Ken Houston vs. Mark Murphy
Advantage: Houston
This is one of the more equal matchups in the entire contest. Both players made big plays in big games and had great Redskins careers. The edge goes to Houston because he provided one of the most memorable plays ever in the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry with his goal-line tackle on Monday Night Football to preserve a victory for the burgundy and gold.
By Jason Feller |
August 3, 2006; 12:49 PM ET
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Posted by: Tim | August 3, 2006 03:24 PM
Yes, Houston wins this battle...but not because of one play...he was simply better than Murphy....I loved Murphy and saw more of his games than Houston's but Houston was better.
Posted by: Tom | August 3, 2006 06:02 PM
This is a joke... Murphy was a stiff who at best could be called an over achiever. Houston was one of the best who ever playyed the game!
Posted by: phil0258 | August 3, 2006 06:56 PM
Houston was a career great - plus Murphy's interception while it sealed the deal was not a game decider. A goal-line stop, against the Cowgirls no less, is clutch (I just hate the Cowboys ... that will get my vote anytime).
Posted by: chris | August 4, 2006 02:10 PM
Are you kidding me?!! An equal match-up??? Puhhhlease, while I think Mark Murphy was a good Redskin and played well in the system he was in, Ken Houston was one of the best of all times at safety. This one is almost as loopsided as the John Riggins / Brian Mitchell match-up.
Posted by: TRH | August 4, 2006 04:19 PM
Kenny Houston was the best safety the Redskins ever had.I remember the 72 championship game against the cowboys where Kenny stopped Walt Garrison who had a full head of steam, cold on the 1 yard line, to preserve the victory. And if memory still serves me, Walt was cut from the team during the next seasons training camp and retired soon after;and Walt was a real cowboy.
Posted by: George | August 4, 2006 05:26 PM
Murphy was a great leader who had several good years and one great one (1983). Houston was the best saftey in the league for probably 85% of his career. This one isn't close.
Posted by: Lou Jones | August 7, 2006 12:14 PM
How in the heck did Mark Murphy make the top 16? Of all the Redskins to have ever played, Mark Murphy is selected? Wow. Ken Houston, there should be no question.
Posted by: Randall | August 7, 2006 02:34 PM
This match up is lopsided! Honestly, I think Alvin Walton was a better Safety than Murphy....Tony Peters was probably better, as well. Ken Houston is easily in the top five, when looking at the greatest of their positions! No contest!
Posted by: New Mexico Mike | August 12, 2006 09:24 PM
There is nothing equal about this match-up.Houston is a Hall of Famer,Murphy had a run with the NFLPA and is now AD at Northwestern.To compare the two is an insult to a truly great player.
Posted by: seang | August 15, 2006 02:13 AM
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This really should not be a close call. Murphy was an overachiever who had some good years with the Redskins and a great season in 1983. Houston was a perennial all-pro and an obvious Hall-of-Fame selection. George Allen traded FIVE players to the Oilers for Houston in 1973... and it was considered a steal for the Redskins!