Raiders All-Super Bowl Team: Defense

Finishing off my selections for all-time Raider greats in Super Bowls, here are the best players at each defensive position:

DL – John Matuzak (SB XI, XV)
DL – Reggie Kinlaw (SB XV, XVIII)
DL – Howie Long (SB XVIII)
LB – Ted Hendricks (SB XI, XV)
LB – Rod Martin (SB XV, XVIII) 3 int, 44 yds
LB – Matt Millen (SB XV, XVIII)
LB – Jack Squirek (SB XVIII) 1 int, 5 yds, 1 TD
CB – Willie Brown (SB XI) 1 int, 75 yds, 1 TD
CB – Lester Hayes (SB XV, XVIII)
FS – Jack Tatum (SB XI)
SS – Mike Davis (SB XV, XVIII)

Defensive evaluations are made strictly on game impact. The NFL did not record sacks until the 1982 Super Bowl. Likewise, tackle information is not recorded in SB records.

Brown and Squirek’s interceptions may be the most memorable because they both scored touchdowns, but Rod Martin’s three picks may have been the most influential defensive performance in any of the five Raider Super Bowl appearances. His first setup the first Raiders score against Philadelphia in SB XV, and his second stopped a drive that the Eagles were mounting during a tightly contested game. His third pick iced the game for the Raiders.

Jack Tatum’s hit on Sammy White in SB XI goes down as the biggest tackle in Raider’s Super Bowl history. The shot knocked White’s helmet off, intimidating the Vikings receivers for the rest of the game.

I can’t forget Special Teams:

P – Ray Guy (SB XI, XV, XVIII) 40.5, 42.0 and 47.0 Avg
K – Chris Bahr (SB XV, XVIII) 8 PATs, 3 FGs (21, 35, 46 yds)
PR – Neal Colzie (SB XI)
KR – Carl Garrett (SB XI)
SP – Derrick Jensen (SB XVIII) 1 blocked punt, TD