March 20, 2008
Bottom 10: The ten worst moments in Oakland Raider History
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The Oakland Raiders are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. The greatest moments in Oakland Raider history coincide with many of the great moments in the history of the NFL. The Raiders have, unfortunately, been on the skids the last few years. Today, I will go over my personal 10 worst moments in Oakland Raider history. In the near future, I will go over the 25 best moments in Raider history.
10. The Immaculate Deception
December 1972, the Oakland Raiders have the lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the game. Terry Bradshaw is flushed out of the pocket on a fourth and long play with only seconds on the clock. Bradshaw tosses the ball to Frenchy Fuqua who is absolutely levelled by Jack Tatum and the ball caroms away where its plucked nearly off the turf by Franco Harris, who rumbled into the endzone. No signal was made by the officials. The ball had ricocheted off Fuqua, which would have made the ball incomplete under current rules. After a long period of time, the officials finally signaled touchdown giving the game to the Steelers. The Steelers lost the next week to the Dolphins, but the beginnings of a dynasty was born by a bad call.
9. 51-3 Loss to the Buffalo Bills/ Loss of Bo
During the Raiders win over the Cincinnati Bengals, their prime weapon Bo Jackson suffered a career ending injury. As a result, the Raiders were obliterated the following week by the Buffalo Bills in their only AFC championship game appearance in the '90s.
8. 1997 Implosion
The Raiders hired Joe Bugal as their head coach and expectations are high. Early in the season, the Raiders looked to have an explosive offense, but suffered close losses. ultimately the defense imploded and the rest of the team soon followed suit.
7. Rob Lyttle's fumble
In the playoffs after the 1977 season, the Raiders had traveled to Mile High stadium to take on their arch rival Denver Broncos. Rob Lyttle was diving for a touchdown on a short yardage play, but the ball was knocked loose and the Raiders recovered. Of course, the officials said that Lyttle was down and awarded the ball back to the Broncos. That would be the last playoff appearance for John Madden.
6. Ken Stabler traded for Dan Pastorini
Raider legend Ken Stabler was traded to the Houston Oilers for Dan Pastorini following the 1979 season. Stabler was on the downside of his career, but Pastorini was a total bust. He didn't even finish the 1980 season, but his replacement took the Raiders to the Super Bowl.
5. Super Bowl Hangover
The 2003 season started with high hopes for the Raiders, but injuries to Gannon, and the age of the team the Raiders collapsed to 4-12 and started a tailspin from which they have yet to emerge.
4. Super Bowl XXXVII
The Oakland Raiders were riding high and looked to be unbeatable. They faced the archetect of their offense in Jon Gruden, and he had his Bucs prepared so well that the Raiders did not have a chance. Barrett Robbins had gone AWOL and that hurt the line, and Rich Gannon had the very worst game of his entire career.
3. 1995 meltdown
The Raiders had returned to Oakland and started off white hot. But the combination of playing their games in Oakland, practicing in LA, and a season ending injury to Jeff Hostetler led the Raiders to lose six of their last eight games and fall to 8-8.
2. Snow Job
Everybody who is not a Patriot homer or NFL apologist knows that Tom Brady fumbled the ball on that snowy January night. This set off a chain of events that led to Jon Gruden being traded to Tampa Bay.
1. Raiders Leave Oakland for LA
Following the 1981 season, Al Davis and the Raiders packed up and moved to LA breaking the hearts of the Bay Area community, and an eight year old boy (me.) A few years after the move to LA, the Raiders began their slide downhill. The Raiders and their Oakland era fans were intertwined, and had developed a syncronocity that was lost in the move.
Discussion
48 Comments on "Bottom 10: The ten worst moments in Oakland Raider History"
#1
Posted by raidz, March 20, 2008 12:01 AM
Definately the "snow job" (haha) should be the number one low point/disappointment EVER.
#2
Posted by Blastin, March 20, 2008 12:15 AM
What team to you go for Dan? With great success also comes some failures. Raiders have had fair share of both, where as most other teams can only lay claim to the failures. Raiders Superbowl victories and overall victories puts them amoung the elite in the NFL. Hopefully we can get back to that in this millenium.
