Your Art Monk and Darrell Green memories

How about Dec. 11, 1983 when the 12-2 Redskins boarded the bus to Dallas wearing combat gear to face the 12-2 Cowboys at Texas Stadium? With the Redskins holding on to a 14-10 lead early in the 3rd quarter, Darrell Green picked off a deflected pass and on the next play Theismann hits Art Monk for a 40+ yard touchdown. And the Redskins never looked back

Some great Monk moments here

http://www.monk4thehall.com/

The game I reference above:

YouTube - Art Monk - 1986 NFC Divisional Playoffs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iStrVSrFbA)

Here's a lesser known Art Monk play that has always stuck out for me...

Back in 1991, the undefeated Redskins were trailing the G-men 13-0 at Giants Stadium for most of the game. Remember, this was at a time when New York dominated the Redskins; New York won six in a row and something about the Giants just made the Skins crumble.

Finally, with two Gary Clark touchdowns, we take the lead 14-13. Now, this particular play either came on the drive that led to the field goal, extending the points to the final score of 17-13, or it came to secure the lead and the game. It was the fourth quarter, and the Redskins were facing a long 3rd & 17. No draw plays here -- and by this point the Giants had draped themselves all over Gary Clark.

I believe it was a QB roll-out, and Rypien fired a dart to the left side to Art Monk on a curl pattern, who as usual on third down came through, caught the pass, and kept the clock running. That pass helped close out a tough, hard fought game which enabled Washington to get its first win at Giants Stadium in years, and continue the unbeaten streak.

So this play I think, is indicative of Art's career -- not necessarily flashy, but always money at a critical point in the game when his team needed it most.

My favorite DG memory is that he carried a tootsie roll in his sock to make him run faster. I tried doing the same thing as a kid, but I just ended up eating the tootsie roll.

With Monk and Green getting inducted this weekend I thought we could share some of our favorite plays/memories of these guys.

Some that stand out for me:

-Green's punt return in the playoffs against the Bears. Such a huge play in that game and an amazing individual effort by DG.

-The next week in the NFC Championship against the Vikings where DG broke up the play at the goal line to win the game. To this day I'm not sure if he actually tipped the ball or if it simply deflected off of Darrin Nelson's hands, but either way a very memorable play.

-DG running down Dorsett, or Dickerson, or just about anybody from behind. Whenever an opponent would break free into the open field, my first thought was always "Green will catch him".

-Monk dominating that early drive in the Super Bowl against the Bills, only to have a TD taken away by instant replay. (The right call, his toe was on the line)

-Monk setting the all-time receptions record on MNF against the Broncos and getting mobbed by the team.

-In general, anytime there was a critical 3rd down situation, it always seemed like Monk was there to make the tough catch in traffic.

W/out question the best DG memory for me was against Chicago. Huge play.

Worst memory - seeing Monk on the Jets. I still watched and rooted for him, but it was just something unthinkable.

At least it wasn't Philly green I guess.



Watching Green in the annual NFL's Fastest Man contest was a lot of fun.