Fansided

Ranking the 30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

By Brad Weiss

ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders’ wide-receiver Tim Brown (C) is greeted by teammates after catching his 1,000th career reception from a pass by Raiders’ quarterback Rich Gannon against the New York Jets during the third quarter, 02 December 2002, in Oakland, California. AFP PHOTO/Monica M. DAVEY (Photo by MONICA DAVEY / AFP) (Photo credit should read MONICA DAVEY/AFP via Getty Images)
Oakland Raiders’ wide-receiver Tim Brown (C) is greeted by teammates after catching his 1,000th career reception from a pass by Raiders’ quarterback Rich Gannon against the New York Jets during the third quarter, 02 December 2002, in Oakland, California. AFP PHOTO/Monica M. DAVEY (Photo by MONICA DAVEY / AFP) (Photo credit should read MONICA DAVEY/AFP via Getty Images) /

30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

No. 26: Rich Gannon and Tim Brown

By the time Rich Gannon got to the Oakland Raiders, Tim Brown had already established himself as one of the premier wide receivers, and return men in the game. However, the journeyman veteran quarterback quickly became one of the better quarterbacks the franchise had seen in quite some time, and Brown was a huge reason why.

Brown was the No. 6 overall pick of the Raiders back in 1988, this after a career at Notre Dame that saw him win the Heisman Trophy. Gannon had bounced around the NFL before landing with Jon Gruden and the Raiders, and the results were better than anyone could have expected.

In 71 games together, Gannon and Brown were downright efficient, as Brown hauled in 360 passes for nearly 5,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. Not only that, the duo helped the Raiders get back to the top of the AFC, becoming perennial playoff contenders and making it to the Super Bowl.

That Super Bowl ended up being controversial in terms of their relationship, as Brown made comments stating he felt head coach Bill Callahan threw the game. Fighting aside, this duo made each other better, especially Gannon, who won an MVP in 2002.

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