Bill Belichick: I never thought he'd be a good coach after what he did with the Browns. I guess that just goes to show you what I know. Often ridiculed as a cheater now, and known for saying much about nothing, he would be the perfect coach for Al Davis. He just wins baby! He's good at secrets, security, and doesn't crave for the spotlight. There's a reason that the Raiders operate in a cloak of secrecy, the whole NFL 'cheats' so get over it. People jumping onto coattails about the video taping need to learn their football history. Being on a team where one of the catch phrases is, "If you're not cheating, you're not trying," would probably be a better fit for him.
OC - Dan Koppen: No matter who lines up with this guy, they always look good. You have to credit the guy in the middle for that. He's held the line together and called all of the protections, and minus the Super Bowl, Tom Brady has stayed really clean during games. Low key guy who was once a fifth round pick. Nothing like an underdog manning the line.
OT - Matt Light: Nothing like a big talented left tackle to keep your franchise quarterback healthy. This guy is just plain good. I don't think I've ever heard or seen a negative about this guy's game. He's been the starting left tackle throughout the dynasty, and that is really all that needs to be said.
QB - Tom Brady: Compare him to any great QB ever to play the game. He fumbled, but he didn't the other seasons they won the title.
RB - Laurence Maroney: Is there any fan out there that's not worried when this guy is playing against their team? He's intimidating, and that's the Raider way.
WR - Wes Welker: 5'9" 185 lbs and undrafted, signed as a free agent by the Chargers, then cut and signed by Miami. No chance right? Yeah, right. A handful to cover, he's proven to be one of the top possession receivers in the league, but he can also catch in traffic. And that can't be easy when a guy almost twice your size is about to crush you.
DL - Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour: You can't argue productivity and that's what this tandem has been. They are both dominating against the run and disruptive in the pass. There aren't many pairs like this working together in the league and better yet, neither seeks the attention. They do their job, make a great play, and then go back to the huddle with little fan fare or adulation asked for.
LB - Tedy Bruschi: That saying, "Stats don't tell the whole story," applies to this guy. He's got a big motor, never quits on anything, very smart player, and lays a hit when it's called for. He's everything you want your inside linebacker to be, and then some.
LB/DE/TE/FB/RB - Mike Vrabel: Is there anywhere this guy hasn't lined up? That's why I like him, but then I watch him play. Nobody catches the ball out of the backfield too often when they play the Patriots. He's the biggest reason why. See the play, read the play, kill the play. That's Vrabel in a nutshell, plus he's not a bad receiver when he's playing on the offensive side of the ball.
That's a bunch of guys from the Patriots! Lucky for me, I didn't have to add that other receiver to the list, since he's already proven NOT to be a good Raider.
Did I miss anyone? Did I reach too much? Agree or disagree?
Any feedback you have is greatly appreciated. I want to thank the guys that have given their feedback so far, including 'sure Bert' who gave a very thoughtful analysis of me. If you think I got it wrong, let the world know by posting it.
Remember the only criteria to make my list, is that the player has had to have made an impression on me so significant that I would say to myself, "He'd be a good Raider," or "I wish he was a Raider."
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