The Las Vegas Raiders are a franchise rooted in grit and toughness.
Al Davis' “Just Win, Baby” slogan might as well have been “win at all costs.” One look at the Raiders' franchise index will show pretty consistent themes: the team's past success is due in part to excellence in the trenches.
From Gene Upshaw to Art Shell and host of others, the big guys have often set the tone up front. They have also allowed unheralded quarterbacks to thrive under center for the Raiders. Boy, this franchise is loaded with characters.
Las Vegas is preparing for its inaugural season in Sin City. Before that happens, however, let's take back at the top five quarterbacks in Raiders history.
5. Rich Gannon (1999-2004)
Gannon was mostly a journeyman starter when he came to the Raiders in 1999. But he would soon become a weapon of mass destruction for a young Jon Gruden.
Gruden's West Coast offense seemed to benefit the veteran signal-caller. Gannon made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons with the Raiders. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2000 after notching four game-winning drives and a trio of fourth-quarter comebacks.
Gannon would repeat this feat in 2002, when he led the NFL in completions (418) and passing yards (4,689). Gannon won the MVP and led the Raiders to the Super Bowl.
The thing preventing Gannon from moving up on the list is his long list of playoff failures.
Gannon completed 11-of-21 passes for just 80 yards and also threw a pair of interceptions in an AFC Championship loss to the Baltimore Ravens during the 2000 season.
We will give Gannon a pass for the “Tuck Rule” game, given the weather conditions. But he was at his worst on the biggest stage just one year later.
Gannon and the Raiders were swamped by his former coach (Gruden) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII, with Gannon throwing five interceptions (two were returned for touchdowns) in the loss. His career was essentially over after that.
4. Derek Carr (2014-)
Did you know Carr is the franchise leader in passing yards and completion percentage among all Raiders quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts?
In fact, Carr actually has a fine resume as far as the quarterback position goes. He has averaged close to 24 passing touchdowns per season, and also has a very low interception percentage (1.9).
Carr has done just about everything for the Raiders since they drafted him in 2014. But he has not won very often.
The former Fresno State standout has an underwhelming 39-55 record, and Carr has made the playoffs just just once in six seasons.
To be fair, Carr has not always been put in good positions to succeed. He also deserves plenty of credit for going 12-3 in his third season after a 3-13 mark in his rookie campaign.
Plus, Carr still has plenty of time to climb up the list. The 29-year-old had the best individual year of his career in 2019, posting career-high marks in completion percentage (70.4), passing yards (4,054) and yards gained per pass attempt (7.9).
Las Vegas is hoping to be more competitive in the AFC West after revamping the defense in 2020. Another strong year from Carr might result in a playoff berth, particularly given the expanded format.
3. Daryle Lamonica (1967-1974)
Lamonica has the numbers to be considered for a higher spot on the list. He is also the definitive face of the AFL Raiders.
The former Notre Dame star hardly had a chance to get his feet wet in Buffalo before coming to the Raiders, making just four starts in five years
However, Lamonica would make the most of his new opportunity. He led the Raiders to a 13-1 mark and was named first-team All-Pro in his first season in 1967. Lamonica was named All-Pro once again in 1969 after leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns (and interceptions).
The gunslinger was sort of like a Brett Favre before Favre became known for his thrilling and erratic style of play. Lamonica was not afraid to take shots downfield no matter the cost.
Unfortunately, Lamonica's only Super Bowl appearance came in a loss to Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr and the esteemed Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.
Still, Lamonica has the second-highest win total in Raiders history, and he also helped play a role in the NFL-AFL merger, which changed the league forever.
2. Jim Plunkett (1979-1986)
Plunkett's run of success with the Raiders was short, but man was it sweet.
The former No. 1 overall pick has one of the best redemption stories in NFL history. Plunkett struggled to live up to the hype during his five seasons with the New England Patriots, and the losing continued in San Francisco.
But Plunkett found a home in with the “Silver and Black.” He appeared in just four games in 1979. One year later, Plunkett went 9-2 as the starter after an injury to Dan Pastorini, winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
The real cherry on top came when Plunkett earned Super Bowl MVP honors after throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Just a few years later, Plunkett again seized an opportunity to take over the starting role, going 10-3 for the 1983 Raiders and leading the team to yet another Super Bowl win.
Plunkett was hardly the most prolific passer. He actually finished with more interceptions (81) than touchdowns (80) with the Raiders.
However, Plunkett was a fighter and a winner, and he proved as much time and again.
1. Ken Stabler (1970-1979)
From his performance on the field to his reputation off the gridiron, Ken “The Snake” Stabler is the greatest quarterback in Raiders history.
The Hall of Famer did not become a starter until 1973, when he went 8-2-1 and made the Pro Bowl. One year later, Stabler was named first-team All-Pro and NFL MVP while leading the league in touchdown passes (26) and touchdown percentage (8.4).
The success continued from there. Stabler never once had a losing season as the quarterback of the Raiders, finishing with a 69-26-1 record. His 1976 campaign might have been his finest effort.
Stabler went 11-1 in 1976, leading the league in completion percentage (66.7), touchdown passes (27) and quarterback rating (103.4). He also led the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory, completing 12-of-19 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
Whether he was throwing, scrambling and even drinking, Stabler seemed to provide endless entertainment for the Raiders and their fans. He was one of the greatest “clutch” quarterbacks of his time and is the best quarterback in Raiders history.
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