Zavala's kindness and affable personality were unmistakable

Some days life delivers a blow that can floor you in a split second

and also takes you back to your childhood. 

Yours truly and various other people that I grew up with, to name a

few, in the central part of Napa, CA, were reminded of such when

learning on Wednesday, March 24, of the passing of our childhood

friend, Ricardo Zavala (46). 

Zavala had been reported missing since Thursday, March 18,

and according to a report in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, the

authorities discovered Zavala’s body about 30 yards offshore

from Duncan’s Landing, which is in Bodega Bay, CA. 

According to Zavala’s obituary, which was released in the online

version of the Napa Valley Register on Tuesday, there will not be

a service for Zavala because Napa County is under the shelter

in place directive based on the Coronavirus. 

Zavala is survived by his parents (Luis and Obdulia), his five older

brothers (Jose Luis, Roberto, Fernando, Raul, Miguel) along with

nephews and nieces. 

Zavala graduated from Napa High and later attended school at

Napa Valley College. Safeway, Target and Walmart were among

the places that he worked. Zavala had various interests which

included but were not limited to listening to music (specifically 70s,

80s, 90s), watching movies and TV shows, reading, going to the

park and the beach. The lifelong Napa resident, however, spent

much time and energy caring for his parents. 

I’m not going to make assumptions on how Zavala became missing

or how his life was taken so suddenly because I don’t think there is

a place for conjecture. The sadness of Zavala’s passing is

immutable and brought back memories of yesteryear for me,

most specifically the 1980s. For openers, Ricardo and I had the

same birthday but one year apart. There was an instant connection

as fellow Leos. 

My family spent the first 15 years of my life (1972-1987) in a Central

Napa neighborhood. After we had purchased property and built a

home in North Napa, we moved out of that neighborhood. Ricardo

and I only crossed paths a handful of times as adults but I could tell

that he was the same kind and affable person he was a kid with a

great sense of humor. 

Ricardo and Miguel, who is three years older, are the two Zavalas

that I enjoyed a friendship with along with a few others. I became

acquainted with the Zavalas through the Douglas kids (shoutout

Paul, Brian and Julie). The times that I enjoyed in that neighborhood

that involved Ricardo (known as Ricky when we were kids) and

several others included but were not limited to combination birthday/

slumber games, neighborhood plays and from time-to-time sports

activities. 

Oh, those neighborhood plays thanks to brother Miguel (known as

Michael when we were kids), who was the mastermind behind

orchestrating the masterpiece. I’m not surprised that Miguel

became a theatre arts teacher. The one that I most fondly remember

was the Wizard of Oz with the Douglas family’s backyard being the

grand stage. With various people throughout the neighborhood in

the audience being supremely entertained, that stage was our

version of Broadway. As for Ricardo, his performance as the Tin

Man took a backseat to no one. 

Perhaps the most extended conversation I had with Ricardo as

an adult came in 1998. I had just moved back to California from

Lincoln, NE, a few months earlier. I attended a service for a former

school-mate of mine at Justin-Siena High, Steve Szymanski. I looked

at the program and it listed Ricardo Zavala as one of the speakers.

I got to thinking, “Is that the same one that I grew up with in Central

Napa?” 

Sure enough, when he got to the altar it was the same guy. He was

very tall and stately looking. I did not get a chance to speak to him

at the reception so when I got home, I picked up the phone book

and found the number to the same Zavala home I remember

visiting numerous times as a kid. Pick up the phone book? Oh,

that sounds so 1998. I called him and we talked for about 45

minutes. I mainly wanted to compliment Ricardo on his speech

because it was so heartfelt. I remember him saying, “It means a lot

that you called.” After the conversation, I thought to myself, “He is

the same quality human being I knew as a kid.”

The lasting image that I have of Ricardo and every kid in the

neighborhood is that I feel like I knew them as kids but not the

adults they became. 

The fact that he devoted an enormous amount of time caring for

his parents also speaks to the person he became. Though I’m not

a caregiver, I have parents in their 80s that require much

assistance. I have no doubt such a task is a huge undertaking. 

It is often said, “you only live once.” That statement could not be

further from the truth because you die once but live everyday.

Ricardo’s kindness and affable personality were unmistakable. 

Ricardo, I’m in no hurry to get where you are going but I know we’ll

meet again someday. Perhaps, a Wizard of Oz encore might be in

order. 

