Silver and Black Report

Photo Credit: Darryl Bush (originally published in SF Chronicle)

January 19, 2003… the last time the Oakland Raiders participated in a conference championship game.

The Silver & Black advanced to the Super Bowl with a 41-24 home win versus the Tennessee Titans.

That was a daylong celebration for the Raider Nation. It began with the early tailgating, which then erupted onto a Network Coliseum parking lot concert featuring Metallica.

Yes, with Bob Rock on bass, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich played Fuel, Master of Puppets, Sad, But True, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Seek & Destroy and Battery – as if the Raider faithful needed more adrenaline prior to the contest. (Yup, click on any of those songs to watch the performance on youTube)

League MVP Rich Gannon was 29-41 for 286-yards, three scores and no interceptions. His 2-yard scamper for a score early in the 4^th quarter ignited a crowd that was at a fever pitch all afternoon, but Zack Crockett’s 7-yard run with 3:25 remaining was the final nail in the Titans coffin.

“It’s amazing what you remember at funny times,” said Tim Brown after the game. “It’s just a great feeling to know that after watching this for 14-years, watching people play this game, to actually be on your way, it’s pushing a dream boat.”

Brown, 36 at the time, had nine catches for 73-yards.

Oakland only ran the ball 17-times that afternoon – a norm for that team, who were carried by an epic year-round performance from Gannon.

Tennessee ranked second in the league that year versus the run, but 25^th against the pass. Unfortunately for them, the Silver & Black were the leagues best passing club.

“Tennessee’s got a great defensive line, a good set of linebackers, but their defensive backs are kind of suspect,” stated starting left guard Frank Middleton. “We knew that going in. You have to take advantage of that.”

The attendance: 62,544. Not one person in that building will forget the on-field celebration, Bill Callahan hoisting the Lamar Hunt trophy and the melodic chants of “RAAAAAIDERS,” that rung loudly at the house of thrills.

Veterans like Brown and Gannon joined Bill Romanowski, Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Charlie Garner and Lincoln Kennedy on the field stage to celebrate their Super Bowl berth.

On that Sunday nine-years ago, Oakland felt right at home… as AFC champions.

GAME NOTES

• Anthony Dorsett, who played for the Titans on their 1999 Super Bowl team, recovered a fumble that eventually led to a score that gave the Raiders a 21-17 lead.
• The Titans fought hard that weekend. Steve McNair played a tough contest and with Joe Nedney declared out at halftime, it curtailed Jeff Fisher’s strategy throughout the game. A 50-yard field goal attempt was nixed, and when Craig Hentrich attempted a punt at a crucial spot in the contest, the Raiders special teams, featuring Crocket, Tim Johnson, Eric Johnson and Clarence Love tackled the punter at the Titans 16-yard line. A few plays later, Sebastian Janikowski booted a field goal to make it 27-17 with 4:29 left in the 3^rd quarter.
• Oakland ran only one running play over the first three quarters.
• “We were making a lot of dumb mistakes out there,” starting linebacker Eric Barton said. “Fortunately, we sucked it up and stopped it. That shows the character of this team.” The Raiders compiled 14 penalties for 127 yards, as they landed some vicious hits on McNair and battered the Eddie George, who ran the ball for 67-yards on 15-carries. “McNair played like a true warrior today,” said Callahan. “He had no quit in him, no die in him.”
• “We fought all year long,” Rice said after his 5-catches for 79-yards. “When we lost four straight games, this team stuck together and now we’re going to the Super Bowl.”
• Doug Jolley had 3-catches for 13-yards and a score. Jerry Porter had 4-receptions for 52-yards and a touchdown. Garner tallied 7-receptions for 55-yards and one touchdown.

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(Screen capture moments before the 'Tuck Rule' play)

ESPN posted a narrative from those involved on that fateful evening, when the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots played through a snowstorm on January 19, 2002.

The ‘tuck rule game’ brings back awful memories for fans of the Silver & Black and memorable moments for those that follow the Patriots.

The setting, quality of play and outcome was stunning. Through the snow, the wind and exasperating elements of playoff football, both teams engaged in what will forever be one of the greatest contests the league has ever seen.

That was ten-years ago today.

How time flies?

Tom Brady on that night was an excitable passer in his first playoff game. Now, he’s an all-time great figure and one of the most epic quarterbacks to ever step on a football field. That was one of the foundation wins for a Patriot organization that would go on to be a dynasty.

The Raiders with that devastating defeat in the snow were catapulted the following season to their last divisional crown, and an appearance in a Super Bowl.

Yes, Oakland had immediate success stemming from that loss, but the fortunes of both organizations have been vastly different a decade later.

New England is competing for a chance at their fourth world title with Brady this weekend, while Oakland is in search for their seventh head coach in that span.

It’s not fair to project and assume that Brady and co. would have never been a dynasty without that win. His greatness has shown to be unparalleled, while the team has been the model of consistency since.

It’s also not fair to assume that Oakland would have been able to beat Pittsburgh the following weekend after the tuck game and get in a run of their own.

The facts are, that loss still resonates and brings a lot of joy or pain depending in your rooting interest.

Ten years later, the tuck rule is now common football vernacular and every time a fumble is not a fumble, there’s a Raider fan that feels the pain from that January evening.

RECOLLECTIONS

“It was obvious,” then Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said. “I thought it was a fumble, but the officials thought otherwise.  You can never count on anything in the NFL. Say what you want, (Brady) made some great plays when he had to.”

