1971_Washington_Redskins_season

1971 Washington Redskins season
1971 Washington Redskins season
Owner	Edward Bennett Williams
Head coach	George Allen
Home field	RFK Stadium
Results
Record	9–4–1
Division place	2nd NFC East
Playoff finish	Lost Divisional Playoffs; (at 49ers) 20–24
	← 1970; Redskins seasons; 1972 →;

1971 Washington Redskins season

NFL team season

The 1971 Washington Redskins season was the team's 40th in the National Football League, and its 35th in Washington, D.C. The Redskins were led by first-year head coach George Allen, who had been the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams for the previous five seasons.

Quick Facts Washington Redskins season, Owner ...

George Allen and members of the 1971 team with President Richard Nixon, two days before Thanksgiving.

Coming into the 1971 season, the team had not made the postseason in 26 years. The Redskins had had only four winning seasons since their last playoff berth in 1945, the most recent a 7–5–2 campaign in 1969 under Vince Lombardi, who died of colon cancer in September 1970.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Allen was Washington's fourth head coach in as many seasons. Lombardi succeeded Otto Graham, and assistant Bill Austin took over when Lombardi fell mortally ill in the summer of 1970, and posted a 6–8 record.

Despite a broken left ankle suffered by leading receiver Charley Taylor in a week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that forced him to miss the remainder of the season, the Redskins went 9–4–1, good for second place in the NFC East. They earned a wild card berth, but lost in the opening divisional round at San Francisco, 24–20.^[4]^[5]^[6]

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[mjldc-1] [1]
"Lombardi dies of cancer". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. September 3, 1970. p. 1, part 1.

[ppllf-2] [2]
"Lombardi loses fight". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. September 3, 1970. p. 39.

[msstmn-3] [3]
"State to mourn Lombardi in rites". Milwaukee Sentinel. September 4, 1970. p. 1, part 1.

[fcmif-4] [4]
"49ers, Colts march into finals". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. September 27, 1971. p. 1, part 2.

[flsgfb-5] [5]
"Go-for-broke pass pays off for 49ers". Free Lance-Star. (Fredericksburg, Virginia). Associated Press. December 27, 1971. p. 16.

[sivcfrd-6] [6]
Maule, Tex (January 3, 1972). "The Cowboys fly – the Redskins die". Sports Illustrated. p. 15.

[7] [7]
Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at St. Louis Cardinals – September 19, 1971

[8] [8]
Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at New York Giants – September 26, 1971

[9] [9]
Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys – October 3, 1971

[10] [10]
Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Washington Redskins – October 10, 1971

[11] [11]
Pro Football Reference; St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Redskins – October 17, 1971

[12] [12]
Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Kansas City Chiefs – October 24, 1971

[13] [13]
Pro Football Reference; New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins – October 31, 1971

[14] [14]
Pro Football Reference; Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins – November 7, 1971

[15] [15]
Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – November 14, 1971

[16] [16]
Pro Football Reference; Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – November 21, 1971

[17] [17]
Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles – November 28, 1971

[18] [18]
Pro Football Reference; New York Giants at Washington Redskins – December 5, 1971

[19] [19]
Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Rams – December 13, 1971

[20] [20]
Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at Washington Redskins – December 19, 1971

[21] [21]
"Did Richard Nixon call a key Redskins play?". September 13, 2012.

[22] [22]
Pro Football Reference; NFC Divisional Playoffs – Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers – December 26, 1971

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Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
2	38	Cotton Speyrer	Wide Receiver	Texas
6	141	Conway Hayman	Guard	Delaware
7	166	Willie Germany	Defensive Back	Morgan State
9	219	Mike Fanucci	Defensive End	Arizona State
10	244	Jesse Taylor	Running Back	Cincinnati
11	272	George Starke	Tackle	Columbia
12	297	Jeff Severson	Defensive Back	Cal-Long Beach
13	322	Dan Ryczek	Center	Virginia
14	349	Bill Bynum	Quarterback	West New Mexico
15	375	Anthony Christnovich	Guard	La Crosse (Wis.)
16	400	Glenn Tucker	Linebacker	North Texas


