Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s max-blitz call on third-and-21, leading to the 30-yard gain by Dez Bryant in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, has taken on a life of its own. It was questioned by Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall — the victim of the call, if you believe his postgame comments — and then debated throughout the week.
If the Redskins find themselves in a third-and-21 against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, Redskins fans will cover their faces rather than watch what happens.
Third-and-21 has now become part of Redskins lore — a set of numbers that for this generation of fans will represent more than just a down and yardage.
It is the latest of a history of numbers — plays, dates, stats, scores and uniforms — that, for various generations of Washington football fans, represent both good and bad meaningful moments in team history.
That list includes a sampling of the following:
12/5/37 » If you call yourself a Redskins fan and don’t know this date, you should. It’s the date the Redskins won their first NFL championship. Sammy Baugh threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-21 victory over the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field.
11/25/40 » Joe Gibbs was born in Mocksville, N.C.
73-0 » The Redskins lose to the Chicago Bears in the 1940 NFL title game at Griffith Stadium, the worst beating in NFL history.
12/14/61 » Redskins trade Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis to the Cleveland Browns for Bobby Mitchell, the date associated with the color line was finally crossed by this franchise.
49 » Bobby Mitchell’s number.
4/1/64 » Redskins trade for Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff.
9 » Sonny Jurgensen’s number.
72-41 » The most points scored in a game in NFL history as the Redskins demolished the New York Giants at D.C. Stadium in 1966.
1,216 » Running back Larry Brown’s rushing total in his 1972 MVP season.
70 Chip » The play that John Riggins ran for 43 yards to put Redskins up 20-17 over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII.
50 Gut » The Redskins’ signature running play behind the Hogs offensive line.
106 » Passes Art Monk caught in 1984.
81 » Art Monk’s number.
204 » Record amount of yards Timmy Smith rushed for in the Redskins’ 42-10 beating of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII in San Diego in 1988.
3/5/93 » Joe Gibbs announced first retirement.
12/22/96 » The last Redskins game at RFK Stadium, a 37-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
295 » The number of games Darrell Green played in his 20-year career, the most in Redskins history.
28 » Darrell Green’s number.
$100 million » Albert Haynesworth’s contract.
And now, third-and-21 — perhaps Jim Haslett’s defining moment with the Redskins.
Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN980 and espn980.com. Contact him at [email protected].
