Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Washington Football Team’s greatest undrafted free agents

By Jonathan Eig

WASHINGTON, D.C. - SEPTEMBER 16: Joe Jacoby #66 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game September 16, 1984 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Jacoby played for the Redskins from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - SEPTEMBER 16: Joe Jacoby #66 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game September 16, 1984 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Jacoby played for the Redskins from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 23: Running back Tony Dorsett #33 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by safety Todd Bowles #23 and defensive linemen Darryl Grant #77 and Dexter Manley #72 of the Washington Football Team during a game at RFK Stadium on November 23, 1986 in Washington, DC. The Washington Football Team defeated the Cowboys 41-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 23: Running back Tony Dorsett #33 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by safety Todd Bowles #23 and defensive linemen Darryl Grant #77 and Dexter Manley #72 of the Washington Football Team during a game at RFK Stadium on November 23, 1986 in Washington, DC. The Washington Football Team defeated the Cowboys 41-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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10. Todd Bowles

Todd Bowles was not a great player. But he was smart and steady and played a lot of games for the Washington Football Team, including starting the glorious Super Bowl XXII, perhaps WFT’s finest moment. Bowles would climb the coaching ladder after retirement, rising through the ranks until he was ultimately cursed by having to become the head coach of the New York Jets. The fact that he even lasted his full four years in NY is a testament to his quality (and the Jets’ — shall we say — frugality). Currently the Defensive Coordinator of Tampa Bay, Bowles will probably get another shot at the top job somewhere, someday.

9. Darrell Young

Who doesn’t love a fullback? An old school, slobberknocker fullback. As Kyle Juszczyk and Anthony Sherman showed last year, the fullback may be making a comeback. They played valuable roles for last year’s Super Bowl contenders. The last real fullback the Washington Football Team had was Darrel Young, who could do the three things you need from a fullback. He could run for two yards when necessary. He could catch the ball on little swing routes. And he could knock the hell out of anyone who tried to get close to his QB or RB. Young was signed to be a linebacker, but Mike Shanahan moved him to offense. Remember that concept. It’s coming back later.

8. Terry Hermeling

Terry Hermeling squeezes in under the wire, having been signed in 1970. He played the entire decade for the Washington Football Team, and was hurt for much of it. But he still played. He was known as just about the toughest guy in the league when it came to playing with pain. Hermeling was the starting left tackle on some pretty good lines, and could fill in at guard later in his career when needed. A couple years after Hermeling entered the league, the Washington Football Team drafted another tackle named George Starke. After Hermeling retired, the team committed to rebuilding the line. Hermeling just missed being a Hog, but I like to think his spirit was still floating around Carlisle when the pieces were being assembled.

7. Herb Mul-Key

He came out of nowhere and had that odd hyphen in his name. Herb Mul-Key played just three years for the Washington Football Team and only was involved in a handful of plays per game. But no one who saw him returning kicks will forget the 4.3 speed and excitement he brought to the team. Mul-Key did not play football in college. He made the team via an open free agent audition. And then he made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner. Mul-key retired with a career kick return average of 27.87. One day I’ll do the research to see if any UDFA has a higher one.

6. Rusty Tillman

Like Mul-Key, Tillman was largely a one-dimensional special teamer. But he was so good at that one dimension that he would become not only a beloved player, but also a very successful coach after he retired. Tillman was a wedge-buster. He virtually invented the concept. Tillman would charge down the field on kick coverage and throw himself into as many blockers as he could, allowing his teammates free lanes to the ball carrier. It is the true kamikaze mission on the football field, and Tillman loved it. He was fortunate to play under George Allen, one of the first coaches to recognize the importance of special teams, and Allen relied on Tillman, a natural leader, to elevate his teammates. Tillman would become one of the most innovative special teams coaches himself for Seattle for more than a decade.

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