Post by TheShadow on Jul 23, 2009 4:42:22 GMT -5
www.examiner.com/
by Patrick Patterson
I have had fun working on this project, and reading your comments as I covered each of the position groups. I enjoyed seeing some of the names that you guys threw out. I would like to think each and every one of you who took the time to read and comment as I worked on this project.
Now, without further ado, the cutdowns have happened and here is my take on the All-50 Oakland Raiders roster.
Quarterbacks:
Ken Stabler
Jim Plunkett
Rich Gannon
Plunkett has the hardware, but when it came to crunch time, there are few who could hold a candle to The Snake. Gannon would be the coach on the sidelines chomping at the bit to prove himself. It would be funny to hear the press conferences considering the differences between Stabler the party animal and Gannon the workaholic.
Running backs:
Halfbacks:
Marcus Allen
Clem Daniels
Pete Banaszak
Napolean Kaufman
Marcus Allen's tenure with the Raiders ended badly, to say the least, however his contributions on the field make him the clear cut starter for this group. Kaufman was one who I was on the fence on at one point, but was a key player in the Raiders emergence under Gruden. Daniels and Banaszak both were key players during the Raiders domination of the 60s and seventies.
Fullbacks:
Mark van Eeghen
Steve Smith
Van Eeghen is a fullback in the classic mode, back before they became almost exclusively blockers. He would be a double threat as a blocker and a runner. Smith could rotate in as a pure blocker. He beats out Jon Ritchie by a nose.
Wide receivers:
Fred Belitnikoff
Cliff Branch
Tim Brown
Warren Wells
Art Powell
With the talent of Branch and Freddie B on the outside, Brown would be devistating as a slot receiver. He has higher numbers, but he also played in a much more pass-happy time in football history.
Tight ends:
Dave Casper
Todd Christensen
Raymond Chester
If I was adding a practice squad to this exercise, then Miller would be on it. He is full of potetial, but he has to do it on the field for a few more years to surpass any of these three.
Offensive tackles:
(Note: rather than denote left v right on the offensive line, there are two starters and the reserves are numbered for guard and tackle)
Art Shell
Lincoln Kennedy
John Vella
Offensive guards:
Gene Upshaw
Wayne Hawkins
Steve Wisnieswki
Mickey Marvin
Center:
Jim Otto
Dave Dalby
This one is obvious.
Defensive Line:
(Note: With the current deliniation between defensive ends and tackles a recent phenomon, all are listed as defensive linemen. * denotes starter and numbered denotes depth.)
Howie Long
John Matuszak
Tom Keating
Reggie Kinlaw
Ben Davidson
Greg Townsend
Lyle Alzedo
Otis Sistrunk
Dan Birdwell
I had no intention of Derrick Burgess making this team, but felt his numbers merited his name mentioned in the original post. Birdwell got the nod over McGlockton to give respect to the 11 angry men defense, who played before sacks were an official stat.
Linebacker:
Outside linebacker:
Ted Hendricks
Phill Villapiano
Rod Martin
Inside linebacker:
Matt Millen
Monte Johnson
Greg Biekert
Cornerbacks:
Willie Brown
Lester Hayes
Mike Haynes
Terry McDaniel
Charles Woodson
Skip Thomas
Safeties:
Jack Tatum
George Atkinson
Vann McElroy
Eric Turner
Special Teams:
Kicker: George Blanda
Punter: Ray Guy
Punt Returner: Tim Brown
Kick Returner: Harold Hart
by Patrick Patterson
I have had fun working on this project, and reading your comments as I covered each of the position groups. I enjoyed seeing some of the names that you guys threw out. I would like to think each and every one of you who took the time to read and comment as I worked on this project.
Now, without further ado, the cutdowns have happened and here is my take on the All-50 Oakland Raiders roster.
Quarterbacks:
Ken Stabler
Jim Plunkett
Rich Gannon
Plunkett has the hardware, but when it came to crunch time, there are few who could hold a candle to The Snake. Gannon would be the coach on the sidelines chomping at the bit to prove himself. It would be funny to hear the press conferences considering the differences between Stabler the party animal and Gannon the workaholic.
Running backs:
Halfbacks:
Marcus Allen
Clem Daniels
Pete Banaszak
Napolean Kaufman
Marcus Allen's tenure with the Raiders ended badly, to say the least, however his contributions on the field make him the clear cut starter for this group. Kaufman was one who I was on the fence on at one point, but was a key player in the Raiders emergence under Gruden. Daniels and Banaszak both were key players during the Raiders domination of the 60s and seventies.
Fullbacks:
Mark van Eeghen
Steve Smith
Van Eeghen is a fullback in the classic mode, back before they became almost exclusively blockers. He would be a double threat as a blocker and a runner. Smith could rotate in as a pure blocker. He beats out Jon Ritchie by a nose.
Wide receivers:
Fred Belitnikoff
Cliff Branch
Tim Brown
Warren Wells
Art Powell
With the talent of Branch and Freddie B on the outside, Brown would be devistating as a slot receiver. He has higher numbers, but he also played in a much more pass-happy time in football history.
Tight ends:
Dave Casper
Todd Christensen
Raymond Chester
If I was adding a practice squad to this exercise, then Miller would be on it. He is full of potetial, but he has to do it on the field for a few more years to surpass any of these three.
Offensive tackles:
(Note: rather than denote left v right on the offensive line, there are two starters and the reserves are numbered for guard and tackle)
Art Shell
Lincoln Kennedy
John Vella
Offensive guards:
Gene Upshaw
Wayne Hawkins
Steve Wisnieswki
Mickey Marvin
Center:
Jim Otto
Dave Dalby
This one is obvious.
Defensive Line:
(Note: With the current deliniation between defensive ends and tackles a recent phenomon, all are listed as defensive linemen. * denotes starter and numbered denotes depth.)
Howie Long
John Matuszak
Tom Keating
Reggie Kinlaw
Ben Davidson
Greg Townsend
Lyle Alzedo
Otis Sistrunk
Dan Birdwell
I had no intention of Derrick Burgess making this team, but felt his numbers merited his name mentioned in the original post. Birdwell got the nod over McGlockton to give respect to the 11 angry men defense, who played before sacks were an official stat.
Linebacker:
Outside linebacker:
Ted Hendricks
Phill Villapiano
Rod Martin
Inside linebacker:
Matt Millen
Monte Johnson
Greg Biekert
Cornerbacks:
Willie Brown
Lester Hayes
Mike Haynes
Terry McDaniel
Charles Woodson
Skip Thomas
Safeties:
Jack Tatum
George Atkinson
Vann McElroy
Eric Turner
Special Teams:
Kicker: George Blanda
Punter: Ray Guy
Punt Returner: Tim Brown
Kick Returner: Harold Hart
