Holla At Me Raider Nation!
 
I'm still in venting mode, and have a few different emotions running through me right now, so please bare with me Raider Nation; The ONE & ONLY Nation - RAIDER NATION!! I might add; Just had to get that off my chest. Why? You ask; The reason is because I'm really, really tired of hearing about this nation, and that nation.

 

Want an example of what I'm talking (or should that be venting?) about? Well then, I'll give you one; I was watching the Knicks play, yes the New York Knicks, and during a half time interview the reporter referred to knick fans as, and I quote "Knicks Nation." Raider Fanatics, let me tell you I just about lost my mind!! I've been watching the Knicks for a long, long time now (a story for another day) and I've NEVER heard of a Knicks Nation!!! Now all of a sudden there's a Knicks Nation!?!? Stealing from the Raiders has now officially crossed over to other sports!! When the hell did that happen?!?!

 

Just had to get that off my chest. Anyway.... 

 
I want to write about Al Davis now. If you've read my article "Death Of A Hero" then you know I always have, and always will Love Al Davis (and I know that I'm not alone). Therefore, if I sound a bit bias (while still making complete sense) you'll understand why. Bottom line, A few generations are going to have to pass away before the impact that Al Davis has had on the Raiders (as well as the NFL) will start to diminish.
 
Therefore, I don't know why I keep seeing Al Davis' name being used, negatively to bolster moves being made by McKenzie & Allen. Don't know what I'm talking about? Well, I was reading what a reporter had to say about McKenzie and Allen joining the franchise and here's a quote; "The organization (meaning the Raiders) desperately needed to be shook up, from the top all the way to the bottom."
 
Desperately?!?! Really now?? The Raiders were desperate?!?! 

 

Raise your hand if you think the words Oakland Raiders, and desperate go together. I don't know about anyone else but when I put my nose in the air it's not desperation that I'm smelling in that autumn wind. Moreover, by using the word desperate you make it appear (at least to me) that you're trying to imply that Al Davis was running the Raiders into the ground!! You make it sound like the man was incompetent, which we ALL KNOW was NOT the case!! Al Davis was many, many, many thing and stupid was not among them.

 

Implying anything else, I personally find insulting.
 
This is all just more of the "hype" I was writing about in my last article. What I wish these so called reporters would realize is that Raider Nation (along with Al Davis) isn't stupid!! You don't think we realize that you're trying to trash Al's legacy in order to promote the new management?!?

 

To me, this is ALL blah, blah, blah, bull-crap!!
 
I also keep reading about Al and his loyalty to players; Now people want me to believe that loyalty is all of a sudden a bad thing. First of all EVERY coach, or owner has or has had a player(s) that they shared a certain loyalty with. Al's loyalty was a part of the man; It quite frankly tells you a lot about what caliber of human being he really was. 
 
Personally, I feel that it's stupid to think that Al Davis would spend his life showing loyalty to players the likes of Upshaw, Shell, Plunkett, & Villapiano only to become disloyal at end of his life/career. Part of the reason that Al Davis was loved is because of the loyalty he showed players; Guys would come to the silver & black and play with their hearts and souls for Al Davis, and in turn helped to create this thing that we call RAIDER FOOTBALL.

Where, who, and what would the Raiders be without loyalty?!?

Moreover, how many times has the NFL had to deal with bad public relations because of the fact that it shows no loyalty to the men who play the game!?! Look at what is, and has been going on with the retired NFL players!! Now all of a sudden (because it's convenient) loyalty is now a bad thing?!?

 

Look, make no mistake I'll be one of the first to tell you that Al needed to bring in some "managerial" help (a.k.a. a general manager). However, that doesn't mean that I need to make negative statements about Al Davis. The fact is that the NFL was like a garden when Al first started to cultivate the Raiders. The NFL is now like a forest; While one man can tend a garden, no one man can tend to a forest.

 

Furthermore, other owners and coaches throughout the years have been copying Al's style. There was a time when Al Davis and the Raiders were the only team taking chances on players; Now for example you've got owners like Jerry Jones, and Dan Snyder who aren't afraid to take a player with questionable character. As far as the coaches go, look no further than Marvin Lewis, who I believe wants to turn the Bengals into a variation of our beloved Oakland Raiders.

 

The NFL is now a global entity. Which means that eventually even stubborn old Al Davis would have had to admit that he'd need to hire some real help; With that said, sure Mckenzie & Allen coming to town is a good thing; However, is it really necessary to speak badly of Al Davis to make that point?!? (key words being really necessary)
 

The Stanford Routt situation is a perfect example of the topics I was just discussing; Sure Al paid him after Nnamdi Asomugha left Oakland. Now, before we go any further let me remind everyone of the fact that from day zero I was saying that Stanford Routt CAN NOT be our number one corner!! I was saying this, and writing it as well (I dare you to find an article in which I'm a Stanford Routt supporter!!) People were telling me I was wrong, and that he's a talent. However, as a defensive back myself I know talent when I see it (and when I don't) and Routt's talent can't be seen by the naked eye.

 

Now as I was saying - Sure Al paid him after Nnamdi left. To me this is not the issue.

 

What I find funny (not ha-ha funny but stupid) is how when Stanford Routt signed that contract all I kept hearing & reading about was his potential, and his talent. It was the reporters, (along with a few members of Raider Nation) who were saying that Routt was going to a defensive impact player. Now, those same reporters who were saying Stanford Routt had the talent to be our number one corner are saying it was a mistake for Davis to sign him, and a good move for McKenzie and Allen to cut him!

 

Make up your mind people!!! Meanwhile I stand by what I've always said: Stanford Routt is NOT a shut-down, lock-down, or what ever down corner - period!!

 

However, this all goes beyond Stanford Routt; Al Davis hires a young first time NFL head coach and reporters question why he didn't bring in someone with more experience; Reggie McKenzie does the same exact thing!! He hires a young first time NFL head coach, and all of a sudden the move is "A breath of fresh air." REALLY?!? -- REALLY?!?

 

What member of Raider Nation doesn't already know that it's a RAIDER TRADITION to look for the next great mind in coaching?!? Moreover, who in Raider Nation doesn't know who started that tradition?!?

 

Let's all try to remember that Reggie McKenzie was hired by the son of Al Davis, and Al's most trusted inner circle; They were not going to bring in someone who was going to take everything Al did, crumble it up into a ball, and throw it into the trash!! McKenzie's job is to take what Al Davis started and magnify it to the next power.

 

Therefore, in my view all this Al bashing to make McKenzie & Allen look good is asinine; Especially since McKenzie and Allen have combined for zero regular season wins, zero playoff appearances, and zero championships.

 

These men are going to be judged by how they, and the team perform their duties, NOT on what has happened in the past with Al Davis. I personally feel that it's time now to respect the legend that is (and was) Al Davis. My mother used to tell me "If you don't have anything good to say, then you need to keep your mouth shut." I think that some of these so called reporters need to take my mom's advice, as it pertains to Al Davis.

 

The ONLY thing that's going to make Reggie McKenzie, and Dennis Allen look good is winning championships!! Something Al Davis has already done - in case anyone forgot.