Best pash rushers in Las Vegas Raiders history: 2. Greg Townsend
It is tough to put the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks at No. 2 on a ranking of the best pass rushers in franchise history. One could even argue that Khalil Mack deserves to be at No 2.
Nonetheless, Greg Townsend deserves a ton of recognition for his career as a Raider. Had it not been for the one season spent with the Philadelphia Eagles, Townsend would have been in the Silver and Black for his entire 13-year NFL career. Let’s just pretend he was never an Eagle. After all, he only had two sacks with them.
Townsend is one of the select few to have eclipsed 100 sacks in his career with 109.5, 107.5 of which came with the Raiders. In 174 games with the Raiders, both in Los Angeles and Oakland, Townsend cemented his legacy as a Raider legend. Although he is not yet enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, many hope that day will come for him.
Clearly, Townsend benefited from playing alongside guys like Chester McGlockton and Howie Long, but 107.5 sacks is no fluke. At 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, Townsend was quick to the edge, but was also more than capable of overpowering his opponent.
A two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro, Townsend was a generational player for the Raiders. He helped them win their third Super Bowl in 1983.
Townsend was a cornerstone of the defense for over a decade, few other players can say similar things. It makes sense then that Townsend is second to only one other Raiders pass rushing legend.