As the Pro Football Hall of Fame failed to include any Washington Redskins on their “Golden” All-Super Bowl Team, we've created a team of the best Redskins ever to play in the Big Game.
WASHINGTON — Despite winning three Super Bowls over a 10 year stretch and appearing in five over a 20 year span, when it came time for the Pro Football Hall of Fame to announce its “Golden” All-Super Bowl Team, nary a Washington Redskin was honored. For fans of a certain age, it might be difficult to recall a time from 1971 to 92 when the team made the playoffs 13 times while missing the playoffs three other seasons despite winning 10 games. To honor the overlooked, we’ve put together an All-Super Bowl Redskins roster.
(AP Photo/File)
AP Photo/File
Quarterback: Doug Williams, XXII
George Wallace, sports director: Doug was almost traded in the preseason. Gibbs told him he had been traded to the Raiders, then called him back to his office before practice and told him the trade was off. Gibbs told him: “I have a feeling you are going to come in and help us win this thing.”
Doug wasn’t happy, wanted out with Jay Schroeder the starter.
(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File
Running Back: John Riggins, XVII
Dave Preston, sports anchor: His game-winning TD on 4th and one is still the play most remember from the 80’s. Riggo’s record-setting 166 yards came against a top-ranked Dolphins’ defense. No offense to Timmy Smith, but the Broncos’ D wasn’t as good as the Killer B’s.
(AP Photo/File)
AP Photo/File
Fullback: Charley Harraway, VII
DP: Hard-nosed fullback scraped his way for 37 yards and caught a pass while trying to keep the No Name Defense off an overmatched Billy Kilmer.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Wide Receivers: Ricky Sanders, XXII & XXVI; Gary Clark, XXII & XXVI; Art Monk, XVIII, XXII & XXVI
DP: Sanders notched 9 catches for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Broncos…helped turn the game completely around with his 80 yard catch. And yes, we’re using three-receiver sets. Get used to it.
GW: Art had a broken leg for Super Bowl XVII, suffered in the playoffs. Almost had a touchdown in XXVI, but his foot was out of bounds. Only one of “The Posse” not to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl.
(AP Photo/David Longstreath)
AP Photo/David Longstreath
Tight Ends: Don Warren, XVII, XVIII XXII & XXV; Clint Didier, XVII, XVIII & XXII
DP: Stellar blocker that could also make a difference stomping through secondaries. Didier for twin-tight end sets…
(AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi)
AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Joe Jacoby. Should be in the Hall of Fame. Prototypical blindside defender.
Left Guard: Russ Grimm. Hall of Famer. Beginning and end of discussion.
Center: Jeff Bostic. Only Hog to start all four Super Bowls at the same position.
Right Guard: Raliegh McKenzie. Started two Super Bowls at LG; will you tell Grimm he’s being shifted over?
Right Tackle: Mark May. Started at guard in XVIII, tackle in XXII. Completes crew with class.
DP: Despite the fantastic career of Len Hauss from the Super Bowl VII, this will be a Hog-centric squad. The fact that the OL changed in each of the four Super Bowls they played in lets us be a little creative.
GW: I’d also include guard Mark Schlereth and tackle Jim Lachey (XXVI). You have to include these two on an offensive line that allowed only 9 sacks all year and led the league in rushing attempts and rushing yards. The team also had 40 attempts on the ground in the Super Bowl for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Defensive Line
Defensive End: Dexter Manley, XVII, XVIII & XXII. Pure pressure off the edge…he forced a fumble against the Dolphins.
Defensive Tackle: Daryl Grant, XVII, XVIII & XXII. Tallied 13 tackles in three games and helped plug up the middle.
Defensive Tackle: Dave Butz, XVII, XVIII & XXII. Credited with 10 tackles in th three games, he also recovered a fumble.
Defensive End: Charles Mann, XVIII, XXII & XXVI. Also won a Super Bowl with the Niners in the 1994 season.
(AP Photo/Mark Elias)
AP Photo/Mark Elias
Linebackers
Outside Linebacker: Wilber Marshall, XXVI. The free agent pickup from the Bears came through with 10 tackles and a sack against the Bills.
Middle Linebacker: Neal Olkewicz, XVII, XVII & XXII. The defensive keystone of the front seven.
Outside Linebacker: Monte Coleman, XVII, XVIII, XXII & XXVI. The current Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach is one of the few players who participated in all four Gibbs Super Bowls.
(AP Photo/Greg Gibson)
AP Photo/Greg Gibson
Secondary
Cornerback: Darrell Green, XVIII, XXII & XXVI. Notched one of the team’s four interceptions to help seal the Skins most recent title. I’m told he can also return kicks if need be.
Strong Safety: Brig Owens, VII. Intercepted Bob Griese in the end zone to keep the game tighter than it should have been.
Free Safety: Brad Edwards, XXVI. The current George Mason University Director of Athletics intercepted Jim Kelly twice…while also adding three tackles and breaking up a few passes as well.
Cornerback: Barry Wilburn, XXII. Picked off two John Elway passes while notching three tackles against the Broncos.
(AP Photo/Pete Wright)
AP Photo/Pete Wright
Special Teams
Kicker: Chip Lohmiller, XXVI. Nailed three field goals in three attempts.
Punter: Steve Cox, XXVI. Better average than Mike Bragg…and he didn’t get blocked like Jeff Hayes.
Kick/Punt Returner: Mike Nelms, XVII. Averaged almost nine yards on six punt returns…key in the field position game.
Field Goal Defense Team: Bill Brundige & Mike Bass. One blocked Garo Yepremian’s field goal attempt…and the other ran the Cypriot’s fumble back for the team’s lone TD.
(AP Photo/File)
Dave has been in the D.C. area for 10 years and in addition to working at WTOP since 2002 has also been on the air at Westwood One/CBS Radio as well as Red Zebra Broadcasting (Redskins Network).