Hall of Fame defensive back “Old Man” Willie Brown has announced that he is retiring from his position as a coach for the Oakland Raiders. Brown has been with the team for the past 39 years as a player and a coach.
As a player, Brown was known for revolutionizing the “bump and run” style of play for a cornerback. In his playing days, the corner could continue to bump and jostle the receiver down the field until the pass was actually in the air. He utilized that style of play to keep defenders from being able to complete their routs with any sense of timing with the quarterback.
He had 39 career interceptions, with his biggest being a game clincher over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. He worked as a defensive backs coach and helped shape Raiders defensive backs from 1979-99 and again from 1995-2009. This time period includes such luminaries as Lester Hayes, Terry McDaniel, Lionel Washington, Charles Woodson, and Nnamdi Asomugha.
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The AP All Pro teams were announced today and Shane Lechler was a near unanimous selection for the first team punter. Nnamdi Asomugha was named as a second team cornerback.
Lechler had a season where he extended his own record for the highest net punting average and threatened Slingin’ Sammy Baugh’s record for the highest gross punting average. His position on the All-Pro team was cemented before the season kicked off.
Asomugha’s position as a second team All-Pro was not unexpected, as Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets had a break out season and took the limelight. Charles Woodson, coincendently a close friend of Asomugha’s, took the other starting postion as he also won the defensive player of the year award.
Sebastian Janikoski was shafted. Nate Kaeding from the Chargers got the first team nod whilst David Akers of Philly was named to the second team. Janikowski had only three misses. (Kaeding also had two and Akers had three.) Janikowski led the league in kicks made from outside of 50 yards with 6, as well as had the season long with a 61 yarder in Cleveland.
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