Al Davis: Bo Jackson and the 13 Most Dynamic Raiders During Davis' Tenure

No matter how one feels about Al Davis it’s tough to deny his contribution to the National Football League. The 82-year-old football pioneer passed away this morning at his home in Oakland.

The Raider legend was nothing short of a lightening rod during his tenure with the Raiders by challenging the NFL on several occasions and drafting controversial players.

But before he turned into the crotchety, cantankerous old man who used an overhead projector at a press conference to explain why he decided to fire a certain head coach he was an innovator.

During the Al Davis era players like Bo Jackson, Ray Guy, Charles Woodson, and Marcus Allen all wore the Silver and Black with pride and it’s because of Al Davis that we know how great the players once were.

In honor of the legacy and the greatness that was Mr. Al Davis here are 14 of the most dynamic players during Davis’ tenure with…..THA RRRAAAIIIDDDEERRRSSS!!!

Bo Jackson, RB

Bo Jackson is known for four things during his time with the Raiders. The first is his run into the tunnel against the Seahawks because he couldn’t slow down. The second is his famous run over Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth and the third is his hip injury.

The last being the “Bo Knows” commercials.

During his brief stint in the NFL Jackson rushed for 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns. He spent four years with the Raiders and never rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season.

While his stay was short we still remember Bo’s accomplishments and his excitement.

Willie Brown, CB

Brown is best known for his lengthy interception return in Super Bowl XI and the now famous bump and run coverage that so many of today’s corners utilize.

Brown played 16 years in the league and picked off 54 passes during his time in the league.

Willie was a game changer and he revolutionized the cornerback position in the NFL.

Tim Brown, WR

Brown is the definition of game changer. Brown was drafted in 1988 by the Los Angeles Raiders and had more than 14,000 receiving yards during his illustrious 17-year NFL career.

Brown was more than just a dynamic receiver he was also a prolific return man. He had four KR/PR touchdowns for the Raiders and one Super Bowl appearance.

He’s still awaiting enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame but it shouldn’t be a question of if but when his name is finally called.

Marcus Allen, RB

Marcus Allen equals Oakland Raiders. He leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, went to five Pro Bowls, and was named MVP of Super Bowl XVIII.

Allen played 10 years with the Raiders and during his time he became the most dynamic running back in team history.

He was the NFL’s MVP in 1985 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1982. Al Davis had the brains to draft a player like Allen and it paid off for him in the end.

Jerry Rice, WR

I know that Rice wasn’t drafted by the Raiders but signed with the team as a free agent in 2001 and played four years while Davis was owner.

During his time as a Raider Rice he made another Pro Bowl and helped the team reach Super Bowl XXXVII.

Rice became the NFL’s all-time touchdown leader while wearing the Silver and Black as he had more than 3,000 receiving yards in Oakland.

Mr. Al Davis saw something in Rice than many teams didn’t as some thought that his career was close to being over. Davis squeezed three great seasons out of Rice as he formed a great receiving tandem with Tim Brown while with the Raiders.

Rich Gannon, QB

I remember Gannon as a backup before heading to Oakland in 1999. I recall his time as a Chief as the most productive period of his career before Davis decided to sign him as a free agent.

He ended up hitting his stride in Oakland as Davis had a eager young head coach in Jon Gruden who meshed very well with Gannon.

Rich ended up having the best stint of his career in Oakland as he made four straight Pro Bowls and was named MVP of the entire league in 2002. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl as he threw 26 touchdowns and over 4,500 passing yards.

Gannon was elusive, strong, and had a great arm. It's because of Davis that most people even know of Rich Gannon and he owes the success of his career to that of Al Davis.

Howie Long, DE

Long is probably best known now for his position on the Fox NFL morning show on Sunday’s. He’s a pretty good analyst and his banter with Terry Bradshaw can be pretty entertaining.

But outside of that he was a hell of a football player. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and was a part of the Raiders Super Bowl winning team in 1984.

He finished his career with 84 sacks.

Nnamdi Asomugha

Nobody passed toward Nnamdi's area while he was in Oaktown. He was the closest thing to shut-down this league has seen since the likes of Deion Sanders. He was a great man corner and no quarterback in the league dared to test him.

Because of that success Uncle Al signed Nnamdi to a three-year contract with at least $28 million in guaranteed money.

Asomugha became a free agent after the 2010 season and ended up signing with the Philadelphia Eagles this past off-season as he was one of the most coveted free agents available. But one can argue that without Davis and the cover of playing on the west coast that Nnamdi's hero like status as a corner wouldn't be as prominent.

Ken Stabler, QB

“The Snake” is one of the greatest Raiders of all time. He finished with over 19,000 yards during his Raiders career and led the team to a Super Bowl in 1977.

Stabler was a four time Pro Bowl selection and was named NFL MVP in 1974.

Jim Plunkett, QB

Plunkett is the only quarterback to lead a team to two Super Bowl victories with no Hall of Fame induction.

Go figure.

But Jim didn’t have gaudy numbers and he threw more interceptions than he did touchdowns. Yet for a player to be so middle of the road he took the reins of a team and led them to the NFL’s version of the promise land twice.

I think that warrants dynamic consideration, eh?

Darren McFadden, RB

It took him awhile to get going but he’s finally starting to leave other NFL running backs in the dust.

Darren McFadden is by far one of the best running backs in the NFL today. He’s averaging a healthy 6.2 rushing yards per game in 2011 and has already broken for a 70 yard scamper this season.

Last year Run-DMC had over 1,100 rushing yards and seven touchdowns with a 5.2 yard average. Davis made the right call in picking McFadden and it may soon pay off with a run deep into the playoffs.

Fred Biletnikoff, WR

Some fans of the NFL may not know who Bilentnikoff is but I can guarantee they know his name. He’s a Hall of Fame player with over 8,000 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns.

He was named to six Pro Bowls and was named Super Bowl XI MVP. Biletnikoff is probably best known for his use of “Stickum,” which is a glue type of product used to help players catch passes.

He’s one of the greats in Raider history and is second all time in receiving yards.

Gene Upshaw, OL

Upshaw is best known as the “union guy” in the NFL but before that he was one of the best offensive lineman to ever play the game.

He passed away suddenly in 2008 after a fight with cancer but Gene left a mighty legacy behind.

He was selected to six Pro Bowls and he was a two-time Super Bowl champion. Upshaw is the epitome of old school football and he played his entire career for the Raiders.

Jim Otto, OL

No list of Raider players is complete with the name of Jim Otto. He was selected to 13 straight Pro Bowls and inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

He’s best name for wearing the number 00 during his playing career and he’s probably the most decorated Raider of all time.