No. 24 in good company with the Silver and Black

By Anthony Carroll  |   Tuesday, June 20, 2006  |  Comments( 12 )

Oakland Raiders
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"Defensive Backs, Squad Development."

A 35-year veteran of the Oakland Raiders organization, Willie Brown's official title is split in half.

On one end is a central focus on the team's defensive backs; on the other end sits an emphasis on team and player development.

A former holder of the silver and black "24" jersey, Brown's two-tier title will now be used to develop a modern-date 24.

65-year-old Willie Brown, who began his career as a 22-year-old in Denver, will front a three-headed defensive back coaching staff. Working in conjunction with Brown in 2006 will be Chuck Pagano, who previously spent time in Cleveland, and Lorenzo Ward, who will help out as an assistant.

Brown began his NFL career back in 1963, playing with Denver in his first four debut seasons in the AFL. During those four years, the Grambling state alumnus picked off 15 balls, including a career-high nine in 1964. For the following 12 years of his NFL career, Brown suited up for the Silver and Black. During his extensive tenure with the team, he posted 39 interceptions for 277 return yards and two touchdowns. At 37 years of age, Brown finally called it quits, making the 1978 season his last year as a player.

Throughout his 16-year stretch, Brown appeared in four Pro Bowls, was named all-league seven times, and appeared in two Super Bowls. In 1984, 21 years after his pro debut, Brown was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. To this date, he remains atop the Raiders' all-time interception list, guiding the Silver and Black to a 125-35-7 record during his 12 years with the team.

39 years later, Willie Brown is still with the team.

The former No. 24 is heading into his 12th campaign as the Raiders' director of squad development and defensive backs coach. This offseason, Brown will be one of the many molding factors in rookie Michael Huff's early career.

Huff, 6-1 205-pounds, will likely instantly jump into Oakland's starting lineup. His 4.35 40-time at the NFL Combine was atop the list of all players at the position. Among all safeties in the 2006 draft pool, Huff was irrefutably placed in the leading slot, posting 109 tackles in his senior season with the Texas Longhorns.

Post draft-festivities, Huff commented, "I come from winning in college and I plan on bringing a winning attitude to the Raiders. It wasn't that long ago that they were in the Super Bowl. My goal is to help get the team back to the playoffs, and once you're in the playoffs, anything can happen."

Fortunately for Huff, Willie Brown, a 35-year Raider veteran, will be just a call away to support the 23-year-old's playoff plans.

"Growing up, my football hero was:

Charles Woodson."

Michael Huff's official NFL Player interview entwines yet another "24" into the mix.

For Oakland, though, Willie Brown's longstanding representation of "24" would be much more suitable.

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com

Get more on Michael Huff at Realfootball365.com
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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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