10 greatest Oakland Raiders of all time

OAKLAND, : Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders, smiles as he faces reporters and photographers after a press conference at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Arena 06 July. Davis has signed an agreement to move the Los Angeles Raiders back to Oakland, California, after leaving 14 years ago. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK – CIRCA 1969: George Sauer #83 of the New York Jets leaps for the ball defended by Willie Brown #24 of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game circa 1969 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Sauer played for the Jets from 1965-70. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

7. Willie Brown, CB

So who was the top cornerback for the Silver and Black throughout its history? Charles Woodson with the fourth overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft, had two different stints with the franchise (his first eight at cornerback, the last three at safety) and finished with 27 interceptions in 11 seasons with the organization. Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Haynes played seven years with the Los Angeles Raiders, went to three Pro Bowls, picked off 18 passes and he and five-time Pro Bowler Lester Hayes were pivotal in the club’s Super Bowl XVIII dismantling of the Redskins.

But there was also Willie Brown, who passed away last October (via Richard Sandomir of the New York Times). He began his career with the Denver Broncos and after four seasons in the Mile High City was acquired via trade by Oakland. After picking off 15 passes with the Broncos, he finished with 39 interceptions in a dozen seasons with the Silver and Black. Seven of his nine Pro Bowl invitations and all but one of his five All-Pro nods came with the Raiders.

And who could forget Brown’s 75-yard interception return for a touchdown at the expense of Vikings’ quarterback Fran Tarkenton in Super Bowl XI? “Old Man Willie” would indeed go all the way…to Canton, Ohio.

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