Commanders season opener in 6 days: Washington’s best No. 6
Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 6 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 6?
Wearing No. 6 in Washington history nine players have kicked the ball, while two players have passed the ball.
Both quarterbacks were only in Washington for a single season. Shane Matthews played for his ‘ole ball coach from Florida, Steve Spurrier, in 2002. Mark Sanchez was not part of the team when the 2018 season began. But after Alex Smith and Colt McCoy both suffered a broken leg ending their seasons, Sanchez came out of retirement for two games, playing in one.
The first player to wear No. 6 in Washington history was Ali Haji-Sheikh. He kicked during the 1987 season, and his last game for Washington and in the NFL was Washington’s Super Bowl XXII 42-10 win over Denver.
At age 37, Tommy Barnhardt punted for Washington during his last NFL season in 2000. David Akers kicked in Week 3 1998 for Washington, making both extra points but missing both field goal attempts, and that was it for Akers. Wouldn’t you know it, he next went to Philadelphia and kicked for 12 seasons against Washington.
Ola Kimrin kicked five games in the 2004 season, Josh Bidwell punted four games in the 2010 season, and Nick Rose kicked eight games for Washington in 2017.
Saverio Rocca from Australia punted his last three seasons in the NFL for the Redskins. Rocca punted all 16 games during the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons at ages 38, 39 and 40.
Shaun Suisham came to the Redskins during the 2006 season and made 8 of 9 field goals, kicking the last five games of the season. The following season Suisham connected 29 times in his 35 attempts. In 2008 Suisham was successful on 26 of his 36 field goal attempts. Making 18 of 21 field goals in 2009, Suisham was having a good year but was released after the Week 12 game when he made three of four field goal attempts.