#3
Posted by The ten worst moments in Oakland Raider History - Page 3 - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board - W, March 20, 2008 12:25 AM
[...] Posted by Juddzilla Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - Most Valuable Network ª Blog Archive ª Bottom 10: The ten worst ... 10. The Immaculate Deception 9. 51-3 Loss to the Buffalo Bills/ Loss of Bo 8. 1997 Implosion 7. [...]
#4
Posted by 10 worst moments in Raider history - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board - Where the Raider Nation, March 20, 2008 2:08 AM
[...] worst moments in Raider history Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - Most Valuable Network ª Blog Archive ª Bottom 10: The ten worst ... __________________ "While there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a [...]
#5
Posted by The ten worst moments in Oakland Raider History - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board - Where the, March 20, 2008 5:57 AM
[...] ten worst moments in Oakland Raider History Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - Most Valuable Network ª Blog Archive ª Bottom 10: The ten worst ... 10. The Immaculate Deception 9. 51-3 Loss to the Buffalo Bills/ Loss of Bo 8. 1997 Implosion 7. [...]
#7
Posted by Alex NYC, March 20, 2008 7:10 AM
Those are all low points but not sure I'd rank them quite in the same order.
Also, I'd like to add some honorable mentions....
3. The Re-Hiring of Art Shell as HC
2. The whole Marcus Allen/Al Davis Soap Opera
1. Bo Jackson blowing out his hip in the divisional palyoff win against Cincy
#8
Posted by H, March 20, 2008 7:20 AM
Definitely the Immaculate Deception as #1. Primarily because of the delay and the conferences by the officials. The even went into one of the baseball dugouts and used the stadium phone to call someone before making their decision. This was well before instant replay officials.
Rumor has it they were calling stadium security to see if they would be protected should they rule against the Stealers.
#10
Posted by Diamond Jim, March 20, 2008 7:51 AM
Let's make it an even dozen. #11 being Shell's second tenure as Head coach (the worst team I have ever seen) and #12 was Pete Rozelle squashing the trade of Elway to the Raiders.
#11
Posted by John Carrion, March 20, 2008 7:58 AM
I liked how you ranked the Immaculate Reception as #10. Although a "terrible" moment in Raider history, that was an honest mistake. Any Raider that talks about it, from Jack Tatum to John Madden to Al Davis grin and shake their heads when recalling the moment. Unlike the ridiculous Snow Job where the officials and the NFL went out of their way to eliminate the Raiders from the playoffs.
#12
Posted by junior, March 20, 2008 7:59 AM
The Marcus Allen debacle should definitely be included. I agree that the Immaculate Deception is low on the list. Bottom line, the Dolphins went undefeated that season.
#13
Posted by raider60, March 20, 2008 8:05 AM
Without a doubt, the Denver playoff game should be #1. That was the 1977 AFC Championship game, the Raiders were defending Super Bowl champs and if they won, would have played in one of the most anticipated, classic Super Bowls of all time. John Madden, Ken Stabler, John Matuszak, etc. VS. The Cowboys of Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, Too Tall Jones etc. This would've, without a doubt, been a CLASSIC... except for the idiot refs in Denver.
#14
Posted by John Carrion, March 20, 2008 8:09 AM
Just read an article which reminded me of another low moment. Shannon Sharpe's 70-ish touchdown reception during the 2000 AFC Championship. If y'all remember that was a 3rd and 13-ish down and the Ravens were practically backed up in their endzone. Lets not forget Gannon getting squashed by the Goose.
Oooh boy. Waiting for the top 25 greatest moments! Dan Pastorini getting his leg broken will hopefully be in there? Roughing the passer on Stabler during the 1977 AFC playoff game vs. the Patriots?
#15
Posted by Anthony, March 20, 2008 8:43 AM
The 2000 AFC Championship is a pretty low point, to be sure; I can still visualize the replay of the long touchdown and watch Anthony Dorsett's incredibly poor angle ... and Sharpe going the distance. Bah.
