NFL: Remembering Hall of Famer Frank Gifford: A Giant Living Legend

A Giant Legend

Source:The New Democrat 

Frank Gifford, was truly one of a kind. I don’t believe we’ve had another Hall Fame football player and Hall of Fame sportscaster in one person. Frank Gifford, was the voice of Monday Night Football. Howard Cosell, was the comedian of that show, but Frank made that show with deep knowledge of the game. As a Hall of Fame player for the New York Giants, his intelligence and his great voice. He was both an announcer and an analyst and did both jobs at the same time. His main role was as the announcer, but the way he would call what he was seeing was from an analyst’s perspective. Because he knew exactly what he was seeing and why he was seeing it.

Growing up as a kid, I couldn’t wait for ABC’s Monday Night Football. Still the best football show on TV, at least prime time show. I couldn’t wait to hear Frank do the intro for that show. Because he brought such passion, intelligence and humor to that show and brought the audience into the show as if you were going to a football party at someone’s house. With the host welcoming you in as you were at home. That’s what it was like listening to Frank call games. It was like as if you were there with him. The only NFL announcer I would take over Frank Gifford would be Pat Summerall and maybe be Al Michaels. But Frank is in the same class as both of those men.

As far Frank Gifford the NFL player, when you talk about hybrid players today, guys who could play running back, or wide receiver and are so good at both you have to use them at both positions, Frank Gifford was the first great hybrid NFL player on offense. He would’ve been a great running back, or receiver. Because he had great hands, quickness, footwork and size. He could’ve played quarterback as well. Very similar to a Paul Hournung with the Green Bay Packers. Frank, was the leader of those great Giants teams of the 1950s that went to five straight NFL Championship’s. But he was also the leader of ABC’s Monday Night Football the best prime time NFL show of all-time.

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Howard Cosell Fan: The 1972-73 Washington Redskins: George Allen Bringing a Champion to Washington

Source: This piece was originally posted at FRS Daily Press

The 1972 Redskins didn’t win the NFC Eastern Division Championship their first in thirty years or win the NFC Final their first in thirty years because they had overwhelming talent. They had very good talent with wide receivers Charlie Taylor, WR Roy Jefferson, tight end Jerry Smith and tailback Larry Brown. And on defense with people like defensive tackle Diron Talbert, linebacker Chris Hamburger, LB Jack Pardee and others, one of the best defenses in the NFL. I believe the best in the NFC that only gave up 217 points. They didn’t accomplish these things because of great talent. They weren’t the Cowboys Doomsday Defense, or the Vikings Purple People Eaters or the Rams Fearsome Foursome or the Steelers Steel Curtain.

They were a bunch of tough guys who could play who all had character, that all wanted to win and never were champions before. Thats why George Allen the Redskins head coach/general manager brought them to Washington to become champions. George Allen’s whole philosophy was about the team, “how do I get forty men (as was the case back then) to play the best that they can and play together”. (And I know this sounds corny)

But that’s how George Allen operated. His favorite drink was milk probably because he didn’t spend much time drinking other things or even thinking about other drinks that he liked, because he was all about his team. “How do I get them to play the best that they can and play together at the same time”. And everything else including his family came after his team as his kids would tell you. In the 1960s the Redskins had a pass first explosive offense that was built around QB Sonny Jurgenson, WR Charlie Taylor, WR Bobby Mitchell and TE Jerry Smith. That didn’t run the ball very well or play a lot of defense, sort of like the Miami Dolphins with Dan Marino in the 1980s.

But George Allen came from the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams where they played tough defense always had one of the best defenses in the NFL. With ball control offenses so that’s exactly what he wanted to establish in Washington, but the difference being that he was able to bring those defenders to Washington. Diron Talbert, Jack Pardee, but had a lot more offensive talent to go with his defense, which made the Redskins very explosive on both sides of the ball.

Allen inherited a team that was like 5-9 in 1970 the year Vince Lombardi died and took them to 10-4 and into the NFC Playoffs and 11-3 in 1972 as they won the NFC East, beat the Cowboys in the 1972 NFC Final, became NFC Champions. And went to Super Bowl 7 where they lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins, but I believed the Redskins had the better team. The 1972 Redskins were a team that represent what a good team looks like, with star players, but other players on the team who are also good. But know their roles and everyone playing together and playing their roles.