The Washington Football Team Dream Team

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of

the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom

suggests that players from different eras cannot be compared.

However, I have decided to defy that notion. 

Considering that the The Washington Football Team has a
star-crossed legacy, the task becomes even more challenging. The
franchise recently dropped the name "Redskins" but has not named
a replacement and is known as The Washington Football Team
until further notice but any subsequent reference in this story will
contain the name "Redskins."


Today, I have taken on the daunting task of compiling an All-Time
Redskins team. The Redskins were NFL champions twice (1937,
1942) and Super Bowl champions three times (1982, 1987, 1991).
Ray Flaherty coached the NFL championship teams. The George

Allen era (1971-1980) brought a lot of success but no

championship. The Joe Gibbs Part I era (1981-1992) brought

three Super Bowl titles. Other than that, there has been a lot of

disarray. Not even the return of Gibbs (2004-2007) and the hiring

of Mike Shanahan (2010-2013) could restore glory. Nonetheless,

there is enough positive history to create a dream team. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. The player

needed to have played at least four seasons as a Redskin. Since

the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to

be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. Being in the Hall

of Fame is the first consideration coupled with impact on the

franchise. The number of All-Pro seasons are a top consideration

with longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is

hard to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

All eras matter. Being on an NFL or Super Bowl winning Redskins

team does not get you a hall pass on this team. Winning or losing

eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep

format, which means some worthy players get left off the list. So,

before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself,

“Who do I take off the list at that position?”  

OFFENSE

QB -- First team: Sammy Baugh. Honorable mention: Joe

Theisman.

At the time of his retirement in 1953, Baugh established 13 NFL

records at three positions (quarterback, punter, defensive back).

Baugh was the first quarterback to make the forward pass a

weapon as opposed to an act of desperation. Baugh was a

member of the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1963. Baugh played

on two NFL champions. He was a four-time All Pro and led the NFL

in completion percentage four times. Theisman’s numbers do not

scream Hall of Fame but he was a consistent performer in his 12

years as a Redskin and gets the nod over Sonny Jurgenson.

Theisman has four franchise passing records and led the team

to consecutive Super Bowl appearances (1982-1983), winning

the former and losing the latter. He was the NFL MVP in 1983. 

RB -- First team: Larry Brown, John Riggins. Honorable mention:

Stephen Davis, Clinton Portis.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who personified the

Redskins more than Riggins, who was nicknamed “The Diesel”

and “Riggo.” Riggins, who retired after the 1985 season, remains

the franchise’s all-time rushing leader. Though known for his

physical running style, he had deceptive speed. The Hall of

Famer’s performance in Super Bowl XVII is one of the best on

Super Sunday. Riggins carried 38 times for 166 yards and a

43-yard touchdown to lead the Redskins to a 27-17 win over

the Miami Dolphins. Brown remains No. 3 in franchise history in

rushing yardage. In eight seasons, he finished Top 5 in the NFL

in rushing yardage five times. He was a Pro Bowler four times and

an All Pro twice. He led the NFL in rushing in 1970 and was NFL

MVP in 1972. Portis spent his first two seasons with the Denver

Broncos before being traded to Washington, where he spent his

next seven seasons. Though Portis retired just 77 yards shy of the

10,000 mark, he had a distinguished career as a Redskin. He

surpassed the 1,000 yard four times and is the franchise’s second

all-time career rushing leader behind Riggins. Davis was a fullback

and split carries with Terry Allen in his first three years but was the

bellcow the next three years. He eclipsed 1,300 yards each

season from 1999-2001. Davis is fourth in franchise history in

career rushing yardage. 

FB -- First team: Charlie Harraway. Honorable mention: Don

Bosseler.

Harraway played five years (1969-1973) with Washington and was

paired in the backfield with Brown. The Redskins reached the

postseason in three of those years including Super Bowl VII.

Harraway amassed 3,801 yards from scrimmage and missed

just one game. 

WR -- First team: Charley Taylor, Art Monk. Honorable mention:

Gary Clark, Santana Moss.

Taylor retired in 1978 as the NFL career leader with 649 receptions.

