Post by TheShadow on Feb 2, 2006 19:57:45 GMT -5
www.pressdemo.com
Dave Williams
Press Democrat Staff Writer
The combined magic of NFL Films and radio announcer Bill King's voice have
elevated it to one of the lasting images in Super Bowl history.
Each time highlights of Super Bowl XI appear on television, the face of
Raiders cornerback Willie Brown dominates the screen as he returns a Fran
Tarkenton interception 75 yards for Oakland's final touchdown. In the
background, there's King's radio call, perhaps the most memorable in Raider
history: "He's to the 40, the 30, Old Man River. Touchdown Raiders!"
Brown's moment 20 years ago capped one of the finest hours in the
franchise's history. The 32-14 demolition of the Minnesota Vikings was the
first of the Raiders' three Super Bowl triumphs. It also smoothed the path
to the Hall of Fame for five players: guard Gene Upshaw, tackle Art Shell,
linebacker Ted Hendricks, wide receiver and game MVP Fred Biletnikoff and
Brown.
Other Raiders, never destined for the Hall of Fame, became household names
through the sheer force of their personalities or because of reputation. For
example, Ken Stabler became famous because of his fourth-quarter heroics.
Safeties George Atkinson and Jack Tatum were arguably the most feared safety
tandem in the game. The sanity of late defensive lineman John Matuzak and
defensive lineman Otis Sistrunk still remains in question.
Even the coach of the team, John Madden, took his fame to new heights,
becoming the most famous color commentator in football.
The Raiders finished the 1976 season with a 16-1 record, statistically one
of the best in NFL history. The Raiders' only loss that season was to New
England, 48-17, in Foxboro, Mass. Following that debacle, the Raiders reeled
off 13 consecutive victories, including a 24-21 playoff win over the
Patriots at the Coliseum.
Just as that team doesn't receive its due, some members also are
overshadowed.
"If we had won one more game, there's no question that team would have been
considered the greatest of all time," said John Vella, the Raiders' right
tackle from 1972-79. "But our offensive line was picked as the best in the
75-year history of the league, so I guess we weren't totally overlooked."
Vella may have been denied proper credit because he played on the side
opposite two Hall of Famers. Upshaw and Shell are the tackle and guard
combination by which all other Raider duos are measured. But Vella may have
had the most pivotal position on the Raiders' line. Because Stabler was
left-handed, Vella was given the task of protecting his blind side. Vella,
however, says that may be a tad overrated.
"I laugh when I hear people say how important it is to get a left tackle who
can protect the quarterback's blind side," Vella said. "Big deal. You just
went out and played. If all of the linemen aren't doing their jobs, then
your quarterback's going to get killed anyway, regardless of whether it's
from the blind side or the front side."
Two others who weren't household names but contributed heavily to the
Raiders' success were punter Ray Guy and punt-coverage specialist Morris
Bradshaw. Many feel that Guy should be the first true punter enshrined in
the Hall of Fame. Sammy Baugh is in the Hall, but he also was one of the
best quarterbacks as well as a punter.
Guy finished with a career average of 42.4 yards a punt. He said he knew his
role on the team and understood how he aided in the Raiders' success.
"I was able to help the team control the field position," Guy said. "I
didn't try to do anything out of the ordinary. When you tried to do too
much, you messed up."
Guy said he tried doing too much in Super Bowl XI and paid for it.
"It was kind of a back-and-forth game at the time and we were back pretty
deep in our own territory. I was trying to put a little extra on a kick and
wound up having it blocked. That was the first time I'd ever had a punt
blocked."
Minnesota recovered the ball on the Raiders' 2. Three plays later, Brent
McClanahan fumbled on the 1. The Raiders then moved 99 yards for a
touchdown, and the rout was on.
For all three former Raiders, Super Bowl XI remains one of the best memories
in their careers. For Vella and Bradshaw, it was their only world
championship. Guy played on all three of the Raiders' title teams, but the
newness of his first championship outshines the others.
"We knew we were a good football team, a great football team, but for some
reason we'd never get to the Super Bowl," Guy said. "We thought we were
going to get there the two years before, but Pittsburgh beat us."
What made Bradshaw's role so important was his ability to keep some of the
league's best punt returners Denver's Rick Upchurch and Pittsburgh's Lynn
Swann in check. Neither player broke big returns against the Raiders that
season.
Bradshaw was listed on the roster as a receiver, but with Biletnikoff and
Cliff Branch on the team, his playing time was limited.
"I knew I wasn't going to get too many chances as a receiver, so if I wanted
to stick, I'd better do the job on special teams," Bradshaw said. "There's
no player on a football team who isn't important. If the team keeps you,
you're expected to contribute in some capacity. Sure, I would have liked to
have gotten more chances to catch the football. But when I look at this ring
on my finger, whatever role I played was worth it."
Vella said the Super Bowl win didn't alter his lifestyle much, but he said
it allows him to wear a winner's ring 20 years later.
"A lot of times I look at that ring and think, "Wow, 20 years.
Unbelievable," Vella said. "I think about that game and that day. I can
recall it just like it happened last week."
Though his career ended in 1980 as, ironically, a Viking, Vella keeps close
ties to the Raiders. Now that the Raiders are back in Oakland after a
13-year stay in Los Angeles, Vella regularly attends home games. He also
owns a pair of Raider Locker Room stores in the East Bay.
Guy said he never took the time to reflect on how the Super Bowl affected
his life. His plan was to keep things as simple as possible.
"I knew that when my playing days were over, I'd be coming back home," Guy
said.
Guy tried his hand at singing country music when his career was over in
1986, but now works at a wood treatment plant outside Augusta, Ga. Bradshaw
currently is a senior administrator with the Raiders.
