Raider Nation is still alive and well
by B.A.Armstrong on Jun 29, 2010 5:41 PM PDT
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Despite constant out lash from the fans of other teams in the AFC West, the Raider Nation is still loud and proud. Regardless of the reports from "journalists" (I call some of them Jokesters) like Cam Inman, and Monte "fool, stool, tool" Poole, as well as countless ESPN Psycho"anal"ysts and Warren Sapp, Raider Nation Stands united in the face of adversity. You can take the Raiders fan base out of the pride, but you'll never take the pride out of Raider Nation.
The Nation will fight for their team as hard as the fans of any other team in professional sports. Despite seven straight seasons of 11 or more losses, Raider Nation is still as strong as ever. No matter who says what about the team, the central hub of Raider Nation still contends that every year will be the year the Raiders turn it around and rise from the ashes.
But how much is too much? When does it become time to say enough is enough...it's just never going to happen? Seriously, this franchise is a train wreck, right?
There is a guy on bleacherreport.com who (I don't know if he still does) used to wander around that website to the different Raiders articles and pick fights with the Raider Nation. He always used to close his statement by saying, "From the ‘Real Nation', the original ‘Charger Nation'". I don't know why he thought the Chargers have a Nation. Theirs is more like a gaytion. Yeah, Charger Gaytion; I like it, I'm going to trademark, you ready:
The Original Charger Gaytion TM
Is it too much, I don't think so. Sorry if I
offended anyone. It's just that the Raider Nation eats lightning and craps thunder. I think the Nation could take "Bolt Man".
Anyhow, getting back to my story, every game the Raiders play is entered with hopes and prayers from Raider Nation, no matter how hollow the hope might be. You see, Raider Nation believes in "Any Given Sunday" and it is the opinion of the Nation that you can ask Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia about that.
I got some good news Raider Nation. This year, the hopes are not false. I know beyond any reasonable doubt that the Raiders will get out of the double digit loss column this year. They will get over the hump of beating the Chargers this year. They were on the brink last year and now they are better. In their two games against the Chargers in 2009, they lost by a combined 12 points. In 2008, the combined deficit was 37 points, 2007 it was 27, 2006 was 34. This twelve point discrepancy was with JaMarcus Russell at quarterback!
I'm confident that in 2010, the Chargers will go back under the doormat to be walked all over and that is right where they belong. There is only one REAL Nation, and that is Raider Nation.
In Chiefs news, check this out: Sporting News Magazine thinks the Chiefs will finish second in the AFC West with a 9-7 record. Notwithstanding the fact that they gave the team the following position grades:
Quarterbacks = C-
Running Backs = A-
Receivers = C
Offensive Line = D+
Defensive Line = D
Linebackers = C-
Secondary = B
I can't make this stuff up guys. It's really too good for T.V. and that's why they had to put it in a magazine. They say, "While Kansas City is at least another year away from being serious playoff contenders, this should be a season where major progress is made towards that goal." The overall grade given by Kansas City Star reporter and the writer of the Sporting News article, Adam Teicher, was an 85. Now, granted I'm no math whiz, but I don't see how you get an 85 with two D's, three C's, one A, and a B. Taking what I know these grades to be, my average of the sum of all pieces is 76.142857142857142857142857. Also known as, not a 9-7 team.
The Oakland piece in the magazine was written by the Nation's finest, Steve Corkran. (He, He)
Their grades are as follows:
Quarterbacks = C+
Running Backs = B
Receivers = D+
Offensive Line = C-
Defensive Line = D+
Linebackers = C
Secondary = B-
The Raiders grade was a bit more accurate according to their calculations. They graded the Raiders a 72, but really it should be a 75.285714285714285714285714. Which should actually be a lot closer to an 85 according to the Chiefs numbers, but that is that old Raiders bias.
Yes, Raider Nation is strong in the face of adversity. It is very rare that you see credit given to the owner of the Raiders these days. So it was very manly of Clay Travis to say things like, "Al Davis is more responsible for the modern-day NFL than anyone else alive in the country. He is, without a doubt, the single greatest living influence in the NFL.
"Given that the NFL is far and away the most successful pro sports outfit in the country; that means that Davis is the man most responsible for the league's success. That also means, take a deep breath, Al Davis is the man most responsible for the state of American sports in the 21st century.