	Quarterbacks 9 Sonny Jurgensen 17 Billy Kilmer 18 Sam Wyche Running backs 43 Larry Brown 26 Bob Brunet 31 Charley Harraway FB 25 Mike Hull 20 Tommy Mason Wide receivers 86 Boyd Dowler 80 Roy Jefferson 24 Bill Malinchak 85 Clifton McNeil 42 Charley Taylor Tight ends 81 Mack Alston 87 Jerry Smith		Offensive linemen 58 George Burman C 56 Len Hauss C 75 Terry Hermeling T 73 Paul Laaveg G 76 Walt Rock T 62 Ray Schoenke G 74 Jim Snowden T 77 Mike Taylor T 60 John Wilbur G Defensive linemen 89 Verlon Biggs DE 77 Bill Brundige DT 82 Jimmie Jones DE 79 Ron McDole DE 64 Manny Sistrunk DT 72 Diron Talbert DT		Linebackers 55 Chris Hanburger 53 Harold McLinton 32 Jack Pardee 66 Myron Pottios 67 Rusty Tillman Defensive backs 41 Mike Bass CB 45 Speedy Duncan CB 37 Pat Fischer CB 23 Brig Owens S 16 Richie Petitbon SS 29 Ted Vactor Special teams 4 Mike Bragg P 5 Curt Knight K		Reserve lists Practice squad 68 Mike Fanucci DE Rookies in italics

Week	Date	Opponent	Time	TV	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 7	at San Diego Chargers	11:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	L 10–19	0–1	San Diego Stadium	43,186
2	August 14	at Denver Broncos	10:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	W 17–13	1–1	Mile High Stadium	42,561
3	August 21	St. Louis Cardinals	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	W 20–13	2–1	RFK Stadium	40,228
4	August 28	Baltimore Colts	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	L 14–20	2–2	RFK Stadium	46,045
5	September 4	at Miami Dolphins	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	L 10–27	2–3	Miami Orange Bowl	61,202
6	September 11	Cincinnati Bengals	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	T 17–17	2–3–1	RFK Stadium	39,105

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SD	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Redskins	Game Statistics	Chargers
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 19	at St. Louis Cardinals	W 24–17	1–0	Busch Memorial Stadium	46,805	Recap
2	September 26	at New York Giants	W 30–3	2–0	Yankee Stadium	62,795	Recap
3	October 3	at Dallas Cowboys	W 20–16	3–0	Cotton Bowl	61,554	Recap
4	October 10	Houston Oilers	W 22–13	4–0	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
5	October 17	St. Louis Cardinals	W 20–0	5–0	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
6	October 24	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 20–27	5–1	Municipal Stadium	51,989	Recap
7	October 31	New Orleans Saints	W 24–14	6–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
8	November 7	Philadelphia Eagles	T 7–7	6–1–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
9	November 14	at Chicago Bears	L 15–16	6–2–1	Soldier Field	55,049	Recap
10	November 21	Dallas Cowboys	L 0–13	6–3–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
11	November 28	at Philadelphia Eagles	W 20–13	7–3–1	Veterans Stadium	65,358	Recap
12	December 5	New York Giants	W 23–7	8–3–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
13	December 13	at Los Angeles Rams	W 38–24	9–3–1	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	80,402	Recap
14	December 19	Cleveland Browns	L 13–20	9–4–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Regular Season
Week	Opponent	Referee	Umpire	Head Linesman	Line Judge	Back Judge	Field Judge
1	@ St. Louis	(81) Fred Silva	(15) Ralph Morcroft
2	@ N.Y. Giants	(12) Ben Dreith	(78) Art Demmas	(4) Bruce Finlayson	(67) Tommy Miller	(29) Stan Javie	(83) Bill O'Brien
3	@ Dallas	(42) Jack Reader
4	Houston	(6) Bernie Ulman
5	St. Louis	(56) Norm Schachter
6	@ Kansas City	(3) Jack Vest
7	New Orleans	(32) Jim Tunney
8	Philadelphia	(81) Fred Silva
9	@ Chicago	(7) Tommy Bell
10	Dallas	(60) Dick Jorgensen
11	@ Philadelphia	(12) Ben Dreith
12	N.Y. Giants	(71) Bob Frederic
13	@ Los Angeles	(32) Jim Tunney
14	Cleveland	(56) Norm Schachter

