2012 Redskins Free Agency (and Trades) Tracker (Chapter III)

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by los panda

i got that part. it's a popular number, when is the last time no one on the team wore it? what does unofficially retiring a # mean to you?

It's not just a popular number, it's the number of a deceased Redskin who fans have put on this grand pedestal, even though it's not warranted. Players who come here from other teams having wore #21 know and understand very soon not to bother wearing it due to the controversy and probably hate they'll receive from fans for doing so. Fans blew up OJ about the number, and I'm quite positive the media made it a point to bring it up with him in interviews. Why would he (or any player) subject themselves to the wrath of fans like that when he could simply avoid that by wearing a different number.

I think you'll have a better shot of some kid grabbing #28 or #44 before you will #21...lol

Who was debating it? The correct question was who wasn't debating it in the DC area.

The Early Lead - Should O.J. Atogwe, or any other Redskins player, wear No. 21?

Many of the other Redskins media outlets were discussing this as well back when it occurred.

[los panda]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

It's not just a popular number, it's the number of a deceased Redskin who fans have put on this grand pedestal, even though it's not warranted. Players who come here from other teams having wore #21 know and understand very soon not to bother wearing it due to the controversy and probably hate they'll receive from fans for doing so. Fans blew up OJ about the number, and I'm quite positive the media made it a point to bring it up with him in interviews. Why would he (or any player) subject themselves to the wrath of fans like that when he could simply avoid that by wearing a different number.

I think you'll have a better shot of some kid grabbing #28 or #44 before you will #21...lol

Who was debating it? The correct question was who wasn't debating it in the DC area.

The Early Lead - Should O.J. Atogwe, or any other Redskins player, wear No. 21?

Many of the other Redskins media outlets were discussing this as well back when it occurred.

and for the third time, what does unofficially retiring a # mean to you?

so there was no debate within the organization about oj wearing #21?

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by los panda

and for the third time, what does unofficially retiring a # mean to you?

so there was no debate within the organization about oj wearing #21?

When the team doesn't issue a number out is what I would call "unofficially retiring number", but I think we disagree to why it's not being issued out. You think it's not being issued out because it's a "unofficial retired number." I think the #21 isn't being issued because nobody in their right mind would ask for it.

I couldn't speak about any debate within the organization, but my guess is not really. Only fans make a big deal about such things. Smoot could tell you more than I could on that front. When I said there was a debate, I was referring publicly. (media and fans)

[los panda]

fred smoot 2001-2004
deion sanders 2000
mark mcmillian 1999
terry allen 1995-1998
deral boykin??? 1994
earnest byner 1993-back into the 80s

*edit
but it hasn't been issued since sean died, smells like unofficially retired to me

[los panda]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

When the team doesn't issue a number out is what I would call "unofficially retiring number"

good enough for me

[mooby]

I think the line between unofficially retired and "no player would ask for it" has been sufficiently blurred enough that we won't see anyone wear it again. It's like NC said, no player in their right mind would ask for it, and I don't think any of the higher ups in the organization (like DS) would allow it to happen. Snyder is probably the last remnant of the organization in place from when Taylor played, but I'd think he wouldn't want to see another player wearing Taylor's number (and he has the power to make that happen.)

Call it what you want but I doubt we'll see another player wearing Taylor's number again for a long time. And imo, that's the way it should be. A lot of us got attached to Taylor, me included, (and probably DS included), and I'm one of those people who think the number has been unofficially retired. NC you probably don't care because you never knew the guy, but think about the people who worked at Redskins Park who knew Taylor, and who are still there. I doubt they'd want to see his number issued to anyone, and their opinion definitely weighs more than ours.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by mooby

NC you probably don't care because you never knew the guy, but think about the people who worked at Redskins Park who knew Taylor, and who are still there. I doubt they'd want to see his number issued to anyone, and their opinion definitely weighs more than ours.

It's not that I don't care. I always hate to see a person die before their time should be up, and seeing a child lose their father. That first and foremost is the key thing here, regardless of what he did on a football field. However, it's time to move on. Taylor isn't coming back, and his death dealt us a huge blow on a emotional and talent level. I will not make him into something larger than he is. Sure there is a ton of unrealized and wasted talent that has left fans wondering what could have been. We can ask that of any player lost due to death or injury. Malcolm Kelly for instance. How good could he have been had it not been for injuries? I know it's not the same, but I'm making the point that we can "what if" everything.

Also, everybody from the coaching staff back in his time is gone if I'm correct, so there really isn't anything connecting them to Sean Taylor. If Gibbs were here still, I would say most definitely you have a point. The only people from the team still left is Santana Moss and Cooley.(anybody else I'm missing?)

