With Super Bowl 53 on the horizon, it’s time to take a quick look back to the last time the Washington Redskins hoisted the Lombardi trophy.
Ah, what a great year 1991 was. Classics like Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Boy’z in the Hood came out in theaters, and later on VHS. Metallica, Bryan Adams, and Ice Cube were some of the big names in the music industry. Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Jose Canseco were some of the best athletes in their respective sports. And the Washington Redskins were the best team in the NFL. Yes, you read that right.
Being born in 1988 and being a Redskins fan, like my fellow millennials, I have never seen them win the Super Bowl–or even come close for that matter. There’s been no Redskins glory in my life. The greatest euphoria I experienced was when Joe Gibbs came out of retirement in 2004. Who better to lead the team back to the Super Bowl than the same coach who won three Super Bowls here a little over a decade before?
But four quick years and two playoff appearances later, it was all over. Gibbs retired again, taking his three Super Bowl titles with him. With every year that passes by, the Redskins are another year removed from their last championship. With a new champion about to be crowned, it’s time to take a look back at the 1991 team that brought glory back to old D.C.
The 1991 championship was a direct result of the 1990 season and the trials and tribulations that the Redskins faced as a team. From the infamous ‘body bag’ game in which they were embarrassed in Philadelphia, to eventually bowing out to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs, the 1990 campaign was about growth and setting themselves up for future success the following year.
During the 1991 preseason, the Redskins did not look anything like eventual Super Bowl champions, as they went just 1-3, keeping things very vanilla and not wanting to give anything away. When the regular season started, and the games started to count, Washington looked nothing like they did in the preseason.
From the season-opening rout against the Detroit Lions to the eventual demolition of the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl, there was no doubt that the Redskins were best team in the NFL that season. It’s time to look at some of the key individuals and units that made that championship possible.
Offense – Players and statistics
Quarterbacks
At quarterback was Mark Rypien. Rypien had a Pro Bowl season as he threw for 3,564 yards and 28 touchdowns. He had the best game of his career against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10. In this game, Rypien threw for 442 yards and six touchdowns on just 16 completions. In Week 14, he had another excellent performance against the Los Angeles Rams, throwing for three touchdowns. He also threw three touchdowns against the Giants, to move the Redskins to 14-1. His stellar play continued in the playoffs, as he eventually earned Super Bowl MVP honors. In the Super Bowl, he threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
Running Backs
The group of running backs consisted of Earnest Byner, rookie Ricky Ervins, and veteran Gerald Riggs. Each running back had their own unique skill set, and each added a different wrinkle to the offense when they were on the field.
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Earnest Byner was the workhorse of the group. The man who was better known for ‘the fumble’ put his demons behind him in 1991 and had his best season as a pro. Byner rushed for 1,048 yards on 274 carries, scoring five touchdowns as he earned Pro Bowl honors. He also had 308 receiving yards on 34 receptions. He had 23 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown against the Phoenix Cardinals in Week 3. Byner also had 21 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown to help beat a tough Houston Oilers team in overtime in Week 10. Byner had 14 carries in the Super Bowl and caught a touchdown.
Ricky Ervins was the speedster and was a nice change of pace to Byner. In his rookie season, Ervins had 680 yards rushing on 145 carries and 16 receptions for 181 yards. He scored four touchdowns. Ervins had a breakout game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7. He ran for 133 yards on just 13 carries and had two scores. Ervins had a 24-yard touchdown reception against the Rams as well. He had 72 yards rushing in the Super Bowl.
Gerald Riggs was the finisher of the group. The veteran finished with 11 touchdown runs on the season and brought a physical running style. Riggs had three rushing touchdowns to help beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. He also scored twice in a Week 12 victory. In the Super Bowl, Riggs had two goal line touchdowns.
Wide Receiver
One of the more notable position groups in NFL history, Rypien had none other than ‘the posse’ to throw his beautiful, deep bombs to. A collection of speed, sure hands, and big-play ability, this legendary group consisted of Art Monk, Gary Clark, and Ricky Sanders.
Gary Clark had the best season of the three in 1991, finishing with 70 receptions for 1,340 yards and ten touchdown receptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl team as well. Clark had two second-half touchdowns to help the Redskins overcome a 13-0 deficit and beat the New York Giants in Week 9. In their Week 16 rematch, Clark had three receptions for 129 yards and two more touchdowns. In the Super Bowl, Clark had seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Ark Monk had another outstanding season in what would be a Hall of Fame career, hauling in 71 receptions for 1,049 yards and eight touchdowns. Monk had two touchdown receptions against the Chicago Bears in Week 6. He had seven receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns in Week 10. Monk had an excellent performance in the Super Bowl, catching seven balls for 113 yards.
Ricky Sanders was the third member of the group. The man who helped spark ‘the quarter’ in Super Bowl XXII, Sanders finished 1991 with 45 receptions for 580 yards and five touchdowns. He had a critical game-tying touchdown reception against the Cardinals in Week 15. Sanders also had a 40-yard touchdown reception against the Steelers, and a 41-yard reception in the Super Bowl.
