Post by TheShadow on Jul 10, 2009 9:12:22 GMT -5
www.examiner.com
by Patrick Patterson
The defensive backfield has an illustrious history with the Raiders. This is going to be a hard position to whittle down when it comes time to create the final 53 man roster, as several deserving players will likely end up left off.
Cornerbacks:
Willie Brown: He is tied for the Raider career interception record. His interception in Super Bowl XI broke the back of the Vikings.
Skip Thomas: Dr. Death was opposite Brown as part of the Soul Patrol. He brought the intimidation factor.
Lester Hayes: In 1980 Lester nearly set the single season interception record. After '80 quarterbacks stopped throwing in his direction. He is a member of the All-80s team, and should be in the Hall of Fame.
Mike Haynes: Haynes combined with Hayes to form a lethal cornerback tandem. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Terry McDaniel: In his ten years with the Raiders, McDainel was named to five Pro Bowls and was a four time All-Pro.
Charles Woodson: C-Wood's last couple of years in Oakland were mired in controversy as he was franchised twice and had injury issues. However, he made an immediate impact in his first few years, and rapidly became an elite corner.
Nnamdi Asomugha: Asomugha had a slow start to his career, but has since established himself as the best corner in the league. His success can't be measured in stats, because he does his job so well that opposing quarterbacks simply don't throw in his direction.
Safety:
George Atkinson: Atkinson was a devastating hitter. He hit so hard that Lynn Swann would spend the rest of his life crying about it. He started as a corner, but found his niche as a safety and as part of the "Soul Patrol."
Jack Tatum: The assassin was probably the most feared safety ever. Receivers would not go over the middle of the field against him out of fear of decapitation.
Vann McElroy: McElroy was more of a ball hawk than a hitter during his career. He finished with 31 picks. He was named to two Pro Bowls whilst in Silver and Black.
Eric Turner: Turner only spent three years in Silver and Black, but he brought a strong upgrade to a defense sorely in need. His untimely death in 2000 from cancer robbed him of several productive years.
by Patrick Patterson
The defensive backfield has an illustrious history with the Raiders. This is going to be a hard position to whittle down when it comes time to create the final 53 man roster, as several deserving players will likely end up left off.
Cornerbacks:
Willie Brown: He is tied for the Raider career interception record. His interception in Super Bowl XI broke the back of the Vikings.
Skip Thomas: Dr. Death was opposite Brown as part of the Soul Patrol. He brought the intimidation factor.
Lester Hayes: In 1980 Lester nearly set the single season interception record. After '80 quarterbacks stopped throwing in his direction. He is a member of the All-80s team, and should be in the Hall of Fame.
Mike Haynes: Haynes combined with Hayes to form a lethal cornerback tandem. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Terry McDaniel: In his ten years with the Raiders, McDainel was named to five Pro Bowls and was a four time All-Pro.
Charles Woodson: C-Wood's last couple of years in Oakland were mired in controversy as he was franchised twice and had injury issues. However, he made an immediate impact in his first few years, and rapidly became an elite corner.
Nnamdi Asomugha: Asomugha had a slow start to his career, but has since established himself as the best corner in the league. His success can't be measured in stats, because he does his job so well that opposing quarterbacks simply don't throw in his direction.
Safety:
George Atkinson: Atkinson was a devastating hitter. He hit so hard that Lynn Swann would spend the rest of his life crying about it. He started as a corner, but found his niche as a safety and as part of the "Soul Patrol."
Jack Tatum: The assassin was probably the most feared safety ever. Receivers would not go over the middle of the field against him out of fear of decapitation.
Vann McElroy: McElroy was more of a ball hawk than a hitter during his career. He finished with 31 picks. He was named to two Pro Bowls whilst in Silver and Black.
Eric Turner: Turner only spent three years in Silver and Black, but he brought a strong upgrade to a defense sorely in need. His untimely death in 2000 from cancer robbed him of several productive years.