Ten players who played a major chunk of their careers with the Washington Redskins and two off-field contributors were selected as preliminary nominees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In the second of a series, here's a look at two more of them. You can find the first of this series here.
Joe Jacoby, offensive tackle, 1981-Besides John Riggins' fourth-down touchdown run, the enduring image of Super Bowl XVII is Jacoby slamming into Killer Bee defensive linemen, usually Kim Bokamper, play after play after play. Needless to say, if he and the Hogs don't wear down the Dolphin defense, Riggins doesn't end up talking to the president on the phone after the game. Jake was as dominant as any lineman in the game during the mid-80's. He was a second-team tackle on the All-1980's team; Gary Zimmerman, Mike Munchak and Mike Webster all have made it from that second team. There seems to be growing sentiment that at least one Hog should be in the Hall. Grimm seems to have the inside track but, in my opinion, Jacoby was a better player, at least in his prime.
2010 chances 5%, Eventual chances 80%
Jim Lachey, offensive tackle, 1988-1995—If they selected tackles the way they picked running backs, Lachey would have a good shot. Running backs like Gale Sayers and Earl Campbell attained HOF status by being brilliant for a short period of time. They were the very best in the game for a few years but fell off quickly due to injuries. Like the Kansas Comet and the Tyler Rose, Lachey was the best in the business before his career was cut short by injuries. From 1988 through 1991 it was headline news when he allowed a sack. Lachey also was a road grader when it came to run blocking. But a knee injury and, ultimately, a torn rotator cuff cut down his prime years. His last All-Pro honors came when he was 28 years old. Someday they might look at other positions the way they look at running back and that's why Lachey has a slight eventual chance.
2010 chances 0%, Eventual chances 5%
Next: Charles Mann and Dexter Manley
Previous: Bobby Beathard, Jack Kent Cooke, Russ Grimm, Gary Clark
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