Highest Ranking #6 by David Dodds
Hmmm. I am being asked why I am so high on Rich Gannon. Let's look a little into his numbers during his time in Oakland:

1999: 4,141 total yards and 26 total TDs (4th best QB)
2000: 3,959 total yards and 32 total TDs (4th best QB)
2001: 4,052 total yards and 29 total TDs (6th best QB)

Am I missing something here?

Oh that's right, Rich Gannon is 36 and he shouldn't be this good. Well folks, he has not missed a game in 3 years. He has all his players back (Brown, Rice, Garner, Wheatley). He knows the system very well. He is close to inking a new deal with the Raiders. He is at least the sixth best QB this year just like he has been the last three seasons with the Raiders.

Let others take gambles on guys with potential. Rich Gannon has demonstrated for a long time that he belongs at this level.

Lowest Ranking #12 by Andy Hicks
When the assignments were delivered to the Footballguys HQ, I was on my hands and knees praying that Aaron Brooks and Trent Green weren't on the list. When the name Rich Gannon was thrown into my basement dungeon (anyone see Joe VS the Volcano?), the delighted screeching noise I made, could have been heard on Mars. Then reality hit me, the name Dodds was assigned to argue the case for. Can't make fun of the boss can we. Must show humility, must show humility.

Why have I ranked this guy as the 12th QB?

Actually I can see Rich Gannon falling a lot further than 12th, but I have him that high for one reason - Trade Bait. There'll be at least one sucker in every comp who thinks Rich can drag out one more good year before the inevitable close to his career.

Okay, lets loosen up the lips and say nice things about Rich. For the last 3 years he has ranked 6th, 4th, and 4th according to the FBG stats. In Drinen'srankings he has been 3rd for the last 3 years.

Unfortunately that was then and this is now. Anyone who does their rankings based on last years stats deserves the butt kicking that is likely to happen, especially in the case of Rich Gannon. I am struggling to think of one positive that has happened in the off season for this guy. ***Warning, age bashing ahead***

Point 1 - His mentor, friend and number one supporter, Jon Gruden is coaching Tampa this year.
Point 2 - He wants more money or he'll hold his breath until he turns blue.
Point 3 - His Receiving Corps did not get younger.
Point 4 - His Running Backs did not get younger.
Point 5 - Rich Gannon himself did not get younger.
Point 6 - Oakland are in Salary Cap hell for probably the next 2 years. This is the last chance.
Point 7 - Bill Callahan looks like a one year head coach.
Point 8 - All those draft picks will not be ready. They are for when the club emerges from salary cap purgatory.

Lets expand.
Point 1 - Gruden Gone.
A closer working relationship between QB and coach is hard to imagine. Gannon trusted in Gruden, Gruden trusted in Gannon. Gannon was the perfect QB for the Gruden system and Callahan won't try to change it, but the magic will be gone. Don't think Gruden didn't realize the dream was over. He was glad to get out, before the ship sunk.

Point 2 - Money, Money, Money
Rightfully, Gannon feels underpaid. He has been brilliant for the last 3 years and paid like a scrub, comparatively speaking of course. He wants and will probably get a mega extension that the club cannot afford. Does Rich know Oakland will be in rebuilding mode for the next year or so and he desperately wants to hear that 'Ching Ching' noise one more time? If Gruden were still coaching Gannon would not be whining about money. Something tells me in the back of Rich's mind he knows the best shot has been fired and its all downhill from here. Can't win, let's make lots of money!

Point 3 - Show me the Pension - Part 1
Tim Brown, at 36 is the youngest receiver. Well not strictly true, but Jerry is starting to call Tim Brown, that nice young man who plays at Oakland with me. That means 76 will be the combined age. That's almost as old as Pat Summerall! Any chance these two can dig out another good season, chances are one can, but both???? Jerry Porter has yet to show he can fit into the pipe and slippers of Brown or Rice and to me he has a touch of Matthew Hatchette about him. Guess what, Matthew is here too!! Still there is always James Jett.

Point 4 - Show me the Pension - Part 2
Lets look at the Oakland Running back committee.
Charlie Garner 30, Tyrone Wheatley 30, Terry Kirby 32, Zack Crockett 30, Randy Jordan 32 and at 28 the baby Jon Ritchie. Umm if at least 2 of these guys don't get injured I will be very surprised. This year the committee is likely to stink. At least that nice young man Terry Allen could get a call up.

Point 5 - Show me the Pension - Part 3
Rich Gannon will be 37 years old. 37!!!! Who is the last QB to be a top 5 QB at that age, don't know? Warren Moon may have fallen into this category, but after that I'm stumped. The edge of the cliff is approaching and the drop is steep. By the way what's Wade Wilson doing these days?

Point 6 - What's a salary Cap?
Oakland are scheduled to be $55 million over on the 2003 cap. That is equivalent to the actual salary cap a few years ago. Think the players aren't aware of that? Bloodletting will occur and a lot of these players will have one eye on that. Think that will affect anyone's performance?

Point 7 - Hello Coach, Good-bye Coach
Unless Callahan has major success with these guys a new coach is likely to be introduced to take this squad into the future. Callahan's job will be to keep things as they are. Who knows what Al Davis actually has planned, but you can bet the next coach will be cherry picked.

Point 8 - Draft picks
Oakland are planning for the future. A lot of players were drafted. They will be here to look, listen and observe the old folks at work. Next year they will earn their keep.

Best Case Scenario - One more year can be coaxed out of this lot, before the retirement home beckons. Jerry and Tim turn back the clock, Jerry Porter shows he is the future, the running backs combine for their usual totals and Rich continues his merry run of good form. - Best Ranking Possible 4th

Worst case scenario - Age really does catch up to 2 or more of the key players. The club dissolves into internal bickering, as the expected success fails to materialize. - Worst ranking possible - 28th

I don't think the whole Oakland show will collapse in a heap, but if I were drafting Rich Gannon to be my starter I'd want a very good back up.