The best of the worst: Raiders’ 2003-2008 bracket showdown

By Anthony Carroll  |   Friday, March 27, 2009  |  Comments( 20 )

Oakland Raiders
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It may be March Madness for hoops fans, but for NFL-only fanatics out there, there’s not much madness going on.

It’s a slow time of the year for pigskin buffs -- free agency is in the rear-view mirror and the draft is still weeks away. For fans of the Oakland Raiders, it’s been a busy, but not-as-exciting-as-usual offseason. A handful of players were kicked to the curb, T.O. was passed on and the O-line has been given a minor facelift. For the most part, it’s been a fundamental offseason, not a fun one.

So in the spirit of all the bracket madness, I’m here to pit six Raider ball clubs against one another in a tournament-style contest. The catch: It’s the past six Raider teams. Not one has fared better than 6-10.

But which has been the best? Using WhatIfSports.com -- a Web site developed in 1999 to simulate games between past and present sports teams -- we’ll reach an answer.

The rankings for the 2003-2008 teams will be based on each team’s record for its respective season, with final standing within the AFC West acting as the tiebreaker:

1. 2008
2. 2004
3. 2003
4. 2007
5. 2005
6. 2006.

The 2008 and 2004 squads will receive first-round byes. All games will be played in 70-degree weather with light wind and no precipitation. The higher ranked team will always play at "home.”

Round 1

• Game 1: (6) 2006 Raiders at (3) 2003 Raiders:

It happened three times to the Art Shell-led Raiders in 2006, and it’ll happen once more here: a shutout. Quarterback Andrew Walter would throw three interceptions in the game before being pulled in favor of Aaron Brooks, while for the ‘03 squad Rich Gannon would spread the ball around nicely. Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Alvis Whitted, Doug Jolley and Teyo Johnson would all have at least 20 yards receiving. Halfback Charlie Garner takes home player of the game for the ‘03 Raiders, rushing 13 times for 71 yards and two scores.

Final score: 2006 Raiders 0 – 2003 Raiders 20

• Game 2: (5) 2005 Raiders at (4) 2007 Raiders:

Despite a 105-yard performance on the ground from Justin Fargas, the slightly favored 2007 Raiders would fall to the 2005 squad. LaMont Jordan’s 90-yard day on the ground combined with Randy Moss’ 93-yard performance would prove to be too much for the Daunte Culpepper-led 2007 squad. Kerry Collins would pass for 233 yards in the game, including a 2-yard TD to Jerry Porter in the first quarter. For the ‘05 club, Sebastian Janikowski takes home player of the game for making kicks of 33, 35, 41 and 49 yards.

Final score: 2005 Raiders 26 – 2007 Raiders 23

Round 2

• Game 1: (5) 2005 Raiders at (1) 2008 Raiders:

The 2005 Raiders wouldn’t find the end zone until the fourth quarter, as the ‘08 squad dominates the game. Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush would each record one rushing TD, combining for 180 yards on the ground, while two of quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s 12 completions would go for TDs. Zach Miller and Chaz Schilens would be on the receiving ends of those scores for the ’08 Raiders. For the 2005 team, only LaMont Jordan would find the end zone, punching in a 5-yarder late in the fourth quarter. Darren McFadden gets player of the game for 68 yards on the ground, including two 20-plus yarders and one touchdown.

Final score: 2005 Raiders 7 – 2008 Raiders 38

• Game 2: (3) 2003 Raiders at (2) 2004 Raiders:

The game wouldn’t be decided until the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter, but a Garner 3-yard TD run would finally put an end to a defensive battle. Neither Gannon nor Kerry Collins would have any success through the air, completing just 12 passes each for fewer than 150 yards and a combined three picks. The only TD posted by the 2004 squad would be a 5-yard Zack Crockett reception -- but it wouldn’t prove to be enough. Two interceptions from player of the game Philip Buchanon would put an end to the 2004 Raiders’ tournament life.

Final score: 2003 Raiders 13 – 2004 Raiders 10

Round 3: Championship

• (3) 2003 Raiders at (1) 2008 Raiders:

In a game of old versus new, the old would prevail. For the No. 3-ranked 2003 squad, Brown, Rice, Garner and Tyrone Wheatley would all reach the end zone. The still-healthy Gannon would complete 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 230 yards and a pair of TDs, while player of the game Wheatley would pound the ’08 defense for 110 yards rushing and one TD. Despite solid performances from Fargas (16 rushes for 68 yards), Zach Miller (four grabs for 47 yards) and Kirk Morrison (eight tackles and a sack), the 2008 Raiders would fall to the more experienced 2003 squad.

Final score: 2003 Raiders 28 – 2008 Raiders 16

Congratulations, 2003 Raiders. You’re the best of the worst.
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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CommentsComments: 20  |  Sign Up  View all comments
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No.1
Os Davis		03:37 AM
03/27/2009
So now the 2003 Raiders get to take on the winner of the Millen Era Lions tournament, right? Cheers, Os. PS WhatIfSports.com...
No.2
Spoakland		06:38 AM
03/27/2009
AC, this was an interesting exercise. It was fun to read. Thanks. I found the results were what I would expect. Rich Gannon...
Avatar
No.3
neil b		09:03 AM
03/27/2009
A little tired of articles that only go back to 2003 as if the Raiders didn't exist before then.I know you're making the point of...
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