George Allen was not perfect, the way he handled Sonny Jurgenson and Billy Kilmer and then later Joe Theisman. All three of them playing at the same time was a tragic mistake, that I believe cost him a championship. Sonny Jurgenson was clearly his best QB and should’ve led his teams until he retired instead of splitting time with Billy Kilmer. Who was at best a journeyman QB and a part-time starter and Joe Theisman should’ve replaced Jurgenson when Sonny retired. But George Allen’s whole philosophy was built around “how to get the most out of my team at the same time to win as many games as possible” and he had a lot of success with that philosophy.
Howard Cosell Fan: 1972-73 Washington Redskins

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CBS Sports: NFL 1978 Week 12- Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants: Miracle At The Meadowlands

Source:CBS Sports– the Eagles and Giants already had a great rivalry, but this might be the most signature play in it.

Source:The New Democrat

“The title speaks for itself. This is without question the biggest choke job in the history of the NFL. Fortunately for the Giants their fortunes took a turn for the better following this game.”

From Derek Ruff

There are games that can send mediocre teams to the playoffs and end seasons for teams that may think they are good and are in the playoff race. And 1978 Miracle at The Meadowlands is that game, because both teams were still in the NFC Playoff race at this point, but basically had to win this game. The Giants at 5-6, had to win out and probably get help from other teams to get the fifth and last playoff spot in the NFC.

The Eagles-Giants rivalry is one of the oldest and best in the NFL, top 3-5 and has had a lot of staple games. But when you lose or win a game where the team that is leading late in the game, only has to run out the clock with victory formation and they blow that and fumble the ball instead, that becomes the staple game of this great rivalry.

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CBS Sports: NFL 1985- NFC Wildcard- San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants: Pat Summerall Intro

Source:CBS Sports– San Francisco 49ers QB Joe Cool Montana, perhaps celebrating another TD against the Dallas Cowboys.

Source:The New Democrat

“NYG 1985 Wild Card Intro Vs 49ers”

From NY Giants

The NFL on CBS was a great show for many reasons and Pat Summerall might of been the number one reason. But their timing and intros were classic and so well done and knew exactly how to put things and show things to people.

Pat Summerall: “First New York Giants home playoff game since the 1962 NFL Championship that was at Yankee Stadium”, the day this wildcard game was played. Giants Stadium opened up in East Rutherford, New Jersey in 1976 and this was the first Giants home playoff game there.

How does CBS Sports introduce this game, with Bruce Spingsteen singing Glory Days. The Glory Days of the New York Giants from the 1950s and early 60s. With Pat Summerall a former New York Giant of course doing the intro. A simple two-minute video or so and this is one of best NFL videos and intros of all-time. Just for those reasons.

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ABC Sports: NFL 1983- Monday Night Football – Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins: Highlights

Source:ABC Sports– Redskins QB Joe Theisman and kicker Mark Moseley, congratulating Cowboys QB Danny White.

Source:The New Democrat

“This is one of the all-time great classic NFL games, and a classic rivalry game between the Cowboys and Redskins on September 5, 1983.

This Monday Night Football opener rates up there with the 1999 Dallas at Washington opener and others when it comes to Dallas Cowboys comeback games. At this time, Redskins were the defending Super Bowl Champs. The Cowboys had won every opening game from 1965-1981 Although they did lose the 1982 opener the previous year, it looked as if they were going to lose another here in 1983.

The Cowboys looked bad. They had one reception in the first half. They had one great play with a Tony Dorsett 77 yard run as this is more well-known for the Redskins Darryl Green catching up to Dorsett and making the tackle. It was 23-3 Redskins at the half. Even Frank Gifford said Landry has problems, and Howard Cosell said the team is in disarray. Fans started yelling, “we want Dallas, we want Dallas”. Well, they got Dallas, but not as they had hoped.

The two half’s were like two completely different games, with the opposing team not showing up to play. In the 3rd quarter, QB Danny White connected with WR Tony Hill immediately for a 76 yard TD pass, then a short time later another TD for 51 yards. At that time, Frank Gifford says “the Redskins are starting to get nervous” By 2:25 left in the game, Dallas was ahead 31-23.
Final result: Dallas 31 Washington 30.

This is from ESPN. I wanted to post the full game as well but it has been blocked. 😦

For the record, the Cowboys started the season 7-0 and were eliminated in the playoffs and the Redskins did return to the Super Bowl but lost to the Raiders.

