Silver and Black Report

In this two part series, SBReport.net takes a look at the nineteen Raiders that have been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

Howie Long – Defensive Lineman – Inducted: 2000

In 13-seasons, Long was one of the league’s most versatile linemen, equally adept at end or tackle. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion (XVIII), Long was fierce as a Raider and could’ve played in any era of football.

Ronnie Lott – Safety – Inducted: 2000

Arguably the greatest safety to ever play, Lott made a pit stop in Los Angeles for two seasons (1991-1992). He led the league in interceptions (8) in 1991 and made the last of his ten Pro Bowls as a member of the Raiders.

Dave Casper – Tight End – Inducted: 2002

The tight end was selected five times to Pro Bowl squads, was a five-time All Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion (XI and XV). He was also involved in two of the Raiders most historic plays; the “Ghost to the Post” versus the Colts during a 1977 divisional playoff game and “the Holy Roller” in 1978 against the Chargers.

Marcus Allen – Running Back – Inducted: 1993

One of the greatest weapons the Raiders ever had. His 74-yard run for a score in Super Bowl XVIII and 191-yard performance remains one of the greatest memories in club history. In 1982, he was the league’s offensive rookie of the year and in 1985, the NFL’s most valuable player.

James Lofton – Wide Receiver – Inducted: 2003

He played two years for the Silver & Black and was a coach with the Raiders in 2008. Lofton was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time first team All Pro and ended with 764 passes for 14,004 yards and 75 touchdowns in his 16-campaigns.

Bob Brown – Tackle – Inducted: 2004

Brown played in Oakland the last three-years of his career. In 1971, his first season with the Silver & Black, Brown played in his last of six Pro Bowls.

John Madden – Head Coach – Inducted: 2006

The legendary figure began his career as a linebackers coach with the Raiders in 1967. He then became their head coach in 1969 and won a Super Bowl in 1976. Madden ended with a 103-32-7 regular season record and later became the voice of the league as an analyst for varying networks.

Rod Woodson – Cornerback/Safety – Inducted: 2009

The league never saw a player so adept at cornerback and have a equally impressive end to his career at free-safety. Woodson tallied 71-career interceptions and was a Super Bowl champion with the Ravens in 2000, as part of the best defenses the league has ever seen. His arrival in Oakland was vital in 2002. The then 37-year old Woodson led the NFL in interceptions (8), making the Pro Bowl and helping the team to the Super Bowl.

Jerry Rice – Wide Receiver – Inducted: 2010

The “GOAT” was with the Raiders from 2001-through-2004. The 13-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time Super Bowl champion had 243-receptions, 3,286-yards and 18 touchdowns with Oakland.

Part one of SBReport’s look at Raider hall of famers:

A look back at all the Raiders in the NFL Hall of Fame (pt. 1)

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Yahoo’s Mike Silver reported this morning that defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan will not be on the Oakland Raiders’ staff next season. Beat writer Vittorio Tafur stated in his blog that the coach “won’t be back next season,” per a source.

The Raiders denied the report earlier in the week.

Oakland statistically ranked among the bottom of the league in many categories, including being the 29th-ranked defense and allowing a franchise record 31 touchdown passes. They also gave up 5.1 yards per carry, 4,262 passing yards and 6,201 total yards, while giving up the third most points (433) in team history.

The fate of cornerbacks coach Rod Woodson, linebackers coach Greg Biekert and safeties coach Kevin Ross are up in the air, but per Silver, all have been told that their contracts will not be renewed when they expire on Jan. 15.

Considering the underwhelming play of the linebackers, especially the dip in sacks from Kamerion Wimbley and the inconsistency of former 1^st round draft pick Rolando McClain, Biekert was definitely one staffer that was sitting on the hot seat.

Woodson had a unit filled of rookies to work with, along with Lito Sheppard, a cast-off veteran to go along with highly paid cornerback Stanford Routt and safety Michael Huff. Tyvon Branch, in his contract year, seemingly had the best season out of everyone on the unit.

More on Bresnahan and the Raiders later on SBReport.net…

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The Oakland Raiders are refuting a report that a few members of the defensive coaching staff have been fired. Lets just remember, it’s not the first time the organization has denied reports that eventually came to fruition.

A local radio station in Oakland reported that coordinator Chuck Bresnahan; linebackers coach Greg Biekert and secondary coaches Rod Woodson and Kevin Ross have been released of their duties.

Hue Jackson stated that decisions regarding anyone on his staff would be made very soon.

With all the issues on defense, it’s safe to say that the Silver & Black will make changes on their staff…

But whom and when are questions that we’ll have to wait for.

In the past, Oakland has been known to take their time disseminating information about changes or non-changes along their staff, especially when rumors begin to circulate. With Al Davis’ passing, will things remain the same?

