2nd LB spot is up for grabs after Kirk Morrison took home the first one
After Kirk Morrison won the first linebacker poll convincingly, it’s time to settle the second linebacker spot on the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders 2000s All-Quarter Century team. That means Thomas Howard and Robert Spillane get one more chance to make the squad while Greg Biekert looks to play spoiler.
As a reminder, this will be the final linebacker poll, so the two losers will not be included on the All-2000s team, heightening the importance of your vote!
Greg Biekert
Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images
Raiders Stats (2000-2001): 242 tackles (151 solo), 15 TFLs, 5 sacks, 7 PDs (2 seasons, 32 games)
Accolades: none
A seventh-round pick in 1993, the majority of Biekert’s nine-year career with the Silver and Black occurred in the ‘90s, including his best seasons. However, he did have a couple of quality performances in ‘00 and ‘01. He eclipsed triple digits in tackles during those two campaigns, while tacking on an additional 35 tackles in four playoff games. Biekert was at the center of the 2000 defense that ranked ninth in points allowed and helped the Raiders earn the No. 2 seed in the AFC for the playoffs.
Thomas Howard
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Previously:
Raiders Stats: 392 tackles (325 solo), 28 TFLs, 4 sacks, 7 INTs (2 TDs), 25 PDs (5 seasons, 76 games)
Accolades: none
As Morrison’s running mate for four seasons (2006-2009), Howard also had a strong tenure in Oakland. He set a career-high in tackles as a rookie with 110 and was in the mid-90s during the following two campaigns. The former second-round pick had a very impressive year two in the NFL as a coverage backer, recording six interceptions and two pick-sixes. As it stands, Morrison is 11th in franchise history for TFLs* and solo tackles**.
Robert Spillane
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Previously:
Raiders Stats: 306 tackles (173 solo), 17 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 5 INTs, 11 PDs (2 seasons, 34 games)
Accolades: none
While Spillane only played two seasons in Las Vegas, he was highly productive in Sin City. According to StatMuse, the 2023 free-agent signing recorded the second-most solo tackles and fourth-most total/combined tackles in the NFL over the last two years combined. That’s pretty good value for a guy who was making just $3.5 million per season. Spillane became known as a quality run defender for the Raiders, and his contributions against the passing game were underrated. He had decent numbers when it came to rushing the passer and making plays on the ball.
*TFLs didn’t become an official NFL statistic until 1999.
**PFR states that solo tackles are “unofficial and inconsistently recorded”, adding ambiguity to the franchise rankings.
So, which player are you going with for the second linebacker spot on the Raiders’ 2000s All-Quarter Century Team?
Vote in the poll below and sound off in the comments section with your reasoning. If you don’t have a commenting account already, you’ll need to create one but the steps are pretty easy and it’s a seamless process. Also, we have full-time moderators to enforce the Community Guidelines. Sign up and go to the comments section.