AFC West: Ken Stabler
How cool is this? Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III has said he studies old quarterbacks, including 1970s Raiders’ legend Ken Stabler.
The Raiders were one of the top five spenders in the league in 2011, which resulted in an 8-8 season. That is one of the reasons why the Raiders are one of the few teams still over the salary cap for 2012.
UPDATE: New Oakland owner Mark Davis reiterated that change is on the way in Oakland. Expect an overhaul of the team’s scouting system in the coming months. That has been expected since Reggie McKenzie was hired last month.
So Jackson turned on the film. And he pressed the way-back machine.
Jackson had a film produced that featured interviews with several of the team’s all-time great players like Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett and Jim Otto. Several other former Raider greats were featured including current coaches Steve Wisniewski, Rod Woodson and Greg Biekert.
Players spoke of what it meant to them to be a Raider. There were also plenty of highlights. To provide extra motivation, Jackson showed the team some highlights from the current players which he deemed were up to the standard of the Raiders of the 1970s and early 1980s.
“We’re chasing greatness,” Jackson said. “Not everyone is a Raider. I wanted them to see what it is and what it means to be a Raider. This is a special organization. There is history here and I want these guys to live up to being a Raider.”
Defensive lineman Richard Seymour said the message came through loud-and-clear.
“You could feel it,” Seymour said. “Just watching the film, showed the guys all the tradition of the this team. For me to see guys like Howe Long and Lyle Alzado, it was really inspiring.”
Jackson said it was especially powerful when film of Woodson, Wisniewski and Biekert were shown.
“Guys could look around and see those people in the room,” Jackson said. “Being a Raider is an opportunity. It’s a family.”
Mailbag: Will Chiefs run or pass first?
Will from Lenexa, Kan., wants to know if I think the Chiefs' offense will be a pass-first or a run-first outfit.
Bill Williamson: I think it will be a run-first offense. But you have to be balanced to win in the NFL, so Matt Cassel will get plenty of chances to toss the ball. But the Chiefs brought in Thomas Jones through free agency to help Jamaal Charles because they want to run often. The Chiefs want to dominate games on the ground since great offenses have great run attacks. The run sets up the pass in efficient offenses. That’s what the Chiefs are aiming for.
Husker T from Alturas, Calif., wants to know why former Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
BW: I may be the wrong guy to ask. I too think Stabler should be in the Hall of Fame. He won a Super Bowl. He quarterbacked some elite teams and he was a league MVP. Stabler has in the past been considered and he will be considered for the hall again, but the wait may continue. The thing about the Pro Football Hall of Fame is that there are several players with great credentials, such as Stabler, who are waiting. It is an elite club. I think he has to get in at some point. He was a special player in a special era.
Jerry from Santa Barbara wants to know if I think BYU running back Harvey Unga could end up in the AFC West.
BW: We addressed that earlier this week. I did the post because I think Unga could end up in the division. The supplemental draft is July 15. Unga is a power back, who is known for breaking tackles and for having sure hands. He will likely be a mid-round pick. Kansas City likes him and he could fit in Denver and in Oakland. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Unga ended up in the AFC West. According to a report, the Chiefs were the only team in the division to attend his pro day.
AP PhotoJohn Madden's 1976 season was nearly perfect -- culminating in a Super Bowl win over the Vikings.The Raiders didn’t have the titles that Miami, Dallas and Pittsburgh had, but they were a dominant team in the 1970s. If you were going to win the Super Bowl, you probably had to go through the madcap marauders of the East Bay.
Wild, free-spirited and wickedly clutch on the field, the Silver and Black was a special fabric of the NFL in the 1970s. They were always known for close calls, but in the end not having enough to be complete the championship journey.
That all changed in 1976. The Raiders had plenty. They were, by far, the class of the NFL and they have the hardware to prove it.
Led by a stunning group of players, this team had depth on offense and defense. Stabler was the engineer, as he seemingly rolled out of bed and led the Raiders to one last-minute win after another. He had great receivers in Biletnikoff, Branch and Casper. The offensive line was anchored by future Pro Football Hall of Famers Shell and Upshaw.
Defensively, the Raiders were nasty with first-year Raider Matuszak and Sistrunk up front, Hendricks in the middle and Brown and Tatum anchoring the unit.
It was enough for Oakland to nearly go unbeaten. After New England thrashed the Raiders in Week 4, Oakland didn’t lose another game. Oakland went 13-1 in the regular season (despite having a five-game trip spanning Weeks 2-6) and then won home playoff games against New England and Pittsburgh before toying with Minnesota in Super Bowl in XI.
It was a culmination of a great run in Oakland. In the end, this team will be remembered as one of the NFL’s great all-time teams.
