Home › Trends4

Raiders Punter: A Historical Perspective

Trends January 15, 2025

The Raiders have a long and storied history of punting excellence, with several players leaving their mark on the team's legacy.

The Raiders' first punter of note was Ray Guy, who played for the team from 1973 to 1986. Guy was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro selection. He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s and the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

After Guy's retirement, the Raiders had a number of solid punters, including Jeff Gossett, Shane Lechler, and Marquette King. However, none of these players were able to match Guy's level of success.

In 2019, the Raiders drafted A.J. Cole, who has quickly emerged as one of the best punters in the NFL. Cole was a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and 2021, and he was named to the NFL's All-Pro Team in 2021.

The Raiders' punting history is a source of pride for the team and its fans. The team has had some of the best punters in NFL history, and they have played a key role in the team's success.

Las Vegas Raiders Punter History

The Las Vegas Raiders have a long and storied history of punting excellence, with several players leaving their mark on the team's legacy. Here are eight key aspects of Raiders punter history:

Ray Guy
Jeff Gossett
Shane Lechler
Marquette King
A.J. Cole
Pro Bowls
All-Pros
All-Decade Teams

These eight aspects represent the most important elements of Raiders punter history. Ray Guy is the greatest punter in team history, and one of the greatest punters in NFL history. Jeff Gossett, Shane Lechler, Marquette King, and A.J. Cole are all Pro Bowl punters who have made significant contributions to the Raiders' success. The Raiders have also had a number of punters make All-Pro and All-Decade Teams, which is a testament to the team's commitment to excellence at the punting position.

1. Ray Guy

Ray Guy is widely considered to be the greatest punter in NFL history. He played for the Raiders from 1973 to 1986 and was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro selection, and a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s. Guy was known for his booming punts and his ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory.

Guy's impact on Raiders punter history is immeasurable. He set the standard for punting excellence in Oakland and helped to make the Raiders one of the most feared teams in the NFL. Guy's legacy continues to this day, as he is still considered to be the gold standard for punters.

Ray Guy is a true Raiders legend and one of the greatest punters in NFL history. His contributions to the team and to the game of football are immeasurable.

2. Jeff Gossett

Jeff Gossett is a former punter who played for the Raiders from 1984 to 1993. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a one-time All-Pro selection. Gossett was known for his strong leg and his ability to place punts inside the 20-yard line.

Consistency: Gossett was one of the most consistent punters in the NFL during his time with the Raiders. He was able to place punts consistently inside the 20-yard line and was also able to avoid shanks and other miscues.
Leg strength: Gossett had one of the strongest legs in the NFL during his playing days. He was able to boom punts over 50 yards with ease and was also able to get good hang time on his kicks.
Accuracy: Gossett was also a very accurate punter. He was able to place punts where he wanted them and was able to avoid kicking the ball out of bounds or into the end zone.
Clutch performer: Gossett was a clutch performer who was able to make big punts in key situations. He was able to pin opponents deep in their own territory and was also able to flip the field with his punts.

Gossett was a key member of the Raiders during their Super Bowl XVIII championship season in 1983. He was also a member of the Raiders' AFC championship teams in 1980, 1983, and 1990.

3. Shane Lechler

Shane Lechler is a former punter who played for the Raiders from 2000 to 2012. He is considered to be one of the greatest punters in NFL history and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Longevity: Lechler played for the Raiders for 13 seasons, which is a Raiders record for punters. He was a consistent performer throughout his career, averaging over 45 yards per punt.
Accuracy: Lechler was one of the most accurate punters in the NFL. He was able to place punts consistently inside the 20-yard line and was also able to avoid shanks and other miscues.
Leg strength: Lechler had a strong leg and was able to boom punts over 50 yards with ease. He was also able to get good hang time on his kicks.
Clutch performer: Lechler was a clutch performer who was able to make big punts in key situations. He was able to pin opponents deep in their own territory and was also able to flip the field with his punts.

Lechler was a key member of the Raiders during their Super Bowl XXXVII championship season in 2002. He was also a member of the Raiders' AFC championship teams in 2000 and 2002.

4. Marquette King

Marquette King is a former punter who played for the Raiders from 2012 to 2018. He is one of the most decorated punters in Raiders history, earning three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections. King is also the Raiders' all-time leader in gross punting yards and net punting yards.

King was a key member of the Raiders' special teams unit during his time with the team. He was known for his booming punts and his ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. King was also a very accurate punter, and he was able to avoid shanks and other miscues.

King's contributions to the Raiders were significant. He was a key part of the team's success during his time in Oakland, and he helped the Raiders to reach the playoffs on several occasions. King was also a popular player among Raiders fans, and he was known for his enthusiastic personality and his love of the game.

King's legacy as a Raider is secure. He is one of the greatest punters in team history, and he helped the Raiders to achieve success on the field. King is also a fan favorite, and he will always be remembered for his contributions to the team.

5. A.J. Cole

A.J. Cole is an American football punter for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina State University. Cole has quickly emerged as one of the best punters in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons with the Raiders.

Leg strength: Cole has one of the strongest legs in the NFL. He is able to boom punts over 50 yards with ease and has consistently ranked among the league leaders in gross punting average.
Accuracy: Cole is also a very accurate punter. He is able to place punts consistently inside the 20-yard line and has a low rate of touchbacks.
Hang time: Cole's punts have excellent hang time, which gives his coverage team time to get down the field and make a play.
Clutch performer: Cole has shown that he can perform under pressure. He has made several key punts in big games, including a 55-yard punt in the fourth quarter of the Raiders' playoff win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 AFC Wild Card Game.