Danny White was a fine QB, he had several great comeback games. Check out other comeback games:
– 1981 Atlanta Falcons playoff game
– 1982 vs Miami Dolphins
– 1984 vs New Orleans Saints”

From ROG

“1983 – Week 1 – Cowboys at Redskins – Monday Night Memory”

Source:Dave Volsky– Cowboys QB Danny White against the Redskins defense.

From Dave Volsky

“In a game that will be dissected and cursed for days to come in Washington, the Dallas Cowboys rallied from a 23-3 halftime deficit last night to defeat the Redskins, 31-30, in a nationally televised season opener before a sellout of 55,045 at RFK Stadium.

The Redskins were so competent in every way in the first half, but the walls of their Jericho came crashing down in the second half.

After quarterback Danny White, held to one measly completion in the first half, threw touchdown passes of 75 and 51 yards to wide receiver Tony Hill, closing Dallas within 23-17 with 6:35 left in the third quarter, the Redskins’ trouble multiplied again and again.

That’s when, fittingly enough, Dallas became Dallas.

The Redskins missed a chance to take a 26-17 lead when Mark Moseley, good on three first-half field goal attempts, missed wide right on a 31-yarder with 9:24 left.”

Source:The Washington Post– The Paper of Record.

From The Washington Post

“Summary: The defending Super Bowl Champions thought they had Opening Day in the bag. By halftime, they had limited their archrivals from Dallas to three points. But in the second half, the Cowboys ignored the feats of rookie cornerback Darrell Green and stormed out of the gate. Four touchdowns pushed Dallas to a 31-30 comeback win, avenging their defeat to Washington in the 1982 NFC Championship game.”

Source: META Critic– Redskins vs Cowboys at it’s best.

From META Critic

Interesting matchup in 1983 between the Cowboys and Redskins in this great rivalry and when at least it was a great rivalry. Perhaps the best in the NFL at the time. How times have changed in the last twenty-years or so as the Redskins has become at best a mediocre franchise, with Cowboys being a consistent playoff contender, but even when they make the NFC Playoffs, they don’t tend to do much in the playoffs.

But what I believe made this Cowboys-Redskins matchup even more interesting, is that the shoe was on the other foot. (So to speak) Pre-1983 when they played the Cowboys were either the defending NFC or Super Bowl champions if not both, or they lost the NFC Final the year before. With the Redskins trying to either get back to the NFC Playoffs, or lost in the first round the year before. In 1983 the Redskins were the Super Bowl champions and beat the Cowboys in the NFC Final the year before

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NFL Films: NFL 1979- Week 16: Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys: Short Video

Source:80s Football Cards– with highlights of the Redskins-Cowboys from 1979.

“1979 Week 16 – Redskins vs. Cowboys “The Double Comeback” HD”

From 80s Football Cards

How different would the Redskins future had look had the Redskins won this game and won the NFC East as a result. Which is what this game decided in 1979 and then the Redskins would’ve made the playoffs.

The Redskins win this game, John Riggins probably doesn’t sit out in 1980 and Jack Pardee doesn’t get fired. Do the Redskins win the Super Bowl in 1982? Of course we’ll never know. But the future of the Redskins would’ve been very different with Bobby Bethard and Jack Pardee running the show instead of Joe Gibbs.

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Mike Richman: Redskins Great Jim Lachey, One of The Eighty Greatest Redskins

Source:Mike Richman– Mike Richman interviewing Redskins OT Jim Lachey (1988-95)

“Redskins Historian Mike Richman interviews former Redskins offensive tackle Jim Lachey at FedExField on Nov. 4, 2012. Lachey was there as part of the celebration honoring the 80 Greatest Redskins of all time. A Redskin from 1988-95, Lachey talks about what it was like being part of the “Hogs,” one of the most intimidating O-lines in NFL history, and of the Redskin team that romped through the 1991 season and won Super Bowl XXVI. Don’t miss this interview, which aired on Mike’s TV show, “Burgundy & Gold Magazine.” You can also watch it on Mike’s web site at:Redskins Historian. Check it out!”

From Mike Richman

Without the injuries, Jim Lachey would’ve been a first ballot of Hall of Famer, because he was that good, that big, that dominant, that strong, and one of the top three offensive tackles of his era. But after the Redskins Super Bowl season in 1991, he was dealing with major injuries for most of the rest of his career that limited his time on the field. Because before the back injury in 93 or 94, we’re talking about the best offensive tackle in the NFL. At least in NFC, who was headed to the Hall of Fame for sure. Who was a big part of one of the most dominant Super Bowl champions of all-time in the 1991 Redskins.

