Burgundy & Gold Reactions: Darrell Green Jersey Retired as Washington Dominates

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October 23, 2024

by David Earl

Darrell Green Gets Immortalized

 

Washington Redskins…REDSKINS…legend and greatest of all time Darrell Green finally had number 28 forever immortalized, which has been long overdue. Green represents an era of Redskins football that was one of the gold standards of the NFL and was part of two Super Bowl championships (XXII, XXVI). His career highlights are as follows:

  • NFL Man of the Year (1996)
  • 4× first-team All-Pro (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991)
  • 7× Pro Bowl (1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997)
  • PFWA All-Rookie Team (1983)
  • NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
  • NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
  • 90 Greatest Redskins
  • Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
  • Washington Redskins No. 28 retired
  • Bart Starr Award (1997)
  • NFL record for most consecutive seasons with an interception of 19
  • Tackles: 1,159
  • Interceptions: 54
  • Touchdowns: 6

From beginning his career on Monday Night Football chasing down the great Tony Dorsett in 1983 to finishing his rookie season with 2 interceptions, 109 total tackles, and finishing 2nd for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, Green showed early on the complete player he was bound to be for the Redskins. The 28th overall selection of the 1983 NFL draft out of Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) continued to be an impact player every year even into the latter parts of his long 20-year career. The 1987 playoffs were one of the defining moments of his career as the Washington Redskins went on to beat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. In the divisional round in Chicago, Green’s famous 52 yard punt return for a touchdown, on which play he hurt his ribs, proved to be that difference in an otherwise tight game. In the NFC Championship game the following week, he broke up a 4th and goal pass to Anthony Carter that would seal the game and a trip to the Super Bowl for Washington. This is just one portion of a long and great career that cemented him not only as a Redskins great but one of the best defensive backs in NFL history.

Today, you cannot talk about Darrell Green without mentioning what he has meant to the community post-retirement through his Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation. This faith-based organization focuses on reaching out to underprivileged families and providing an after-school program. The program provides a means of not only academic enrichment but also helps character development for those who lack a good nurturing environment. It’s a program designed to help strengthen the core of a family and takes a positive role in changing the community in hopes of developing future leaders of tomorrow. Check out the Youth Life Foundation – it has become a great passion in Darrell Green’s life and it has become a foundation that has greatly inspired young minds not only in the Richmond Virginia area but beyond as well.

Winning Games They Should Win

It was the Carolina Panthers led by Andy Dalton so we will not kid ourselves here either after this win. Offensively, they are ranked 27th in the league, scoring an average of 15.7 points per game and have the worst-scoring margin or point differential per game of -19 points. Averaging only 4.9 yards per play, unable to control time of possession ranking 28th in the league at 27:47 per game, and a with passing game that yields one of the league’s worst results, 8.4 yards per completion, the Panthers’ offense does not scare even the worst of defensive units. Although they do possess a solid running game, with an average of 4.7 yards per attempt, their lack of a vertical game plus a second-to-last team passer rating average of 72.3 prevents them from utilizing the run to open up the passing game effectively and consistently. Regarding Carolina’s defense, there is not much resistance from the Panthers as they give up 6.0 yards per play, ranked 31st, and have allowed the league’s worst 23.1 first downs per game and in points allowed per game 34.7. Yes, Washington played an awful Panthers team but it is still a statement win. Here’s why.

Coming into this game Washington had the best-scoring offense in the league, averaging 31 points per game, the 3rd best rushing attack at 165.4 yards per game, and one of the best passing offenses in the league, featuring a 108.9 passer rating. If this team wanted to be regarded as a playoff-caliber team this was a game to prove that notion. This could not be “let down” type of game; they had to take care of business, especially after a tough loss against one of the top teams in the NFL last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Washington certainly made a statement, producing 40 points and a total offensive production of 421 yards. They averaged 5.8 yards per rush attempt and 8 yards per pass completion while averaging a total of 6.7 yards per play on offense. Marcus Mariota finished the game completing 78% of his passes for a passer rating of 132.8.

Defensively this unit looked really good against a Panthers’ offense that ranks among the worst in the league. Rookie Mike Sainristil has continuously improved. He finished with 6 total tackles, including 1 for a loss, and a pass defended. As a unit, they generated 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, 5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 3 total pass defenses. Andy Dalton finished the game with a 44 passer rating and never eclipsed 100 total passing yards.  Carolina’s run game was held to 4.1 yards per carry. This is important, not because the defense looked dominating against a terrible offense but because a typically poor Washington defense handled their business this time. Before this game, Washington allowed 24.2 points per game, ranked 22nd, had one of the worst run defenses , having allowed 5.0 yards per carry, and allowed second to the worst passer rating of 114.7. In the past, this team would allow bad teams to produce good numbers, but that was simply not the case against the Panthers. The Panthers never stood a chance throughout this game and the Washington defense just continued to turn them away possession after possession as that was expected playoff teams are supposed to do. Yes, I said playoff team – my overall view of this season and my expectations have taken a 180 turn.

 

New Era for Washington Football

There is a sense of “here we go again” that has always overcome this fan base under previous ownership, except forthe irrational loyal fans of Dan Snyder who had unreasonable hopes that he would turn the corner as an owner.  The majority of the time it was the owner either being manipulated by undeserving football executives or just simply at times Dan making football decisions even though he was from qualified to do so. The fans were continuously burdened by the embarrassment this organization had become over those last 2 decades of dysfunctional team operations. Yet, even under some of the most adverse conditions and amid scandals that left a black shroud over a once-proud organization, the core fans still shared a passion for this team. The issues around that era of dysfunction now generally appear to be over thusfar in tenure of new owner Josh Harris.

There now seems to not only be a sense of normalcy gaining steam within this organization, but the team’s reputation among the NFL has taken a 180 degree turn, and for good reason. For example, Harris knew of the NFLPA Report Card of the team and facilities planning improvements as “Harris and ownership have invested several million dollars in upgrading the Commanders current stadium, Commanders Field, and modernizing their training facility in Ashburn, Virginia.” He has delivered. Even raw sewage being spewed on fans didn’t make Snyder to commit to any improvements. He was always more focused on securing every penny he could, such as his lawsuit against a season ticket holder. Now, Washington has a group of players who want more than just money and a front office with a clear plan of direction. The current course has many within the fan base, me included, beginning to think a little less of the impending doom ahead, as inevitably happened under the previous regime. Confidence is being restored and, so far anyway, the product on the field has taken a legitimate turn towards relevancy in a way we couldn’t say with certainty under Snyder. Yes, there were glimpses but the fans and media were always under the belief that Snyder would find a way to ruin any potential for success.

Beyond the Team Observation: Ravens Fan Arrested

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.  John Callis is about to face the music after turning himself in to the police. According to reports, after assaulting 3 people that evening Callis later attacked them again while they were looking for their phones. One person experienced a concussion and memory loss. Callis will be facing one count of first degree aggravated assault and three counts of second degree assault. Callis was later fired by his employer and will potentially face extensive time in prison, where he belongs. He is heard in this video clip saying, “I never lose.”  He’s about to lose far more they he could have imagined. The moral of this story is it’s only a game. The trash talk and heated debates can be fun, but never escalate it to a level worth criminal charges.

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