Raiders All-Decade Team: Offense of the 70’s

Running Back/Fullback – Mark van Eeghen

Mark van Eeghen was the most important running back the Raiders had in the decade. In three consecutive seasons (1976 to 1978) he ran for over 1,000 yards. Even though he isn’t the typical household name when it comes to Raiders history, van Eeghen is actually second in team history in career rushing yards.

Aside from the numbers, van Eeghen was a crucial part of two Super Bowl victory, with the first behind in the backfield of the Ken Stabler led team that won it all. Clarence Davis led the charge in that game, but van Eeghen pitched in 18 carries for 73 yards.

van Eeghen also was capable in the pass game, hauling in 51 passes in 1979 alone. He caught 126 passes in the decade, and averaged just over 9 yards per reception for his career.

Playing arguably the most punishing skill position, van Eeghen proved to be quite durable, starting 87 out of 112 career games with the Silver and Black. And for these reasons, he gets the nod as the All-Decade running back of the 70’s.