We wrapped up last week by designing Mt. Rushmore-type monuments for six of the original eight AFL franchises. So far we have tackled the Buffalo Bills & Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers & Houston Oilers, and the Boston Patriots & Denver Broncos. All have had their share of fantastic and important AFL individuals. The teams that we are working up with today are no different.
So let’s continue this process today with the New York Titans/Jets and Oakland Raiders. Below are some names for you to think about while constructing your lists, and as always, you are certainly welcome to add names that I have not provided. Again, I ask only that the people on your lists were in some way involved with their teams during the 1960s. As great as Lester Hayes was, he doesn’t belong on the Raiders AFL Mt. Rushmore.
NEW YORK TITANS/JETS
Harry Wismer, Sammy Baugh, Weeb Ewbank, Sonny Werblin, Don Maynard, Art Powell, Al Dorow, Bill Mathis, Larry Grantham, Joe Namath, Winston Hill, Gerry Philbin, Matt Snell, Emerson Boozer, George Sauer, Ralph Baker
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Wayne Valley, Al Davis, John Madden, Tom Flores, Jim Otto George Blanda, Clem Daniels, Dave Grayson, Fred Biletnikoff, Ben Davidson, Art Powell, Fred Williamson, Wayne Hawkins, Billy Cannon, Warren Wells, Daryle Lamonica, Willie Brown, Kent McCloughan, Dan Conners
My work is now done. Let’s see what you all come up with. Have fun!!
Titans/Jets: Don Maynard, Larry Grantham, Joe Namath, Matt Snell. Snell was a tough pick over Weeb but it was Snell being signed away from the NFL/Giants, his ROY award and his bringing credibility prior to Joe as well as his steady playing running, catching and blocking that pushed him to the Mt.
Raiders: Al Davis, Daryle Lamonica, Jim Otto and Ben Davidson. I know, why Davidson? Same question has been asked numerous times about Teddy Rosevelt. Biletnikoff, Brown, Daniels all had better careers but it was Davidson’s face that epitomized the Raiders through most of the sixties. His 6’8″ frame, sinister and sometimes “dirty” play was the image that Davis’ teams portrayed that defined the Silver and Black. As the song goes, ‘The Autumn Wind is a Raider, pillaging just for fun, he’ll knock you round and upside down and laugh when he’s conquered and won!’ Remember when he knocked Namath’s helmet from his head and broke his jaw on another play? Lamonica was the “mad bomber” of the offense while Davidson was the villainous leader on defense and in my mind the face of the Raiders mystique.
Agreed, The Logo resembles Big Ben
First off, for the Raiders I don’t think any Mt Rushmore would exist without Al Davis, in one form or another. He might not have been there on day one, but his arrival not only stabilized the franchise but also helped assemble a mindset on how the team would function…and helped a number of coaches finally get a chance to shine in the league.
Second, Jim Otto. For me and a bunch of the Raider Nation, Otto was a true classic. Gritty, determined and probably played longer than he should of, this guy was an anchor for the team throughout the AFL and even after the merger. He’s known to most of us as Mr. Raider, simply because it’s anyone’s guess on who would have Centered for such a rough and tumble line as they had, all those years.
Third, Big Ben Davidson. He was a prototype hitter, and in those early days of smashmouth AFL play, he helped forge an image for the Raiders, even if some hits were credited to him that actually weren’t his fault, like the one on Namath that broke his jaw.
Lastly, I’d probably go with Old Man Willie Brown, a prototype Corner that the team got from Denver…and we were glad to have grabbed him when we did. The guy helped solidify a secondary that would be effective and dangerous for years…and still love the film of him taking a INT in during the Super Bowl win, in his twilight years.
The Raidehs …. Al Davis, Jim Otto, Ben Davison, Fred Biletnikoff
The Jets …. Joe Namath, Weeb Ewbank, Don Mayard, Matt Snell (or Larry Grantham)
Titans/Jets: Sonny, Weeb, Joe Willie & Sunshine Maynard…..
Raiders: Wayne Valley, Al, Art Powell & Clem Daniels…..
