Oakland Raiders All-Time Defense

 

OLB: Rod Martin.

At probably under 220 lbs. for most, or all, of his career, Martin was another do-it-all type who could blitz and stop the run, but his forte was dropping back into coverage. Just ask Ron Jaworski. Martins’ three interceptions in Super Bowl XV made a believer of Jaws.

 

CB: Willie Brown.

Willie Brown was one of the first big stars out of Grambling U. Thus, he opened the doors for a host of others who followed. The Raiders co-leader in career interceptions with 39, Brown’s touchdown in Super Bowl XI is one of the all-time most memorable Raider highlights, as the play clinched the franchises’ first Super Bowl victory.

 

CB: Lester Hayes.

"Lester the Molester” was a nickname that would have protesters lining the streets in these days of “political correctness.” Hayes dogged receivers all over the field and had an incredible season in 1980 with 13 interceptions.

Not bad for a guy who played linebacker for Texas A&M the first half of his collegiate career. The number that Hayes and Mike Haynes did on the Redskins’ “smurf” receivers in that ‘84 Super Bowl was probably the greatest single-game performance by two corner backs in Super Bowl history.

Hayes tied Willie Brown for the Oakland career interception record with 39 grabs.

 

S: George Atkinson.

This was one of the tougher selections, but Lynn Swann is enshrined in Canton and Swann seemed afraid to go over the middle against the guy. Pound for pound, Atkinson was one of the hardest hitters in Raider history and one of the leading interceptors.

Atkinson sued Chuck Noll for calling him a “criminal element.” Noll was forced to admit he would include some of his own players in the same category from the witness stand.

 

S: Jack Tatum

Tatum has been unfairly characterized by some for the Darryl Stingley injury, which is unfortunate, because he was one of the best safeties in NFL history. Many other NFL safeties have made similar hits but because theirs did not result in such a catastrophic injury, they are not remembered as a “dirty“ player.

The play was within the rules at that time and it always appeared to me that Tatum had no way of knowing whether Stingley touched the ball or not. Every Raider fan should read Tatum’s biography, They Call Me Assassin. There are some great Woody Hayes stories from Tatum’s college days at Ohio State, and of course, many great Raider stories.

 

P: Ray Guy

There was at least one comment on my all-time offensive team about Guy being left off the offensive team. With that offensive crew, Guy, the second-most famous Southern Miss. grad, wouldn’t have had anything to do except maybe hold for extra points. So I put him with the defense. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Guy should be in the Hall of Fame, end of story.

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