NFC East
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Dallas Cowboys	11	3	0	.786	7–1	8–3	406	222	W7
Washington Redskins	9	4	1	.692	6–1–1	8–2–1	276	190	L1
Philadelphia Eagles	6	7	1	.462	4–3–1	5–5–1	221	302	W3
St. Louis Cardinals	4	9	1	.308	1–7	2–8–1	231	279	L2
New York Giants	4	10	0	.286	1–7	3–8	228	362	L5

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	6/17, 65 YDS, 1 TD
	Rushing	Larry Brown	18 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Jerry Smith	2 REC, 35 YDS, 1 TD
STL	Passing	Jim Hart	5/15, 74 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
	Rushing	MacArthur Lane	19 CAR, 54 YDS
	Receiving	Jackie Smith	5 REC, 63 YDS, 2 TDs

Redskins	Game Statistics	Cardinals
10	First downs	13
38–148	Rushes–yards	38–117
65	Passing yards	138
6–17–0	Passes	10–27–4
0–0	Sacked–yards	0–0
65	Net passing yards	138
213	Total yards	255
171	Return yards	138
7–40.9	Punts	5–39.8
2–1	Fumbles–lost	3–3
3–25	Penalties–yards	6–39

Redskins Rushing
	Car²	Yds	TD	LG³
Brown	18	79	1	21
Harraway	13	62	0	20
Smith	1	5	0	5
Milmer	3	2	0	2
Mason	1	2	0	2
Jefferson	1	0	0	0
Petitbon	1	–2	0	–2

Position	Starting Lineups: Week 1 – at St. Louis
Offense
WR	Charley Taylor
LT	Jim Snowden
LG	Ray Schoenke
C	Len Hauss
RG	John Wilbur
RT	Walt Rock
TE	Jerry Smith
WR	Roy Jefferson
QB	Billy Kilmer
FB	Charley Harraway
RB	Larry Brown
Defense
LDE	Ron McDole
LDT	Manny Sistrunk
RDT	Diron Talbert
RDE	Verlon Biggs
LLB	Jack Pardee
MLB	Myron Pottios
RLB	Chris Hanburger
LCB	Pat Fischer
RCB	Mike Bass
SS	Richie Petitbon
FS	Brig Owens

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	23/32, 309 YDS, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Larry Brown	16 CAR, 72 YDS
	Receiving	Roy Jefferson	8 REC, 95 YDS
NYG	Passing	Fran Tarkenton	12/21, 119 YDS, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Bobby Duhon	9 CAR, 37 YDS
	Receiving	Clifton McNeil	4 REC, 59 YDS

Redskins	Game Statistics	Giants
19	First downs	13
30–126	Rushes–yards	25–68
309	Passing yards	139
23–32–0	Passes	14–30–2
1–8	Sacked–yards	5–51
301	Net passing yards	88
427	Total yards	156
125	Return yards	79
5–38.4	Punts	9–42.3
1–0	Fumbles–lost	2–0
15–178	Penalties–yards	9–72

Redskins Receiving
	Rec⁴	Yds	TD	LG³
Jefferson	8	95	0	18
Taloyr	6	125	2	71
Smith	5	61	0	23
Brown	2	8	0	4
Dowler	1	16	0	16
Harraway	1	4	0	4

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals (1–1)	0	0	0	13	13
Redskins (2–1)	7	6	7	0	20

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	5/10, 94 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	18 CAR, 111 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Roy Jefferson	2 REC, 67 YDS, 1 TD
DAL	Passing	Craig Morton	11/26, 124 YDS
	Rushing	Calvin Hill	19 CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Walt Garrison	5 REC, 44 YDS

