd string defense.
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Tom Highway 10 months ago
An interesting, well-done article, Rich.
Thanks!
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Jamaal Foster 10 months ago
This was a really cool article. Love the history aspect. I don't even like the 'skins.
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Greg Badovinac 10 months ago
Two other tidbits about Brandon "Babe" Laufenberg the pride of Crespi High in Encino (Class of 1978).
One - he played in what had to be the highest temperature ever recorded to play a NFL game (in Los Angeles) for the Chargers against the LA Raiders when it was 108 at kickoff.
Two - as the first San Fernando Valley quarterback to win a SuperBowl ring his senior year high school team shutout the first SFV QB to start and win a SB ring (Crespi defeating John Elway at "John Elway Field" of Granada Hills HS 20-0).
He was a mean basketball player and a good enough pitcher that the Giants drafted him in 1978.
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Rich Tandler 10 months ago
Thank you, Greg. (In best Johnny Carson imitation) I did not know that!
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