All Raider Squad: Non-Hall of Fame

Bryan Leifeste by Contributor Written on July 06, 2009
13 JAN 1991:  LOS ANGELES RAIDERS RUNNING BACK BO JACKSON CARRIES THE FOOTBALL DURING THE RAIDERS 20-10 WIN OVER THE CINCINNATI BENGALS AT THE MEMORIAL COLISEUM IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.  MANDATORY CREDIT:  MIKE POWELL/ALLSPORT

 

I decided to do an All Raider squad of non-hall of famers. No active players will be used either even if they are active with other teams, and the players must have blossomed their careers with the Raiders. I will start with the offense.

 

QB

Kenny Stabler: Stabler is the Raiders' all time passing leader and led the Raiders to their win in Superbowl XI. The Raiders do not have any QBs in the Hall of fame except George Blanda, who was better known as a place kicker.

Every year I find articles protesting that Stabler should be in the HOF, but this past year a DUI charge may have slimmed his chances. Other considerations were Jim Plunkett, Daryl Lamonica, and Rich Gannon

 

HB

Bo Jackson: Jackson is probably the greatest question mark in sports history.  He never had a 1000-yard rushing season, but only played football part time as he was playing Major League Baseball full time. He is the only player to be named an all star in two different professional sports.

He really looked like he was gonna carry the Raiders in the '90s, but on Jan. 13, 1991, in a divisional playoff game, he was trying to escape a tackle and separated his hip. It popped back into place, but the injury was too serious to play football again. 

He attempted to play baseball that year, but later decided that he'd better have surgery on it. All I can ever say when I hear Bo Jackson's name is "What if?" Other considerations were Mark Van Eeghen, Clarence Davis, Kenny King, and Napolean Kaufman.

 

FB

Pete Banaszak: The Rooster, as they called Banaszak, was a short yardage specialist. He often played behind Marv Hubbard, Clarence Davis, Clem Daniels, and Mark Van Eeghen, but Banaszak got the job done as a blocker and a runner at both FB and HB. Only Marcus Allen has more rushing touchdowns than The Rooster. Other considerations were Marv Hubbard and Zack Crockett

 

FL  

Tim Brown: Brown was known as Mr. Raider. Tim Brown holds all the Raiders' major receiving records. If he would've had an all star quarterback throwing to him for more of his career, I think he might hold all the NFL's major receiving records. He has represented the Raiders in more Pro-bowls than any other Raider. He is not quite Hall of Fame eligible yet, but I'm sure he will be inducted in his first year of nomination. 

 

SE 

Cliff Branch: Branch started in all three Raider superbowl victories. He holds the Raider record for longest reception in a game. He appeared in four Pro-bowls and is without question one of our greatest receiving threats ever.

 

TE 

Todd Christensen: Christensen started his career as a fullback, but moved to tight end when he joined the Raiders. He represented the Raiders in five Pro-bowls. Another consideration was Ethan Horton.

 

LT  

Henry Lawrence: Lawrence played in all three Raider superbowl victories having started in two of them, one at RT and the other at LT. He is a two-time pro-bowler and is often forgotten about among great Raider tackles.

 

LG 

Steve Wisnewski: The Wiz, as they called Wisnewski, is one of several eight-time Pro-bowlers for the Raiders. He is often referred to as one of the dirtiest players in the game and fits a perfect Raider image. He has been nominated for the Hall of Fame, but nobody knows if he will get in as many offensive guards get overlooked.

 

Dave Dalby: Dalby started in all three Superbowl victories for the Raiders.  He is often a forgotten man when it comes to the greatest offensive linemen of his time, as he often had Gene Upshaw and Art Shell to his left. He made the Pro-bowl in 1977. Other considerations were Don Mosebar, and Barrett Robbins.

 

RG 

Micky Marvin: Marvin started at right guard for the Raiders in Superbowls XV and XVIII. He never made the Pro-bowl, but was always a monster on the line that had to be accounted for.

 

RT

Lincoln Kennedy: At first Kennedy was a reject guard from Atlanta, but he joined the Raiders in 1996 and became a Pro Bowl right tackle four years later.  Kennedy was a big leader on the Raiders offensive line during the late '90s and early 2000s with Steve Wisnewski and Barrett Robbins.  He was always professional and gave his all on every play

 

All right, now it's time for the defense. I decided to use a 4-3 base since that is what most of us are familiar with. 

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written on July 06, 2009 Opinion

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