The Best Wide Receiver

[RobJanis]

The Redskins have a tradition of having good wide receivers, but who are the best? Take a look at my article at the Redskins Blog at the Washington Times.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/communit ... fan-forum/

[GSPODS]

I think you nailed this one.

[JansenFan]

The first real edition of pure hogwash is also posted there. In it, I bring up the argument about Colt Brennan. As part of the blog, I quoted a few THN members, so check it out. Be sure to post your thoughts on Colt with the blog.

[aswas71788]

What?? No Frank Budd???

Just kidding. Nice article.

By the way, for thiose who may wonder about Frank Budd. Frank Budd was the worlds fastest man, having won the Olympics 100 meter dash that year. The Redskins signed him as a trial at receiver. He was as fast as advertised but had small hands and was never able to catch on in pro football. He could out run any defensive back in the league but had trouble holding onto the ball. He did produce a few really spectacular touchdowns though.

[RobJanis]

What?? No Frank Budd???

Just kidding. Nice article.

By the way, for thiose who may wonder about Frank Budd. Frank Budd was the worlds fastest man, having won the Olympics 100 meter dash that year. The Redskins signed him as a trial at receiver. He was as fast as advertised but had small hands and was never able to catch on in pro football. He could out run any defensive back in the league but had trouble holding onto the ball. He did produce a few really spectacular touchdowns though.

I think I'm dating myself but -- yes I remember Frank Budd. Didn't consider him in the list of the best for reasons you give. But he could be exciting at times -- like would he or would he not catch the ball??

[yupchagee]

The only other receiver who deserves consideration is Hugh (Bones) Taylor. Since I've only read about him (he retired just before I startedfollowing the Skins), I can't add any personal recollections.

[aswas71788]

What?? No Frank Budd???

Just kidding. Nice article.

By the way, for thiose who may wonder about Frank Budd. Frank Budd was the worlds fastest man, having won the Olympics 100 meter dash that year. The Redskins signed him as a trial at receiver. He was as fast as advertised but had small hands and was never able to catch on in pro football. He could out run any defensive back in the league but had trouble holding onto the ball. He did produce a few really spectacular touchdowns though.

I think I'm dating myself but -- yes I remember Frank Budd. Didn't consider him in the list of the best for reasons you give. But he could be exciting at times -- like would he or would he not catch the ball??

Actually I was just joking about Frank Budd. He was an experiment that just didn't work out, not for his willingness to try or his desire to succeed. I like your selections and could not think of anyone that I would seriously consider adding. I have seen all of the receivers you mentioned play and have delighted in what they brought to the team.

[John Manfreda]

I think you nailed this one.

agreed

[welch]

Exactly right, unless Monk and Mitchell should switch because Monk had better hands. Mitchell, however, changed the game. He could out fake and out run any DB. Once he had the ball he was, as he had been, the most dangerous open-field runner in the NFL.

Anyone else remember Mitchell's catch-and-run at the end of his first game against the Browns? They expected Norm Sneed to throw a bomb, so the Browns dropped everyone back to the end-zone. Redskins had the ball on about their own 40. Sneed threw short to Mitchel coming over the middle, right to left (on TV). Mitchell stopped, switched left-to-right, leaving Browns skidding over the turf. The he cut back again, right-to-left, and scored.

Bobby Mitchell must have run though eight of the eleven Browns defenders...and the Browns were perennial champs or near-champs.

*

Stories say that Bones Taylor was a great receiver, but he was before my time. He deserves mention.

[yupchagee]

Exactly right, unless Monk and Mitchell should switch because Monk had better hands. Mitchell, however, changed the game. He could out fake and out run any DB. Once he had the ball he was, as he had been, the most dangerous open-field runner in the NFL.

Anyone else remember Mitchell's catch-and-run at the end of his first game against the Browns? They expected Norm Sneed to throw a bomb, so the Browns dropped everyone back to the end-zone. Redskins had the ball on about their own 40. Sneed threw short to Mitchel coming over the middle, right to left (on TV). Mitchell stopped, switched left-to-right, leaving Browns skidding over the turf. The he cut back again, right-to-left, and scored.

Bobby Mitchell must have run though eight of the eleven Browns defenders...and the Browns were perennial champs or near-champs.

*

Stories say that Bones Taylor was a great receiver, but he was before my time. He deserves mention.

I remember that play very well. I alsio remember the next Browns/Skins game. Mitchell didn't catch a single pass, but that was due to double & even triple teaming. That enabled the other receivers to have big days.

[welch]

...And Fred Dugan was the other WR in Mitchell's first season here. Dugan had great hands and no speed.

I think the zone was adopted to cover Mitchell...not Bob Hayes. He was too fast, too shifty.

When Otto Graham switch his prized, rookie-of-the-year RB Charley Taylor to WR, it was like the invention of the atom bomb. Nobody could triple-team Taylor and Mitchell...especially since Taylor was faster than your "big possesion WR" of today, and stood 6 foot three and played at 217 pounds.

Consider Taylor as a faster version of Terrell Owens, but a former RB who could play football, and Mitchell like a 6-foot 195 pound Santana Moss who had been a star RB.

What a pair! Add Jerry Smith, and, of course, the best modern passer, a pot-bellied guy named Sonny Jurgensen, and you had a passing offense that few teams have ever matched.