Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos: A Rivalry To Be Remembered

Damali Binta – Oct 30, 2011

This is a year we will always remember. Since this is bye week for the Oakland Raiders, there has been time to reflect on the wisdom shared by Al Davis with the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation.

Reflecting on some of the great quotes of Al Davis just might be what is needed to help prepare for the post bye week game with the Denver Broncos.

Research shows that the Oakland Raiders need a victory after bye week in 2011 to demonstrate that a pattern of losing the game immediately after bye week is, indeed, broken.

A victory immediately after bye week in 2011 would mean that the Oakland Raiders are making manifest these words of Al Davis, "...You just dominate."

Here are a few quotes from several sources, by Al Davis :

"You don't adjust. You just  dominate."

"We make our own law,'' Mr. Davis said about drafting Mr. Guy. ``We don't live by someone else's law, and I've always been that way. The idea is to dominate your culture, dominate your environment, and we thought it was right to pick
him at that particular time.''

“I am past that stage, needing significance. The legacy is the Raiders."

"I'm a sore loser."
“Speed is an integral part of fear."

Here is a link to a video showing the intensity of the Bronco-Raiders rivalry.

The content of Al Davis's character is partly reflected in these quotes. He was a winner. He cared about the players in his franchise. He defined things for himself. He was a man who was determined to win. He had a passion for excellence.

Now if he preferred to be feared rather than to be respected, it means that he didn't avoid confrontation. In fact, he understood that in order to aggressively  move toward your mark or your goal, often it is necessary to be in confrontation in order to knock down and crush those obstacles that would dare to hinder your progress or your pursuit of victory.

One symbolic accomplishment to show that the young Oakland Raiders understand the principles and the legacy established by Al Davis would be for the Oakland Raiders to defeat the Denver Broncos in just a few more days.

It would make a statement. It would affirm the commitment to excellence that Al Davis desired from each and every one of the players, coaches and staff in the franchise.

A victory after bye week in 2011 would be a show of respect for the legacy that must be continued and extended in the 21st century. Just win, baby! It must be done.