Linebacker: Phil Villapiano, Matt Millen, Ted Hendricks, Gus Otto
For any defense to be successful, they need some mean people on the second level. Here are the four linebackers that make up our Mount Rushmore.
Phil Villapiano
Phil Villapiano played for the Raiders from 1971-79, and during that time, he established himself as one of the better linebackers in football. A four-time Pro Bowler, Foo was the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1971, and helped the Raiders to a win in Super Bowl XI. His forced fumble on Willie Hall changed the momentum in that game, and as a Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Class Candidate, he may finally be immortalized in Canton.
Matt Millen
One of the hardest hitters in football back in the 1980s, Matt Millen was a second round selection of the Raiders out of Penn State back in 1980. He played in the Silver and Black for nine seasons, making the Pro Bowl in his final season with the team. Millen was a member of two Super Bowl teams during his time in the organization, and is one of the best linebackers to ever put on the uniform.
Ted Hendricks
Ted Hendricks is not only one of the best linebackers in Raiders history, but also in the history of pro football. Hendricks came at a high price tag, as the Raiders gave the Green Bay Packers two first round picks for him, but he was well worth it. Hendricks was a member of three Super Bowl championship teams, went to the Pro Bowl four times as a member of the Raiders, and is currently enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Gus Otto
The second Otto on our list, Gus Otto was a member of the Silver and Black for eight seasons, etching his name in the history of the organization. A member of the Raiders AFL Championship team back in 1967, Otto was a four-time All Pro during his time in the Silver and Black, and was a key member of the Raiders “Eleven Angry Men” defense back in the 1960s.