Washington Redskins Top Ten Greatest Draft Successes--Chris Samuels

by Ken Meringolo on Apr 14, 2011 9:00 AM EDT in Redskins 2011 Draft

I recall having a conversation with Rick "Doc" Walker 2 or 3 years ago. We were talking about the value in blowing up a roster and rebuilding from scratch. I will always remember that one of things he said was that there was only one guy on the entire team he would consider keeping and rebuilding a roster around: Chris Samuels. And that was well into the career of Samuels.

Vinny Cerrato drafted Samuels, so I have to give him credit. He drafted an All-Pro offensive lineman. He immediately started for the team at left tackle and made it to six Pro Bowls. Samuels was not the most outspoken player on the squad, but he was clearly a leader on the team. It was clear to fans that he hated losing, and of all the players who have come through the doors at Redskins Park over the last decade, he is the least blamed for any aspect of the losing culture witnessed in that time.

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It was well know the Redskins wanted Courtney Brown REAL BAD….so, really, it’s thank you Cleveland, not thank you, Vinny.

"You're not going to remember Albert Haynesworth as a bust" - Haynesworth 2/28/2009
Hogs Haven. On Twitter..

by Kevin Ewoldt on Apr 14, 2011 9:17 AM EDT reply actions

God I forgot about that, who can I address the thank you card to?

I had a pleasure of sitting next to Chris’s family for a Skins-Saints game when Spurrier was the coach. Great family, really nice people.

Samuels is an Offensive Coordinator now for a HS, after being a coaching “intern” for the Skins last year. I’m looking forward to seeing where his coaching career goes.

Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Apr 14, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

hopefully here, under Grimm

"You're fucking out!"

by travisjh86 on Apr 14, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea I'm going to root for Shanahan.

Still don’t get the Grimm fascination beyond obvious nostalgia. I think there is a reason that he’s been passed up year after year from several NFL teams and that he has not been given a great deal of responsibility as an NFL coach, beyond the rushing game, which is floundering in AZ.

Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Apr 14, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I think one reason is:

because many teams looking to make a coaching change are doing so because their teams blow (not all, but many), and have blown for some time. Owners today are so bent on making a coaching change that will reinvigorate a restless fanbase and satisfy restless season ticket holders. As sound as it very well could be, the decision to bring in a coach like Russ Grimm would likely fall flat in most cities.
Grimm is not a fast-talking, Hollywood kind of guy. He is a throwback kind of coach.
I remain confident Grimm will get his chance to coach a team. He won’t be tabbed because he is the next hotshot coordinator to make it big. My guess is a decent coach will retire and leave a mediocre or better team in place that requires a man to lead them as opposed to a team needing someone to come in with a brand new philosophy and a high-flying offense to help sell tickets.

by Ken Meringolo on Apr 14, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Just because Brown wasn't on the board doesn't mean we wouldn't have drafted Samuels.

Samuels was their choice and it was between Brown and LA (depending who went #1). Samuels was going to be a Redskin either way.

I consider myself a one man wolfpack..@Diesel__44 on twitter.

by Diesel44 on Apr 15, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

great pick, great player

and 1 reason I wouldn’t be at all disappointed if we drafted Tyron Smith.

by aFan4Life on Apr 14, 2011 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Chris Samuels is a man

I was depressed when he retired. He’s a straight-up hero to me. One of the classiest individuals in football, great leader by example, and just everything you wanted in your franchise left tackle. I still miss him, and that is 0 disrespect to Trent Williams, who I think can be as good. Samuels is just a great person, and I wish his career wasn’t cut short.

by BigOLinemen on Apr 14, 2011 6:42 PM EDT reply actions