Best linebackers in Las Vegas Raiders history: 13. Jeff Barnes
Looking purely at number of games played at the linebacker position, Jeff Barnes is near the top. During his 11 seasons with the Raiders, both in Oakland and Los Angeles, Barnes played in 157 regular season games.
He also tallied 13 playoff appearances over six seasons where the Raiders earned a playoff berth. It should be obvious that Barnes was pivotal piece of the Raiders defense from 1977 to 1987.
Unfortunately, Barnes played in a time which tackles were not officially recorded stats, so there are no accurate totals. However, it is safe to assume that in 11 years of NFL service, he made more than his fair share of tackles. Both interceptions and sacks were recorded however, and according to Pro-Football Reference, Barnes tallied five interceptions and six-and-a-half sacks.
Those numbers don’t pop off the page by any stretch of the imagination, but Barnes earned his keep based on his consistency. He played outside linebacker, which required him to have enough speed off the edge to track down smaller, quicker running backs. A task that isn’t as easy as it seems.
Barnes 11 seasons in the NFL is a testament to Barnes talent, and him staying with the Raiders his entire career displays his dedication to the Silver and Black. His two Super Bowl titles with the team is evidence of his ability to lead, and his impact on the defense. Barnes is one of the longest tenured Raiders in the franchise’s history, and is more than deserving of a spot on this ranking.