Oakland Raiders NFL Honors: Tim Brown Makes It; Carr, Mack Snubbed

Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers former running back Jerome Bettis (left) and Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Raiders former receiver Tim Brown at press conference to introduce the 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After five years of frustration as a perennial finalist, Mr. Raider Tim Brown was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with a 2015 class that includes the late Junior Seau and former Rams and Steelers power back Jerome Bettis. Brown, who ranks fifth all time in receptions and all-purpose yards and 17th all time in touchdowns scored, spent sixteen seasons with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders from 1988 through 2003. Brown had been passed over for fellow wideouts Andre Reed and Cris Carter in years past but beat out Marvin Harrison this year. This years’ class also includes Ron Wolf, a long-time NFL executive who served as a key scout for the Raiders from 1963-1975 and returned in 1979 as a personnel executive, serving through the 1989 season. Brown and Wolf bring the total number of former Raider players, coaches and staff in the Pro Football Hall of Fame to 24.

Unfortunately, a pair of young Raiders were snubbed today at the NFL Honors show, where the officially recognized NFL awards for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year were given out. The awards are voted on by Associated Press football writers. Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, the Raiders first two draft picks in 2014, both started all 16 games for the team and performed well, yet neither won the Rookie of the Year award in his respective category.

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Derek Carr, the 36th overall pick int he draft, had been snubbed by other rookie awards coming into tonight. The Pepsi Rookie of the Year – a fan voted award – was given to Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater. Carr was not even among the top five finalists for the award. The Pro Football Writers of America gave the award to Giants wideout Odell Beckham, Jr. The AP followed suit tonight, giving the award to the highlight-friendly Beckham, who put up stellar numbers in his 12 games played this season for the 6-10 Giants: 91 receptions, 1,305 yards and 12 TD’s. Carr, meanwhile, led all rookie quarterbacks in games played and started with 16, and in completions, attempts, yards and touchdown passes. He is one of seven players in NFL history to throw for over 3,000 yards and 20 TD’s as a rookie.

Khalil Mack, the 5th overall pick of the 2014 draft, also started all 16 for the Raiders, logging 59 tackles and 4 sacks on the season, along with countless quarterback hits, pressures and hurries. He was graded by ProFootballFocus as one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL this season and the second-best rookie defender in the league behind Rams Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald. ESPN named Mack their Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Pro Football Writers of America, however, gave the award to Donald, and the Associated Press followed suit. Donald, part of one of the best defensive line units in the league, had 37 tackles and nine sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Most of these awards are chosen by a vote of sportswriters and media figures. The Raiders, who were in 2014 the lowest-rated NFL franchise by Nielsen, were generally under the radar and the 3-13 finish likely hurt Carr and Mack, especially Carr, in most voters minds.

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