I share the outrage over the Immaculate Deception (well, sort of, since it happened better than five years before I was born), but its annoyance is mitigated by the fact that the Dolphins would have beaten the Raiders the next week anyway.
Can we also include the acquisition of Jay Schroeder -- didn't the Raiders trade Jim Lachey for that dumbass? THAT was good thinking. Schroeder may as well have been wearing red and blue in the 90 AFC Championship, since he was the clear MVP of the game for Buffalo.
I think we're also sufficiently clear on the ramifications to include the 2005 trade for Moss at least near the overall Top 10 list.
I'd modify the "Super Bowl Hangover" slightly and reinclude it as "Callahan loses his damn mind and tries to rewrite the playbook a little bit too late."
#16
Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side : Bottom 10: The ten worst moments in Oakland Raider History | The Raide, March 20, 2008 9:01 AM
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]
#17
Posted by Lee1rbc, March 20, 2008 9:04 AM
Ken Stabler trade is NOT a worst moment, that was a trade that also included Kenny King. And a Superbowl!
The rehire of Art Shell?
Todd Marinavinch?
It should say, Bo Jackson injury. That led to the 51-3 Bills game. That for me is the #1 worst moment. Most talented running back ever!! He was bigger then M.J. GONE. That led to roger Creg "ala" Marcus feud and that led to Nick Bell "ala" next Bo etc. It took 6 years for the Raiders to shake that loss!
The Tampa loss to Gruden is number #2. That has taken 5 years to shake. I cant wait, when we play Tampa this year! GO RAIDERS.
#18
Posted by MartinTheMerciless, March 20, 2008 9:41 AM
Don't be too sure on the Dolphins beating the Raiders after the Stealer game. The Raiders ended their win streak in game 2 of the next season.
#19
Posted by dan, March 20, 2008 10:26 AM
What a great list. I love all you cry babies commiserating over the failures of the Raiders! I dont know which is better the the snow game, the immaculate reception. I think Its a tie between Super Bowl XXXVII and the 51-3 beatdown to the Bills!!! With all the great moves the Raiders have made this year look for another 3-4 wins. WOOOHOOOO
#21
Posted by LDizzle, March 20, 2008 10:58 AM
I think the Giants beating the Patriots should be on every football teams (except the cheatriots) best moments list. A great day for all football fans to see the the axis of evil get their hearts ripped out. Still beating in the palm of their hands. Bwaaahahahaha! I am sick I know.
I like the list. Hard to say what would be the absolute worst but I might have to say the immaculate deception simply because every time ESPN trots out one of their stupid gimmicks about "The greatest highlight ever" they put that ridiculous nonsense of a play on the list and I am forced to see it over and over again. None of the other bad moments are replayed like that.
But the snow job just helps remind me that the Patriots didn't even deserve their first superbowl. Them with their attempt at making every other NFL team's players look selfish for coming out of the tunnel one by one. Oh GOD I hate them! Is it obvious?
#22
Posted by jayare, March 20, 2008 11:31 AM
snow job is most def #1...
The Mutiny under Callahan showed that rarely has there been a less qualified more over paid flop of a coach in NFL history....from line coach to super bowl Head coach in a couple years...with absolutely NO leadership skills or play calling abilities. Nebraska finally figured it out and sent him packing back to the world of varsity High School ball...
Jay "Scud" Schreoders entire career was a joke...he should've stuck with baseball.
Randy Moss's Tanking of two years in his prime....Im so glad that peice of crap didnt get a ring this year...if there is a god he will retire like Karl Malone did...WITHOUT A RING!
And nobody mentioned letting Gruden leave as a low point???? surely we would have won the 03 super bowl, and been in position for the 04 season with chuckie at the helm? Al davis is on crack. and Im Convinced Barret Robbins no showed becuase of gambling debts, or mafia threats....he was an ALL PRO center lined up against Sapp in his prime....no starting center = sacks up the middle....