As I tweeted earlier tonight, Bresnahan, Biekert and Woodson were Davis’ choices. He was always faithful to past staffers and former players, which is one reason why those hirings were made.

You can easily deduce all of them could be on the hot seat right now.

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In just a few hours, it will be 2012…

SBReport.net turns the page on another year by looking at the best and the worst in Raider-Land in 2011. The Oakland Raiders did not reach the playoffs in 2011, but hope remains for 2012, as they’ll play the San Diego Chargers on Sunday on the first day of a new year.

Here’s a look at the best and the worst:

JANUARY

Worst: The Decatur police department responded to shots fired at Rolando McClain’s vehicle.

Best: Oakland hired Steve Wisniewski to aide Bob Wylie along  the offensive line.

Best: Al Davis had an informal session with local media after the announcement of Hue Jackson as a head-coach, which can be heard here.

Best: More audio from Davis regarding his new coach, and his old coach.

Best: Oakland hires Hue Jackson.

Worst: Just litigate, baby.

Worst: Shane Lechler rips into the owner.

FEBRUARY

Best: Raiders re-sign Kamerion Wimbley.

Best: Stanford Routt signs an extension.

Best: Rod Woodson is hired to coach the secondary.

Worst: Michael Bush was arrested for drunk driving.

Worst: Oakland brings back Chuck Bresnahan.

MARCH

Worst: Donovan McNabb to Oakland trade rumors.

Worst: The NFL lockout.

APRIL

Best: Raiders draft Stefen Wisniewski. More here.

Worst: Louis Murphy arrested for…

AUGUST

Worst: Shooting after 49ers-Raiders game.

SEPTEMBER

Best: Sebastian Janikowski blasts a 63-yard FG in Oakland’s win at Denver.

Worst: Oakland cannot get a second half stop in Buffalo…lose on the road.

Best: The Raiders bully the Jets… and Ryan’s defense.

OCTOBER

Worst: The passing of Al Davis.

Best: Oakland wins on the road at Houston on the weekend of Davis’ death.

Worst: Get humiliated at home versus the Chiefs and lose Darren McFadden due to injury.

Worst: Matt Shaughnessy heads to the I.R.

Best: Carson Palmer is acquired.

NOVEMBER

Best: The Raiders win three in a row versus the Chargers, Vikings and Bears to take the AFC West lead.

Worst: Injuries begin to mount.

DECEMBER

Worst: Rolando McClain arrested.

Best: Raiders beat Kansas City 16-13 in OT to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Worst: Lose three in a row and fall behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West race.

MORE…

Best coach — Bob Wylie, offensive line: He has one of the better young left sides in the entire NFL. They haven’t been as dominant late as they were at the start of the season, but this unit overall has been very surprising.

Best player — Darren McFadden, RB: Oakland’s most electrifying talent. The offenses’ complexity changes when he’s in there.

Best acquisition — Carson Palmer, QB: It saved the season… imagine of Kyle Boller had to go the rest of the way after Jason Campbell went down?

Best acquisiton pt. 2 — Aaron Curry, LB: Just plays like a Raider.

Best Rookie — Denarius Moore, WR: He has the knack for the big plays (i.e. vs. San Diego, at Buffalo et.)

Best Win — At Houston: Emotional weekend, facing a offensive power-house… Oakland got the job done.

Worst loss – 28-27 vs. Detroit: What a collapse!

Worst play – Calvin Johnson was covered by who on that final drive?

Here is a look at the best and worst of the Raiders at the bye week this season:

Best & Worst: Oakland Raiders at the Bye Week

SBReport.net will wrap-up the season with more ‘best and worst’ moments when Oakland’s campaign comes to an end… so stay tuned. From everyone at SBReport and Raiderfans.net — Happy New Year!

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NEW YORK, NY – Surprise, surprise… the Oakland Raiders chose speedster Demarcus Van Dyke with the 81^st overall selection in the NFL Draft.

At the combine, the cornerback posted 4.25 and 4.28 40-yard times and when the Silver & Black went to Miami for his pro-day workout in March, he became a target to possibly replace Nnamdi Asomugha if he departs once free agency begins.

Van Dyke has a thin frame, but with his height, the prospect may be able to fill enough to become a nice combination of size and speed at defensive back.

Scouts don’t believe he plays with enough instincts, so if Oakland has to depend on the first-year player, they could face some tough times in a secondary that already features last year’s draft picks, Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware – raw talents that did not impress in stints.

In February, SBReport.net took a look back at Oakland’s history in selecting some of the fastest prospects seen at the combine. Click here for a look back at that piece and to see where Van Dyke places on the list of track stars that have played for the Raiders.

DEMARCUS VAN DYKE

PROS:

Oakland drafted a project that could have that rare combo of size and speed. He has a lot of upside and if the Raiders lose Asomugha, he’ll have his shot to take the job opposite Routt.