Redskins	Game Statistics	Cowboys
14	First downs	20
41–200	Rushes–yards	29–82
94	Passing yards	227
5–10–1	Passes	17–35–0
2–9	Sacked–yards	3–42
85	Net passing yards	185
285	Total yards	267
110	Return yards	134
3–51.0	Punts	5–42.6
3–2	Fumbles–lost	1–1
3–15	Penalties–yards	5–35

Redskins Rushing
	Car²	Yds	TD	LG³
Harrayway	18	111	1	57
Brown	21	81	0	14
Mason	1	6	0	6
Kilmer	1	2	0	2

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
HOU	Passing	Charley Johnson	16/34, 160 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Leroy Sledge	9 CAR, 31 YDS
	Receiving	Willie Frazier	4 REC, 36 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	10/21, 136 YDS
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	19 CAR, 65 YDS
	Receiving	Charley Taylor	4 REC, 59 YDS

Oilers	Game Statistics	Redskins
13	First downs	11
21–46	Rushes–yards	40–115
160	Passing yards	136
16–35–3	Passes	10–21–0
2–14	Sacked–yards	0–0
146	Net passing yards	136
192	Total yards	251
106	Return yards	165
7–44.7	Punts	5–36.2
2–2	Fumbles–lost	2–2
4–35	Penalties–yards	5–63

Redskins Receiving
	Rec⁴	Yds	TD	LG³
Taylor	4	59	0	43
Jefferson	3	56	0	47
Smith	1	18	0	18
Harraway	1	2	0	2
Brown	1	1	0	1

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
STL	Passing	Pete Beathard	12/22, 142 YDS, 3 INTs
	Rushing	Roy Shivers	6 CAR, 11 YDS
	Receiving	John Gilliam	4 REC, 54 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	9/17, 126 YDS, 1 INT
	Rushing	Larry Brown	25 CAR, 150 YDS
	Receiving	Roy Jefferson	4 REC, 62 YDS

Cardinals	Game Statistics	Redskins
11	First downs	21
14–25	Rushes–yards	47–229
180	Passing yards	126
15–30–4	Passes	9–17–1
0–0	Sacked–yards	1–6
180	Net passing yards	120
205	Total yards	349
100	Return yards	52
5–41.4	Punts	4–42.5
3–3	Fumbles–lost	2–1
4–30	Penalties–yards	7–60

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	15/38, 220 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	12 CAR, 58 YDS
	Receiving	Charley Taylor	7 REC, 125 YDS, 2 TDs
KC	Passing	Len Dawson	10/23, 203 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Ed Podolak	24 CAR, 110 YDS
	Receiving	Otis Taylor	5 REC, 105 YDS, 2 TDs

Redskins	Game Statistics	Chiefs
16	First downs	20
25–99	Rushes–yards	39–162
220	Passing yards	203
15–38–1	Passes	10–23–2
2–15	Sacked–yards	5–40
205	Net passing yards	163
304	Total yards	325
176	Return yards	131
4–44.0	Punts	5–47.8
2–1	Fumbles–lost	0–0
8–72	Penalties–yards	2–20

1971_Washington_Redskins_season

Off-season

NFL Draft

Undrafted Free Agents

Roster

Pre season

Schedule

Pre season Game summaries

Week P1 (Saturday, August 7, 1971): at San Diego Chargers

Week P2 (Saturday, August 14, 1971): at Denver Broncos

Week P3 (Saturday, August 21, 1971): vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week P4 (Saturday, August 28, 1971): vs. Baltimore Colts

Week P5 (Saturday, September 4, 1971): at Miami Dolphins

Week P6 (Saturday, September 11, 1971): vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Regular season

Schedule

Standings

Regular Season Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 19, 1971): at St. Louis Cardinals

Week 2 (Sunday, September 26, 1971): at New York Giants

Week 3 (Sunday, October 3, 1971): at Dallas Cowboys

Week 4 (Sunday, October 10, 1971): vs. Houston Oilers

Week 5 (Sunday, October 17, 1971): vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week 6 (Sunday, October 24, 1971): at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 7 (Sunday, October 31, 1971): vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 8 (Sunday, November 7, 1971): vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 9 (Sunday, November 14, 1971): at Chicago Bears

