Next to watching soccer, I love watching the NFL. I've been a Raiders fan since . . . way back . . . and still find it hard to believe Kenny Stabler isn't in the Hall of Fame. I know he had a great supporting cast, but that ought not to be the reason Kenny doesn't get into the Hall of Fame. Let's remember, he was the true leader on the field in those days. He called the plays. He was the on-field general. He got the ball there - to Biletnikoff, Branch, the Ghost, and all the rest. And yes, not only did the Raiders win their first Super Bowl title in 1977 (76' season) with Kenny at the helm, they won the Conference twice, the Division four times (73', 74', 75', 76'), he was a three time Pro Bowl player, and among other awards, is on the NFL's All 1970's Team.As a fan of the Raiders it has been really difficult watching the disaster that has been on the field since Jon Gruden left, and the revolving door labeled "Raiders Head Coach" has spun for a parade of guys trying to work for Mr. Davis.
Here are some of the sad facts:
- 7 winning seasons since 1990
- 3 winning seasons since 1995
- 0 winning seasons since 2003
- Raiders rank 28th (of 32) in wins since 2000 - only the Cardinals, Browns, Texans, and Lions are worse
- Since 2002, only the Lions have fewer wins than the Raiders
Ouch.
The most telling fact in this is that in nearly 15 years, the Raiders have been horrid.
What other business would keep their CEO with that kind of performance record?
I've held on to my season tickets ever since they came back to Oakland. I find that I am usually trying to sell two of them every game (I have four). I keep thinking . . . when they start to win I'll be able to sell those for $$$.
I'm not holding my breath.
Still, this year is the first year I feel a glimmer of hope. Last year's draft left me staring at the list of draftee's with a blank look, and saying over and over . . . What? What?
This year was different. I kind of got my hopes up. It actually looked pretty good. It kind of reminded me of the Jon Gruden years where we picked up talent like Charles Woodson, Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler, Jerry Porter, and other promising players, while dumping some of the problem players we had like Darrell Russell, who just never seemed to care. And we picked up some experience and leadership with players like Rod Woodson, and Jerry Rice.
Bye, bye this year to another Mr. Russell.
The pre-season really doesn't mean much, except that it's where you build your team, blend in your draft picks, develop the player depth charts, and transition from some of the prior year's players to new team members from trades or with those individuals who have worked hard in the off-season and show they are ready to step in and take over a position.
And that's what I like about the pre-season, and why I like to watch those games.
I'm anxious to see how Jason Campbell shows his leadership on the field. Does he stay in the huddle during the TV timeouts talking with the players, or does he just "hang out" like Russell did? Does he find a receiver, or a lineman, or a running back after a play or after a series to talk with him about a problem? Quarterbacks who are leaders do these things. I've watched it for years - all the way back to Kenny - ALL the good ones do it. All the others don't.
I want to watch the individuals on the offensive line block for the pass, or run. When one of them is beaten, do they talk about it with each other? Same thing on defense. When they get back to the sideline, do they talk among themselves? After they have the coaching session with the coach & review the play photo's do they talk together? Do they go and watch the offense, or do they joke, and dance, and look around at the cheerleaders, and the crowd? The good ones are always into the game, and helping each other. They are at the office. The others . . . don't.
I can't wait to see the Raiders tomorrow night - Saturday, August 28, 2010. I don't really care if they win or loose. I want to see that there is hope for the season. A winning one would be fantastic.
Photo Credits:
- Raiders helmet: Raiders website - http://www.raiders.com/fans/wallpapers.html
- Mr. Al Davis: Raiders website - http://www.raiders.com/history/timeline.html
- The Raiders celebrate one of LB Kamerion Wimbley's four sacks on the night. Photo by Tony Gonzales - http://www.raiders.com/media-vault/photo-gallery/2010-Preseason-Week-2/ed0bbbf7-6b91-4e38-b8b9-3a1296eaeb6a
