Stabler, Gannon Named Among Top-50 All-Time NFL QBs

Kenny "Snake" Stabler and Rich Gannon are not only the Raiders' legacy but part of the All-Time NFL legacy of greatness.

Kenny “Snake” Stabler and Rich Gannon of the Oakland Raiders have been selected among “The 50 Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of All-Time,” in an article posted recently on the NewArena.com website.

However, most longtime members of Raider Nation would say they got it backward, with Gannon being picked at No. 39, with Stabler coming in a No. 45. Take a vote and “Snake” might be close to a unanimous selection as the best quarterback in franchise history.

As usual, among those overlooked were Jim Plunkett, who led the Raiders to victories in Super Bowls XV and XVIII; Daryle Lamonica, one of the great quarterbacks in the 10-year history of the American Football League, who guided the Raiders to Super Bowl II, and George Blanda, who set several AFL records while playing for the Houston Oilers and Raiders.

Those who deserve honorable mention include Tom Flores, Jeff Hostetler and Jay Schroeder, but no such luck.

“Let’s get this out of the way first—Ken Stabler had an electric mustache (actually it was his beard) and a glorious mop of hair,” NewArena.com wrote of “Snake.” The lefty from Alabama also had a rather nice career. Famous for his time with the Raiders, Stabler led Oakland to the playoffs six times. In 1976, Stabler led his squad to a Super Bowl victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In addition to the win, Stabler led the NFL in passing touchdowns and passer rating in ’76—two years removed from winning the NFL MVP and leading the league in passing TDs for the first time. Stabler’s accomplishments led to his Hall of Fame induction in 2016.”

Stabler was with the Raiders from 1968-79 after being selected by the Silver and Black in the second round (No. 52 overall) of the NFL Draft out of Alabama, and his number would be even greater if he didn’t have to wait three seasons behind Lamonica and Blanda for his chance to start.

Still, Stabler is second on the Raiders’ all-time passing list behind Derek Carr, having completed 1,486-of-2,481 passes (59.9) percent for 19,078 yards and 150 touchdowns, while compiling a 69-26-1 record as a starter.

Quarterback Terry Bradshaw of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who is No. 15 on the NewArena.com list, said while campaigning for Stabler to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016: “Snake Stabler was the best quarterback in the '70s, not me. Ken Stabler was better than me.”

After leading Alabama to the 1965 National Championship, Stabler received many more awards with the Raiders including that 1974 NFL MVP, three All-Pro selections, four Pro Bowl appearances, is a member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and was chosen to the Raiders All-Time Team.

And then there is Gannon.

“A fourth-round pick out of Delaware (No. 98 overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 1987, Rich Gannon exceeded all expectations in the NFL,” NewArena.com wrote of Gannon. “The first 11 years of Gannon’s career were mediocre. Splitting time between Minnesota, Washington and Kansas City, Gannon made 58 starts and threw 66 touchdown passes. However, upon joining the Raiders in 1999, Gannon turned into a stud. Gannon went on a four-year tear in Oakland—accumulating 15,787 yards and 105 TD’s. Gannon was named the NFL’s MVP in ’02, thanks to 4,689 passing yards and an 11-5 record. Gannon would go on to lead the Raiders to the Super Bowl in what turned out to be his last healthy season as a pro in 2002.”

The 6-3, 210-pound Gannon had his greatest seasons with the Raiders.

Gannon, in addition to the NFL Most Valuable Player Award in 2002, was a two-time All-Pro selection, played in four Pro Bowls, and won the Bert Bell Award presented to the Maxwell Club’s NFL MVP in 2000 and 2002.

“In 1999, I was really a journeyman quarterback,” Gannon told the Associated Press. “I had played in the league 11 or 12 years and never really felt I was given an opportunity or chance to be an everyday player.

“In 1999, the Oakland Raiders, Mr. (Al) Davis and (Coach) Jon Gruden gave me that opportunity to be an everyday starter. I tried to make the most of that opportunity.”

Obviously, he did.

The top 10 on the NewArena.com list are: 1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 2. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers; 3. John Elway, Denver Broncos; 4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos; 5. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers; 6. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins; 7. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers; 8. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints; 9. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts; 10. Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers.

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