"I know, I know, it comes as a shock to think that a wrinkled old man who still uses the same kind of overhead projector that your seventh grade pre-algebra teacher did in 1991 could be the man most responsible for the NFL's success today. But Al Davis is."
By the way, this is an article that everyone in Raider Nation should read. (For those who don't know, to read it just click on the "manly of clay" gray area above.) Clay will probably get an earful about it from fellow fan house writer Jay Mariotti, but I've never really cared for Jay...most people don't.
My point is, in the face of adversity, Raider Nation stands united. Weathering the storms of a thousand and one cast away comments looking to take a dig at the fans who have supported the team so prudentially in good times and in bad. When they do turn this thing around, I will know who the real Raider Nation consists of, will you?
Follow me on Twitter: Raidersblogger
Email me your Raiders questions @ bret@tfdssports.com
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When the Raiders return...
and they will, the difference between their fans, the one true Nation, and other teams’ fans will be that there won’t be that many more than there was two years ago. One thing that can be said about Raider Nation, and many have been, is that they are the most loyal in sports.
I’m not saying that there haven’t been plenty of unsold tickets to games, because that is how we protest to Al, but there has never been a shortage of Nationers boldly and proudly displaying their team colors, on cars, hats, jerseys, whatever. When the team was winning 4 games, I saw plenty of people wearing the gear that other ‘fans’ would have stashed away until better times.
It may not always be true, but for the most part, I know that the person I see wearing their gear and showing their colors in the future, in the good times, will have been wearing and showing them through the bad times too.
God, but I love loyalty!
Failure builds character; success reveals it
Clay Travis did well today and so did you, BAA. While all teams who would oppose us must be vanguished without
prejudice or compunction, if no other team but the Chargers, the Raider must punish them with successive ass-wuppins for their impudence. Now, these grades are mind-boggling; seriously, I am personally offended. That D+ grade for our D-line, which several of us believe would be the best in the league with only one more acquisition – Haynesworth – is absolutely oblivious to the realities: factors such as Houston, Henderson, a returning Seymour, the Yokozuna Heard, a more experienced Shaughnessy and a stouter and more seasoned Bryant, to say nothing of head-wrench (sometimes head-wench) Kelly. To these jokesters, I dust off my sandals in protest against them.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
Can't count chickens before they hatch...
Or in this case, linemen production before it happens.
As much as I like the signing of Henderson, for instance, there are questions about how much he has left in the tank. If his declining numbers are the result of wear and tear, that’s one thing, although I believe that it is the result of an unsettled line. Houston is unproven, Heard is undrafted, unknown, and unproven, and while Bryant showed flashes last year, consistency is the key in this league.
About the only known quantities are Seymour and Kelly.
I like how the line is shaping up, but I’ll reserve my accolades until they show it on the field, in the stats, and in the win column.
Failure builds character; success reveals it
Seymour and Kelly rank a C by themselves, with stiffs at the other two positions:
Shaughnessy and Bryant are C+’s or B’s, so, even if Houston and Henderson’s are D’s, you have two A’s Two B’s and two D’s, that is a 3.0. B
It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09
by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on Jun 29, 2010 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd use different grades
Seymour as an A, okay. Kelly? No, a B. He has played better, but not at an elite or even top 10 level. Solid, above average, but not an A.
Grading Shaughnessy as a B is more understandable than Bryant, but both would be basing it on potenital more than production. Bryant has yet to play enough meaningful minnutes; until he can/does get it done every week, I wouldn’t list him as above-average. A grade of C, for a rotation player, is where he is at, although maybe not where he will be. C+ for Shaughnessy.
Houston is unknown, and can be best called a C, especially as he is going to be playing a different position; Henderson I would love to see as a B, or an A, but until we see what he still has left, and what he brings to the team, I’ll list him as a C+.
So, that leaves me with an A, a B, and four C’s (right now): C.
Now, once we can actually see how well they play, or don’t, those grades can be adjusted. I would be the first to say that this is not only speculation, but my personal speculation. I’d love to not only be wrong, but to see the defensive line become much better than it has been of late.
Again, I say that it remains to be seen.
Failure builds character; success reveals it
These grades, like the idiots that spew them, will look that much moreso when the team hits the field
indeed, much remains to be seen, but the Chargers struggled with last year’s team, with a non qb, and a weak interior middle.
