Posts Tagged ‘billy kilmer’

Is Peyton Manning The Next Billy Kilmer?

The last neck I saw that was that long had rings on it...

Unless you live under a rock I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors that Peyton Manning is set to be cast aside by the Colts, a result of neck surgery that has left Manning with a “noodle” arm according to reports. Manning’s passes after surgery have been described as “wounded ducks”. Let’s see here, an over the hill, noodle armed QB who throws wounded ducks…we’re talking about Billy Kilmer right?

It was a little over 40 years ago when the Washington Redskins traded for Billy Kilmer. At the time Kilmer had been in the NFL for 10 years, was 32 years old and was headed to his 3rd NFL team. Kilmer was coming off a horrible season for the New Orleans Saints, a season in which the Saints won just 2 games and Kilmer threw just 6 TD’s vs. 17 INT’s. Kilmer’s performance led the Saints to draft a can’t miss QB prospect out of Mississippi by the name of…Archie Manning.

40 years later it’s Archie’s son who’s being replaced by the can’t miss prospect, in this case Andrew Luck. It’s Peyton who’s over the hill and throwing the wounded ducks…the Manning’s are coming full circle.

I’m still not sure if the Redskins should sign Peyton Manning or not? But, if Manning were to become the 2nd coming of Billy Kilmer it wouldn’t be so bad. All Kilmer did was lead the Redskins to a Super Bowl, go 50-23 as a starter and lead the NFL in passing during the 72’ season. He would also make a Pro Bowl and the Redskins Ring of Fame.

Noodle arms, wounded ducks…can’t lose?!

Cheers and Hail

9/5 Happy Birthday Billy Kilmer & Tom Carter

Happy birthday Billy Kilmer. Billy played 8 seasons for the Redskins from 1971-78’ and he’s one of the 70 Greatest Redskins. He was a fixture of the “Over-The-Hill-Gang” in the 70’s and is well known for his QB controversies with Sonny Jurgensen. You either had an “I Love Billy” or “I Love Sonny” bumper sticker on your car (can you imagine how insane the media coverage would have been today?) He didn’t have a big arm and many of his passes were referred to as “wounded ducks,” but all Billy did was win. Billy played in 82 games with the Redskins and had an amazing 50W-23L-1T record as the starting QB. Billy still ranks among the Skins top five all time in nearly every passing category. He may have been slightly overweight and not fleet of foot in his Redskin’s days, but Billy actually spent his first few years in the league as a running back. He was involved in a bad car accident early in his career that threatened his playing career and was so bad that amputation was a possibility. After the accident he switched to QB. He was also an All-American basketball player in high school. Billy retired after the 1978 season, his 16th, and 170 games. Billy retired to Coral Gables, Florida and a lifetime of sun and golf. He remains one of the all-time favorite Redskins. Happy 70th Mr. Kilmer.

Happy birthday Tom Carter. Tom appeared in 62 games for the Redskins over 4 years from 1993-1996. He was a 1st round draft pick out of Notre Dame and be became a starter in his rookie season. He picked off 6 passes in his rookie year, despite only playing 14 games (11 starts.) Overall, Tom intercepted 18 passes and had 230 tackles in his very solid Redskins career. Tom left the Skins for Chicago before the 97’ season and finished his career in Cincinnati after his 10th season. Happy 37th Mr. Carter.

Cheers and Hail