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3 best trades in Washington Football Team history

By Jerry Trotta

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

2. Earnest Byner bargain

Running back for running back swaps are unheard of in today’s (and even yesterday’s) NFL, but Washington made out like bandits when they traded Mike Oliphant for Earnest Byner before the start of the 1989 season.

We’re not sure how this trade worked out as well as it did for Washington. After all, Oliphant was entering his second season in the league and Byner was coming off three straight disappointing campaigns in Cleveland.

Amazingly enough, Oliphant lasted just two years with the Browns. During that span, he logged just 97 rushing yards and one touchdown over 15 (!) carries, adding 22 yards and three catches as a receiver. He was out of the league after 1991.

Byner, on the other hand, found new life in Washington, where he would spent next FIVE seasons. Over that stretch, the former 10th-round pick (not a typo), accumulated 3,950 yards and 25 touchdowns on 3.9 YPC. Incredibly enough, most of that production came in his first two years, which certified him as a fan favorite.

It’s like the old saying goes: whenever you have the chance to trade a promising young running back for an older back who seems to be on the decline, you simply have to pull the trigger. What a time.

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