Caveat Raiders II: Commitment to Excellence lacking in Deep South

"Caveat Raiders II" revisits the data pattern that appears when comparing the backgrounds of players and their salaries to their performance on the field. It examines whether the Raiders should consider a player's background as a significant factor in its selection process, and speculates on whether or not the phenomena can be overcome. 

The table below shows the 25 Raiders making $1,000,000 or more/year. Those players whose names are bolded are generally considered poor performers - some worse than others. Gradkowski, who gave us much joy and hope last season, makes $541,760 - 5% of Russell's salary!

Our general consensus is that we need a lot of help on our Right O- Line and on the Interior D-Line. The three DTs who played last season are the 3^rd, 5^th and 9^th highest paid on the team roster; the ROG and ROT are the 10^th and 16^th highest paid Raiders, respectively.       

When you look at the table you will notice that some players received a Caveat-Index [CI] ranging from 1 to 4; the legend below will explain how the CI is assigned.

This brings us to the crux of the matter. The raw data indicates that 6 of the 9 ‘poor performers' who make more than 1 Million/year both grew up and played college ball in what is know as the  Deep South. The Deep South [DS] is a widely used term designating the geographic area comprised of five states and the northern portion of a sixth: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Northern Florida. This region shares a common culture that is distinct, unique, and (with some exceptions) monolithic and pervasive.  

Once it came to light that 6 of our 9 worst players came out of the same cultural incubus we discussed and argued whether or not to boycott DS players for the good of the Raiders. A poll was taken (in which 288 votes were cast) and a 52% majority voted to abstain from bringing in any more DS players - except those coming out of Alabama.  

Many have and will deny there is a problem. Some blame Al's misjudging talent or the Raider organization's lack of structure or discipline that exacerbates propensities that DS players seem to possess.  

During the 500+ exchanges that took place on ‘Caveat Raiders I', names of great Raiders were presented with assertions that they were from the DS - but the facts could not support any but five: Willie Brown, Kenny Stabler, Hewritt Dixon, Ray Guy, and George Atkinson;  all grew up in the DS and played their college ball there. They demonstrate that no matter what adversities a culture imposes, an individual can overcome them and become great.  

A list of all the Great Raiders is presented below the Table

Oakland Raiders Player-Salary-Profile Table

                      *Caveat-Index [risk factor for Raiders (D is high risk)]                                                             CI

Saint and Spirals suggested that the Raider organization itself might be a factor in the failure of DS players due to its lax structure and Al's famous laissez faire towards players -"treating men like men" and (ironically) abstaining from interference.  It's true that Al's way is the opposite of those methods of the SEC and perhaps a militaristic approach could work with DS players - if, in fact,  the problem is the need for externally imposed discipline. But why should the Raider culture change to accommodate a foreign culture?

NB. This article is entirely about culture's adverse effects on Raider performance; it has nothing to do with race.  brhynno speaks for me and others when he writes, "This, above all, should be the factor by which we choose a player: the innate desire to be great; [players who] don't care about getting paid, just being great."