Most impressive win: A 32-14 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl XI. The Raiders showed their dominance on offense and defense by completely suffocating the Vikings. It was a fitting day to end a near-perfect season. No one in Oakland will forget the sight of a jubilant Madden being carried off the Rose Bowl field by his victorious Raiders. Davis surely never will.
Crazy start: The Raiders had some memorable battles with Pittsburgh. This special season started with a classic battle between the two 1970s powerhouses in Oakland.
The Steelers led 28-14 with five minutes to go. However, Oakland made a furious comeback to tie the score. Oakland then got the ball back and won it with a short field goal with 18 seconds remaining, sending the home crowd into a wild celebration.
Nothing like beating the hated Steelers on opening day. It set the tone for Oakland’s best season of all time.
Honorable mention:
1967: The Daryle Lamonica-led Raiders were 13-1 in the regular season before being worn down by Green Bay in Super Bowl II.
1980: The Raiders became the first wild-card team to win a Super Bowl. The 11-5 Raiders were led by coach Tom Flores and spunky, resurgent quarterback Jim Plunkett.
1983: The Raiders’ third Super Bowl champion was a dominant unit. Led by a great defense and young running back Marcus Allen (1,014 yards rushing, 11 TDs), this was a special team.
Tebow coming to Denver out of left field
Ron Chenoy/US PresswireThere are mixed opinions about the challenges of having a left-handed quarterback like Tim Tebow.“I don’t get a chance to talk about left-handed quarterbacks much,” Huard said. "You don’t see it much. I go to a lot of youth football camps and the quarterbacks are almost always right-handed. It seems all the lefties are playing baseball. ... I’m interested to see Tim Tebow because we lefties are hard to come by.”
Huard, now a college football analyst for ESPN, is a member of a rare club. He was a southpaw gunslinger as a backup in Seattle and Indianapolis from 1999-2004. The NFL is a right-handed quarterback’s game. Only 12 left-handed quarterback have started more than 50 NFL games.
The only lefty currently slated to be a starter in 2010 is Arizona’s Matt Leinart and his status is far from solid. The only other left-handed quarterbacks currently in the NFL are backups Mark Brunell, Michael Vick, Chris Simms, Pat White and Tyler Palko.
Besides Brunell and Vick, the last truly successful left-handed quarterbacks were Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young and Boomer Esiason. Other successful left-handed quarterbacks throughout the years include Ken Stabler, Jim Zorn, Bobby Douglass and Frankie Albert.
Being left-handed is one of the reasons Tebow enters the NFL with such intense interest. The intrigue is not just whether the former Florida quarterback can prove he simply wasn’t a Saturday star with an awkward delivery. People are eager to see if Tebow can become the next lefty to succeed in the league.
“I have no doubt that he can,” said Houston quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp. "I know it can happen."
Knapp would know. He coached Young in San Francisco and Vick in Atlanta.
“I’ve seen it firsthand,” Knapp said. "Don’t tell me left-handed quarterbacks can’t make it in this league. I know it can be done.”
Hall of Fame list has strong AFC West influence
Here they are:
Cliff Branch, WR: 1972-85 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Will he get in? Branch did not get this far last year. He is a favorite of Oakland owner Al Davis. But it is a loaded receiver group this year.
Tim Brown, WR: 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
Will he get in? Brown should be a first-ballot shoo-in.
Don Coryell, coach: 1978-86 San Diego Chargers
Will he get in? The passing-game genius will have a lot of support. He’s the only coach in the final 25.
Terrell Davis, RB: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos.
Will he get in? Davis will eventually get in, but it may be a while.
Ray Guy, P: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
Will he get in? Guy is the center of much contention. Many believe he shouldn't even be a finalist and many think he should already be in the Hall.
Lester Hayes, CB: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Will he get in? He was a game changer, and you can make a strong argument for him.
Shannon Sharpe, TE: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos
Will he get in? The voting committee needs to correct its mistake from last year and get this guy into Canton.
Notable: Former Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler made the final 25 last year, but did not this year. Receiver Jerry Rice spent four years in Oakland and will waltz into the Hall on his first ballot. Former Denver running back Floyd Little is a senior committee finalist.
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Jared L. from Portland, Ore., wants to know why Oakland signed Greg Ellis.Bill Williamson: Ellis may be 3 years older than Derrick Burgess, but the Raiders seem set to make Ellis the starter at defensive end. He was working at Burgess' spot on his second day at an Oakland OTA last week. Burgess has been hurt often and he wants a pay raise. I just think the Raiders feel the Burgess days are behind them. Expect Ellis to start but for him to be spelled by some youngsters, starting with Trevor Scott. The Raiders have some interesting pass-rushers and I think Ellis could be part of a decent crew.
