Who Were the Best?

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June 30, 2022

By Noonefromtampa

The Hog Sty’s good friend Rick Snider recently did a series of videos listing his top 20 Redskins, which you can see on his YouTube channel, called “Rick Snider’s Washington” or Twitter @Snide_Remarks. I tried my hand at a top 20 list and in my first cut, I had a list of 21 people, plus a couple more I thought of later.

So, I thought I would do my own version of a best-of list in a different way. I’m going to list my top 3 players by position, so this list will have a lot more than 20 players on it. I’m not putting any caveats or restrictions on the player selection process, just who I feel were the best at that position.

Since we are in the lull before training camp, this should be a good debate topic. Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Quarterback

  1. Sonny Jurgensen
  2. Sammy Baugh
  3. Joe Theismann

Some folks will say, “what about Doug Williams, Mark Rypien, Brad Johnson, or Kirk Cousins?” All of them did good things for the team, but those three are my choices.

Running Back

  1. John Riggins
  2. Larry Brown
  3. Clinton Portis

Some other players to consider here are Hall of Famer Cliff Battles, Stephen Davis, Alfred Morris, Terry Allen and Earnest Byner.

Wide Receiver

  1. Art Monk
  2. Charley Taylor
  3. Bobby Mitchell

This is tough category, with the likes of Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders, Santana Moss, Pierre Garcon, Michael Westbrook, Henry Ellard, and Roy Jefferson still available to choose from.

Tight End

  1. Jerry Smith
  2. Chris Cooley
  3. Jordan Reed

The first two picks were easy, the third pick was more difficult with Don Warren, Clint Didier, Vernon Davis and even Fred Davis still on the board. Reed though, when healthy, was nearly unstoppable.

Center

  1. Len Hauss
  2. Jeff Bostic
  3. Raleigh McKenzie

McKenzie played both guard and center, but I put him at the center position on this list. Some other possible choices could be Will Montgomery, Casey Rabach, Cory Raymer and Chase Roullier.

Guard

  1. Russ Grimm
  2. Dick Stanfel
  3. Mark May

Many people may not recognize Dick Stanfel, but he was an All Pro player from 1956-1958. Some other good choices at this position could be Vince Promuto, Ray Schoenke, Tre’ Johnson, Derrick Dockery, Randy Thomas and Mark Schlereth.

Tackle

  1. Trent Williams
  2. Joe Jacoby
  3. Chris Samuels

I know some people won’t like Williams being on the list and at number one, but he was the best left tackle I’ve seen play for the team.  Some good players who did not make the top three are some former Hogs George Starke, Jim Lachey, and Ed Simmons, along with more recent guys like Joe Patton and Jon Jansen.

Defensive End

  1. Charles Mann
  2. Gene Brito
  3. Dexter Manley

Gene Brito is another old timer that many people have not seen play, but hhe was a four-time first team All Pro selection. Sadly, he died at age 39 from ALS. Some players just missing out are Ron McDole also known as “The Dancing Bear”, pre-Super Bowl era player John Paluck, Verlon Biggs, Phillip Daniels, Andre Carter, and Renaldo Wynn.

Defensive Tackle

  1. Dave Butz
  2. Diron Talbert
  3. Jonathan Allen

The controversial choice here is including Jonathan Allen who just signed his second contract with the team. I do think if he continues to improve, he may be the second-best player at that position in team history. Some other good possible choices here could be Darryl Grant, Bill Brundige, Cornelius Griffin and Tim Johnson.

Linebacker

  1. Chris Hanburger
  2. Ken Harvey
  3. Ryan Kerrigan

Washington has had a number of great linebackers over the years and picking just three is going to be the most contentious part of these selections. There are at least five other players who could legitimately be in the top 3: Sam Huff, Wilbur Marshall, London Fletcher, Monte Coleman and Neal Olkewicz. Then you still have players like Harold McLinton, Brad Dusek, Rich Milot and Mel Kaufman on the board.

Cornerback

  1. Darrell Green
  2. DeAngelo Hall
  3. Champ Bailey

Some long-time fans will argue about whether Pat Fischer, Mike Bass, Joe Lavender (“The Bird”), Fred Smoot, Shawn Springs, Barry Wilburn and Lemar Parrish belong on the list. I think the three listed are the best cornerbacks to play for the team.

Safety

  1. Ken Houston
  2. Brig Owens
  3. Sean Taylor

Three great players in Washington history, plus players still on the board include Mark Murphy, Hall of Famer Paul Krause (the best player Washington traded away), Tony Peters, Todd Bowles and Alvin Walton.

Kicker

  1. Mark Moseley
  2. Chip Lohmiller
  3. Curt Knight

There could be some debate over who is third on the list. Dustin Hopkins spent nearly six seasons with Washington and was maybe an above average placekicker. I gave the nod to Knight who was on the 1972 Super Bowl team.

Punter

  1. Tress Way
  2. Matt Turk
  3. Sammy Baugh

Way and Turk are the two best punters I have seen play for Washington. I’m going to double dip with Sammy Baugh over long-time Washington punter Mike Bragg.

Let the debates commence!