Up until last year it was very very hard to get excited about Raider football but this year just feels different.

I haven't really felt this excited about the season starting since we drafted "The Walrus". I admit I felt some butterflies when I saw him on his knees launching the ball 70 yards (who didn't?). I feel so excited about this season I actually got the motivation to create an account and actually make conversation, argue debates, whatever, instead of just reading every post Levi puts up and not contributing.

A little about me, I am from Kansas City, KS. Right in the middle of the Red Sea. As a matter of fact, I used to be a Chiefs fan. (Que the boos, I would be disapointed if you didn't). I was a fan right up until 2004. I made a silly bet with my stepdad (Denver Broncos fan... yes I know) that the Chiefs would beat the Colts in the playoffs. Alas, I was young and dumb, a little immature and I raised the stakes. I told him that he would owe me $50 bucks if the Chiefs beat them and he said "Okay, but if they lose then you gotta shave your head". I recall the humiliation of going to school, facing my friends with my shiny dome. I was a broken soul, 5th grade can be tough on you. I was at the mall and saw a Raiders Shane Lechler jersey. It was on sale. I never considered the Raiders because everyone talked so bad about them. I tried the jersey on and never took it off. Til' this day I respect Peyton Manning because he saved me from the Red Sea. He drove me to the dark side and hopefully Richard Seymour can make him eat dirt on two occasions this year.

I admit, I loathed Al Davis. I criticized him for being old and senile. I would defend my Raiders in arguments but bash Al Davis for his poor decision making. I foolishly applauded the drafting of Jamarcus, I cannot hold Al to that mistake, that fat bastard fooled us all. I applauded him for DMC (hence my username). But then he drafted Darrius Heyward Bey and I could not believe it. I wanted him to draft Brian Orakpo so bad that it hurt. Then he would foolishly start Darrius (almost unfair to Darrius) every game despite his non-existant production and I cursed... alot. However the dark times seemed to pass last year. We started off great and we had high expectations. I was at the Kansas City game where Carson and DHB lead the Raiders to victory in overtime. (It was SO SWEET doing the "Discount Double Check" to every chiefs fan I saw). For years I have been waiting for this season. The defense is under-rated, the recievers are under-rated, our offensive line actually has potential that can spark production! We have a stud runningback who had a freak injury last year. The most versatile fullback I've seen the past few years!... and we have Miles Burris (Clay Mathews jr. mark my words). Enough said.

I look for the Raiders to be the true slum-dog-millionares this season.

and we owe it all to the actions of a Mr.Al Davis. (R.I.P.)

Share your story of how you became a Raiders fan and your expectations for the season!