Troy from Alturas, Calif., wants to know why former Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler isn't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
BW: I grew up in the Bay Area watching Stabler and I too think he probably belongs in the Hall of Fame. But his detractors say he only won one Super Bowl and he wasn't a dominant quarterback. But he was a winner and he was the face of the great Oakland teams of the 1970s. Stabler belongs in the Hall of Fame. But I don't really like his chances. There is such a back log of great players waiting to get in, I'm not sure Stabler is a priority. It would be a shame if he never got in.
Chris from Bangor, Maine, wants to know why Denver didn't draft a nose tackle this year.
BW: A lot of people wondered that at the conclusion of the draft. The team indicated it didn't think there were any defensive tackles available on the second day that could help the team. Perhaps Denver will wait to find a younger option in next year's draft, but that won't help this year's defensive line. Denver's front three is unsettled and unimpressive. Defensive tackle has been a problem in Denver for years and it will likely continue this season.
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Denver
Former Denver cornerback Dre' Bly is meeting with San Francisco.
My take: Bly was somewhat of a whipping boy in his two seasons in Denver. Sure, he gave up some big plays (Denver fans will never forget the loss to Green Bay in overtime in 2007), but he is still a decent pro. Bly, who was cut by Denver early in the offseason in a salary-cap move, can help someone for the short term. The 49ers could do worse than Bly at this point.
Oakland
Ken Stabler believes in JaMarcus Russell.
My take: Russell needs all the supporters he can get. I just get the feeling the heat is going to be on Russell often this season. It has already started with the shadow of Jeff Garcia. If Russell does not improve, his Oakland tenure will be in question. The fact that one of the most popular figures in Oakland history is behind Russell can only help the young quarterback as he enters a crucial year.
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Denver
Longtime assistant Rick Dennison gets his chance to be the man in Denver.
My take: The Broncos respect Dennison, the run game coordinator and offensive line coach under Mike Shanahan, enough to give him an interview to replace Shanahan. It would still be a surprise if Dennison emerged as the hire. Still, it wouldn't be a shock if Dennison, with long Colorado ties, sticks around the team in some form.
Kansas City
Carl Peterson was defiant in his final press conference in Kansas City.
My take: This is just another example that it was time for Peterson to move on. After 20 years in Kansas City, it was clear both the Chiefs and Peterson need to go in a new direction. Peterson had his good times in Kansas City but this switch is the best for everyone involved.
Oakland
The Raiders will not have any new hall of famers this year.
My take: Ray Guy, Lester Hayes and Ken Stabler were among the 25 semifinalists but when the final list of 17 candidates was announced Tuesday, none had advanced. The Raiders are well represented in Canton but these players are having difficulty making the final step. It is particularly interesting that Stabler can't get enough steam for induction.
San Diego
Darren Sproles is coming out of his media-shy shell.
My take: The diminutive Sproles may be explosive on the field but he is shy and reserved off it. I found him to be a very nice person in my limited dealings with him, but he seems uncomfortable in the spotlight. But he better get used to it because if he continues to play so well, the spotlight will shine even brighter than it has.
Final HOF list includes two from AFC West
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 17 finalists for enshrinement in 2009. The vote will be Jan. 31. Two players who spent a significant part of their careers in the AFC West are among the finalists while four players from the division didn't make the final cut.
Here are the finalists:
Shannon Sharpe, tight end: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos; 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
Will he get in? He is considered one of the best players ever to play his position but because there is a logjam at other positions and tight end is not considered a glamor position by many voters, Sharpe may have to wait a year or two.
Derrick Thomas, linebacker: 1989-99 Kansas City Chiefs
Will he get in? It says here he gets in either in 2009 or 2010.
Here is a list of semifinalists who spent most of their careers in the AFC West but did not make the cut to the finalists list:
- Terrell Davis, running back: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
- Ray Guy, punter: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Lester Hayes, cornerback: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Ken Stabler, quarterback: 1970-79 Oakland Raiders; 1980-1981 Houston Oilers; 1982-1984 New Orleans Saints
AFC West well represented in Hall semifinalist list
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 25 semifinalists for enshrinement in 2009. The vote will be in February. Six players who spent a significant part of their career in the AFC West are among the 25 finalists.
Here they are:
Terrell Davis, RB: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos.
- Will he get in? Davis will eventually get in, but it may be a while.
Ray Guy, P: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
- Will he get in? Guy is the center of much contention. Many believe he shouldn't even be a finalist and many think he should already be in the Hall.
Lester Hayes, CB: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Will he get in? He was a game changer and you can make a strong argument for him.