One question…Why isn’t Winston Cordell Hill in the Pro Football Hall of Fame??
Good question.
Mssrs. Steidel and Budd make compelling arguments for their selections.
Raiders: Al Davis’ arrival in Oakland in ’63 as head coach and general manager saved a drowning franchise. Jim Otto: Every play starts with the center’s snap and not many people did it longer or better than “00.”
Wayne Hawkins: Another original Raider, he was an overlooked but steady performer throughout the ’60s.
Unfortunately, he is one of many former AFL players suffering from dementia
today.
Clemon Daniels: After starting his pro career with the Dallas Texans, he became the Raiders’ first real offensive threat.
Titans/Jets:
Don Maynard’s offensive accomplishments speak for themselves.
Larry Grantham was a stellar linebacker at 205 lbs. for most of his career.
Bill Mathis was a solid runner, blocker and pass-catcher out of the backfield. All three were original Titans who perservered though the Wismer years to play in Super Bowl III.
Joe Namath, who guaranteed victory in Super Bowl III and then delivered.
Art Powell gets honorable mention for being a stellar performer for both franchises. Clem Daniels is worthy of Mt. Rushmore consideration.
OAKLAND: Jim Otto, Clem Daniels, Al Davis, Ron Wolf, Daryle Lamonica (the last/5th choice was the hardest; I considered at least 6 other guys for the spot but Lamonica’s acquisition & emergence coincided with the teams jump to greatness in ’67/the Superbowl, so , #3 is the choice.) The Raiders came up with gobs of talent from the middle 1960’s on and thoughDavis usually gets most of the credit, Wolf was at least as responsible.)
NEW YORK JETS: Sonny Werblin, Weeb Ewbank, Joe Namath, Don Maynard, Larry Grantham.
Totally agree with Todd’s nomination of WR Warren Wells amongst the Raider players. Wells lead the AFL in TD’s both ’68 and ’69 and was arguably the best long-ball receiver in football during those two seasons. John Madden called Wells the most talented player he ever coached. Wells has got my vote on being on the Raiders Mt. Rushmore.
With Wells in, you then have to consider team leaders, Cannon, Upshaw, Tatum and “The Snake”.
If you put Wells on the Mt would he be wearing a Raider uni or his prison jumper?
Wells started his career in Detroit in 1964 then out of football the next two years, from 1965 to 1966, Wells served in the US Army in Viet Nam, a most unusual ocurrence when an NFL player after starting his career was drafted into combat. The majority if not all, with The Bills’ Bob Kalsu an exception were players either differed, served before entering College or joined the Reserves, serving two weeks in the Summers.
Wells with Lamonica must have been recieved as a reward for the hard work, committment to excellence, Just Win Baby and Davis’ prayers answered. From 1967, Wells’ first year with the Raiders the dynasty began and for decades after continued.
The Chiefs had Warren Wells in their training camp in 1967 and released him…with Otis Taylor, Chris Burford, Frank Pitts & Gloster Richardson having spots locked up, it came down to Wells & the rookie Noland ‘Supergnat’ Smith for the last roster spot,WR… Smith’s KR skills won him the nod.
Oakland Raiders: Al Davis – of course.
Jim Otto – of course.
Daryle Lamonica – Can you even imagine the Raider offense without his “Mad bombing”
of the late AFL years ?
Willie Brown – There should be at least one defensive player, so I have to go with willie
because of his defensive contribution with the bump and run coverage, and him being
the only Raider defensive player to have played in that era to be in the Hall of Fame.
Re: Raiders
I would add DT Tom Keating, TE Raymond Chester, OLB Ted Hendricks, Exec Assistant Al LoCasale Equip Mgr. Richard Romanski and Trainer George Anderson.
OJ Simpson said America has in its possesion two Hendrixs’ Jimmy and Ted but only room enough for one.
Raiders: Lamonica, Daniels, Powell, Otto (Al Davis is the Ghost behind all that is AFL in so many ways, so perhaps is the sky behind the mountains)
Jets: Snell, Namath, Maynard, Philbin (Honorable Mention to Hill and Sauer)
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