If you were basing your grade on the D line’s performance last year the grade would be appropriate, and how else do you really grade, but on past performance? I’ve said it before, and believe it is better for the mainstream media to predict an average or below average outcome.
I agree about the Chargers, and think the tide turns and we own them. We have several individual players that can manhandle any of the Chargers starting O line now, and the studs on the ends will thrive, as will the key piece in the middle.
The Chiefs, while appearing as weak as their schedule last year would indicate, have improved under the radar in the offseason as well, and this group of coaches is the type of thing that turns franchises around:
CHIEFS COACHING STAFF
But the Raiders will have improved more, and will emerge the leaders of this division, not second place. There’s no reason to believe this team, essentially so different from last year—viable qbs on its roster, key new personnel on D, new coaching staff and offensive look, wideouts on the field together in full force…
I miss football worse than I did before! Thanks, B.A.
Seriously, tho. Nice piece.
This year is ALWAYS the year, in Raider nation!
This one really is though. Really, it is.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
no reason to believe....
we won’t win the division out and out.
The past is behind us.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
you got it all wrong Bret
You don’t live in the bay area Bret. You read web articles and draw assumptions. Cam Inman and Monte Poole live here and cover all bay area teams and sports. It’s very easy to get a read on Al Davis and the Raiders by the way they conduct business when you get to actually talk to people who have inside source material. You, being a non-media type, have no idea what it is to write for a living. You may not like what those guys say but they know what they are talking about. You don’t. You need to focus on your personal sitaution and putting food on your table.
Not sure what you are saying.
Are you trying to impose some sort of censorship on this blog? None of us is a professional writer, so this is a forum for voicing our thoughts and opinions. This is not a blog where we think about putting bread on our tables. If you are one of those professional writers, why don’t you go and butt heads with the likes of you?
by Spirals galore on Jun 29, 2010 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions
lol most "professional media" have no idea what they are talking about
take MJD for example, he will say the stupidest shit about the raiders just to bash on them
by raiderfan4life on Jun 29, 2010 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Tu apud servorum pecus,vade retro me.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jun 29, 2010 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Latin, I use it to chastise the wicked while avoiding scandal to the innocent
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jun 29, 2010 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Lol nice
i thought Latin was a dead language
by raiderfan4life on Jun 29, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Dead has it's advantage - it doesn't change. Latin was the dominant language of the west for over 1500 years
finally giving way to various local vernaculars during the Renaissance (which followed the black plague in the mid-14th century); it’s still important for a number of reasons, not least, it’s terseness of expression.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Jun 29, 2010 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions
yes it does...
al sold his soul to satan in ‘55, he was 103… look at him man, he’s immortal. dudes 285 years old and still knocks the bottom outta the girls….
I'll Get Inside Your FACE!
by VaderBDCRaider on Jul 1, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I said I was sorry
If I offended anybody with the gay thing, Al’s Wingman
I am here to inspire and light fires~~~Where there is smoke in the ears, there is me on the mind~~~
by B.A.Armstrong on Jun 30, 2010 2:19 AM PDT up reply actions
al's wingman
is really a bronco’s fan, trollin on here, causing as much mayhem as his shabby little self can muster…
I'll Get Inside Your FACE!
by VaderBDCRaider on Jul 1, 2010 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Al bless you...Al's. You are my favorite.
Professional writers, write to draw interest, entertain and spark debate. They look for interesting stories and angles. They find and probe for quotes to meet this end. Each of them find their own way to do this. This is when they indeed know what they are talking about. To assume that they are writing towards the end of anything beyond this angle is Al’s Wingman like.
I don't like superstitious people. They're bad luck.
by Rich Langford on Jun 30, 2010 2:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Hard to agree with with those grades..
The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing.
Yup...
They have the weakness of the team as the D line?! That is just…hell, I don’t even know what to call that. Dumb doesn’t do it justice. Inbred? Neanderthalic?
Grades so stupid, even a caveman could give them.
I don't like superstitious people. They're bad luck.
by Rich Langford on Jun 30, 2010 2:19 AM PDT up reply actions
And...they usually do
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
by TheRaiderWay on Jun 30, 2010 3:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes. Our D-line should be a C+ to a B-, but what can you do?
What really pisses me off is the face that we have a B- in our secondary..Nnamdi alone should put that damn thing at an A.
The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing.
B.A.
Another great article, firmly believe that this year brings a sweet return to inspired Raider football. And, yeah, I also think DHB is going to be a big contributor. United we stand!!! GO RAIDERS!!!