#23
Posted by Blastin, March 20, 2008 11:48 AM
That playoff game against the Ravens was disappointing for sure..but that has to be the BEST defense I have ever seen. They flat shut EVERYONE down.
#24
Posted by Silver_N_Black, March 20, 2008 11:48 AM
This one goes out "dan"
I'm gonna laugh my ass off after win at least 8 games next year.
Dumb haters.
#25
Posted by SeattleRaider, March 20, 2008 1:31 PM
Watching Favre tear us up on MNF just after his dad passed sucked. Not a top ten though, that's a pretty good list.
#26
Posted by Charles Oakey, March 20, 2008 1:51 PM
You are absolutely correct when you list the Raiders abandoning Oakland as the worst moment, at least for the true fans.
You say you were a child when it happened. I was a man who had attended the first Oakland Raider game ever played, July 31, 1960, at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, then went to subsequent games at Frank Youell Field and the Oakland Coliseum. Imagine how people like myself felt when this happened. It did open a lot of people's eyes about Al Davis.
This will always bother me.
#27
Posted by Proud OG, March 20, 2008 2:35 PM
How about having Orlando Pace snatched from us by the Rams with a last minute trade-up and then we draft Darrell Russell instead.
#28
Posted by LDizzle, March 20, 2008 4:36 PM
Proud OG:
if you want to go that route how about the Colts stealing Bob Sanders from us on a last minute trade up and we got Jake Grove instead?
#29
Posted by LDizzle, March 20, 2008 4:42 PM
Blastin you have a great point. For the Raiders there is always high expectations because of how great they had been for so many years. Remember back in 03 when we could still brag that we had the highest winning percentage in ALL OF SPORTS. Other fans hate because while the Raiders have big ups and downs, they have consistent low points and usually no glory at all to go along with it. This list can be made because with all the bad moments, the Raiders have had great success to offset them. What other team could go from the 03 Superbowl to two years ago looking like possibly the worst team EVER? (or at least the worst offense anyway) Never a dull moment.
#30
Posted by Irish, March 20, 2008 7:17 PM
Pretty good list. I would make a few alterations:
The Lyttle fumble and and Immaculate Reception need to be ranked way higher.
Take out the meltdowns/implosions. We've had a bunch of those recently.
Take out the trade of Stabler for Pastorini since it did eventually get Plunkett a starting nod and two SB victories.
Add the Gruden departure.
Add the Raiders losing a very winnable game at home for the AFC Championship in the 2000 playoffs. Sharpe 70+ TD reception. Fucking Marquez Pope. Fucking Siragusa that fat fuck.
The Screw of '02 should be #1.
#31
Posted by raidergeorge, March 20, 2008 8:14 PM
2-12 in 2006! the worst raiders season since the arrival of al davis in 1963. should be mention. as for the rest of the list you covered it all. unfortuntly i been witness to most of the bad moments verses the great ones!
#32
Posted by fire Bill Callahan, March 20, 2008 8:39 PM
I'm a Broncos fan so I really really enjoy this article. I'm also a Nebraska fan so thanks for sending us the guy who ruined our program.
Jayare: No that's not why Barret Robbins no-showed the Super Bowl. He is bipolar and was on medication. It hurt his football performance so he stopped taking it and had a breakdown right before the Super Bowl. Robbins has had it rough since then, he never recovered from the breakdown. He's lost his wife and kids, his career, has been shot by police, has seen his weight shoot up past 400 lbs. Hopefully he's been able to bring his illness under control and is living something that resemebles a normal life.
Know the REAL worst moment in Raider history? Bill Callahan blaming the Super Bowl loss on Robbins. If it was a 3 point or even 7 point game, yeah, maybe an all pro center would have made a difference. But it was a blowout, a beatdown, 27 points. NO player, not even a hall of fame QB, is worth 27 points. Callahan could have admitted the team was outplayed and outcoached. Instead he scapegoats a guy with a serious problem that needs serious help. What a class act.
#33
Posted by OakFoSho, March 20, 2008 8:47 PM
Sigh.....
