Why the Raiders?

by CommittedToExcellence on May 13, 2009 5:06 AM PDT

Having been a Raider fan my entire life, I've noticed quite a few things with this team and it's image in the media and perception among fans of the NFL.

We're seen as thugs. We're seen as dirty, we're seen as that team that has a massive following, yet no one seems to like. We don't allow the media around too much, and we don't allow too much access when we do allow them around. As a result, we're universally panned when we do things because the people in the media don't understand the thought process from our organization. How could they when they are not allowed inside?

I, for one, like that the media isn't allowed to all-access our team. It's a part of the Raider mystique, the mythos behind the team to be a group that the media doesn't get to be around much, and as a result is inherently curious about.

The reason I bring this up is a discussion i heard on AM radio this week about owners and why the ones that were bad are bad, and what they're doing wrong. Raider fans can definitely tell where this is going, because before long, they got started on Mr. Davis. The usual things came out: he's old, ornery, relies on speed/physical talent more than football talent, etc. But one of the hosts went ballistic in our defense, and I want to come to his aid using this blog.

The comparison that was used for owners was Al Davis and Jerry Jones, and by proxy, the Raiders and the Cowboys. Of the entire NFL, these two teams I would assume have the largest fanbases of their respective conferences (it's possible). Their teams have made some boneheaded decisions over the last few years, but the criticism on Jerry Jones' teams have been way way less harsh than the criticism on Al Davis, and that's where my prior point comes into play. We don't let the media in, so when a guy like Jerry Jones, who does let the media in, makes a mistake, the media softpedals it.

We don't get that benefit of the doubt, despite having much more success in the playoffs in recent years than the Cowboys. How quickly people forget about the early part of this decade, and when taking a look at the Cowboys and how they've fared in the post-season, there's no way one can deny that the Raiders have more success. We went to a Super Bowl this decade. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996. Ultimately, it is detrimental to be a losing team for 6 years straight, and we will need to be competetive this year, but eventually, I would like to see some criticism for other owners who have made mistakes.

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Comments

Your points are valid

but you are kidding yourself if you think anything will change soon. The only way it changes is if the Raiders start winning.

by Laoren on May 13, 2009 10:24 AM PDT reply actions

I happen to think that change is imminent

The pieces are in place. The days of futility are over. The Raiders will surprise many this upcoming season. The haters wont know what to do with themselves anymore.

by The Autumn Wind on May 13, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

I tend to agree with you

The Raiders have all the pieces together, now it is a question of believing in themselves. It is utter nonsense when some guy who never played the game says the Raiders don’t have quality players. The business about Russell’s work habits, and how he is close to being a flop is so ridiculous. If you go back through every new QB, the ones who became great, they had mediocre rookie and sophomore seasons, but because Russell plays for the Raiders he is deemed a flop after one season, his work habits are questioned etc. Not one guy mentions that he is younger than Flacco and Ryan, played less college ball and in fact didn’t even play in an NFL type offense while at LSU. All I know is what I see,and I see a player who is very young, has been jerked around for two seasons and despite all that showed some real nice promise. He has a marvelous arm and has thrown some really nice throws, and yes, some very bad ones. In the middle of last year Cable called out Russell and he responded, perhaps not to the extent Cable thought he should have, but to listen to the experts, this is an ongoing issue, when in fact it is very, very old news, and was addressed. In Aikman’s first year the Cowboys won one game, in Peyton’s first year I think the Colts won 2 or 3, in Russell’s first year the Raiders won 5 games and should have won no less than 8.
But as I say all the time, until the Raiders start winning, the constant harping will continue.

by Laoren on May 13, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

with you also. People in general dislike or hate what they do not understand. The media might hate the fact that we don’t let them in and that we keep them out of the loop more than they hate the Raiders or just Jealous of Al.
I don’t think there is an owner in the league that has coached in the NFL. they are all business men and even GMs not many were coaches or players (the Tuna) is the only one I can think of.
So with the owner/GM a great football mind the “experts” with lesser Knowledge of football and our direction as a team feel Al is challenging there “expertise” and resent the fact that Al knows more then them.

The future is uncertain... and the end is always near. JMorrison

by S-n-B4life on May 13, 2009 4:52 PM PDT reply actions

Ozzie Newsome

also played and is a GM if i’m not mistaken.

It’s something that I’ve noticed though, we do get bashed regardless of what we do.

"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"

by CommittedToExcellence on May 13, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions

so is...

matt millen the exception to the rule?

by gl12ox05 on May 14, 2009 10:03 AM PDT reply actions

haha

there’s always one

"..what you mean? I'm a legend like Kareem!"

by CommittedToExcellence on May 14, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe it's all in a name (or a logo)

Maybe if it was the Oakland Fluffy Bunnies the press and the league wouldn’t have this attitude against the team. Notice how there’s almost no bashing of the 49ers, at least until this recent SI article came out bashing the owner.

by rightnasty on May 14, 2009 11:29 AM PDT reply actions