Raiders: Ranking the top 5 special teams players in franchise history
By Allen Settle
2. Shane Lechler, P, Raiders
How does a player supplant a player of Ray Guy’s caliber? By being one of the best statistical punters the league has ever seen.
Shane Lechler does not have the championship pedigree like Guy. However, a punter has very limited influence over their team’s overall success. Lechler could also be a multi-time champion had he been fortunate enough to play with a better roster.
Lechler played 13 of his 18 NFL seasons in Oakland. During that time he recorded the second-highest number of total punts (1,049) and the most total punt yards (44,493).
His 47.6 yards per punt average also paces the franchise. In fact, this career average is the highest of any individual player in the history of the NFL.
On top of that, Lecher was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a nine-time member of the first or second-team All-Pro teams.
With all due respect to Guy, we give Lechler the nod as the best punter to ever wear a Raiders’ uniform.
1. Sebastian Janikowski, K, Raiders
Unsurprisingly, Sebastian Janikowski chimes in as the best special teamer in Raiders’ history. Fans and analysts crucified Oakland when they selected Janikowski with the 17th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.
While this is a ridiculously early mark to draft a kicker, the Polish kicker managed to live up to the hype as much as anyone ever could.
The former Florida State star spent 17 of his 18 NFL seasons in Oakland. His 414 made field goals laps the second-highest mark in franchise history (162 by Bahr), while his 515 attempts, and 557 extra points made are also the most the team has ever seen.
Additionally, his 98.9 percent mark on extra points is second in team history (min 50 attempts) and his 80.4 percent field goal percentage ranks first (min 50 attempts). He also had a historically strong leg, holding record of the second (63 yards) and 12th longest makes ever.
Janikowski does not have the number of personal accolades (he made one Pro Bowl and one All-Pro team). However, he was the model of consistency throughout his entire career.
dark. Next. Raiders’ offensive weapons disrespected in latest ESPN rankings
In fact, his longevity made him the 10th highest points scorer in the entire history of the NFL (1,913).