The Best — As I See It!
Part VI: The linebackers
SEE RELATED:
by
Robert Janis
What is really fun about being a fan of a long established pro sports franchise is that you have an ever filling reservoir of players from which to choose for your list of best in a particular position. And, being a fan of the team whether it is for 50 years or five years means that you can fall back on your own personal opinion when making your own list of the best.
What follows is my list of the best Washington Redskins by squad.
Part I will cover the offensive line.
Part II will identify the best receivers.
Part III will list the best quarterbacks.
Part IV will describe the best running backs.
Part V goes into the best defensive linemen.
Part VI covers the linebackers.
Part VII will i.d. the best defensive backs.
Part VIII will discuss the best punters and field goal kickers.
Part IX will identify the best tight ends.
Again, this is my opinion. I encourage you to post your list of the best in a particular position as a comment to my article that covers that position. For example, no doubt you have your own opinions on who were the best Washington Redskins linebackers. Post your picks as a comment to my article.
Nominating the Players
First, we need to come up with some names that we can consider. I visited the 70 Greatest Redskins list at http://www.redskins.com and these are the linebackers that are included:
Monte Coleman (1979-1994)
Chuck Drazenovich (1950-1959)
Chris Hanburger (1965-1978)
Ken Harvey (1994-1998)
Sam Huff (1964-1969)
Wilbur Marshall (1988-1992)
Harold McLinton
Neal Olkewicz (1979-1989)
Since the 70 Greatest Redskins list was compiled, the Redskins have had at least two linebackers I believe are worthy for consideration —LaVar Arrington (2000-2005) and Marcus Washington (2004 - ).
The Evidence
Okay, let’s look at the evidence (read that as stats).
Although Monte Coleman did not play in a Pro Bowl, his numbers are more than adequate. In his 16 years as a Redskin he garnered 43.5 sacks; 17 interceptions, 3 returned for touchdowns; and 999 tackles. He also has 4 career touchdowns and returned a fumble for a touchdown. He also played in 21 playoff games.
Chuck Drazenovich played before many of us were aware that there were the Redskins. That doesn’t mean that his numbers weren’t super. In his 10 year career with the Skins he played in 113 games during which he intercepted 15 passes and recovered 9 fumbles. He played in four Pro Bowls and received the following honors:
1956 — Associated Press 2nd team all-NFL
1956 — Newspaper Enterprises Association 2nd team all-NFL
1956 —Sporting News 1st team all-NFL
1957 — Redskins Most Valuable Player
1957 — Newspaper Enterprises Associates 2nd team all NFL
1957 — Sporting News 1st team all-NFL
1958 — Associated Press 2nd team all-NFL
1958 — Sporting News 1st team all-NFL
Chris Hanburger’s years with the Redskins extended from the mediocre days of the 1960s into the George Allen Era of the 1970s. His numbers make him more than worthy of Hall of Fame induction. In his 14 year career with the Redskins he played in 9 Pro Bowls (1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972,1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976). He was selected 1st team all-Pro 4 times (1969, 1972, 1973, 1975). He recovered 17 fumbles returning 8 of them for touchdowns. His honors go on and on and on:
1968 — Sporting News 1st team all-conference
1969 — Associated Press 1st team all-NFL
1969 — Newspaper Enterprises Association 2nd team all-NFL
1969 — NY Daily News 2nd team all-NFL
1969 — United Press International 2nd team all-NFL
1970 — Sporting News 1st team all-conference
1972 — Associated Press 1st team all-conference
1972 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-conference
1972 — Sporting News 1st team all-conference
1972 — United Press International 1st team all-conference
1972 — Associated Press 1st team all-NFL
1972 — Pro Football Writers 1st team all-NFL
1972 — Newspaper Enterprise Association 1st team all-NFL
1972 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-NFL
1973 — Associated Press 1st team all-conference
1973 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-conference
1973 — Sporting News 1st team all-conference
1973 — United Press International 1st team all-conference
1973 — Associated Press 1st team all-NFL
1973 — Pro Football Writers 2nd team all-NFL
1973 — Newspaper Enterprise Association 1st team all-NFL
1973 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-NFL
1974 — Associated Press 1st team all-conference
1974 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-conference
1974 — Sporting News 1st team all conference
1974 — United Press International 1st team all-conference
1974 — Pro Football Writers 2nd team all-NFL
1974 — Newspaper Enterprises Association 2nd team all-NFL
1975 — Associated Press 1st team all-conference
1975 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-conference
1975 — Sporting News 1st team all-conference
1975 — United Press International 1st team all-conference
1975 — Associated Press 1st team all-NFL
1975 — Pro Football Writers 2nd team all-NFL
1975 — Newspaper Enterprise Association 2nd team all-NFL
1976 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-conference
1976 — Sporting News 1st team all-conference
1976 — United Press International 1st team all-conference
1976 — Newspaper Enterprises Association 1st team all-NFL
1976 — Pro Football Weekly 1st team all-NFL
Wow!! And this guy is NOT in the Pro Football Hall of Fame!!
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