Taylor, who is in the Hall of Fame, played 14 seasons, eight were

Pro Bowl and one All Pro. He was the NFL Rookie of the Year in

1964. Monk was a picture of consistency in 14 years as a Redskin.

In nine of his 16 NFL seasons, Monk recorded at least 50

receptions. He exceeded the 1,000 yard mark five times. Monk,

who is in the Hall of Fame, played in three Pro Bowls, had one All

Pro season and played on three Super Bowl champions. Though

Clark is not in the Hall of Fame, he was remarkably consistent.

He became the first wide receiver in NFL history to catch at least

50 passes in his first ten seasons. Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt

have since duplicated the feat. Clark played on two Super Bowl

champions, was a Pro Bowler four times and All Pro once. Though

Moss was only a Pro Bowler one time in ten years as a Redskin,

he owns the franchise record for single season receiving yards

(1,483). He had three seasons exceeding 1,000 yards. Moss is

fourth in franchise history in career receiving yards. 

TE -- First team: Jerry Smith. Honorable mention: Chris Cooley.

Smith played 13 seasons, all with the Redskins from 1965-1977,

and still holds the franchise record for touchdown catches by a

tight end (60). Smith made the Pro Bowl twice and All Pro once.

Cooley, like a few Redskin tight ends in franchise history, was a

mixture of fullback and tight end. Cooley was a two-time Pro

Bowler and is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions by a

tight end (429). 

OT -- First team: Joe Jacoby, Trent Williams. Honorable mention:

Chris Samuels, George Starke.

The Redskins have an embarrassment of riches at this position.

Jacoby not being in the Hall of Fame is a travesty. He was the

founding member of the renowned Redskins offensive line known

as “The Hogs.” In 13 seasons, Jacoby played on three Super

Bowl champions, went to four straight Pro Bowls and was a three-

time All Pro. Williams and Samuels were high-end first-round draft

picks and lived up to their advanced billing. Williams was the fourth

overall pick in the 2010 draft. Samuels was the third overall pick in

the 200 draft. Williams was a Pro Bowler seven times in 11

seasons. Samuels started 141 games and was a six-time Pro Bowl

in ten seasons. Starke played from 1973-1984, overlapping the

George Allen and Joe Gibbs eras but was known as the “Head

Hog.” He never achieved any Pro Bowl or All Pro recognition but

longevity and reliability earn him points. He started 147 of 156

games. 

OG -- First team: Russ Grimm, Mark May. Honorable mention:

Raleigh McKenzie, Vince Promuto.

Grimm and May, like Jacoby, were mainstays of the renowned

“Hogs” that were the staple of the Joe Gibbs era. Grimm’s induction

into the Hall of Fame in 2010 was long overdue. Grimm played three

Super Bowl champions and as a Pro Bowler for four straight

seasons (1983-1986). May played on two Super Bowl champions

and though he was only a Pro Bowl selection one time (1988), he

was reliable and durable, starting 115 of 123 possible games as a

Redskin. McKenzie was nicknamed “Rallo” as he began as a

reserve and evolved into a vital member of “The Hogs.” McKenzie

played on two Super Bowl champions. He was named to the All-

NFL team in 1991. Promoto gets the nod over Mark Schlereth

based on longevity as a Redskin. Promoto was a fixture on the

Redskins line in the 1960s. He started 112 of the 130 games he

played and earned two Pro Bowl nods in 11 seasons. 

C -- First team: Lenn Hauss. Honorable mention: Jeff Bostic.

Hauss was drafted in the ninth round and became the Redskins

starting center four games into his rookie year. He never

relinquished the job until retiring. Hauss played 14 seasons and

was a five-time All Pro. Bostic was yet another staple of the “Hogs.”

Bostic had just one Pro Bowl and All Pro season (1983) in 14

seasons but should have had more. Bostic gets a spot on this

team for consistency and longevity at a physical position. 

DEFENSE

DE -- First team: Charles Mann, Dexter Manley. Honorable

mention: Ron McDole, Andre Carter.

Mann and Manley were a deadly combination. Mann was on three

Super Bowl winners (two as a Redskin, one more as a San

Francisco 49er). In 11 seasons as a Redskin, Mann was a Pro

Bowler four times and All Pro twice. Mann remains No. 3 in

franchise history with 83 sacks. Manley accumulated baggage

but was nicknamed the “Secretary of Defense” for a reason. Though

he had just one Pro Bowl and All Pro season (both 1986), he

remains the franchise leader in quarterback sacks (97.5). Manley

played on two Super Bowl champions. McDole did not miss a

single game (regular season or postseason) in his eight seasons.

