It's About the Logo

Jon York – Aug 3, 2012

There have been several rumors floating around about veteran players that are on the Raiders' radar. Cedric Benson's name has frequently been thrown about as someone who would give depth to the running back position. More recently Plaxico Burress is garnering the fans interest as a dramatic response to the trade of Louis Murphy and subsequent injuries to the wide receiver group.

Every time a player is mentioned the three normal camps break out: those who feel good about the idea, those who think it's a bad idea to add that player, and those who are indifferent.

Even more frequent are the youngsters who turn practice performance into possibility. We hear about a Sterling Moore, ManaseTonga, or Rod Streater and begin to hitch high expectations to their wagons - only it doesn't stop there. Some begin to look at other players who have disappointed or have salaries that far exceed their production and wonder if it's time for the new guy to kick the old letdown to the curb.

The same three camps emerge from it: those who think it's a good idea to favor youth and thrifty spending, those who think it's a bad idea to go with too many unproven players, and those who are indifferent.

I'm a big fan of indifference. It's a hard stance to take. Everyone wants to give out labels like "hater" or "jock sniffer" and it's hard to label the indifferender. Some mistakenly accuse the good indifferender of not being able to make up their mind, or of being too scared to make a statement, or even worse - of not being a true fan (gasp).

Before I make a case for indifference I must state that I don't think it's wrong to take a hard stance, good or bad. It makes for great discussion. It opens peoples eyes. As fans we need people to point out strengths and flaws. Still, at times we need indifference.

I don't mean indifference in the sense of "don't care at all." If someone doesn't care at all then the "not a true fan" accusation is applicable. If you are reading this (or writing it) you must be a fan. What I mean by indifference is not a lack of caring but instead remembering what should be cared about.

It's not about Cedric Benson or Rod Streater. Shoot, it's not about Carson Palmer or Darren McFadden.

It's about the Raiders. I care much more about the logo on the helmet than I do the names on the jerseys.

That's not to say the good indifferender doesn't have an opinion - that couldn't be further from the truth. It's certainly not to say that the good indifferender won't share their opinion. I believe Carson Palmer will have good season and lead the Raiders to the playoffs. I will not however, say that Carson Palmer has to be the starting quarterback for the Raiders to succeed. I've seen extremists say that they think Carson Palmer cannot be a winner and they want Terrelle Pryor to take the job.

To most people that's crazy. To the indifferender it borders on stupid. It's silly to want Rod Streater to get playing time over Darrius Heyward-Bey. It doesn't make sense to want Lamarr Houston to take over for Tommy Kelly so he and his price tag can be let go. It is confusing to hear someone say that they want Nathan Stupar or Travis Goethel to take the middle linebacker spot so the team can sever ties with Rolando McClain.

Many times it sounds more like wanting a player to fail than wanting a player to succeed. Either way it's putting success/failure of an individual over that of the Raiders. I don't care if Pryor or Palmer or John Doublin starts at quarterback as long as the team succeeds. I will not root for a player over another player. I will not root for a player to fail. It is in the best interest of the team for the better players to start - and it doesn't matter if you/I like that player or not.

Many fans have their favorite players, I do. I would love for those players to do well and lead the Raiders to where I want them to be. I root for those players. However, if those players are cut for someone else who leads Oakland to those heights I don't care.

Not because I don't care about those players. Certainly not because I don't care about the Raiders.

I will be indifferent because it is not about the players - it's bout the logo.