Bo Jackson, I miss you. That Cincy tackle looked so normal. Along the sidline, the defender tackles from behind, slids down Bo's body, destroys his leg, and there goes your career Bo. I always wonder what chances Bo would have in todays game. I am not talking about his ability, as I believe in his prime Bo would still be one of the best, even with todays new millennium athletes. What I mean is, if Bo had all the advantages of modern medical science to help him with his injuries. Players today come back a month or two later after injuries that used to end guys careers. If Bo had the same advantage, I wonder how it would have turned out. Again, I miss Bo Jackson, as "Bo knows Best!"
Al's Mandate is McFadden!
OakFoSho
#34
Posted by OakFoSho, March 20, 2008 8:48 PM
Sigh.....
Bo Jackson, I miss you. That Cincy tackle looked so normal. Along the sideline, the defender tackles from behind, slides down Bo's body, destroys his leg, and there goes your career Bo. I always wonder what chances Bo would have in todays game. I am not talking about his ability, as I believe in his prime Bo would still be one of the best, even with todays new millennium athletes. What I mean is, if Bo had all the advantages of modern medical science to help him with his injuries. Players today come back a month or two later after injuries that used to end guys careers. If Bo had the same advantage, I wonder how it would have turned out. Again, I miss Bo Jackson, as "Bo knows Best!"
Al's Mandate is McFadden!
OakFoSho
#35
Posted by fire Bill Callahan, March 20, 2008 8:53 PM
Gotta love Shannon Sharpe. As a Bronco and as a Raven he owned the Raiders. How about a list of Raider fan's top 10 most hated players?
#36
Posted by GavRaider, March 20, 2008 9:35 PM
I think that because the consequences lasted so long, the loss of Bo Jackson was the worst thing that ever happened to the Raiders. There have been many tough loses, but many amazing wins too!
#37
Posted by Double H, March 20, 2008 10:51 PM
Drafting Todd Marijuanavitch has to be up there, just for the fact Brett Favre was drafted 9 picks later in the same draft...I always thought Farve should have been a Raider, and Marijuanavitch was out of football in 3 years...Holy Crap what a bad decision
#38
Posted by Anthony, March 20, 2008 10:58 PM
Oak FoSho -- Didn't Priest Holmes benefit from the Bo injury? I thought something similar happened to Priest, where he got hit and a couple of blood vessels were dislodged from his hip bone, and they were able to treat him because someone made the connection back to Bo and the way his bone died.
If Bo were playing now, he may still have been done from that hit, since it was his precedent that kept another player going -- without someone seeing that kind of injury and knowing how to find and fix it, Bo still may have been unlucky.
#39
Posted by tinfoil, March 21, 2008 11:59 AM
Great list.
One segment I'd like to see on your top 25 list is Statement Games, and three I'd like to see are as follows:
1. 1976 Monday nighter v Bengals. If Raiders loose, Bengals in playoffs and 2 time defending champs and
continual thorn in Raiders side Steelers don't make playoffs. Howard Cossell is positive Raiders will lie down and let Bengals win. Raiders blow doors off Bengals and end up facing Steelers in AFC Title game.
2. Final game of 1999 (and first Raiders game in 2000) at Arrowhead. Raiders7-8 and going nowhere. For Chiefs, Win and they're In. Chiefs jump out 17-0 in first quarter. Raiders storm back, lead goes back n forth and Raiders win in OT to knock Chiefs out of playoffs. The silence inside Arrowhead at the end of the game was pure music.
3. Early in 2000 season at Indy. Colts jump out to 21 point lead, Raiders make it 7-24 at half. Raiders score next 28 points, at one point le by 14 and won by 7 (as I recall). Chucky and Gannon were in full control.
#40
Posted by justin, March 22, 2008 6:03 AM
How about when fat siragusa jumped on rich gannon's shoulder.
