Oakland Raiders: Top Ten Clutch Players of All Time

The Oakland Raiders were established in 1960 and over the course of the last fifty years they have employed some of the greatest Hall of Fame athletes ever to set foot on an NFL football field. The Oakland Raiders have a tradition and a checkered past but their reputation of clutch performers is unquestioned.

Known as a second or last chance stop for some of the games roughest outcasts The Oakland Raiders have revived some legendary careers. Players such as John Matuszak and Lyle Alzado lengthened their careers when they donned the Silver & Black.

Offensive stars also jump started their careers in Alameda Bay. Jerry Rice and Jim Plunkett may have been two of the most famous Oakland Raiders to lengthen their careers and prove their critics wrong. George Blanda was also a legend among Oakland Raiders fans.

Blanda arrived in Oakland at the end of his career and many felt he may play forever. He retired at the ripe age of 48. The following ten Oakland Raiders represent the best clutch players to ever wear the Oakland Raiders Silver and Black.

No.10. Dave Casper: Tight End

"The Ghost" Dave Casper was born to be an Oakland Raider. He was the perfect tight end in his day. Casper was a blocking tight end first but had the softest hands at the position in the NFL. Casper was involved in two legendary clutch plays for the Raiders.

The "Ghost to the Post " was a 42 yard reception by Casper that put the Oakland Raiders in position for the game winning field goal in the 1977 AFC Playoff win over the Baltimore Colts. "The Holy Roller" is one of the most played Oakland Raiders highlights ever. With 10 seconds remaining Kenny Stabler fumbled, Pete Banaszak batted it forward and Casper booted it in the end zone then recovered it for the game winning touchdown over the San Diego Chargers.

No.9. Cliff Branch: Wide Receiver

It is a crime that Cliff Branch is not in the NFL Hall of Fame. Branch was the fastest player in the NFL in his time and once he learned to run sharp routes and hold onto the ball he was unstoppable. There was not a cornerback in the NFL that could shut down Cliff Branch. Branch was a clutch performer as well. He played in three Super Bowls and scored three touchdown passes.

No.8. Willie Brown: Cornerback

Everyone has viewed the Super Bowl highlight of Willie Brown rambling 75 yards with the game winning interception return in Super Bowl XI. Brown was known for key game changing interceptions in his 12 year tour of duty with the Oakland Raiders. Willie Brown tallied 54 career interceptions in his Hall of Fame career and participated in three AFL Title games and six AFC Championship games.

No.7. Marcus Allen: Running Back

Ignore the fact that Marcus Allen went to the Kansas City Chiefs to get revenge on Al Davis at the end of his career. Marcus Allen was the best goal line and short yardage back in NFL history and his spectacular highlight reel runs were legendary. Allen was at his best in the spotlight. In Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins, Allen rushed for 191 yards and broke off a 74 yard rush that broke the record at the time.

No.6. Ken Stabler: Quarterback

"The Snake" Kenny Stabler embodied what the Oakland Raiders were about in the '70s. Stabler played hard on the field and off. Kenny Stabler's greatest season was in 1977 when the Oakland Raiders went 13-1 and won Super Bowl XI. Stabler only threw for 180 yards in the Super Bowl victory but he was the AFC's best passer. Stabler passed for 2,737 yards and 27 touchdowns and his passing percentage was 66.7%.
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No.5. Jim Plunkett: Quarterback

Redemption is always a theme with many Oakland Raiders and Jim Plunkett's story was one of the best. Plunkett made two comebacks in his career with the Raiders. Plunkett arrived in Oakland in 1978 and did not hit the field the entire season. In 1979 he only threw 15 passes but in 1980 starting quarterback Dan Pastorini broke his leg and Plunkett was called on to save the season.

Plunkett led the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl as a wild card team and the Raiders became the first team to win the Super Bowl as a wild card with Plunkett being named MVP. Plunkett once again came off the bench to replace an injured Marc Wilson during the 1983 season. Plunkett then led the Oakland Raiders to another Super Bowl title over the Washington Redskins.

No.4. Howie Long: Defensive End

Howie Long was the perfect Oakland Raiders defensive end. He was mean, fast and unforgiving. Long was named to the NFL's all decade team for the '80s and was elected to eight Pro Bowls in his illustrious career with the Oakland Raiders. Long played on the last Oakland Raiders Super Bowl team in 1983 and recorded a career best 13 sacks, five of them against the Washington Redskins.

No.3. Ted Hendricks: Linebacker

Ted Hendricks nickname was "The Stork" and his eccentricities hid the fact that he was a brilliant defensive mind. Hendricks was instrumental in the development of a young Howie Long on defense but more importantly he was an Oakland Raiders linebacker that caused chaos on ever snap of the ball.

Hendricks was known for his ability to block punts, kicks and extra points turning the momentum of the game. The 6' 7" Hendricks once blocked seven kicks in one season. Another specialty of Hendricks was his ability to force a safety when an opponent was in their own end. Hendricks was the poster child for the Oakland Raiders. He is one of the players that automatically leaps to mind when conjuring images of the old school clutch players for the Raiders.

No.2. Fred Biletnikoff: Wide Receiver

When the word stick-um is mentioned in regards to the NFL, the name Fred Biletnikoff is the first player that comes to mind. It isn't fair to the legendary Oakland Raider because he did have the best hands in the NFL without the stick-um.

The college football award for best wide receiver in the nation is named after Fred Biletnikoff and for good reason. Biletnikoff had deceptive speed and was the best route runner in the NFL throughout his career. His ability to sacrifice his body while going over the middle was also legendary. Biletnikoff capped his career by winning the MVP in Super Bowl XI. Fred Biletnikoff was the definition of a clutch player for the Oakland Raiders.

No.1. George Blanda: Quarterback

George Blanda ended his career with the Oakland Raiders as a kicker but it was the 1970 season that many still remember. Blanda came off the bench at the age of 43 and led the Oakland Raiders to four wins and a tie as the Oakland Raiders made their way to the AFC title game but lost to the Baltimore Colts. Blanda played for the Oakland Raiders for nine seasons from 1967-1975 retiring at the age of 48. Blanda was the most competitive Oakland Raiders player in his day and his numerous clutch field goals defined his career with the Raiders.

Statistical sources:

www.yahoosports.com

www.profootballhof.com