CONS:

Did not even start for the Hurricanes and tallied only three-interceptions his entire collegiate career. May be another speedy talent that looks good in pads, but cannot play the game correctly.

OUTLOOK

This was a reach for the Raiders. I know they are worried about Asomugha’s pending free agency, but they could’ve gone in a different direction with the selection, traded down to get Van Dyke or made a smarter choice in going for a cornerback – a position of need. Rod Woodson will have to work his magic on this selection. If he can commit to play football at a high level and learn to play cornerback at the pro level, then Oakland may have a contributor. Otherwise, he’s just another track-star and nothing else.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

 

An inevitable lockout is hindering how NFL organizations operate, unless they are called the Oakland Raiders.

Forking over big contracts in trying to retain many of their key components while the rest of the league is bracing themselves for a lockout, the Silver & Black are just trying to bring some stability to a situation that has no clear end.

“What we did is protect our football team,” Raiders senior executive John Herrera said. “These are moves that protect our franchise and protect our team and put us in a position to move on.”

Oakland has inked Richard Seymour (two-year contract at $30 million with $22 million in guarantees), Stanford Routt (three-year contract at $31.5 mill.) and John Henderson (two-year deal, $8 mill.), while slapping an $11.32 million franchise tag on Kamerion Wimbley.

That’s a lot of money being tossed around, but those players won’t be cashing in on any checks until there is a resolution to the league’s labor dispute. No signing bonuses have been paid and with the current CBA expiring on Thursday, Oakland feels that they are going into this volatile time with more security than other clubs.

“When you’re signing these players to contracts the way we signed them, these contracts are all for the future,” Herrera stated on Monday. “These guys will have to come in and play and earn their money before they get paid. The Raiders have not paid out a dime at this point in time.”

Routt stated on a Houston talk show, “Oh yeah definitely, not having to worry about going the free agent route, trying to figure out this team, that team, this deal, that deal, the pros, the cons – not have to worry about any of that; just go back to work as soon as the CBA is taken care of.”

Al Davis probably isn’t making any friends with all these transactions, but has he ever worried about playing nice?

MORE ROUTT TALK

On Rod Woodson joining the coaching staff:

“I actually haven’t met him. But I definitely know who he is. I mean, growing up, him and Deion Sanders were my two favorite corners of all time. I know he’s going to bring a lot of talent, a lot of prestige, and lot of knowledge to the program.”

DRAFT TID BITS

Ole Miss nose tackle Jerrell Powe could be a target of the Raiders. At 6-foot-2, 335 pounds, the hefty linemen views himself as a fit in either 3-4 or 4-3 fronts and likens himself to Vince Wilfork of the Patriots and the Vikings Pat Williams.

Oakland had meetings scheduled with him, along with the Chiefs, Broncos, Ravens and Dolphins.

Jerry McDonald advised to keep an eye on Buster Skrine. The cornerback from Tennesee-Chattanooga posted a 4.29 40-yard time and holds the school record at 4.22. Who else went to the same school? Boisterous wide erceiver Terrell Owens and former Raider tackle Terdell Sands.

ESPN’s Bill Williamson noted another defensive back, Demarcus Van Dyke. The product out of Miami ran the fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.28.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders have altered their coaching staff since the end of the 2010 season, but a key spot remains vacant – defensive coordinator.

What do we know so far?

The New York Jets prohibited the Silver & Black from talking to their defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman. One candidate bantered about early in the process – Chuck Pagano – quickly squashed any notion of a return to the Raiders by stating, “Two years was plenty.”

Winston Moss and Darren Perry of the Green Bay Packers were next in line, but mum has been the word on their candidacy and possible departure from Mike McCarthy’s championship staff.

“I’m not going to comment on speculation. Our coaching staff is intact and I’m glad for it,” commented McCarthy recently.

With the additions of Rod Woodson (cornerback coach) and Greg Biekert (linebacker coach), all signs point to Chuck Bresnahan revisiting his role as coordinator of that unit. His current title as ‘defensive coach’ leaves a lot to the imagination, but with not much indication of importing a new staffer and Bresnahan having a working past with Woodson and Biekert, Oakland could just fork over the duties that were held last year by John Marshall to him.

Jackson was not committal in talking about the look of his defense when he was asked who was his coordinator, stating, “You’re looking at him [jokingly]. No, it’s still a process that we’re going through. There’s so many different phases that you go through as you put this team together and as you start to put your staff together. I think the most important thing, I don’t want to rush to any decision. I don’t have to right now. Obviously we have a very good staff right now. There are still some guys I talk to from time to time. But I also feel comfortable with where we are. When I decide that that the process needs to be over, it’ll be over, but right now that’s not the No. 1 thing that’s on my mind.”