Derrick Thomas, LB: 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs
- Will he get in? It says here he gets in either in 2009 or 2010.
Ken Stabler, QB: 1970-79 Oakland Raiders; 1980-1981 Houston Oilers; 1982-1984 New Orleans Saints.
- Will he get in? Many can't believe Stabler isn't in yet but it still may be a while.
Shannon Sharpe, TE: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos,; 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
- Will he get in? He should waltz in on his first ballot.
Meanwhile, it is being reported that Denver is on the verge of signing former San Diego fullback Andrew Pinnock. He was set to be San Diego's starting fullback this year but he had a knee injury and was beaten out by rookie Mike Tolbert.
Cable invokes the past and gets his first win
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
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| Kyle Terada/US Presswire | |
| Oakland coach Tom Cable celebrates during the Raiders' 16-13 overtime win over the New York Jets Sunday. |
OAKLAND -- Tom Cable is assimilating well to Raiders football.
To succeed in Oakland, or to at least to be accepted here, you must embrace the past. You must enter Al Davis' world. Cable has done that and, for the next week, at least, the 1970s are alive.
In town for a team memorial for the late Gene Upshaw, former Oakland greats Ken Stabler and Raymond Chester came to the team's hotel Saturday night to try to fire up the 2008 version, a team that looks nothing like the 1970s Raiders.
At 1-4 and coming off a 34-3 loss in New Orleans to kick off the Cable era, the Raiders were in need of much more than a pep talk from the former stars. It appears to have helped.
And after a 16-13 overtime win over Brett Favre and the New York Jets, it was all about the past for the Raiders.
"The great ones took out time for us, that's a big thing," Oakland defensive tackle Gerard Warren said. "We got some good players on this team, but those are Super Bowl winners. We listened. They got us wanting to win for the organization. It was a good thing. There's a lot of history here."
There's even some revisionist history. Apparently, as far as Cable is concerned, the first six weeks of the NFL season never happened. On about 10 different occasions, the Raiders' interim coach -- the offensive line coach who replaced the fired Lane Kiffin on Sept. 30 -- announced to the world that the Raiders are 1-0.
"We're 1-0 and we're going to enjoy it," Cable said.
For the record the "1-0" Raiders are in third place in the AFC West. And, don't tell Cable, but for some odd reason, the official NFL standings have the Raiders' record at 2-4. Apparently, Cable's message is that his team must take it one game at a time.
You know what? It's exactly what the Raiders, who play at Baltimore next Sunday, need.
They need some love. Cable is there to give it to them. He gave out a couple of game balls after the win. He said he was going to give out a few more Monday.
He praised the play of quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was largely ineffective until late in overtime. He called receiver Javon Walker "marvelous" after a game in which he caught five passes.
He admitted he nearly screwed up when he iced Jets kicker Jay Feely, giving Feely a second chance to send the game to overtime with a 52-yard field goal.
Cable, an intriguing combination of big and cuddly and intimidating and forceful, also panned himself a few times. He's a players' coach. And perhaps more important, he's a Raiders historian.
Here are a few more observations from Sunday's game:
Halftime news and notes from Oakland
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
OAKLAND - Halftime thoughts from Oakland:
The Raiders are killing themselves with penalties. They have been penalized eight times for 45 yards. One penalty nullified a touchdown pass from JaMarcus Russell to Zach Miller and another allowed the Jets to keep possession after a punting situation.
Even though he has been benched in favor of Hiram Eugene, Oakland safety Michael Huff is playing extensively.
The Raiders are blitzing often.
Oakland running back Darren McFadden still looks like he is slowed by a turf toe injury he suffered in Week 2 in Kansas City. He has 18 yards on four carries.
New York quarterback Brett Favre has completed 14 of 19 passes but for just 97 yards.
Former Raiders' quarterbacks George Blanda, Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett participated in a halftime ceremony to honor Raiders' hall of famer Gene Upshaw who died after a short bout with cancer in August.
Ex-Raiders star Stabler leaves radio gig
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler will not be part of the Alabama football radio broadcast team this season. The former Crimson Tide star and Alabama icon was recently arrested and charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. Stabler said he will spend his time this fall trying to get his life in order.
The story said that Stabler was granted a leave of absence, suggesting that he asked to take the year off. Regardless of the nature of his departure from the Alabama broadcasting team, it is clear that Stabler is trying to figure out his life, for which he deserves praise.
Stabler was the face of some wild Raiders teams and led the Raiders to a Super Bowl title in 1977. He was on Alabama teams that won two Southeastern Conference titles, a national championships in 1965 and went undefeated in 1966. He was an entertaining, clutch player. The best of luck to him as he tries to improve his life.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