I think the best play that I can remember with Jim Lachey was in 1988 or 89 and they’re playing the Dallas Cowboys at Dallas and he’s blocking Ed Too Tall Jones one-on-one one, one of the best defensive ends of the 1970s and 1980s and Lachey stood him up on a pass play and knocked him down. Ed Jones, 6’9, 285 pounds, moved like a great basketball player and Lachey 6’6, perhaps the only player that he had to block that was actually taller than him and as big if not bigger and Lachey knocks Jones completely out of the play.

Jim Lachey, 6’6 290-295 pounds, all muscle who wore that very well. I think he beefed up a little bit when he got to Washington, because he didn’t want to feel small compared with the Hogs, but don’t quote me on that. Great size and yet he was also very quick, who moved his feet very well. He was both a dominant pass blocker and run blocker, which is one thing that made the Hogs so special. And why the Redskins of the 1980s and early 1990s were both a great running team and vertical passing team, because of their offensive line and the time the quarterback consistently got and the huge holes in the running game. And Big Jim I believe was the best of this group. And that alone should get him Hall of Fame consideration.

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Humanities Council: ‘The Washington Redskins: Winning Years – RFK Stadium’

Source:Humanities Council– Redskins DE Charles Mann (1983-93)

“This film was supported in part by a 30th Anniversary Grant from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC. It documents the glory years of the Washington Redskins football team from the early 80s to the mid 90s when they made four trips to the Super Bowl.

The documentary will be screened at the Yachad Our City Film Festival on Sunday, February 13th, 2011.”

From the Humanities Council

Free agency from the early 1990s which by in-large has been very good for the National Football League, but it killed the Redskins glory era, because it also came with a salary cap. And with the Redskins still being one of the top current franchises in the NFL as far as being consistent winners and a consistent playoff team, as well as playing in one of the biggest markets in the league where players wanted to come and play, it meant that the Redskins were something like 20-30 million-dollars over the first salary cap in the NFL in 1993-94. Free agency and the salary cap ended the Redskins as not just being a Super Bowl contender, but a consistent playoff team and even winner.

The Redskins moving out of RFK Stadium and downtown Washington in the late 1990s to Landover, Maryland and what is now Fed Ex Field, didn’t help either. Because the Redskins then were in transition from being a consistent 1st place team in the NFC East, to a team that was rebuilding and starting to become a playoff contender again.

The Redskins losing RFK and downtown Washington, now they lost their huge, downtown, big city, home field advantage and that great atmosphere that they had at RFK Stadium. For this giant of a castle, or mansion in suburban Landover, Maryland where you might spend a couple of hours just trying to get to the stadium. Where the fans were no longer going to a see a good playoff team, but a team that was trying to win again.

The 1970s and 1980s and even early 1990s was great for the Redskins. Because they were consistent winners and making the playoffs consistently and even a consistent Super Bowl contender. That won five NFC championships and three Super Bowls. They were very well run under Ed Williams and later Jack Cooke, with George Allen and Bobby Beathard running the personal and Allen and Joe Gibbs with their great coaching staffs coaching the team. And they played in a great big city with great people and fans. And a stadium that was simply perfect for them.

RFK was round where you were on top of the action. Where you had an overhang on the top of the stadium that kept the sound in and where the stadium literally rocked. Where people loved their team and where the opposing teams had to ask the ref to tell the fans to shut up so they could hear what they were doing.

The Redskins glory years officially ended when they left RFK Stadium and Washington for Landover. With Dan Snyder now in charge of the club and presiding over this football malaise that the Redskins have been in really since he took over the club in 1998. With a few exceptions and occasional playoff appearances.

The Redskins would do themselves a lot of good and this could perhaps be the one positive contribution that Dan Snyder makes to the Redskins and their great fans, by leaving Landover and coming back to RFK Stadium. Renovate the old RFK, knock out the top two decks of the stadium and build the new stadium on the first desk of the old stadium so they keep that rock and roll feeling that the stadium has. Where the fans are literally on top of the action.

With a new RFK holding 90-100 thousand people that could host the Super Bowl and other major events, but that would be a great stadium for the Redskins again. Which is what I believe they need for them to become a great winning contending club again. It would be great for them, great for Washington and great for the fans as well.

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Mike Richman: ‘The Redskins In The 1960s & Their Explosive Offense’

Source:Redskins Historian– Mike Richman talking about Sonny Jurgensen.

“Redskins historian Michael Richman on “NFL Films”

Video 02: The Redskins in the 1960s and their explosive offense.”

