NFL Films: NFL 1986- NFC Final- Washington Redskins @ New York Giants

Source:NFL Films-

Source:The New Democrat 

Another classic Pat Summerall NFL intro and another classic Pat Summerall Redskins-Giants intro and he and John Madden were a big part of the great Redskins-Giants rivalry. Because they did so many games between these two great franchises. I just the wish especially as a lifelong Redskins fan that he had a better game to call and we would've really of heard how great an announcer that he was. And how great an analyst that John Madden was. But the Giants got on top early on the Redskins early in the first quarter and never looked back.

The Redskins never established their great power running and outside running games in this game. The Giants essentially stacked the line of scrimmage against them early on. And then with the big lead, went into the trademark elephant two-deep zone defense so Redskins quarterback Jay Schroeder couldn't beat them deep in the air with those great Redskins speed receivers like Art Monk and Gary Clark. Which left the Redskins really just to short and medium-range passes when Schroeder could hit them.
Source:NFL Films

CBS Sports: NFL 1986-NFC Final-Washington Redskins @ New York Giants: 2nd Half

Source:The New Democrat

On paper at least this was a great matchup. Two big physical very good teams on both sides of the ball. I think under normal conditions this is a one touchdown game and perhaps the New York Giants would've won again, but not in a shutout. Even when the Giants did beat the Redskins in this era, their victories tended to be very close even at Giants Stadium. But this obviously wasn't normal conditions, at least for the Redskins. The Redskins are from Washington, where it doesn't tend to get very cold until January. Winter tends to start in New York/New Jersey in November.

This was a Giants game in Giants weather at Giants Stadium where they were extremely difficult to beat. Very similar to the Green Packers at Lambeau Field when they are good. And now the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. The Giants got off to a very hot start in this game putting up seventeen points in the first half. With the weather being the way it was and with the Giants defense in 1986, that was more than enough for a shell-shocked Redskins team that weren't prepared or didn't seem to be able to deal with the stadium and the weather.

NFL Films: NFL 1987: The Story of the Washington Redskins

Source:The New Democrat

The 1987 Redskins to me exactly goes to the brilliance of General Manager Bobby Beathard and Head Coach Joe Gibbs. A strike season where the NFL decides to play on with replacement players. That Beathard and his staff had to find for Joe Gibbs and his coaching staff. And Coach Gibbs and his crew having to determine which of these part-time NFL players can even play under these conditions and against NFL players that decided not to strike and how to use those replacements in the best way possible. Because the Redskins still had a job to do, which was to win as many games as possible in 1987.

The 1987 NFL season also goes to the depth of the Redskins with the players they lost to the players strike and the player they lost to injury. They had two starting quarterbacks in 1987, both Pro Bowl caliber quarterbacks that could start for a lot of NFL teams in Jay Schroeder and Doug Williams. They lost their starting tailback in George Rogers, another Pro Bowl running back. They had injuries on the offensive line and had to bring in new starters like Raleigh McKenzie. Gibbs was constantly having to change his lineups around on offense and defense.

The 87 Redskins perfectly exemplify the Joe Gibbs era in Washington. As a club that just had great depth everywhere and perhaps the best depth in the NFL. They didn't have the most talent in the NFL, but they arguably had the best players and the most good players and talent in the NFL. And when the strike was over and had they had all of their key players back, that is when the NFL got to see how really good of a team that they had. I believe especially on defense where they dominated the NFC Playoffs and Super Bowl. And on offense that could pile up points in the air and dominate on the ground.

CBS Sports: NFL 1986-Week 14-New York Giants @ Washington Redskins

Source:CBS Sports-  The Giants and Redskins: Week 14 1986 at RFK Stadium.

Source:Real Life Journal

“In a battle of two 11-2 teams the Giants beat the Skins 24-14 on their way to winning the NFC East and ultimately Super Bowl XXI.”

From Ken Gelman 

One of the classic games in the great Giants-Redskins rivalry with the Giants winning at RFK 24-14. Breaking a trend in the rivalry where both teams would win at home every year. As well as the Giants sweeping the series. But the 1986 Giants were special and accomplished things they hadn’t accomplished in while like winning an NFL Championship for the first time since 1956. As well as sweeping the Redskins and beating the Redskins in Washington. And beating the Redskins in the NFC Final in a 17-0 shutout.

But this post is really about the Pat Summerall intro. He was the master at that and is no secret why he was the number one play-by-play NFL announcer at CBS Sports for what twenty-years. Because of his voice, his delivery and his simple great knowledge of not just the NFL, because he played himself, but because of his knowledge of the New York Giants, Redskins and NFC East more broadly, because he and John Madden did so many NFC East games together. Because they were the number one NFC broadcast team at CBS Sports and the NFC East was a great division back then.

