Posts Tagged ‘dexter manley’

Hall Worthy? Moseley and Manley

As a Washington Redskins fan, I strongly believe that a lot more players should be in the NFL Hall of Fame. As a franchise we have made strides in the last few years with the additions of Green, Monk and Grimm, but there’s still more players that are deserving of a bust in Canton. Over the next week or so I’m going to take an objective third party look at some of the players that I believe may be HOF worthy. Next up will be Charles Mann and Joe Theismann.

Mark Moseley

Argument for enshrinement: He’s the only kicker to win a MVP award, which he did in 1982 and weighs heavily in my opinion. He led the league in FG’s 4 times and was in the top 10 in scoring 8 different seasons. He also made 2 Pro Bowls and still ranks #22 on the NFL’s all-time scoring list.

Argument against enshrinement: The career #’s are simply average when stacked against other kickers. Also, with the exception of the 82’ season he was not very accurate, making only 65% of his FG attempts for his career.

Hall of Famer in my opinion? No, the numbers simply don’t add up, in fact, they say that he’s far from it. Thanks for 1982 though…and the hair!

Actual chances of making the HOF: Zero point zero.

Dexter Manley

Case for enshrinement: He led all defensive ends in sacks for the entire decade of the 80’s with 91. Ranks 25th on career sack list with 97.5. 2-time Super Bowl champion.

Argument against enshrinement: Career derailed by drugs and off field issues. Only made 1 Pro Bowl and was only in the top 10 in sacks 2 seasons.

Hall of Famer in my opinion? No, there’s a long line of defensive ends in front of him with better numbers. 2 seasons when Dexter was playing at his highest level (82 & 87) were cut short by strikes. If those were full seasons and Dexter could have played an additional couple seasons drug-free, he’d have a strong case. But then again, if my aunt had nuts she’d be my uncle.

Actual chances of making the HOF: Zero

Cheers and Hail

Redskins of Lore: Dexter Manley

Dexter Manley was one of the most feared defensive ends of the 1980’s and remains the Redskins all-time leader in sacks with 91. He was also one of the games biggest personalities and was a quote machine…he was and is one of my favorite players in Redskins history.

Dexter had more sacks than any other defensive end in the decade of the 80’s. More than Hall of Famers like Bruce Smith, Howie Long, Richard Dent, Reggie White and Lee Roy Selmon…yet he’s never been a finalist or a semi-finalist for the Hall Of Fame. For some reason the Hall has turned their nose at Dexter’s off field problems while other players such as Lawrence Taylor and Michael Irvin have been accepted despite similar issues.

Dexter once totaled his vehicle in the Redskins Park parking lot! Who can forget the “sneeze” against the Saints…it was the turning point in that game. He was arrested once for impersonating an officer, yet on the back of his 83’ Topps football card it states that he’s a Virginia Deputy Sheriff. He hated the Cowboys and wasn’t shy about talking smack against his opponents. He was…awesome.

Thanks Mr. D, there is no doubt that you’ll never be forgotten and may we hope that one day the HOF will open it’s doors to the “Secretary of Defense.”

Cheers and Hail

Old Redskins Park Autographs Pt. 1

You’ve heard stories of my days spent at the old Redskins Park collecting autographs and memories. I thought I would start posting some of the collectibles I acquired during that time. Here’s a look at some of the football cards I had signed back in the 80′s. Next week I’ll post my 8×10 black & whites, which are my favorite items.

87 Topps Wilber Marshall. Wilber had a very unique way of signing; he’s left-handed and signs his name upside down and from right to left. Wilber was a bad ass!

1984 Topps Dexter Manley. There are many reasons to love this card, the mohawk is definitely one of them and the fact that Dexter even signed it “Mr. D” for me. Alas, this card and a few other autographs I obtained that day were F’d up by a faulty marker. Son of a…

1983 Topps Dexter Manley. Dexter was always super-cool and never at a loss for words…he was also so full of energy. The back of this card says that Dexter served as a Deputy Sheriff in Virginia…really?

1986 Topps Jim Lachey. Don’t remember a whole lot about the interactions with Jim other than he was quiet and polite. Thank you Bobby Beathard for the Jay Schroeder for Lachey swap.

1988 Topps Kelvin Bryant. Kelvin was one my favorite players during the 80′s. He was a great all-around back and had a 13 catch 130 yard 2 TD day against the Giants in 86′, it says so on the back of the card!

1984 Topps Joe Jacoby. Jake’s always been good to me, I’m hoping he’s the next Redskin in the Hall of Fame. All he did was block Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White and Too Tall Jones for a decade…and did it well.

1984 Topps Darrell Green. This is Darrell’s rookie card and is probably the only one in the group that’s worth much $$. Doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t sell any of these for any price…well I’d cut Bostic loose.

1979 Topps Doug Williams. This is also a rookie card and it’s mint. Doug also signed his SI Super Bowl cover for me, “To Doug, From Doug.” Unfortunately, it was with the same sucky marker Dexter used to sign “Mr. D.” Son of a…

1987 Topps Charles Mann. Charles was always super nice and cool. The faulty marker makes another appearance. Son of a…

1988 Topps Earnest Byner. Earnest was the consummate professional as a player and didn’t get the respect he deserved as a coach. Thanks Bobby Beathard for Mike Olpihant for Earnest Byner.

1982 Topps Dave Butz. Anyone remember the “Big Bad Butz” song made for Dave Butz? I need to find that, help me. I googled big bad butz and nothing but porn sites comes up. Per the back of Dave’s card “he performs week-in and week-out, playing often with injuries, and continues to get the job done in fine fashion.” I agree Topps, I agree.

1984 Topps Jeff Bostic. Jeff Bostic was not cool, he was not nice…it says so on the back of his card.

Cheers and Hail