He continued about his staff, “I mean, again, when I go to bed at night I feel very good about where we are.”

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

The Oakland Raiders have added Hall of Famer Rod Woodson to their coaching staff. The press release disseminated today read like this:

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Raider Legend Rod Woodson returns to the Silver and Black as a member of the team’s coaching staff. Woodson will serve as assistant coach, cornerbacks.

“I’m excited that we have a Hall of Fame player who is coming back to the organization,” said Raiders Head Coach Hue Jackson. “I was extremely impressed during the interview process with his communication skills and I’m looking forward to Rod imparting his wealth of knowledge to our players.”

Woodson played 17 NFL seasons from 1987-2003, including the final two of a Hall of Fame career with the Raiders (2002-03).

“It’s an honor to be back with the Raiders and be able to talk to Raider players about true football,” said Woodson, who most recently served as an analyst for the NFL Network and as a color commentator for the Big Ten Network. “I’m looking forward to working with the organization and the challenges of the 2011 season.”

He was a key member of a Silver and Black team that captured the American Football Conference title in 2002 and played in Super Bowl XXXVII. He shares the Raiders record for most interceptions in a single game with three (9-29-02 vs. Tennessee) and is tied for second all-time in Silver and Black history for most interceptions returned for a touchdown with two. He also played in Super Bowls XXX (with Pittsburgh) and XXXV (with Baltimore).

The Fort Wayne, Indiana native was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also named to the 1990s All-Decade Team, was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times, a record for a defensive back and in 1994 was one of only five active players to be named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team. He was Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 and earned All-Pro First Team honors six times as a cornerback, safety and kick returner.

Woodson established NFL records for career interception return yardage (1,483) and interception returns for touchdowns (12) during his NFL career (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1987-96; San Francisco 49ers, 1997; Baltimore Ravens, 1998-2001; and Raiders, 2002-03). His 71 career interceptions rank third in NFL history. The former Purdue football and track star originally entered the NFL as Pittsburgh’s first round pick in 1987.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Archived Game Coverage: Rod Woodson was a solid veteran addition for the Silver & Black

Rich Gannon, QB

At 33, Oakland tabbed the former Kansas City passer to lead Jon Gruden’s offense. That signing in February of 1999 changed the fortunes of the Silver & Black. Gannon once said, “When I came to Oakland in 1999, I didn’t sign up to be the team jerk but I was taken aback by the things I was seeing. Guys being late to meetings, guys missing practices. Sometimes, something had to be said.” He said them and backed it up with Pro Bowl years, playoff appearances and ultimately, winning the league’s MVP award in 2002 as he led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII.

Verdict: One of the best signings in Raiders history.

Larry Brown, CB

In February of 1996, Oakland raided the world champion Dallas Cowboys. They signed cornerback Larry Brown to a five-year $12.5 million deal that included $3.5 million signing bonus. He played in 12 games in two seasons for the Raiders, parlaying his MVP winning performance in Super Bowl XXX to the then lucrative deal. Within days of signing Brown, Oakland snatched up defensive tackle Russell Maryland, inking him to a six-year $19 million deal. Leigh Steinberg, Maryland’s agent at the time stated, “This is another case of the salary cap breaking up a marriage.”

Verdict: Brown was a complete disaster in Oakland and while Maryland had his moments, neither influenced the team enough to make them into winners.

Rod Woodson, S

In his first year with the Raiders, the Hall of Fame bound safety led the NFL in interceptions (8) at 37-years old. Woodson added stability, veteran leadership and solid playmaking ability to a secondary that featured Tory James, Charles Woodson, Derrick Gibson and Anthony Dorsett. An underrated play during the 2002 campaign was his 98-yard interception return for a score. A loss in Denver would have had them at 4-5, instead, they romped in that game led by that momentum-changing play and won six of the next seven games.

Verdict: Although it was a brief stint in Silver & Black, Woodson gave them a presence at safety that was much needed. He was a key addition to that Super Bowl run.

Warren Sapp, DT

After spurning the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland reached out to the boisterous veteran and signed him to a seven year $36.6 million deal. In his 4 campaigns in Silver & Black, Sapp tallied 19.5 sacks. His first year was a disappointment, as Oakland moved him around from tackle to end throughout the season. A shoulder injury sidelined him for six games in 2005, but in 2006, the former Buccaneer had 10-sacks. A more svelte Sapp ended his career after the 2007 season with a simple message on his web site stating, “I’m done!”

Verdict: Yes Sapp was a loud mouth, never was the dominant force he was in Tampa Bay nor was he as influential as he was earlier in his career. But he had his moments and added some life at times to teams that were just abysmal and otherwise boring to watch.

During the off-season, SBReport.net will continue to look back at signings that work and that failed for the Oakland Raiders. Stay tuned for the second installment very soon…