Iron Skin BNG: 'The Washington Redskins- Department of Defense'

Source:Iron Skin BNG- Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley, being featured.

Source:Real Life Journal

"This is a Highlight Mix of the two Best Pass Rushers in Redskins History Charles Mann and Dexter Manley."

From Iron Skin BNG

What I loved about the Redskins defense of the 1980s, was that they could get to the QB with their front four. They didn’t have to blitz to pressure the QB, because they had three guys that you basically had to double team. With two defensive ends who were both quick enough to be linebackers and the strength of defensive ends in Dexter Manley who should be in the Hall of Fame. But that is a different blog and Charles Mann who you might be able to make a good case for him as well.

But with Dexter on the other side commanding so much attention, Charlie didn’t have to take on a lot of double teams at least with Dexter there. And then you had DT Dave Butz in the middle, 6’7 three hundred something pounds of muscle, bigger than most offensive tackles back then in the 1970s and 80s playing defensive tackle. With Darryl Grant who was built like a nose tackle playing the other defensive tackle with very good quickness who could get up the field.

So with these four DL, it meant the Redskins didn’t have to pass or run blitz much because there defensive line could do most of the work. Leaving the linebackers to finish off play and not having to make most of the plays. The Redskins defense back in the 1980s wasn’t great because they had so much talent or more talent than anyone else. Because they certainly didn’t, but they had a lot of very good players and depth, who all played very well with each other. And a great defensive coach like Richie Pettibon leading them.

Washington Redskins: Sonny Jurgensen & Billy Kilmer- The Sonny-Billy Rivalry

Source:Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (1971-78)

Source:Real Life Journal

“Washington Redskins Greats Sonny Jurgensen & Billy Kilmer sat down with Redskins.com to discuss the Draft, Kentucky Derby & more… 

From the Washington Redskins

Sonny Jurgensen was clearly a better quarterback than Billy Kilmer. But Bill better fit head coach George Allen’s conservative offensive personality better. So George could say: “See, this is why we need to run more and Bill won’t take as many chances throwing the ball. Because his arm wasn’t as good as Sonny’s.” But a better head coach with perhaps a better understanding of offensive football, who didn’t have a conservative defensive mindset that George Allen had, would’ve known better. And what worked better for the Redskins offensively.

There are many horrible tragedies of Vince Lombardi dying and when he did. In 1970 at the age of fifty-seven when he could’ve probably coached another 5-10 years had he taken better care of himself. But one of those tragedies that Sonny paid the heaviest price for with the Redskins, was George Allen coming in, in 1971 as the head coach/general manager of the club.

The Redskins did pretty well under Allen. Seven winning seasons, five playoff appearances, an NFC East title and NFC title. But had Vince Lombardi lived and continued on with the Redskins in the 1970s, Sonny Jurgensen not only finishes his career with the Redskins, which he did, but he would’ve remained the full-time starter with the Redskins at quarterback, had he stayed healthy. Because the Lombardi would’ve figured out quickly that Sonny was the better quarterback than Billy Kilmer. And the Redskins would’ve won more games, more NFC East titles, played in more Super Bowls and perhaps won at least one Super Bowl in the 1970s.

Washington Redskins: The Glory Days

Source:Billy Blythe- Redskins LB Chris Hamburger.

Source:Real Life Journal

“Washington Redskins 60’s 70’s 80’s”

From Billy Blythe 

If you look at the history of the Washington Redskins, they’ve only really had two decades where they’ve been really good for most of that decade. They only had one winning season in the entire 1960s and that was with Vince Lombardi, who didn’t lose anywhere and probably could’ve taken the Detroit Lions to the Super Bowl and that was in 1969. And yes, they won the Super Bowl in 1991,  but after 1992 they missed the playoffs for six straight seasons, including 4 losing seasons from 1993-98 and went through two head coaches.

But in the 1970s and 80s the Redskins were winners and champions for both of those decades, under George Allen and later George Gibbs. From 1971-89, they had 14 winning seasons, won 5 NFC East titles, 4 NFC championships, and two Super Bowls. Only the San Francisco 49ers won more games in the 1980s than the Redskins and only the 49ers won more Super Bowls in that decade. 

And since Joe Gibbs left after the 1992 season, the Redskins have either been really bad or stuck in mediocrity winning 7-9 games when they haven’t been horrible, but for the most part haven’t been good for a really long time, let alone Super Bowl contenders and champions, for multiple reasons mostly relating their management. (Or lack of it) But there was once a time when the Washington Redskins weren’t just good or really good or consistent winners even, but when they were one of the premiere franchises in the National Football League and pro sports in general.