Sneak Peek at Monk and Green HOF Busts

Redskins greats, Art Monk and Darrell Green will be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow. Those bronze busts that line the walls of the enshrinement gallery are made by hand...and here's a sneak peek of Art and Darrell courtesy of renowned sculptor Blair Buswell and the Washington Times:

Darrell Green by Blair Buswell

Art Monk by Blair Buswell

Check out the article if you're curious about the statue stuff.

Art Monk's Record Breaking Catch

I will always remember The Catch. I watched the Redskins play the Broncos on TV in a Monday Night game on October 12, 1992. The fans at RFK erupted as the referees stopped the game and the Redskins players hoisted Art Monk upon their shoulders. It is definitely the moment of Art Monks career that I will always remember...him breaking Steve Largent's record to have the most receptions in NFL history. Art Monk's record was shattered by a future hall of famer a few years later....some guy named Jerry Rice.

The catch is caught by sequential still photos by John McDonnell courtesy of the Washington Post. Check it out: Monk's Moment

Rookie Redskin Receivers Don't Know About Art Monk

There's a great article by Dan Daly of the Washington Times about Art Monk. The disappointing thing is he mentions that rookie Redskins wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly don't know jack about one of the greatest NFL wide receivers to ever play the game.

"Never saw him play," Thomas says. "I know he was a great receiver, but I've only seen him on the NFL Network, making catches and stuff."

The loquacious Kelly gave a lengthier version of the same answer. "No memory at all of him," he says. "I was so young when he was finishing up" - 8 years old, to be exact, when Monk closed out his career with the Eagles in '95.

Wow, that's a bit disappointing in my opinion. I would think, if I was Dan Snyder (I ponder that a lot), I would have put those two dudes, and the other draft picks through a 2 day crash course this offseason on the history of the Redskins....you know, the team that is paying them millions of dollars.

Even I know of the great players of other NFL teams over the last 50 years. Why don't these kids know about them? Don't they realize there are so many players other than Michael Irvin, Cris Carter, and Jerry Rice? Shouldn't a college athlete broaden their knowledge on those that paved the way to their new career? You'd think.

But, I am not surprised, it's been reported that many players on the current Redskins roster do not know who/what The Posse was. And veteran guard Randy Thomas doesn't know the words...not even a couple verses...of Hail to The Redskins. The song that plays after every touchdown at FedEx field. Darn shame to some extent.

Well, I am taking off tomorrow to drive to Canton, Ohio to see Art Monk and some guy named Darrell Green get immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'll get some pics and thoughts and post them up here for those that can't make this long awaited event.

Devin Thomas...Malcolm Kelly...MEET ART MONK!


HAIL!

Redskins to Fans: Sip Your Drink, Don't Guzzle It

Redskins fans, you're on notice. Maybe not the Dead Tree Crew. I've always heard the rumors of the Redskins confiscating your season tickets if you (or anyone using them) get all belligerent during a game. Maybe it really is true...I received the Redskins Fan Code of Conduct (pic below) from the Redskins and their sponsor Diageo (alcohol distributor) along with my season tickets. It's probably just a CYA for the Skins and Diageo...but this part stood out:

• Sip your drink, don't guzzle it. Remember it's about quality, not quantity ($8 Bud Lites?)


• To stay hydrated, always drink water ($4 Dasani) after each alcoholic beverage


• Always eat before you drink ($4.00 hot dog, $8 chicken sandwich)


• Never accept a drink from a stranger (Turn down a free $8.00 Bud Lite??)

If you ask me, those suggestions by the Redskins make more than a friendly atmosphere, they make more money too! All joking aside, some fans (including myself) can get carried away. Shots of Jack in the parking lot make for a really loud crowd...and a team needs that. You know, the whole 12th man thing. There is something about alcohol that makes one louder. And you need that when the Cowboys or any other team faces a 3rd and long at FedEx Field.

Now, being a total jacka**, that's a different story. I've seen some fights between fellow Skins fans...seriously, WTF? And I've even got some bad looks from parents of kids in the stands...but, hey...you're at a football game and the Skins fans are the most passionate of them all. There's going to be some things said that you won't hear at Chuck E Cheese, ok? But, if some dude is plastered and acting a fool the whole game...then that's different. You can do more harm than good when being too drunk and annoying to your fellow fans.

I am all for getting buzzed for the game, maybe a little drunk too, but try to keep it down if you are on your way to being "That Guy"...after all, the Skins could revoke your tix.

PS...there are more and more group shuttles/bus charters in addition to public transportation to get you safely to and from the game...SkinsBus is one in Loudoun.

Cheers

Redskins Season Tickets Arrive

It's that time of year. Training camp is underway and preseason games are just around the corner. The Redskins need to make sure about 900,000 (2 preseason, 8 regular season) tickets get FedEx'd to the fans before they face the Bills on August 9th at FedEx Field.

My FedEx package arrived today, filled with the tickets, a merchandise catalog, a letter, a receipt, and some random third party junk mail...err, "special offers".

I admit, I almost didn't renew my tickets in protest over the way the coach hiring (or "The Process" as Snyder called it) was handled. I was pretty bewildered each day that passed following Joe Gibbs' retirement 2.0. And I was one of many that thought Gregg Williams was the obvious successor...BUT, after seeing the Skins show restraint in the off season, drafting 10 players, and hiring a zany offensive coach willing to air it out...well, I gave in and renewed...after receiving 3 "Final Expiration" notices. So, suffice it to say, I am looking forward to this season...and not looking forward to paying off this new debt on my credit card.







Hail.

$4.00 Weiner Sandwiches?!?!

I'm sure you've heard of the $6.00 Burger, or the $5.00 Footlong, but what about the Washington Redskins $4.00 Hotdog?




The Redskins training camp has concession stands for the thousands of fans that come to each practice. Their menu, ummm...well, is eclectic.



This caught my attention because I went shopping the night before and bought some fresh bratwurst (5 to be exact), for $4.00. Planning to boil them in beer for about 15 minutes, then brown them on the grill with onions, peppers, and all that other stuff. I know for a fact my $4.00 weiners are bigger and better than Snyder's $4.00 weiner. But, I could not just assume...so I tried one. My palate found the following:

Charred and smokey aromas are inviting to the nose, and similar pork, beef, and chicken flavors are enjoyed on the palate. It’s just a touch hot upfront, causing a slight sting, but mellows out, with the mustard, and ketchup flavors dominating. The tannins are medium, acidity is mild to medium. Because of the slight hotness (from 98 degrees), it is a little overbearing on its own, but when paired with a Coors Light, the processed meat is pushed to the background and the hot dog is quite enjoyable. Try it with beer, Doritos, french fries, or onion rings. At around 4 bucks, it is a decent value when there aint much else to choose.

Some other things you can get for $4.00:

• 1 Gallon of Regular Unleaded Gas
• 1 Pack of cigarettes
• 2 40 ounce bottles of Malt Liqour
• 1 6 pack of Charmin toilet paper
• 1 Frozen pizza
• 1 Starbucks Venti Caramel Mochiato

So, there's a little review of the $4.00 Redskin hotdog. Not too shabby, especially in these trying times.

I'll do a review of the food, beer, and liquor selections in the coming weeks when I'm at FedEx Field.

Cheers!