Oakland Raiders’ Top-10 First-Round Draft Picks
Upshaw then had to deal with the Steelers dynasty that kept the Raiders out of the Super Bowl in the ’70s. However, he helped the Raiders break through and put a break in the dynasty in 1976. He also helped end the dynasty in 1980 as the Raiders beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Upshaw played all 15 of his years in the NFL for the Raiders, making seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pros. And of course, a career like that could only end with his bust in the Hall of Fame. When you look for the greatest, most dominant guards in history, Upshaw’s name is in there. .
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Gene Upshaw
Davis drafted big Gene upshaw and moved him from tackle to guard for one reason. The Kansas City Chiefs had a big, nasty defensive tackle by the name of Buck Buchanan. And the Raiders weren’t going to get past the Chiefs to the Super Bowl until they could blocked him.
Many laughed at first when Davis took Upshaw and moved him to guard. But it is no coincidence that the Raiders beat the Chiefs on the way to Super Bowl II his rookie year. They would go on to lose to the Green Bay Packers, who had a dynasty at that time.
Upshaw then had to deal with the Steelers dynasty that kept the Raiders out of the Super Bowl in the ’70s. However, he helped the Raiders break through and put a break in the dynasty in 1976. He also helped end the dynasty in 1980 as the Raiders beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Upshaw played all 15 of his years in the NFL for the Raiders, making seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pros. And of course, a career like that could only end with his bust in the Hall of Fame. When you look for the greatest, most dominant guards in history, Upshaw’s name is in there. .