Saturday, April 05, 2008

Darrell Green

February 2, 2008 was an amazing day for Washington Redskins football fans as two recent legends of the game were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For Darrell Green, it was hard to see him not being a first ballot HOF'er. For Art Monk, it was a long time coming.

Darrell Green played at a high level for an inconceivable 20 years. He played in three Super Bowls and won two (XXII and XXVI). Green probably could have played a few more years too because he was still running a 4.2 40 at 40 (years old). He had won the NFL's fastest man competition four years in a row, and Wikipedia states that he has the fastest 40 time ever recorded (4.09). Besides speed, Green's longevity was key. It's amazing to think about all the fellow corners Green played opposite -- Vernon Dean ('82-'87), Barry Wilburn ('85-'89), AJ Johnson ('89-'94), Martin Mayhew ('89-'92), Tom Carter ('93-'96), Cris Dishman ('97-'98), Champ Bailey ('99-'02), Deion Sanders ('00), and Fred Smoot ('01-'02).

In addition to his speed and extraordinary longevity, Green also had some "signature plays," including chasing down Tony Dorsett on Monday Night Football and his punt return against the Bears in a divisional playoff game.

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