8 triple-digit tackle seasons between these three
It’s time to start forming the second level of the defense on the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders 2000s All-Quarter Century Team, as the first linebacker spot is up for grabs in today’s poll. The nominees feature a couple of former teammates, Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard, and the guy who wore the green dot for the Raiders during the last two seasons, Robert Spillane.
Like defensive end and defensive tackle, we’ll be doing two linebacker polls, including this one. So, the two losers here will get a second chance to earn a spot on the All-Quarter Century Team.
Kirk Morrison
Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images
Raiders Stats: 636 tackles (500 solo), 41 TFLs, 5 sacks, 7 INTs, 19 PDs, 6 FFs (5 seasons, 80 games)
Accolades: none
Born and raised in Oakland, the Bishop O’Dowd High School alumnus was destined to be a Raider and had a strong career with the organization. Morrison managed to record triple-digit tackles in all five seasons with the Silver and Black, topping out at 137 in 2008. He also had three years with 10 or more TFLs, and turned in an impressive campaign coverage-wise in ‘07 by recording four interceptions and 10 passes defended. Morrison currently ranks fourth all-time and first among linebackers in franchise history for TFLs*, and is also fourth in solo tackles**, per Pro Football Reference.
Thomas Howard
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
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
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 first 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.