He was right, Brady made the plays that needed to be made to win the game. For all the hurt that overturned fumble caused, the facts are, Oakland had a chance to win the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Oakland had the ball with the 2:00 warning looming and a chance to ice the game. But on 2nd and short and 3rd and short, the Patriots defense stuffed Charlie Garner and then Zack Crockett, which forced Oakland to punt with time winding down.

A first down there, on those runs up the gut, behind their powerful offensive line, which they frequently picked up throughout the season, would have had Oakland killing the clock.

And even with the tuck rule coming into effect, it took an Adam Vinatieri 45-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, in dastardly conditions to force the game into overtime.

That conversion in my opinion is the greatest field goal in the league’s history.

After the game, all the talk was about the non-fumble. When asked about the play in the locker room, Brady said, “Uh… You know, he hit me. I wasn’t sure. Yeah, I was throwing the ball. How do you like that? Damn right. Damn right.”

Did it hurt? Yes. Does it still irk watching that play and knowing the outcome? Absolutely.

But those are the types of plays that NFL legends are made of. Remember the ‘holy roller’?

What about the Immaculate Reception? Ouch. Forget about that too.

MORE

Posted in late September prior to Oakland’s game vs. the Patriots:

‘Tuck Rule’ outcome not applicable & irrelevant to these Raiders

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The University of Miami will have their Pro Day today and the Oakland Raiders will have Zack Crockett and Mickey Marvin present to scout the prospects.

The Canes that attended the NFL Combine – Allen Bailey, Colin McCarthy, Matt Bosher, Graig Cooper, DeMarcus Van Dyke, Brandon Harris, Damien Berry, Orlando Franklin and Leonard Hankerson – are expected to keep their Combine results and not take part in the testing for the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press and other standard testing activities.  However, they will take part in position drills, which will begin around Noon on Greentree Field.

Oakland has also expressed interest in Fresno State outside linebacker/defensive end Chris Carter. The Raiders met with the draft prospect recently along with the Buccaneers, Jaguars, Lions, Titans and Vikings.

As a senior, Carter was named the Bulldogs’ MVP after posting a team-high 11-sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss.

The Silver & Black reminisced yesterday on Raiders.com with a look back at their Super Bowl wins and the role of the 3-4 defenses in those epic campaigns.

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Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Derrick Burgess, DE

The Oakland Raiders got great value out of the speedy defensive end in his first three-campaigns after signing a five-year, $18 million contract. The then 26-year old had only played in 29 regular season contests with 15-starts for the Philadelphia Eagles. “I’m ecstatic and proud to have the opportunity to wear the Silver and Black,” Burgess said. “I’m joining a quality organization in the Raiders with a great tradition and history.” Burgess started his career in Oakland as a back-up, but midway through the 2005 campaign, the sacks began to pile up and at seasons end, he had the team record for sacks (16), while leading the league in that category in landing his first Pro Bowl bid. He followed that up with 11-sacks in 2006 and another Pro Bowl selection while fighting through injuries. His numbers dipped in his last full season with the Raiders and frustration regarding the losing and the desire for a new deal eventually soured Burgess. “He’s been frustrated,’’ said then position coach Keith Millard. “We’ve had four head coaches in four years and we struggled on defense.’’

Verdict: Oakland had a very productive pass rusher for three-seasons, priced way below the going rate for players of Burgess’ caliber when he arrived. When he became disgruntled, the Raiders traded him to the Patriots and instead of bucking in to his demands, they parted ways with a player who has not been able to regain his form.

Tory James, CB

Oakland signed James away from the Denver Broncos with a 5-year, $18 million contract. In his three campaigns with the Silver & Black, the cornerback tallied 11 interceptions during the regular season. In his most memorable moment with the Raiders, James returned an interception 90-yards in Oakland’s 27-0 romp of the Miami Dolphins, propelling them into the AFC Championship game in January of 2001. “Before I go to sleep, I always visualize making plays,” James stated after the game. “It seems like today my dreams came true.”

Verdict: James was a solid member of the Raiders defensive backfield. He was released in 2003 due to a high cap number ($5.7 million), as Oakland scrambled to get under the cap after their Super Bowl appearance.

Zack Crockett. RB/FB

From 1999-to-2006, Crockett was a fiery leader for the Silver & Black. He compiled 35 touchdowns in his Raider career as a short yardage and goal line specialist. In 2003, Oakland retained his services with a seven-year, $12 million contract when he was 30-years old. Crockett bowled over Kansas City defenders in the 2002 regular season finale – in a muddy field – tallying 72-yards on 11 carries with one score. A few weeks later in the AFC Championship Game, his 7-yard scoring run was the last nail in the Titans coffin.

Verdict:  In September of 2007, Oakland released the aging leader. He was a hard runner for the Raiders, a solid blocker and a stout presence in the locker room and on the practice field.

Here are past installments of this Free-Agent series:

Part 1:

15-years of Free Agency for the Raiders – Part 1

Part 2:

15-years of Free Agency for the Raiders – Part 2

Part 3:

15-years of Free Agency for the Raiders – Part 3

Part 4:

15-years of Free Agency for the Raiders – Part 4

Part 5:

15-years of Free Agency for the Raiders – Part 5

Stay tuned for upcoming installments, looking back at the Raiders history during the free-agency period. Part-seven is coming soon…