Blackouts... or Why I am a Raiders fan
by Spirals galore on Sep 7, 2010 8:41 PM PDT
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PrintDamon Bruce was raving today against Al Davis, calling him poor manager and blaming him for the expected blackouts. I caught up with this segment a bit late. His indignation, or whatever it was, was stirred up by Jerry McD’s article, excerpts of which are below. Someone mentioned not long ago that investment comes with wins. That may not be the case "with the advent of HD television and DirecTV", according to Jerry McD (see below).
Now, I am a hard-core watch-it-in-person fan. TV doesn't cut it for me, and if I could, I'd travel at every opportunity to watch the Raiders. I pity myself when I watch games on TV. I can't afford travel at this time, which is why I bought season tickets and intend to go to those games even if I have migraine. Now, if I have the flu, I'd agree to watch the game on TV for the sole purpose of preventing those germs from spreading; but if I have papers to grade, I'd take them with me to the game.
I scoff at people who give up buying season tickets because the Raiders suck. That's not how I was raised. My father took me to my first soccer game when I was 2 and promised to buy me a dress if I cheered for our team. He lied, but I attended every game of that team thereafter, until I left Bulgaria. Mind you, CSKA is very much like the Raiders - magnificent glory, abysmal lows. Team allegiance is greater than losses. Both CSKA and the Raiders are weeds - they always push through through the pretty flowers of the day!
OK - here's was McD has to say:
Oakland has been televised only 44 times in 120 regular-season home games since returning to Oakland in 1995, and there’s a chance they’ll be 44-for-128 when the season ends.
The attendance for the Seattle game in Week 4 was listed as 23,957. It wasn’t in the stat books distributed following the game, but showed up in the final preseason stats. There weren’t that many people in the park, but that’s hardly the point. The Raiders announce “tickets issued,” which means tickets that were actually bought and paid for. They don’t count butts in the seats. So the 23,957 is roughly the Raiders’ season ticket base.
With a season opener on Sept. 19 against the thoroughly unappealing Rams and not in prime time, you can probably count on Week 1 failing to sell out in advance of the 72-hour deadline for local television.
Tickets and parking are expensive, and with the advent of HD television and DirecTV, watching games at home has never been a better option. If you’re talking sinking your money into nose bleed seats or getting a front row seat in your own living room, then tailgating with friends in the comfort of your own home is appealing.
Without getting too deep into the socioeconomic aspect, walk through the parking lot at any Raiders game and you’ll find what is probably the most diverse fan base in the NFL. You see it in the faces of the fans as well as the delicious foods on the barbecues. It’s probably the best smelling parking lot in the NFL. Unemployment and a bad economy hits fans of color the hardest.
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Just be there, Baby!
Fan absence was justifiable when JR was forced on us and everyone realized the hopelessness with that and Cable’s ridiculous playcalling. Then, not going or leaving in the 3rd quarter may have been virtuous. But now, there’s no good excuse for members of the Nation to ditch games, especially those living within 100 miles. Being absent has an adverse affect on the effort and the franchise.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
Ummm... I believe that when you are there in person you get distracted and you miss a lot of things.
Plus you can’t watch details, closely. A big 40 inch and up, HD LCD will do the trick and you don’t have to go to games… But I have never been to a stadium game, so maybe I am being dumb…
The RaiderLaker
Never!!! My man, you have something to live for - it's the best, especially with binoculars (don't use them every play) but
mostly. You isolate players which isn’t possible with telecasts. You can track whomever you want. I’ve seen Al several times and watched to see if he picked up a phone or gestured to an attendant or handed a note. I’ve watched Cable and his sideline deportment. I’ve followed Ro on 3 series in succession and then Routt. I tracked Bey and was watching him with magnification at 42x when he made that catch between the two SF defenders – spectacular reception – the best of his career so far. Usually, the monitor will give you the play again so you won’t miss anything. I also watched Eric Pears and Ricky Brown and can speak with conviction when I’m critical of them. I’ve seen Veldheer’s power and Mario’s successes and failures. And of course, our DLs explosiveness which is much improved from last years.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 7, 2010 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Is it your 94th dream or were you a William Joseph fan?
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Sep 8, 2010 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Gotta go with Blanda here
I hate watching on TV because you see so little. It’s much more enjoyable for me when I’m there to see everything. I remember when we had Moss (shudder), I would watch him play after play from the stands waiting for him to actually run a route instead of jogging one. You get a much better feel for what’s going on and who’s really giving their all for the team. You gotta get to a game this year!
by Raider Since Schroeder on Sep 7, 2010 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions
you must be a kid
nothing like the adrenaline, testosterone, alcohol fueled, raider brotherhood, high you get in person at a raider game victory. best drug ever invented
by rat, el rat, mr. rat, the rat on Sep 8, 2010 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions
This guys rant —and more importantly Jerry McD’s article, both hold no water because preseason games are a total joke. There’s no way I’m paying full price to watch scrubs play in a game that doesn’t matter. It’s that simple. Hell, I barely want to pay Al’s inflated ticket prices for regular season games, but I do it when I can.
'Like' my band. I mean, it'd be awesome if you did that.
yearly blackout notice from the media hacks
Every year it is the same story. I wonder why they get paid.