We will be better this year then......
we have in a long time , this is one of the first years that ALL the off-season moves made sense and the team definately showed a lot of signs of life last season , especially with Grad at the helm . Now we have Cambell (look at the numbers he put up with Washingtons crappy o-line ) who should improve our offense a bunch. Our O-line should be better just because Cambell knows how to take a 3,5,7 step drop properly as opposed to Russell who had lousy footwork (footwork by the qb is essential to the o-line’s blocking schemes) . Our d-line though not the MOST talented in the league has a lot of depth and should be solid , our LB’s are solid especially with the addition of Wembley . And or db’s are solid too!!! So f*ck what all the haters have to say we WILL be good next year . And if we can stick it to all the teams in our division (at least split ) then the playoffs arent just a pipe dream . War Raiders!!! Eat a dick Donkeys ,Queefs and Chargewhores!! BONGHITS FOR THE NATION RAIDER NATION!!!!!
Bongsmoke
Rookies
any news on signings? Would hate to see a one second hold out…
not yet.
But I’m sure they will all be in Napa
I am here to inspire and light fires~~~Where there is smoke in the ears, there is me on the mind~~~
by B.A.Armstrong on Jun 30, 2010 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Let me tell you a little something AL's Wingman
Your “buddy” Monte Poole constantly looks for negative material to write about the Raiders. When approached about this penchant of his in the comments section of his articles he erases the negative comments. How chicken shit is that? I don’t live in the bay area anymore , does that make me any less of a Raider fan or uninformed ? 43 years I’ve followed this Team and this is the most informative blog I’ve had the pleasure to participate in , it’s all Raiders all the time. The people that write here may not work for a News service, but they work for us – Raider Nation. Stick with your pal Monte if you think he does a better job informing you. Keep up the good work all you people who take time to write for this blog, Raider Nation and true Raider fans appriciate all you guys do!
by Wyoraider on Jun 30, 2010 11:25 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
+100
I am here to inspire and light fires~~~Where there is smoke in the ears, there is me on the mind~~~
by B.A.Armstrong on Jun 30, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice, Wyo
the coolest thing about here is even we’ll call bs on each other when we see it. The only biases we’ll ever share is the one that we all have about this year, and the next game!
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Raider Nation
While I agree that the Raider fan base is rock solid, I believe that we could be better. How so I hear you asking. Well the number one way is to show up at the Colisium for the games. I must admit that I need to attend as well but I am definatly not the only one. How many Raider home games were blackedout last year? I can’t remember the exact number but I do know that I spent many a Sunday watching an alternate game because we the fans just didn’t get the games sold out in time. I know there are many excuses why we couldn’t make the games, I’ve used some myself. We are supposed to be the most feared fan base in the league, but if we don’t bother to show up not only will we be cheating the team out of the homefield advantage that helps win games, we may be contributing to a future without the Raiders in Oakland. I for one think that would be the most shamefull thing of all. So please Raider Nation, join me at the Colisium. Before its to late!!!
I aprreciate what you're saying
But who really wants to spend $150 to watch the raiders get their asses handed to them by the Jets? I’m just playing Devil’s advocate here.
I am here to inspire and light fires~~~Where there is smoke in the ears, there is me on the mind~~~
by B.A.Armstrong on Jun 30, 2010 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
7 Outta 8
Seven out of eight home games were blacked out last year. The only one televised locally was the opening game against SD. I went to the Raiders/Redskins game and left with ten minutes left in the fourth quarter. That is the first time I have left so early.
by Mallard Davis on Jun 30, 2010 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions
they were way too hard
on denver its okay if u hate josh or denver but denver will win 5-8 games because of the nfc west 3-3 in divion i think the weakness of the afc west will heip oakland more but denver will not be 4-12 here what i have the kc 6 -10
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider
i wouild
grade denver ob c- rb b- wr c ol a dl c lb a db a
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider
j-man ,listen up brother !
I can’t say I like the Donkeys but you earned my respect! If I can make the Raider/ Denver
game at Invesco I’d like to hook up with you guys and talk football. I hope you have more good days than bad with your affliction. We all must remember that no matter how bad we think we have it, no matter how low we feel…… there is always someone out there that is worse off than we are. God bless. R.F.F.R. jazzbluesfusion@yahoo.com
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