With 2014 free agency a week away, here's a look at the Raiders top free agent gets of all time.
George Blanda – 1967-1975
K/QB George Blanda joined the Raiders in 1967 at the age of 40 after 10 years with Chicago and seven years with Houston. He played nine years for Oakland and played in 126 games. He completed 119 of 235 passes for 1,835 yards and 23 touchdowns. Blanda was 156 of 249 on field goal attempts and 395 of 403 extra points. Blanda was named to the AFL Hall of Fame 1st team All-1960s Team. He was the 1970 NFL Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) and the 1974 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year. Blanda is 20th all-time leader in Raiders passing and 2nd all-time in scoring with 863 points. Blanda was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
Jim Plunkett – 1979-1986
QB Jim Plunkett was signed by the Raiders in 1979 at the age of 32 after five seasons with the New England Patriots and two with San Francisco. As a Raider, Plunkett played in 70 games and completed 960 of 1,707 passes for 12,665 yards and 80 touchdowns. He led the Raiders to Super Bowl victories in 1980 and 1983. Plunkett was named the Super Bowl MVP and NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1980. Plunkett is the 4th leading passer in Raiders history.
Todd Christensen – 1979-1988
TE Todd Christensen was acquired by the Raiders in 1979. He caught 461 passes for 5,872 yards and 41 touchdowns in 10 seasons in Silver and Black. Christensen led the Raiders in receiving for four consecutive seasons from 1983-86. He was voted to five Pro Bowls (1983-1987) and was named first-team All-Pro in 1983 and 1985. In 1986, he led the NFL in receptions with 95. Christensen was a member of the Raiders Super Bowl XV and XVIII Championship teams. He is the 4th leading receiver in Raiders history.
Jeff Hostetler – 1993-1996
QB Jeff Hostetler was added to the Raiders roster in 1993 after seven seasons with the New York Giants. In his four seasons with the Raiders, Hostetler completed 913 of 1,562 passes for 11,122 yards and 69 touchdowns. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in his second year with the team (1994). He also led the Raiders to a playoff win over the Broncos in 1993. Hostetler is the 7th all-time passer in Raiders history.
Eric Allen – 1998-2001
CB Eric Allen was added to the Raiders roster in 1998 after seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and three with New Orleans. In 58 games in Oakland, Allen recorded 15 interceptions for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns. He forced two fumbles and recovered two more. In 2000, Allen had six interceptions and returned three for touchdowns. Allen is ranked 18th all-time in interceptions for the Raiders
Rich Gannon – 1999-2004
QB Rich Gannon joined the Raiders in 1999 after 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs. Gannon played in 137 games for the Raiders and completed 1,533 of 2,448 passes for 17,585 yards and 114 touchdowns. He was voted to the Pro Bowl four times in the Silver and Black and won the Pro Bowl MVP in 2001 and 2002. He won the NFL MVP in 2002 and led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII. Gannon is the 2nd leading passer in Raiders history.
Zack Crockett – 1999-2006
FB Zack Crockett played eight seasons for the Raiders after joining the team in 1999. He rushed 380 times for 1,232 yards and 35 touchdowns and caught 66 passes for 432 yards and 1 touchdown. Crockett is the Raiders 19th all-time scoring leader with 216 points. He is currently a scout for the Silver and Black.
Tyrone Wheatley – 1999-2004
RB Tyrone Wheatley joined the Raiders in 1999 following four seasons with the New York Giants. As a Raider, Wheatley rushed 914 times for 3,682 yards and 32 touchdowns. He led the Raiders in rushing three times and was a part of three Raiders playoff runs, including the Super Bowl in 2002. Wheatley is the 8th leading rusher in Raiders history.
Charlie Garner – 2001-2003
RB Charlie Garner was acquired by the Raiders in 2001 after five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and two with the 49ers. As a Raider, Garner rushed 513 times for 2,354 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 211 passes for 1,905 yards and 7 touchdowns. Garner was part of the 2002 Raiders Super Bowl team. He is the 17th leading rusher and 13th leading receiver in Raiders history.
Jerry Rice – 2001-2004
WR Jerry Rice played four seasons for the Raiders from 2001-2004 after 16 seasons with the 49ers. In 54 games, Rice caught 243 passes for 3,286 yards and 18 touchdowns. He is ranked 10th all time in Raiders history. Rice was named to the 2003 Pro Bowl for his 92 receptions and 1,211 yards in 2002. He scored his 200th career touchdown as a member of the Silver and Black. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Rod Woodson – 2002-2003
DB Rod Woodson was added to the Raiders roster in 2002 after 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in 26 games for the Silver and Black and started all of them. He recorded 10 interceptions for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns and totaled 110 tackles and four fumble recoveries. Woodson was an 11-time Pro Bowler, including one year with the Raiders. He was also a six-time first-team All-Pro, once as a Raider in 2002. Woodson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
Derrick Burgess – 2005-2008
DE Derrick Burgess joined the Raiders in 2005. In his four years in Oakland, Burgess played in 56 games, starting 52, and recorded 143 tackles, 38.5 sacks, forced 5 fumbles, and recovered 3. He was voted to the 2005 and 2006 Pro Bowls and led the NFL with 16.0 sacks in 2005. That same year, Burgess was named 2nd Team All-NFL by the Associated Press.