As the Oakland Raiders celebrate their 50th anniversary, its a time to look back at the history of greatness that is the Raider Mystique. In celebration of this auspicious occasion, I am putting together the ultimate All-50 Oakland Raider 53 man roster. Today's edition will focus on the quarterbacks who are being considered, and as time progresses, will work my way through all the position groups.
The key for inclusion on this All-50 team is that the bulk of the player's success be with the Raiders. The Raiders have had several players over the years, who had Hall of Fame caliber careers before coming to the Silver and Black, only to have one or two mediocre years before retirement. The key to inclusion is what these players meant to the Raiders.
The Quarterbacks:
The men who have manned the quarterback position for the Oakland Raiders have run the gamut from awesome to awful. Here are the contenders to be named to the final 53 man roster:
Tom Flores: Tom Flores is better known for his work coaching the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories, but he was the first quarterback in Oakland Raiders history. The Raiders did not win often with him under center, but he was a fierce competitor who gave it his all.
Daryle Lamonica: The Mad Bomber came to Oakland from the Buffalo Bills in a trade for Tom Flores. Lamonica had the strong arm that head coach Al Davis coveted. Lamonica would go on to become an AFL Legend and lead the Raiders to Super Bowl II where they fell to the Green Bay Packers.
Ken Stabler: The Snake was as cool as the blood running through his namesake when the game was on the line. He amassed a Hall of Fame worthy career as he led the Raiders to be one of the most dominant teams of the seventies. He led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl win as they defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XV.
Jim Plunkett: Plunkett had a remarkable story. He was drafted first overall by the San Francisco 49ers, but could not find his groove as a Niner or with his next stop in New England. He spent the 79 season on the bench behind Stabler. Between the 70 and 80 seasons, Stabler was traded to the Houston Oilers for Dan Pastorini. Pastorini was injured early in the season, and Plunkett took over and led the Raiders to the Super Bowl win. He wouldlead them to another Super Bowl in following the 83 season.
Rich Gannon: Gannon was the shot in the arm that the Oakland Raiders sorely needed as the 20th century drew to a close. After the Raiders had languished in mediocrity for many years, Gannon was able to lead the team to an AFC Championship following the 2002 season, during which Gannon won the MVP award.
Three of these men will be selected to the team, with the other two still deserving recognition for the part that they played in creating the greatness of the Raiders.
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
A couple of problems. Stabler led the team to victory in Super Bowl XI, Plunkett was the QB for XV. Second, Plunkett was drafted by New England and then ended up with the 49ers whom Oakland aquired him from in 79.
Good reads for the most part, but check your stats on Plunkett. He was drafted by the Patriots and traded to the 49'ers in 1976. I'll never forget the Raiders roughing him up in preseason, and the 49'ers cutting him the week after the game only to have the Raiders pick him up.
This is very hard if You can only take 3. First, Flores is out. Its nice of You to put Him on the list He is won of the Raider greats, but actually I would have Hostetler over Flores.
Nobody won like Lamonica, He was like 90% win percentage as a Raider. Also He was throwing 3,500 yds when the NFL was throwing 2,500.
Stabler had 7 productive seasons, the most out of these QBs and won a superbowl. Was part of some of the greatest games in Raiders history.
That basically leaves Gannon vs Plunkett. Plunkett won 2 superbowls and MVP in 15. But outside of those two seasons He was injury plagued, and You could argue the superbowl 18 team could have won with Wilson. (Yes, I know we want Plunkett in the Hall, but this is why He is not.
Gannon, had 4 awesome seasons as a Raider. His stats from 98 to 02 are Hall of fame type. But He lost the Superbowl in the worst way.
The bottom line for me is winning football games and championships, so I would take Plunkett.
Here's my starting 3........
QB - K.Stabler, J.Plunkett, R.Gannon
All in that order. J.Russell would be on my practice squad.
Starter = Stabler
Backup = Plunkett, Gannon
Stabler; a no-brainer
This guy always screws up stats and facts. Its a woder that people like this actually get media perks for these kind of articles. Any monkey can write an article about their team and call themselves the media.
Stabler, lamonica, Plunkett
Todd Maranovich... DUH greatest of all time. I am so glad we took him over Favre (next QB chosen that year)
Todd Maranovich; Billy Joe Hobert; Vince Evans
Stabler for the win. Is there anyone even close? Snake was teh best.
stabler, plunkett, gannon.
who do you think the worst qb was?
marinovich and brooks spring to mind
Tom Flores did win games, a 10 win season in 1963, 8 win seasons in 1965 and 1966. The AFL played a 14 game schedule in each of those years. The Raiders under Flores beat Buffalo in 1964 at Frank Youell Field on the last play of the game. The Raiders under Flores beat New York in Shea Stadium in 1966 on the last play of the game. As an original Oakland Raider fan since the team's inception Tom Flores was my favorite Raider player.
1. Donald Hollis
2. Rusty Hilger
3. Aaron Brooks
i was just going to point out what joe raider just said. good catch. i guess stabler would be the starter although plunkett is my all time favorite. his time in oakland was unforgettable and he should be in the hall of fame along with stabler. for my third string f... gannon. he is not a real raider. i would say flores just based on tradition. all three of those guys are hall of famers in my book.
as for the worst how about mark wilson?
Plunkett starts with his 2 rings. Stabler a close second with his one ring and incredible record. Gannon gets the nod for third string for his superbowl appearence and the fact that we weren't very good when he got there and have been terrible since he has left.
Brooks, and Maranovich were brutal. Probably the worst. Give Walter a few more starts and I may change my mind. Why do we still have that guy?
Snake - Plunkett - Gannon
An honorable mention would have to go to Jeff Hostetler. Between Plunkett and Gannon we had some awful years at the position, but Hoss made the best of his situation being coached by Shell and Mike White. He never had a reliable running back and a receiver to compliment Tim Brown, either. I still remember him lighting up Denver in the AFC Wildcard game, which would ironically be Hoss' only playoff appearance with us.
Plunkett >> Best
Jeff George = Jay Shroeder worst (tie)
Gruden cheated. Gannon should have won in 02'. I give Gannon a mulligan. It's kinda hard to play if the defense knows your plays. Gannon was far more athletic than Stabler or Plunkett.
Stabler
Gannon
Plunkett
Hostetler
I believe in Russell so I'll add him to the practice squad with the Hoss.
our all time guy was george blanda!!!
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