Commitment to Excellence: HOF Raiders

By Todd L. Frank  |   Tuesday, July 13, 2010  |  Comments( 0 )

Oakland Raiders
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As next month’s Hall of Fame inductions approach, let’s look at some Oakland Raiders that should or will be in the Hall of Fame, and the ones that already represent the Silver and Black in Canton.

Wide Receiver Tim Brown will most likely get in at some point in the next few years. With Art Monk finally in, and Jerry Rice out of the way this year, Brown (along with Andre Reed, Henry Ellard, and Chris Carter) is in that crowded field of the next logical WR’s on the shortlist to get in.

Legendary punter Ray Guy should absolutely be in. For some reason, HOF voters just won’t put a punter in the Hall. This “Guy” defined the position and is probably the reason we have a hang-time clock on TV screens during punts. Sure, punting seems like something that happens when your team fails, but every week we hear how important the field position game is. I really hope Guy gets in someday, he should, but it seems doubtful at this point.

On the current roster, only CB Nnamdi Asomugha has the look of a HOF’er, but it’s way too early for that kind of speculation, especially considering that Lester Haynes never made it.

There are currently 13 Raiders in the Hall of Fame, plus several others like Rice who played for the Raiders at some point, but were elected to the Hall for their accomplishments elsewhere (see list below). Imagine if the Dolphins and Steelers of the 1970’s weren’t so tough and the Raiders had made a few more Super Bowls.

In addition to Haynes, QB Ken Stabler should probably already be in. Jack Tatum was a 5-time All-Pro game changer. TE Todd Christensen is certainly worth consideration. You could make a case for the Seniors Committee to consider old AFL Mad Bomber, Raider Quarterback Daryle Lamonica. Steve Wisniewski has eight Pro Bowls and was all decade in the 90's, but it’s tough for linemen to get in and it won’t get easier for Wisniewski with Larry Allen, Jonathan Ogden, and Will Shields becoming eligible.

*Oakland Raiders in the Hall of Fame:
Marcus Allen (1982-1992)
Fred Biletnikoff (1965-1978)
George Blanda (1967-1975)
Willie Brown (1967-1978)
Dave Casper (1974-1980, 1984)
Al Davis (1966-Present)
Mike Haynes (1983-1989)
Ted Hendricks (1975-1983)
Howie Long (1981-1993)
John Madden (1969-1978)
Jim Otto (1960-1974)
Art Shell (1968-1982)
Gene Upshaw (1967-1981)

*Hall of Famers for other teams who also played for the Raiders:
Bob (Boomer) Brown (1971-1973)
Eric Dickerson (1992)
James Lofton (1987-1988)
Ronnie Lott (1991-1992)
Ron Mix (1971)
Jerry Rice (2001-04)
Rod Woodson (2002-03)
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