Cole's contributions to the Raiders have been significant. He has helped the Raiders to improve their field position and has given the team a weapon that they can use to flip the field and pin opponents deep in their own territory. Cole is a key member of the Raiders' special teams unit and is one of the best punters in the NFL.

6. Pro Bowls

The Pro Bowl is an annual all-star game played in the National Football League (NFL). It is held the week before the Super Bowl and features the best players from the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Raiders punters have been selected to the Pro Bowl on several occasions throughout the team's history.

The first Raiders punter to be selected to the Pro Bowl was Ray Guy in 1973. Guy was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and is considered to be one of the greatest punters in NFL history. Other Raiders punters who have been selected to the Pro Bowl include Jeff Gossett, Shane Lechler, Marquette King, and A.J. Cole.

Raiders punters have played a significant role in the team's success over the years. They have helped the Raiders to win several AFC championships and Super Bowls. Raiders punters have also been recognized for their individual achievements, with several of them being named to the Pro Bowl and the NFL's All-Pro Team.

The Pro Bowl is a prestigious honor, and it is a testament to the skill and dedication of Raiders punters that so many of them have been selected to the game. Raiders punters have played a key role in the team's success, and they continue to be an important part of the Raiders' special teams unit.

7. All-Pros

All-Pros are players who have been selected to the NFL's All-Pro Team. This team is composed of the best players at each position in the NFL, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Raiders punters have been selected to the All-Pro Team on several occasions throughout the team's history.

The first Raiders punter to be selected to the All-Pro Team was Ray Guy in 1973. Guy was a seven-time All-Pro selection and is considered to be one of the greatest punters in NFL history. Other Raiders punters who have been selected to the All-Pro Team include Jeff Gossett, Shane Lechler, and Marquette King.

The All-Pro Team is a prestigious honor, and it is a testament to the skill and dedication of Raiders punters that so many of them have been selected to the team. Raiders punters have played a key role in the team's success, and they continue to be an important part of the Raiders' special teams unit.

8. All-Decade Teams

All-Decade Teams are a prestigious honor bestowed upon the best players at each position in the NFL during a given decade. Raiders punters have been recognized for their outstanding play by being named to All-Decade Teams on several occasions.

1970s All-Decade Team: Ray Guy
Ray Guy was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time All-Pro selection during the 1970s. He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s, which is a testament to his dominance as a punter during that era.
1980s All-Decade Team: Jeff Gossett
Jeff Gossett was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a one-time All-Pro selection during the 1980s. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s, which recognizes his consistent performance and excellence as a punter during that decade.
2000s All-Decade Team: Shane Lechler
Shane Lechler was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time All-Pro selection during the 2000s. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s, which is a testament to his longevity and dominance as a punter during that era.
2010s All-Decade Team: Marquette King
Marquette King was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro selection during the 2010s. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s, which recognizes his outstanding performance and consistency as a punter during that decade.

The selection of Raiders punters to All-Decade Teams is a reflection of the high level of play that they have consistently displayed. Raiders punters have been among the best in the NFL for decades, and they have played a key role in the team's success. The All-Decade Teams serve as a reminder of the great punters who have played for the Raiders and the legacy of excellence that they have established.

FAQs on Raiders Punter History

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about the rich history of punting in the Las Vegas Raiders franchise.

Question 1: Who is considered the greatest punter in Raiders history?

Answer: Ray Guy is widely regarded as the greatest punter in Raiders history. A seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection, Guy revolutionized the position with his booming punts and exceptional accuracy, earning him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Question 2: Which Raiders punter holds the team record for most Pro Bowl selections?

Answer: Ray Guy holds the Raiders record for most Pro Bowl selections by a punter, with seven appearances from 1973 to 1979.

Question 3: Who is the Raiders' all-time leader in gross punting yards?

Answer: Marquette King is the Raiders' all-time leader in gross punting yards, with 31,624 yards accumulated during his tenure with the team from 2012 to 2018.

Question 4: Which Raiders punter was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s?

Answer: Shane Lechler, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection, earned a spot on the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s for his outstanding performance as the Raiders' punter from 2000 to 2012.

Question 5: Who was the Raiders' punter during their Super Bowl XXXVII championship season?

Answer: Shane Lechler served as the Raiders' punter during their Super Bowl XXXVII championship season in 2002, contributing to the team's success with his exceptional punting skills.

Summary: The Raiders have a rich history of exceptional punting, with several players leaving a lasting impact on the franchise. Ray Guy stands as the greatest punter in team history, while other notable contributors include Jeff Gossett, Shane Lechler, and Marquette King. Their Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro honors, and record-breaking performances have cemented their place in Raiders lore.

Transition: This comprehensive overview of Raiders punter history provides insights into the legacy of excellence and the contributions of these remarkable players at the punting position.

Conclusion

The Raiders' rich punter history is a testament to the team's commitment to excellence at the position. From Ray Guy's legendary status to the consistent performances of Jeff Gossett, Shane Lechler, Marquette King, and A.J. Cole, Raiders punters have played a pivotal role in the team's success.

The legacy of Raiders punting extends beyond individual accolades. The team's punters have consistently ranked among the league's best, contributing to the Raiders' reputation for fielding a formidable special teams unit. Their ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory and flip the field position has been crucial in countless victories.

As the Raiders continue to build upon their proud tradition, the punter position remains a cornerstone of the team's success. The legacy of excellence established by the likes of Guy, Gossett, Lechler, King, and Cole serves as an inspiration to future generations of Raiders punters and a reminder of the enduring impact that exceptional punting can have on the game of football.