Oakland Raiders: Fred Biletnikoff vs Cliff Branch

To fill in a few spots of downtime, I'm going to play with the minds of the Raider Nation.

For the first item, I'd like to look at two of our best Wide Receivers we had, Cliff Branch, and Fred Biletnikoff.

First of all, Fred Biletnikoff. 14 years, started in 1965, Didn't become a regular starter until 1968. Then played on to 1978. One Super Bowl ring, from the 1976 game against the Vikings, where he won the MVP, with an albeit, mediocre showing. He also has 77 regular season TDs and 10 Postseason TDs...and none in the Super bowls, either against the Packers, or the Vikings.

He finished his career, with 589 Catches, 8974 Yards total, and was Elected into the Hall of Fame, 1988.

Secondly, Cliff Branch. 14 years as well, last year appeared in only 4 games, no catches.

Starting in 1972, and finishing out in 1985, Cliff Branch appeared in 3 Super Bowls, all three winning teams. Of his 5 TDs he caught in the post season, 3 were in Super Bowls. He also caught 67 Regular Season TDs, Including high seasons of 13, 9 and 12, in three years, 1974-1976.

For his career, he had 501 receptions, 8685 yards, and as yet, not elected to the Hall of Fame.

Now, the grand question comes, is this: Why didn't Cliff Branch make it in, and why did Fred Biletnikoff? Do the 10 extra TDs in his career make that much of a difference?

Or the less than 300 yards?

The biggest thing I'm wondering about, is the Ring total. Teams covered Fred Biletnikoff like glue, but to do that, exposed Cliff Branch's talent. for a couple of these years, both played on the field, but once Fred retired, it was up to Cliff to be the primary go-to guy.

About the only position that could do better, regularly, with the Raiders was the TE. First Derrick Ramsey led the team in yardage, in 1981, and then in 1983, Todd Christensen took over the team lead for receiving.

So, take a look at the numbers, figure out who should be in the hall. Personally, I'd like both guys in there.....but if you figure, without Branch's two catches against the Eagles, the game would have been a lot closer....and against the Redskins....well, I don't think heaven could have helped Washington that game.