Countdown to 2020: Best Raiders player to wear No. 56 all-time
By Brad Weiss
Countdown to 2020: Best Raiders player to wear No. 56 all-time
Derrick Burgess (2005-2008)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Derrick Burgess in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, and he had a tough run with the team to start his career. Burgess battled injuries in Philadelphia, but still managed to play a key role on their defense, and even had a sack for the team against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
After the 2004 NFL season, Burgess signed with the Oakland Raiders, and was expected to come in and provide depth. However, his pass rush ability began to stand out big time with the coaches, and he went into his first season in the Silver and Black as a full-time starter for the 2005 campaign.
What happened over the next two seasons was nothing short of miraculous, as Burgess became one of the premier edge rushers in the game, racking up a team-record 16 sacks in 2005. He followed that up with an 11 sack campaign in 2006, and had he not gotten injured in 2007, he could have easily gotten to double-digits again.
Burgess was named to the Pro Bowl in both 2005 and 2006, the only two times he would be a Pro Bowler in his career. He led the NFL in sacks in 2005, and was named a second-team All-Pro, putting together one of the better two-year runs the franchise has seen.
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His career in Oakland did not end with the same kind of feel-good story as it began with, as he did not report to training camp and was traded to the New England Patriots. For a four-year span, Burgess was one of the more elite edge rushers in team history, and his single-season sack record still stands.