Look at the Darrent Williams situation as well in Denver, somebody already has his number (Moreno). Before you say, "they aren't even close to being in the same class of player", I think you really need to stop and look at the overall numbers. Taylor had one great year in the 3-1/2 he played here, but because he had some monstrous hits, people want to equate him to something he's not. Williams was a very solid player for the Broncos, and I imagine their fans think the same thing? (not sure though) I think you'll see somebody wearing the #21 in time but probably not within the next few years. Probably not as long as fans keep hounding players about it as well.

Remember when Bruce Allen came in and moved Sean Taylor's locker out?

The Redskins Blog | Sean Taylor's Locker To Be Moved To FedExField

Remember the big stink from fans about that? This was their way of saying, it's time we move on as a franchise and as a football family.

[SmootSmack]

Guess we're getting to the point now where this thread is running on fumes

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Guess we're getting to the point now where this thread is running on fumes

It is. It'll probably be that way until June 1st cuts. Then it'll be popping again. :headbange

Unless you got some news you want to share?

[Bubba305-ST21-]

21 will not be worn for a long time. Sean T's play was well known as well as the love people had for him. nobody will ask for #21 and if they have the nerve to do so, they wont get it...

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by Bubba305-ST21-

21 will not be worn for a long time. Sean T's play was well known as well as the love people had for him. nobody will ask for #21 and if they have the nerve to do so, they wont get it...

Hard to believe it will be 5 years ago this November.


Not gonna lie, but I feel like in a year or two you can let someone wear 21 because I think five years is enough to honor the guy. Hell he didn't even play for 4 years anyway. We've paid our respects to him, now let a great player wear it.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by los panda

fred smoot 2001-2004
deion sanders 2000
mark mcmillian 1999
terry allen 1995-1998
deral boykin??? 1994
earnest byner 1993-back into the 80s

*edit
but it hasn't been issued since sean died, smells like unofficially retired to me

Smells of a tribute to me, but I'd prefer they either retire the number or pass it on to someone to wear. Maybe the Skins are waiting for the trial to end. I get the retiring of numbers but you can't retire all the numbers or the team would have no numbers to wear. I'd rather see him up in the ring of fire, maybe some other memorial inside the stadium, and an artists rendition of him on the wall at Redskins Park.

I won't get into how I don't get the pedistal thing.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

It's not that I don't care. I always hate to see a person die before their time should be up, and seeing a child lose their father. That first and foremost is the key thing here, regardless of what he did on a football field. However, it's time to move on. Taylor isn't coming back, and his death dealt us a huge blow on a emotional and talent level. I will not make him into something larger than he is. Sure there is a ton of unrealized and wasted talent that has left fans wondering what could have been. We can ask that of any player lost due to death or injury. Malcolm Kelly for instance. How good could he have been had it not been for injuries? I know it's not the same, but I'm making the point that we can "what if" everything.

Also, everybody from the coaching staff back in his time is gone if I'm correct, so there really isn't anything connecting them to Sean Taylor. If Gibbs were here still, I would say most definitely you have a point. The only people from the team still left is Santana Moss and Cooley.(anybody else I'm missing?)

Look at the Darrent Williams situation as well in Denver, somebody already has his number (Moreno). Before you say, "they aren't even close to being in the same class of player", I think you really need to stop and look at the overall numbers. Taylor had one great year in the 3-1/2 he played here, but because he had some monstrous hits, people want to equate him to something he's not. Williams was a very solid player for the Broncos, and I imagine their fans think the same thing? (not sure though) I think you'll see somebody wearing the #21 in time but probably not within the next few years. Probably not as long as fans keep hounding players about it as well.

Remember when Bruce Allen came in and moved Sean Taylor's locker out?

The Redskins Blog | Sean Taylor's Locker To Be Moved To FedExField

Remember the big stink from fans about that? This was their way of saying, it's time we move on as a franchise and as a football family.

Ditto. I get you. But as others have said I'm guessing the team is not allowing players to use the number. So retire the thing and lets move on. Instead of keeping it out there hanging. On a side note I lost my father 2 yrs ago and find it weird how fans talk about and keep bringing up ST more then I talk about my father. .... and I loved my father. Although I'll admit I wouldn't bring him up to you guys. lol.

[mooby]

Well the only number the Redskins have officially retired is 33, everything else is unoffically retired. I love ST but I doubt they'd retire his number before guys like Monk and Green.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by los panda

fred smoot 2001-2004
deion sanders 2000
mark mcmillian 1999
terry allen 1995-1998
deral boykin??? 1994
earnest byner 1993-back into the 80s

*edit
but it hasn't been issued since sean died, smells like unofficially retired to me

Redskins Players who wore Jersey #21:

Terry Allen
Roy Barni
Deral Boykin
Tom Brown
Earnest Byner
Jimmy Carr
Don Deeks
Gary Glick
Rob Goode
George Harold
Tim Jessie
Larry Jones
Mark McMillian
Gene Mingo
Mike Nelms
Les Olsson
Deion Sanders
Doyle Schick
Fred Smoot
Mike Sommer
Sean Taylor
Frank Walton
Bill Ward