Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 26 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 26?
In the 1964 NFL draft, the Redskins drafted Paul Krause 18th overall. The free safety from Iowa had a tremendous rookie season, intercepting 12 passes, the best in the NFL. Krause was All-Pro 1st team his first two seasons in the league.
In the 1967 season, Krause intercepted 8 passes and was All-Pro 2nd team. In his first four NFL seasons, Krause had intercepted 28 passes. Yet, apparently, that was not good enough. Because in one of the most misguided deals in Redskins history, Washington sent Krause (1964-67) to the Vikings for only Marlin McKeever and a 1969 7th-round pick. Unbelievable!!
Krause, then with the Vikings, had six seasons in which he intercepted 5+ passes, including 10 interceptions as late as 1975. He was All-Pro 1st team once and All-Pro 2nd team three times for the Vikings. Though the NFL throws the ball much more nowadays, Krause, though his last season was 1979, still today is the career leader in interceptions with 81.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the Class of 1998. He was voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002. What were the Redskins thinking in 1968 to make that trade?
Paul Krause was an incredible NFL safety for the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings from 1964 to 1979.
Krause had a killer instinct on the field, able to read the quarterback and anticipate throws. He holds the record for the most career interceptions in NFL history with… pic.twitter.com/KMxE1KOVLk
— Let’s Talk NFL 🏈 (@TalkFootball34) April 3, 2023
Clinton Portis (2004-2010) was traded to Washington from Denver for future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round pick. On his first carry as a Redskin, Portis broke a 64-yard touchdown run against Tampa Bay.
In his seven Washington seasons, Portis gained 6,824 yards, 46 rushing touchdowns and 345 first downs, averaging 4.1 yards a carry. Portis also caught 176 receptions for 1,340 yards, 7.6 yards a reception, for 3 touchdowns and 63 first downs. In four seasons, Portis rushed for over 1,000 yards: 2004 (1,315), 2005 (1,516), 2007 (1,262), and 2008 (1,487). Portis was voted one of the 80 Greatest Redskins in 2012.
15 years ago today, in the return of Joe Gibbs to the NFL, the Redskins won their 500th regular-season game by defeating the Buccaneers 16-10 at FedEx Field.
Clinton Portis debuted as Redskins' RB with 148 rushing yards and 1 TD, an unforgettable 64-yard TD run!.#HTTR #TBT pic.twitter.com/GqooBDDnUJ
— David Menassé (@Frekiwolf) September 12, 2019
