Best: Las Vegas Raiders – Ken Stabler
The Raiders’ franchise is still looking for the stability and high-level play from the quarterback position that they enjoyed in the 1960’s and 1970’s. After Daryle Lamonica, aka “The Mad Bomber,” there was Ken “The Snake” Stabler, one of the greatest quarterbacks of the 1970’s, and the leader of the team that went to five-straight AFC Championship games, and won Super Bowl XI (the franchise’s first of three Super Bowl wins).
Stabler was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year in 1974, and lead the NFL in touchdown passes in 1974 and 1976. Even after leaving Oakland in 1979, Stabler’s 150 touchdown passes as a member of the Raiders has yet to be surpassed.
Worst: Las Vegas Raiders – Jamarcus Russell
Who can forget the fact that heralded NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper raved about Jamarcus Russell’s private workout, comparing his passing ability to that of John Elway? Russell had one of the strongest arms we’ve ever seen from an NFL Draft prospect.
Unfortunately, that arm strength didn’t translate to success in the NFL. In 25 career starts, Russell threw 18 touchdowns to go along with 23 interceptions. Russell was out of the NFL just three seasons after being selected #1 overall. He was only 24-years-old at the time.