#41
Posted by Maloso Omar, March 22, 2008 9:19 AM
I agree with all but one of your top 10 moments. I have been a raiders fan for 29 years from when tghey were first in Oakland and then came to Los Angeles. So when they moved back to Oakland they broke my heart. Yea I know they were originally from Oakland but even before they moved to Los Angeles they had a strong fan base that continues to this day. I wished they would have stayed but if they had to move I'm glad they stayed here in california. Hey I've got an idea, to satisfy the fans in both cities why dont we rename the team to The Los Angeles Raiders of Oakland. Just a joke.......
#42
Posted by Maloso Omar, March 22, 2008 9:20 AM
I agree with all but one of your top 10 moments. I have been a raiders fan for 29 years from when they were first in Oakland and then came to Los Angeles. So when they moved back to Oakland they broke my heart. Yea I know they were originally from Oakland but even before they moved to Los Angeles they had a strong fan base that continues to this day. I wished they would have stayed but if they had to move I'm glad they stayed here in california. Hey I've got an idea, to satisfy the fans in both cities why dont we rename the team to The Los Angeles Raiders of Oakland. Just a joke.......
#43
Posted by Charles Law, March 22, 2008 1:29 PM
What about the Rison touchdown. Bugle said it was worse than his mother dying. Or the O.T. loss to the chefs when timmy ran into the ref and hasty intercepted.I hate the chefs.
#44
Posted by JMac, March 23, 2008 4:36 PM
Aquiring Jay Schroeder- questionable. Starting him more than once- unimaginable. Letting him hang on to the starting job as long as they did??? There's 2-3 right there.
Anthony Doresett...
Disenfranchising Marcus Allen...
Jeff George...
Thomas (God rest him) romping through the backfield at will in the 90's...
Gooser pile-driving Gannon...
Throwing the ball on 3rd & short in the snowbowl...
#45
Posted by Chicago Raider, March 24, 2008 4:50 AM
Another great article Patrick. The snow job still sticks with me as the worst moment. I can barely watch the replays without cringing.
One post about Darrell Russell got me thinking of another good topic for an article. Top 10 worst/best draft moments? A ton of names keep popping into my head like Russell, Rickey Dudley, etc.
#46
Posted by Patrick Patterson, March 24, 2008 5:08 AM
Chicago,
That is a good idea. Although the worst draft moments would be almost as painful as this list, if not moreso.
Thanks for the idea, will be sure to credit you when I use it.
#47
Posted by RAIDER FAN TILL I DIE, March 24, 2008 8:12 AM
THE RAIDER OATH
We've been bruised and we moved and we come back.
Our colors don't change,were Silver and Black.
Commitment to Excellence starts up every year.
No powers on Earth will drown out the cheer.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of our Mighty Silver and Black,and unto these colors for which we stand,
Raider nation,under a groove with free speech and liberty.
Remember the Oath , he who has ears,let'em here,
I hereby Declare..I AM A Raider Fan...
WIN , LOSE , OR TIE , RAIDER FAN TILL I DIE....../
#48
Posted by RAIDERZ1000, March 28, 2008 4:12 PM
I agree with TimMo, the snow job has to be the worst call in NFL history. and should be the worst thing that happened to the Raiders in history. If you look at three seasons in a row that the Raiders should have been in the superbowl or won the superbowl.
(1)The snow job year, Just Imagine where New England would be if that one call would have been reversed. Well, definitely not in the Superbowl that year. Everybody always refers to that one call in that game. Watch it again and tell me how many bad calls and bad spots you witness, and try to prove to me that game wasnt paid off.
(2) Tony Saraguza's late hit on Gannon in the AFC Championship, we were screwed on that one too.
(3) Gannon only threw 4 interceptions all year long, and he throws 5 in the superbowl? Yes Grudens defense was one of the best ever, and he knew gannon in and out and how he played and coached his defense up on it. But watch the game again and you can see Gannons eyes lead the defender right to the ball, it looks just like the year that Pittsburg Quarterback Niel Odonell threw three interceptions to Dallas with no Steeler anywhere around in all three picks. Gannon threw 5 picks, and 3 of them were for touchdowns, not buying it, sorry.
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