|
|
SKINSGRIDIRON EXCLUSIVESArt Monk Finally Gets His Due A Guest Column by Patrick Hite of ACCNation.com, Feb. 6, 2008 This should be a week for all Redskins fans to celebrate, yet I can't get past the fact that, although Art Monk is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he was passed over the first seven years he was eligible. Here's a guy who only did what was asked of him and did it better than most others at his position. Monk retired from the game as the leader in receptions and consecutive games with a reception and, even though those records have been passed, that should be all you need to know about why Monk deserves the honor he finally received Saturday. What kept Monk out of the Hall for so many years, in my opinion, was that he didn't score many touchdowns (68) and he didn't talk to reporters. It may not be right, but voters take those kinds of things into consideration. Monk was a classic possession receiver, but he was also a very good blocker. No, he didn't get in the end zone as often as some other great receivers, but that's not what the Redskins needed from him. They needed him to catch the football. They needed him to move the chains. He did both. End of discussion. So, now Monk is in the Hall of Fame. One injustice has been undone. There are two more- namely Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby - that still need to be undone. It's a joke that, from all those great Redskin teams of the 80s and early 90s, only John Riggins and Joe Gibbs were in the Pro Football Hall of Fame before Monk and Darrell Green got in this year. Keep in mind that the Hogs were a major reason, if not the major reason, the Washington Redskins were so great for so long. Why do you think Gibbs was able to win three Super Bowls with three different starting quarterbacks? When searching for an answer, a good place to begin is with an offensive line that opened holes for running backs and gave the quarterback time to throw the ball. Grimm and Jacoby were a major part of that line. But I won't hold my breath that either will get the call anytime soon. If they ever get the call I'll be surprised. I should just be happy that Monk will finally be enshrined. And when that day finally happens this summer, when Monk and Green officially go in the Hall of Fame, it will be time for fans of the Redskins to rejoice. For now, let me stew just a little longer on why it took so long for Monk to get that call. About Patrick Hite: In addition to being a life-long Washington Redskins fan, Patrick is editor of ACCNation.com. |
 |