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[SIZE=+2]Commanders' Green, Monk head up Hall of Fame class
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]11:08 PM CDT on Friday, August 1, 2008
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Associated Press [/SIZE] TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Without Darrell Green and Art Monk, the Washington Commanders may never have won three Super Bowls.
Without Emmitt Thomas' lessons, they may not have excelled as long as they did.
Today, all three, key components in the Commanders' dynamic run during the 1980s and early 1990s, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"We couldn't have done what we did, had that great run without them. That's for sure," Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs said. "One of the things you've got to be able to do as a coach is handle different relationships, and know how to motivate them. It's a really outstanding testament to Emmitt."
Gibbs credits Green, a lightning fast cornerback with a knack for big plays, and Monk, the league's first "big" receiver, as the leaders of the Commanders dynasty that won each Super Bowl with a different quarterback – Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien.
Thomas, one of Gibbs' assistants, had the enviable task of getting the most out of two eventual Hall-of-Famers.
"I know all of us feel blessed to go in," said Thomas, who entered the league as an undrafted rookie out of tiny Bishop College in Dallas in 1966.
"But to go in with those two young men that I had a chance to work with probably had some play in continuing my coaching career is the topping on all of it."
Green, a first-ballot selection, finished his 20-year career with 54 interceptions.
Thomas actually had better numbers than Green. He picked off 58 passes in 13 seasons with Kansas City – still the Chiefs franchise record – and won a Super Bowl in 1970.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Player Pos. Years Teams
Fred Dean DE 1975-85 San Diego, San Francisco
Darrell Green CB 1983-2002 Washington
Art Monk WR 1980-95 Washington, NY Jets, Philadelphia
Emmitt Thomas CB 1966-78 Kansas City
Andre Tippett LB 1982-93 New England
Gary Zimmerman T 1986-97 Minnesota, Denver
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]11:08 PM CDT on Friday, August 1, 2008
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Associated Press [/SIZE] TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Without Darrell Green and Art Monk, the Washington Commanders may never have won three Super Bowls.
Without Emmitt Thomas' lessons, they may not have excelled as long as they did.
Today, all three, key components in the Commanders' dynamic run during the 1980s and early 1990s, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"We couldn't have done what we did, had that great run without them. That's for sure," Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs said. "One of the things you've got to be able to do as a coach is handle different relationships, and know how to motivate them. It's a really outstanding testament to Emmitt."
Gibbs credits Green, a lightning fast cornerback with a knack for big plays, and Monk, the league's first "big" receiver, as the leaders of the Commanders dynasty that won each Super Bowl with a different quarterback – Joe Theismann, Doug Williams and Mark Rypien.
Thomas, one of Gibbs' assistants, had the enviable task of getting the most out of two eventual Hall-of-Famers.
"I know all of us feel blessed to go in," said Thomas, who entered the league as an undrafted rookie out of tiny Bishop College in Dallas in 1966.
"But to go in with those two young men that I had a chance to work with probably had some play in continuing my coaching career is the topping on all of it."
Green, a first-ballot selection, finished his 20-year career with 54 interceptions.
Thomas actually had better numbers than Green. He picked off 58 passes in 13 seasons with Kansas City – still the Chiefs franchise record – and won a Super Bowl in 1970.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Player Pos. Years Teams
Fred Dean DE 1975-85 San Diego, San Francisco
Darrell Green CB 1983-2002 Washington
Art Monk WR 1980-95 Washington, NY Jets, Philadelphia
Emmitt Thomas CB 1966-78 Kansas City
Andre Tippett LB 1982-93 New England
Gary Zimmerman T 1986-97 Minnesota, Denver