McDole was a key defensive player during the George Allen era.

He was stout against the run and seldom out of position. Carter

came to Washington as a free agent from San Francisco in 2006.

Carter had five solid years as a Redskin, starting 80 consecutive

games and compiling 34 sacks. 

DT -- First team: Dave Butz, Diron Talbert. Honorable mention:

Darryl Grant, Bill Brundige.

Butz was one of the largest players of his era at 6-8, 300 pounds.

Butz played 14 seasons for the Redskins and was Defensive

Player of the Year in 1983. Butz played for the Redskins 1982

Super Bowl champions and played 203 games as a Redskin.

Talbert was a Pro Bowler just once in ten seasons but missed

only four games in a ten-year span. Grant was often

overshadowed by Mann, Manley and to a lesser extent Butz.

Grant, however, was no less valuable. In 10 seasons, he played

for two Super Bowl champions, tallied 27 sacks and recovered

11 fumbles. Though quarterback sacks were not an official stat

in Brundige’s era (1970-1977), he was a stalwart pass rusher.

He started 74 games and recovered five fumbles. 

OLB -- First team: Chris Hanburger, Ryan Kerrigan. Honorable

mention: Wilber Marshall, Brad Dusek.

Longevity and excellence give Hanburger and his Hall of Fame

career a big nod. Hanburger started 177 of 187 possible games.

He was a nine time Pro Bowler, five-time All Pro and a Hall of

Famer. He was one of the best outside linebackers of his era.

Kerrigan is currently a 3-4 linebacker but given that the Redskins

have been historically a 4-3, he could be a defensive end in that

alignment. Kerrigan recently completed his ninth season and has

been a Pro Bowler four times. Kerrigan has 90 career sacks, one

behind Manley for the franchise high. Though Marshall is known

for his time as a Chicago Bear, he also made a significant mark

as a Redskin. Marshall signed as a free agent in 1988. Marshall

never missed a game in five seasons as a Redskin and was a

key contributor on the 1991 Super Bowl championship team. As

a Redskin, he made the Pro Bowl in 1992, recorded 24.5 sacks,

12 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries. Dusek was nothing

spectacular but was a solid starter for eight seasons. He returned

three fumble recoveries for a touchdown and is fourth in franchise

history with 16 fumble recoveries. 

ILB -- First team: Neil Olkewicz, London Fletcher. Honorable

mention: Harold McLlinton, Sam Huff.

Olkewicz was an unsung but critical part of the Redskins success

in the 1980s. Though he did not earn any Pro Bowl or All Pro

recognition and was never the most talented, his effort and

preparation were unmatched. Fletcher could be on three all-time

teams (Rams and Bills) as well as Redskins. Fletcher played

seven seasons as a Redskin, starting all possible 112 games

and was a Pro Bowler for four straight seasons. What makes

Fletcher’s career even more amazing, he was an undrafted free

agent. McLinton was impervious to pain and known as “The Tank”

because of the bandages and padded armor he was notorious for

wearing. McLinton was a vital contributor on the 1972 NFC

Championship team. Huff was known mostly for his time with the

division rival New York Giants but also made an impact as a

Redskin in his five seasons. Huff was a Pro Bowler in 1964 and

helped the Redskins defense become the No. 2 ranked unit in the

NFL. 

CB -- First team: Darrell Green, Pat Fischer. Honorable mention:

Mike Bass, Champ Bailey.

Regardless of position there may not have been a better Redskin

than Green. The one-time fastest man in the NFL played 20 years

with seven Pro Bowl seasons and four All Pro on the way to a Hall

of Fame career. He remains the franchise leader with 54

interceptions. He played on two Super Bowl champions and is one

of the best players in NFL history. Fischer played 10 of his 17

seasons with the Redskins (his first seven were as a Cleveland

Brown). The 5-9 Fischer had many memorable battles with

Philadelphia Eagles’ receiver Harold Carmichael, who was 6-8.

