Clinging To Tradition: The Ten Best Washington Redskins Of All Time
Being a 27 year-old Washingtonian, I have only vague memories of greatness for my beloved Redskins. All three of their Superbowl wins haven taken place in my life time (1983, 1987, 1991) but I was too young to truly enjoy them.
Instead, as I've grown into a football watching adult, I've had to watch season after season of mediocrity and disappointment.
Whether it's been cursing free agent busts walking away with full pockets, longing for draft picks that were traded away, or having to watch the financial value of your favorite team rise while their competitiveness plummets, it's been a tough couple of decades.
I do have good memories of going to RFK Stadium with my dad, the crowd still buzzing from playoff success only a few years before, with hopes of a positive future.
But there's no question that the last 20 years, particularly since Daniel Snyder bought the team in 1999, has been hard to watch for a Redskins fan.
I wanted to take a break from current events as it relates to the Redskins and the NFL in general, and instead take a look back on the good times.
Let's move our attention from disappointing players of today, and remember the great players of yesterday.
Notes:
- The list does not contain any coaches or owners
- Keep in mind, this is coming from the view point of a second generation Redskins fan. It may not have the same guys my dad would have on a list like this
- I also tried to limit the list to players that played in D.C. for more than 6-7 years, which, unfortunately, made guys like Sean Taylor and Sam Huff ineligible.
Number 10: Chris Samuels
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I had to throw Chris Samuels on this list, if for no other reason than he was one of the few bright spots on the Redskins' roster over the last 10-12 years.
Drafted third overall in 2000, Samuels became the starting left tackle and didn't relinquish those duties until he was forced out of the NFL due to a neck injury in 2009.
As the team went up and down, free agents coming and going, losing game after game after game, there was one constant. It was Chris.
He didn't say much. All he did was pick charging defensive linemen and linebackers up into the air and throw them down to the ground.
Lucky for Trent Williams and the rest of the Redskins' offensive line, he was kind enough to hang around as an assistant line coach going forward.
Number 9: Brian Mitchell
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Forget the fact that he also played with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. Brian Mitchell played for the Redskins for 10 years and is a Redskin for life in my book.
Every time he touched the ball, you knew something good was going to happen.
A quarterback in college, Mitchell went on to become, in my opinion, the best punt/kick returner and third down back in NFL history (Devin Hester has a good chance to surpass him).
He holds 22 NFL records and is 2nd all time in all-purpose yards (23,330) behind Jerry Rice.
Number 8: Joe Jacoby
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Joe Jacoby is an obvious choice here. He was a major part of the Hogs which is one of the most storied group of guys in the history of the NFL, right up there with the Steel Curtain in Pittsburgh.
Jacoby came into the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent and went on to play for 13 seasons. He also went to 4 consecutive Pro Bowls and was part of all three of the Redskins' Superbowl victories.
His best moment might just be making the lead block on the famous run by John Riggins in XVII.
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Number 7: Chris Hanburger
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You've got to put Chris Hanburger on this list, considering he was just inducted to the Hall of Fame on February 5th.
Going to nine Pro Bowls in fourteen seasons, Hanburger is best known for his devastating high tackles in which he nearly knocked the heads off of the ball carriers.
My Dad once told me that he never saw anyone hit as hard as Hanburger did. A true Redskin great.
Number 6: Russ Grimm
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If anyone could be considered a bigger part of the Hogs than Joe Jacoby, it's Russ Grimm.
Grimm was the definition of toughness during his playing days, obliterating interior lineman on a weekly basis, and earning his way to four consecutive Pro Bowls.
Deservedly, Grimm was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Number 5: John Riggins
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Although he had a few attitude problems when he was player, problems that have only gotten more potent with age, John Riggins is the best player to ever take hand offs in a Redskins' uniform.
He was a big, bruising back, at 6'3'', 230 lbs, but most people don't realize how fast he was. Riggins was the two-time high school Kansas state champion in the 100-yard dash.
His 11,352 career rushing yards and 104 career rushing touchdowns make him one of the best running backs of all time, hands down.
Number 4: Sonny Jurgensen
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One of the purest passers of all time, Sonny Jurgensen is considered one of the better quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.
He took the Redskins to Superbowl in 1972, went to 5 Pro Bowls, and threw and ran for an incredible 255 touchdowns.
Perhaps the most impressive note on Jurgensen's career was when he captured his 3rd passing title at the ripe old age of 40.
Number 3: Darrell Green
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Darrell Green has always been a Redskins fan favorite. He played in the NFL as a starting cornerback for an astounding 20 seasons.
Having won the NFL Fastest Man competition 4 times, Green is considered by many to be the fastest player to ever play the game.
His small stature (5'9'', 180 lbs) didn't stop him from taking out wide receivers left and right and picking passes off at a steady clip.
Number 2: Art Monk
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Art Monk laid the groundwork for guys like Jerry Rice and Cris Carter. He is one of the smoothest, most effortless wide receivers to ever play the game.
He leads the Redskins in all time receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
Although he was soft spoken, he had a killer instinct that gave corners and safeties nightmares.
Perhaps the very fact that they had to go against each other day after day in practice is the reason why Art Monk and Darrell Green were so special.
Number 1: Sammy Baugh
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Sammy Baugh was one of the most unique and talented players to ever play in the NFL.
He did it all.
He played quarterback, running back, defensive back, and even punted throughout his 16 seasons with the Redskins.
He is largely considered to be the first truer passer in the NFL. There wasn't a player like him before he arrived on the scene, and there hasn't been anyone like him sense.
Think about Kordell "Slash" Stewart times about 60,000.
Honorable Mention
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Dexter Manley, DE
Charles Mann, DE
Larry Brown, RB
Joe Theisman, QB
Sam Huff, LB
Ken Houston, DB
Charley Tayler, WR
Sean Tayler, FS
Gary Clark, WR
There are dozens more we could add, and if it were at top 100 list, I'm sure I'd have no problem finding guys who fit the bill. I wanted to keep it a bit concise today.
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