From Mike Richman

Mike Richman had it almost perfect there. The 1960s Redskins looked more like an American Football League team than an NFL team, (if you’re familiar with the AFL) only that they were in the NFL and had to play by NFL rules. The AFL wanted to be a passing league with liberalized offenses where teams were not only encouraged to throw the ball, but throw it a lot and throw it deep. The Oakland Raiders of that era were not the only vertical spread offensive team in the AFL. The San Diego Chargers ran the same offense under Sid Gilman who was a huge inspiration for Al Davis.

And I mention this because again the Redskins as an NFL team obviously had to play by NFL rules. And back then and up until 1978 after Sonny Jurgensen had already been out of the NFL for three years, the NFL rules back then favored the defenses and big, power-run, ball control offenses. Where you ran the ball 3-5 plays or more, where you played field possession and hoped to get a big takeaway from your defense, a big return in the kicking game. Where you relied on your defense a lot to win the game. And hoped you had a big day running the ball and your QB hit some passes down the field and didn’t turn it over.

What made the Redskins special during the 1960s was not that they only had one winning season, which was under Vince Lombardi in 1969 at 7-5. (Who didn’t even loose in Washington) Or that they didn’t make the playoffs the entire decade.

What made the 1960s Redskins special was that they went against the grain in the NFL. They had an 1960s AFL offense that was playing in a 1950s America NFL where it was almost considered immoral to throw the ball, or score quickly and take big chances on offense in order to score. And it wasn’t really by design either. They didn’t have a strong offensive line, they couldn’t run the ball worth a damn for the most part and their defense barely stopped anybody during this period.

But what the Redskins had was arguably the best quarterback in pro football during this era (other than John Unitas) in Sonny Jurgensen. A QB that could get rid of the ball quickly, who had a strong, accurate arm and touch and who moved well in the pocket. As well as perhaps the two best receivers on the outside in the NFL during that decade in Charley Taylor and Bobby Mitchell who both had good size, hands and speed. And then you add Jerry Smith in the middle at TE who should also be in the Hall of Fame and you’re talking about an offense that could put up 25-30 points a game against anyone. Even if they’re giving up more than that in every game.

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NFL Network: Buddy Ryan’s Gang Green Defense

Source:NFL Network– Eagles TE Keith Jackson talking about Buddy Ryan’s Gang Green defense.

“Buddy Ryan and the greatest defense of all-time”

From NFL Network

If I had to take one defense of all-time as far as dominating an entire season including the postseason and Super Bowl, I would take the 85 Chicago Bears with their 46 defense. That Bears team doesn’t win the Super Bowl without Mike Ditka. A big reason why Buddy Ryan didn’t win a Super Bowl or even a playoff game in Philadelphia or Phoenix, because he wasn’t as good of a head coach as Iron Mike.

Buddy could get his teams to the playoffs and even win a division, but he was a defensive oriented head coach, who didn’t have much respect for offenses, even his own. Mike Ditka was a complete head coach, who was offensive minded, but understood both sides of the ball very well. And knew he also had a to have a good defense to win championships.

But I believe Buddy Ryan’s Eagles were better on defense during a longer stretch. From 1988-91 and 91 was the Eagles first season without Buddy, the Eagles might of had the best defenses ever. Buddy might of of had more talent on defense in Philadelphia, then in Chicago. And he certainly had better teams on offense, even though he never had that one running back he could count on to lead their running game.

One of the reasons why Buddy wasn’t successful in turning the Eagles into a Super Bowl contender was that he never really even had a good running game. (Outside of QB Randall Cunningham) A good passing game with good receivers like Fred Barnett, Calvin Williams, Keith Jackson, Keith Byers out of the backfield. When Randall Cunningham was on, he was about as good as any QB in the game.

Imagine how good those Eagle teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s would have been had Mike Ditka been their head coach and not Buddy Ryan. Ditka would’ve given the Eagles a running game and known how to work with Randall. And then you have either Jeff Fisher or even Buddy running the defense. The Eagles probably would’ve probably already have their first Super Bowl championship already. (Sorry, Eagle fans)

Buddy I believe had better defenses in Philadelphia if you look at their secondary and then you have Reggie White on one side on the d-line, and Jerome Brown in the middle, who were both almost un-blockable. And then Clyde Simmons on the other side of Reggie. And the Eagles had more talent on offense, but Buddy wasn’t a good enough head coach as far as both sides of the ball to take the Eagles to the promise land.

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