Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 11 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 11?
Washington NFL trivia for $200, please.
What do Carson Wentz, Casey Weldon, Alex Smith, Patrick Ramsey, and Kim McQuilken have in common?
A: They all were quarterbacks for the Redskins who wore jersey No.11. For the younger fans, McQuilken spent his last season in the NFL as the backup for Joe Theismann in 1979. Weldon likewise spent his last NFL season as a Redskin, backing up Brad Johnson in the 1999 season.
Smith will always be remembered for his horrific injury, frightening infections and remarkable recovery to play again in the NFL. In fact, has any player in NFL history come back from what Alex Smith did to play again in the NFL? Wouldn’t it be appropriate if the NFL renamed the award “The Alex Smith Comeback Player of the Year award?”
Redskins QB Alex Smith is battling an infection from his surgery for a broken tibia and fibula, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/Slt1gzdQWJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 6, 2018
DeSean Jackson (2014-16) was an explosive weapon for the Redskins offense in his three Washington seasons. His 56 receptions for 1,169 yards gave him the NFL’s highest average yards per reception at 20.9. The next season Jackson battled injury, only making 30 receptions. Yet, he still averaged 17.6 yards a reception. His 50 receptions in 2017 generated 668 yards (13.4 YPR).
DeSean Jackson wants to stay with the #Redskins:
"First things first, I do want to be here and hopefully we can make it work". pic.twitter.com/FAkpRKjmXk— Redskins SPORTalk (@SPORTalkSkins) February 11, 2017
Some other Washington receivers who wore No. 11 were Terrelle Pryor (2017), Devin Thomas (2008-10), Cam Sims (2021-22), Aldrick Robinson (2012-13), and Mike Espy (2006).
Mark Rypien (1988-93) started 72 of his 77 Washington games. He led the team to a 45-27 record in games he started. He passed for 15,928 yards and 101 touchdowns. Rypien’s best season was when he guided the Washington offense to the 1991 Super Bowl XXVI championship. In that season, he led the NFL with 14.3 yards per reception, 8.34 Adjusted Net Yards per attempt, 5 game-winning drives. He was All-Pro 2nd Team and voted MVP of Super Bowl XXVI. In 2002 Rypien was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins.
RYP!
Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien leads Washington to its third ring, 37-24 over the Bills.
This date in 1992 pic.twitter.com/HmsGmMkGhj
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 26, 2023
