NFL: Selecting the best player in each franchise’s history
By Brad Rowland
Oakland Raiders – Howie Long
As usual, nothing is easy with the Oakland Raiders.
The organization has a great deal of history, including multiple titles, but in the same breath, the Raiders don’t boast that singular talent that rises above the rest. That makes this decision difficult. And with apologies to the likes of Fred Biletnikoff, Tim Brown, Jim Otto and Cliff Branch, I’m taking one of the best defensive linemen to ever play.
Long is now well-known as a long-time fixture on FOX’s NFL coverage, but during his playing days, the versatile lineman was a terror to the opposition. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls during his 13-year career with the Raiders, and in addition to those honors, Long was named to two All-Pro teams and the All-Decade team for the 1980s.
His raw statistics aren’t mind-blowing, simply because he was often asked to play on the interior, but Long generated three consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks in the early part of his career. From there, he transitioned into a dual role that included a great deal of run-stuffing. Long was always regarded as an elite player at his position.
Younger fans may not realize just how good Howie Long was during his playing career, but carrying the banner for the Raiders franchise should be a strong reminder.
Next: Philadelphia Eagles