Week 10 (Sunday, November 21, 1971): vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 11 (Sunday, November 28, 1971): at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 12 (Sunday, December 5, 1971): vs. New York Giants

Week 13 (Monday, December 13, 1971): at Los Angeles Rams

Week 14 (Sunday, December 19, 1971): vs. Cleveland Browns

Stats

Postseason

Richard Nixon play

Playoff Game summaries

NFC Divisional Playoffs (Sunday, December 26, 1971): at San Francisco 49ers

Awards, records, and honors

References

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Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NO	Passing	Edd Hargett	9/21, 134 YDS, 1 INT
	Rushing	James Ford	15 CAR, 64 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Al Dodd	3 REC, 59 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	13/22, 204 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Larry Brown	20 CAR, 113 YDS
	Receiving	Boyd Dowler	5 REC, 71 YDS

Saints	Game Statistics	Redskins
16	First downs	21
31–106	Rushes–yards	37–173
163	Passing yards	204
12–27–1	Passes	13–22–2
6–57	Sacked–yards	0–0
106	Net passing yards	204
212	Total yards	377
91	Return yards	137
9–42.9	Punts	2–40.0
2–0	Fumbles–lost	4–4
13–123	Penalties–yards	6–61

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
PHI	Passing	Pete Liske	6/9, 95 YDS, 1 TD
	Rushing	Sonny Davis	14 CAR, 47 YDS
	Receiving	Harold Jackson	2 REC, 47 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	12/24, 153 YDS, 1 TD, 4 INTs
	Rushing	Larry Brown	22 CAR, 43 YDS
	Receiving	Boyd Dowler	5 REC, 67 YDS

Eagles	Game Statistics	Redskins
10	First downs	14
31–77	Rushes–yards	31–61
124	Passing yards	153
10–22–1	Passes	12–24–4
3–29	Sacked–yards	4–17
95	Net passing yards	136
172	Total yards	197
86	Return yards	108
7–37.4	Punts	5–43.8
2–0	Fumbles–lost	4–3
11–97	Penalties–yards	9–78

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	20/30, 163 YDS
	Rushing	Tommy Mason	11 CAR, 42 YDS
	Receiving	Tommy Mason	9 REC, 79 YDS
CHI	Passing	Bobby Douglass	15/33, 214 YDS
	Rushing	Bobby Douglass	10 CAR, 88 YDS
	Receiving	Don Shy	5 CAR, 57 YDS

Redskins	Game Statistics	Bears
15	First downs	20
28–88	Rushes–yards	34–205
206	Passing yards	214
24–36–0	Passes	15–33–0
2–11	Sacked–yards	5–34
195	Net passing yards	180
283	Total yards	385
100	Return yards	57
5–32.8	Punts	4–40.3
0–0	Fumbles–lost	1–1
2–10	Penalties–yards	6–44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DAL	Passing	Roger Staubach	11/21, 151 YDS
	Rushing	Duane Thomas	20 CAR, 53 YDS
	Receiving	Walt Garrison	4 REC, 48 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	10/16, 118 YDS
	Rushing	Larry Brown Charley Harraway	11 CAR, 27 YDS 9 CAR, 27 YDS
	Receiving	Boyd Dowler	5 REC, 52 YDS

Cowboys	Game Statistics	Redskins
16	First downs	15
37–146	Rushes–yards	21–65
151	Passing yards	194
11–21–0	Passes	19–32–2
3–18	Sacked–yards	3–27
133	Net passing yards	167
279	Total yards	232
37	Return yards	101
4–38.0	Punts	4–43.3
2–1	Fumbles–lost	1–0
6–30	Penalties–yards	3–50

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT¹	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG³	Rate
Kilmer	10/16	118	0	0	3	18	28	75.7
Jurgensen	9/16	76	0	2	1	8	15	29.2

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	7/13. 104 YDS, 1 TD
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	9 CAR, 47 YDS
	Receiving	Clifton McNeil	5 REC, 58 YDS
PHI	Passing	Pete Liske	13/28, 192 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Ronnie Bull	14 CAR, 73 YDS
	Receiving	Ben Hawkins	7 REC, 126 YDS