Offensive Line
One of the most famous position groups in NFL history, the Redskins’ offensive line in 1991 was known as ‘The Hogs’. It began at center with Jeff Bostic. Bostic started every game and was instrumental in helping open holes inside. Starting alongside Bostic were talented guards Raleigh McKenzie and Mark Schlereth. Schlereth was solid all season, as he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. They had Jim Lachey at left tackle, who was arguably the best tackle in the league at the time. Lachay was an absolute rock on the edge, as he earned first-team All-Pro honors. At right tackle was none other than Joe Jacoby. This group was so talented and deep that future Hall of Famer Russ Grimm only started one game that season! Perhaps the most impressive feat is this group allowed just nine sacks on the season. They controlled the line of scrimmage in the Super Bowl, opening up nice running lanes and did not give up a sack against a talented Bills’ defensive line.
Defense – Players and Statistics
Defensive Line
Charles Mann was the standout on the defensive line. On the season, Mann finished with 11.5 sacks while playing the run hard. He earned Pro Bowl honors. Fred Stokes and Markus Koch provided pressure opposite Mann. Stokes started ten games and had 6.5 sacks while Koch started six games and had a sack. Eric Williams and Tim Johnson started at defensive tackle while Bobby Wilson and Jumpy Geathers each had 4.5 sacks as rotational players. This group applied constant pressure on Jim Kelly in the Super Bowl, as he was often forced to throw the ball early or take a sack. Kelly was hit hard and often by these guys. They also held NFL MVP Thurman Thomas to just 13 yards rushing on ten carries.
Linebackers
Wilber Marshall was the leader of the linebacking corps. Marshall had five interceptions on the season, including one taken back for a touchdown against the Cardinals in Week 3, while recording 5.5 sacks and well over 100 tackles. Andre Collins had a monster season as well. Collins also had over 100 tackles on the season, including an interception return for a touchdown against the Falcons. Matt Millen, Monte Coleman, and Kurt Gouveia had strong seasons while providing solid depth at the position. In the Super Bowl, Marshall had a sack on Jim Kelly while Gouveia had a key 23-yard interception return to start the second half.
Defensive Backs
Darrell Green was the unquestioned leader of the Redskins’ secondary. The Redskins legend had one of his best seasons in 1991, as he was named a first-team All-Pro at the end of the season. He recorded five interceptions on the season, including a memorable return for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship to seal a trip to the Super Bowl. He recorded an interception in the Super Bowl as well. Starting alongside Green was the underappreciated Martin Mayhew. Mayhew returned an interception for a touchdown in the Week 13 loss to the Cowboys and finished the season with three interceptions. Brad Edwards and Danny Copeland each provided excellent play at the safety positions. Edwards had two interceptions in the Super Bowl, returning one for 35 yards. The secondary did an excellent job locking up Kelly’s talented wide receivers until the game was out of reach.
Special Teams
Kicker Chip Lohmiller had the best season of his career in 1991 as he made the Pro Bowl. His best game of the season was in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, as he made four field goals over 45 yards to help the Redskins win 33-31. He also made five field goals in the Week 17 loss to the Eagles. Lohmiller finished the season with 149 points. He converted 31 of 43 field goal attempts and made all 56 of his extra point attempts. He made all of his field goal and PAT attempts in the Super Bowl.
Kelly Goodburn was the punter for the Redskins. He had 52 punts on the year for a 39.8-yard average. Goodburn had 16 punts downed inside the 20. The coverage unit was excellent as well on punts, as returners had just 190 return yards on the season. In the Super Bowl, Goodburn had four punts for 150 yards.
Redskins great Brian Mitchell handled the majority of the return duties for Washington. Mitchell had 45 punt returns for 600 yards. He returned a punt for a touchdown against the Lions in Week 1 and another one against Cincinnati in Week 4. Mitchell had 29 kick return attempts for 583 yards as well, and Ricky Ervins returned 11 kicks for 232 yards.
Coaching
Redskins legend Joe Gibbs was known as an offensive mastermind. He was an extremely hard worker and a master of motivation. Gibbs knew how to adapt his offense to his players’ strengths, as seen by his frequent use of Rypien’s deep ball during this season.
The 1991 season was arguably the finest coaching work of Gibbs’ career, as he guided the team to his third Super Bowl championship in ten seasons. The Redskins started 11-0 and lost just two games by five total points. Gibbs coached the league’s No. 1 offense while defensive masterminds Richie Petitbon and Larry Peccatiello led the No. 2 defense.
In the Super Bowl, Gibbs coached an outstanding game, keeping an excellent balance between the run and the pass, mixing up different formations as well as personnel, and he kept the Bills guessing if the Redskins were going to huddle or not.
Legacy
The Redskins had some great teams over the Joe Gibbs era. Aside from the two Super Bowl winning teams, he also coached an incredibly talented 1983 team. They went 14-2, losing both games by just a point, but got crushed in the Super Bowl.
This 1991 team, in contrast, was arguably his most dominant. They got up 24-0 in Super Bowl XXVI and extended the lead to 37-10 in the fourth quarter before Buffalo scored a couple of late touchdowns. The game finished 37-24.
Even over 25 years later, this team still ranks very high, if not at the top, of the best Super Bowl teams ever, and not just best Redskins teams ever. It’s a true testament to just how dominant they were that year.
So when the Super Bowl wraps up this Sunday and the final chapter to the 2018 NFL season is written and finished, Redskins fans everywhere should take a minute and celebrate the 1991 team that brought the Super Bowl back to old D.C. as they rightly deserve their place in history as well.