Sam Huff, 74, is a Hall of Fame linebacker who played from 1956-69, splitting his career between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. Huff played for the Giants in 1958 when they lost in the championship game to the Baltimore Colts in what was later dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” He provides commentary during Redskins’ games as an analyst for the Redskins radio network.
Is there a rivalry between the Ravens and Redskins, or is it just something that’s just envisioned by the fans?
It’s more of a Baltimore thing. They try to make a rivalry out of it, but there really isn’t one there. When Baltimore had the great teams [with the Colts], Washington didn’t. When the Redskins had the great teams, Baltimore didn’t even have a team. It’s not the Steelers and the Browns or the Giants against the Colts in 1958 in “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
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What is your opinion of first-year coaches John Harbaugh and Jim Zorn?
Each has fared well early on, but the season isn’t over yet. You can start to see some holes in the battleship. They are each going to make mistakes, including in the media. For example, Jim Zorn was a quarterback when he played, but who has he criticized the most this season? It’s been the offensive line. You’ve got to protect the quarterback, and the more you criticize them, they start to lose confidence.
Do you feel the Ravens are one of the bigger surprises of the NFL?
As far as playing with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback, yes, it’s a surprise. But the season is not over. I also know a little about playing defense. Who do the Ravens have on their team? No. 52 Ray Lewis. Players like that will keep you in the games.
What are your thoughts about this being the 50th anniversary of the 1958 NFL Championship game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts?
It’s been 50 years and there are still so many people who can name the starting lineups of both teams and couldn’t do the same for today’s Ravens and Redskins without looking at notes. When you build a great house, it starts with a great foundation. That game showed how great the NFL could be.