Fischer was All Pro in 1969. Fischer recorded 27 of his 56

career interceptions as a Redskin. Though Bass only earned one

All Pro recognition (second team in 1974), he was reliable in that

he started all 98 regular season games. Bass is fourth in franchise

history with 30 career interceptions. Bass scored the Redskins’

lone touchdown in their Super Bowl VII loss to Miami. Though

Bailey is mostly known for his time with the Denver Broncos, where

he spent 10 seasons, his five years in Washington were impactful.

Bailey made four Pro Bowls and intercepted 18 passes in five years. 

S -- First team: Sean Taylor, Ken Houston. Honorable mention:

Brig Owens, Mark Murphy.

In a sense, Taylor’s career is in the “what might have been” category

since he died after four NFL seasons. Though his life and career

were short-lived, there is no denying how impactful Taylor was in his

four seasons. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All Pro.

Taylor was one of the hardest hitting safeties of his era. Houston

played his first six years with the Houston Oilers and the remaining

eight as a Redskin. Houston is a Hall of Famer and was selected to

12 consecutive Pro Bowls. Houston recorded 49 interceptions, 21

fumble recoveries and scored 12 touchdowns. Owens played 12

years with the Redskins and though he never earned Pro Bowl or

All Pro recognition, he was a consistently solid starter over a

lengthy period of time. Owens remains second in franchise history

with 36 interceptions. Murphy played eight seasons with the Redskins

with 1982-1983 being his finest hour. In Super Bowl XVII, his second-

half interception of David Woodley helped the Redskins beat Miami.

In 1983, he was an All Pro. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K -- First team:  Mark Moseley. Honorable mention: Chip

Lohmiller.

Moseley was the last of the straight-away kickers and played 13

seasons with the Redskins. He remains the franchise’s all-time

leading scorer with 1,206 points. Moseley was a two-time Pro

Bowler with his best season coming in 1982, when he was NFL

MVP. He became the second kicker to earn the award since Lou

Groza. Coming after Moseley was a tough act to follow but

Lohmiller had a solid seven-year career with the Redskins, including

being a member of the 1991 Super Bowl champions. That season,

he was All Pro. Lohmiller is second in franchise history in points

scored. 

P -- First team: Baugh. Honorable mention: Tress Way.

Besides his passing prowess, Baugh could swing field position

battles as well, averaging 45.1 yards on 338 punts. Way was

waived by the Chicago Bears but has gone on to have an

outstanding career with the Redskins. Way recently completed

his sixth season and he owns a career 46.6 yard average, best

in franchise history. 

RETURN -- First team: Brian Mitchell. Honorable mention: Mike

Nelms.

Mitchell is second in NFL history in all-purpose yardage (23,330;

16,905 as a Redskin) but returning kicks was where Mitchell

earned his keep. Mitchell was an All-Pro in 1995 and returned 13

kicks (nine kickoffs, four punts) for touchdowns and provided

favorable field position on numerous other occasions. Mitchell

played for the 1991 Super Bowl champions. Though Mitchell gets

the first-team nod for franchise longevity, Nelms was excellent in

his own right in making the Pro Bowl three times. Nelms finished

his five seasons with 175 kickoff returns for 4,128 yards, 212 punt

returns for 1,948 yards and two touchdowns.

HEAD COACH --- First team: Joe Gibbs. Honorable mention:

George Allen. 

The Gibbs Part I era, which spanned from 1981-1992, was

largely considered The Golden Age of Redskins football. Gibbs

led the Redskins to three Super Bowl titles in 10 seasons with

three different quarterbacks, none of which are Hall of Famers.

Gibbs compiled a career record of 198-115, 17-7 in the

postseason. His offense was a mixture of smash-mouth football

with a mixture of Don Coryell’s vertical passing game. From 1946-

1970, the Redskins had a quarter century playoff drought before

Allen brought the franchise back to prominence. Allen went

67-30-1 from 1971-1977, leading the Redskins to five playoff

appearances including a trip to Super Bowl VII, losing 14-7 to

the undefeated Miami Dolphins. 

TEAM -- 1991. This version of the Redskins was perhaps the

most underrated Super Bowl champion. The Redskins’ two

defeats were by a combined total of five points. They scored the

most points (485) and allowed the fewest (224). The Redskins

also led the league in turnover margin with plus-18. They

demolished the Atlanta Falcons (24-7) and Detroit Lions (41-10)

in the NFC playoffs and beat Buffalo (37-24) in the Super Bowl

in a game that was not even that close.