You can look back to the great Raiders teams of the 1970's and see how Clarence Davis ran with power and purpose through such tough opponents as the Pittsburg Steelers Steel Curtain defense of the 1970's that had countless Hall of Fame players.
Davis also ran through good defenses in the playoffs against Miami, New England, and Minnesota in Super Bowl XI. As the 1970's became the 1980's, Mark Van Eeghen and Kenny King took the running back reins.
Mark van Eeghen may not have the look of today's backs, Mark van Eeghen ran with good power, did not fumble, and was an excellent blocker. When the Raiders needed to kill a drive at the end of the game, and eat the clock up, van Eeghen could be called upon to shred defenses for the crucial yards and wind the clock down.
Kenny King was like lightning in a bottle. He could hit the gap, turn on the burners, and race down the sidelines past defenders, all the while palming the ball. Just like he did in Super Bowl XV against the Eagles.
After moving to Los Angeles, the Raiders drafted Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen 10th overall in the 1982 NFL draft. Allen came from one storied team, USC, to another with the Raiders. Along with winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, MVP of Super Bowl XVIII, and winning the NFL MVP of 1985, Marcus Allen is known as one of the greatest goal line and short-yardage runners in NFL history.
The Al Davis took a player who had decided he wanted to play baseball instead of football. With the seventh pick of the 1987 NFL Draft, the Raiders drafted Heisman Trophy winner Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson.
"Bo Knows" went on to run through the NFL, hello Brian Bosw...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