They are stating the obvious as usual. They do a press conference that everyone can watch, then they write the transcript and call it reporting.
I started going to games partly because of the blackouts and because I can finally afford it. If the game is blacked out, I’m sure I will go. I would love to travel to games too.
The reporters are so stupid. The Raiders are why they have a job, yet they can’t wait to trash the team and call it reporting. I want reporters that have good relationships with the team so that we can get good info. Not the case.
Great post.
Team allegiance is greater than losses.
I love it.
That being said, I think there is an equation that is applicable here that would be something like:
(Happiness with franchise) + (importance of the particular contest) = the amount I’ll sacrifice to attend.
If he'd just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him.
LA fan here
I just hope they televise more Raider games this year than last on the major networks.
It was definitely tough watching Russell, but after the first few games, we rarely saw Raider action down here. Also, it would be great if Plunkett and Flores were able to team up for TV commentary some more like this pre-season.
I live nearly 500 miles away ..
I would love to be a season ticket holder. Unfortunately, I don’t get to experience the home games in Oakland. I try and make it out to the Raider games when they come down to San Diego. The last few seasons though, my wife has been pregnant and I’ve been unable to attend. I got DirecTV this year with the NFL Package in order to watch all the games at home. I got fed up with trying to find bars that even had the Raider game on, and even when I would, it would normally be on the smallest T.V. or have no sound. I envy those of you who live in Oakland and are season ticket holders. For now though, I’ll have to deal with watching it at home on my big screen and dealing with Dolt fans when the Raiders come to town ..
Hardcore Raiders Fans are 5150 .. (iBleedSilverNBlack)
by RaiderCreator5150 on Sep 8, 2010 7:04 AM PDT reply actions
I knew someone would come up with that one!! Haha, I have a five year old, a two year old, a one year old and one on the way in October! I know, she hardly gets a rest .. We want to have all of our kids while we are younger though .. And my wife would rather have them in a row then over a long period of time ..
Hardcore Raiders Fans are 5150 .. (iBleedSilverNBlack)
by RaiderCreator5150 on Sep 8, 2010 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Good decision!
You had a break between the first and the second, so that was wise too.
by Spirals galore on Sep 8, 2010 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions
for what its worth
i personally decided not to spend any money on the raiders in protest of their complete mis-management and disfunction. including attending games, buying raider gear etc.
I had enough, and that was my way of protesting Al (although i did donate to that retarded billboard). I know Im not alone regarding attending games, as Ive heard many say the same. Not too mention the empty seats.
All that said Im a sucker (and the raiders had a sensible offseason)….. so ill be around this year
by rat, el rat, mr. rat, the rat on Sep 8, 2010 7:10 AM PDT reply actions
I disagree with Jerry...
I think that at least initially, if the Raiders can get off to a good start, that the NFL will use their new ability to change games to put them on. It isn’t like they don’t know that there is a huge, albeit scattered, fanbase for the team. My prediction, anyway.
As far as going to the games, I admit that while there is something to be said for going to the games, I get Sunday Ticket and usually watch pro games, and go to college games. That said, while I have seen the Raiders a number of times, the only ‘home games’ that I have ever attended were in LA. It looks like I am going to attend the Miami game this year, for a first time home game in Oakland.
Can’t wait!
Failure builds character; success reveals it
I love your signature - let's hope it's a prophetic one!
by Spirals galore on Sep 8, 2010 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Amen to that... :)
Failure builds character; success reveals it
I don't blame anyone for not wanting to go to Week 4 Preseason
Is the local blackout lifted if you purchase NFL Sunday Ticket?
Even in blackout, there’s plenty of other ways to watch the games if you’re within the area and can’t necessarily go to the game.
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
Yes, the games are still blacked out
if you get NFLST.
by Raider Since Schroeder on Sep 8, 2010 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions
It's always a lot of fun to go the Coliseum and see the Raiders play
but watching the games in HD is pretty cool as well. I think you get a different experience obviously but any time I’m watching the Raiders play I’m going to be happy.
Am reading Pat Kirwan's book: "Take your eye off the Ball."
He notes how today’s game caters to “television watchers,” more often not former players, and not understanding of the intricacies of the game, its personnel packages, formations, who’s subbing in and when, and when the call was bad or a guy missed an assignment or what.
Maybe someday television will cater to the cerebral player, but for now, the replays are the chance for those types. I myself watch games over and over on DVD when afforded the time, and that is when I break down performances and draw my real conclusions about what I see and want to discuss.
Nothing like doing it in person, and furthermore, to second Spirals and Sons sentiments, you should be all about supporting your team, in good times and in bad, and helping them along to win games, by being the twelfth man on the field whenever possible. I’m a season ticket holder, and if not for the nearly 800 mile round trip to the stadium and back, I’ll go to at least four of those games, because it’s what a good Raider fan should do. And you know I’m looking forward to each and every one! Especially when we exact revenge on the San Diego DisCharge!
GO RAIDERS :D
"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
Hope everyone goes and sells out the games
I’m 5 or 6 hours away from the seamen, a “professional football team” and have only been able to see the Raiders once, in preseason, with the Daunte Culpepper experiment. Go so I don’t have to watch the f**ing mules on TV.
"God will understand. And if he does not understand, then he is not God, and we need not worry." -Orlando Bloom, Kingdom of Heaven
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