Don't get me wrong.
If Al Davis died tomorrow, a lot of the Raider Nation would be glad.
However, a lot of these people believe the myth that one man can destroy an entire team.
Let's ask the simple question. If Al goes, who takes his place? Who controls the stocks? Who signs the checks? Who controls the day-to-day issues of signing, firing, and negotiations?
Let's ask a separate question, but one that would probably be easier to relate with. If you killed off a mafia don, a father of the family, does the entire family suddenly stop their actions and go turn themselves into the police?
- B/R Ticket Guide
No...and if Al Davis dies, the Raiders would not suddenly win the Super Bowl.
Right now as it stands, Al Davis controls a lot of the internal functions within this club.
Either that, or someone else inside the club has a great job of doing puppet work...Might even say it's better than Cheney with Bush.
But for those who think if Al suddenly fell over in his corn flakes tomorrow at breakfast...How do you think the team is suddenly going to be better for his passing? In a couple years, I can see it being a change...But change requires time. I'm still holding out hope that his son or someone in the line convinces dad to hand over the keys.
Of course...I still believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, too.
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2 months ago
I love the Don allusion. LOL.
Why does the Raider Nation hate him so? He won 3 Super Bowls for pity's sake.
2 months ago
Great article, a lot of people don't realize that for the Raiders, there is no quick fix. I think that is part of the reason that people are unhappy with Al Davis. He was looking for a quick fix by spending a ton on free agency and getting players like Javon Walker. I think that the organization would benifit if Davis stepped down or died, but the benifit would come if they could get coaching stability and focus on getting players through the draft and building for the long term.
from 2 months ago
The article sucks. It presumes that anyone calling for Al to step down actually believes the Raiders will have automatic success. That is just a stupid assumption. No one actually thinks that, but rather that with Al's death/removal, the team will start moving in the right direction. We've been stuck in a steady decline for many years with no end in sight and Al Davis is the reason. He makes the personnel decisions, he's the reason no decent coaches want to come here, he tells his coaches how to coach for cryin out loud! When he's gone there won't be ONE guy running the whole show, particularly one who has had the game pass-him-by. Even if it is a relative of Al's, they will have to realize they can't do it all. They will bring in help, a GM, a real coach or two, ANYTHING!
The fans that wish for him to be gone have been fans their whole lives. It isn't as if we haven't been patient or just, all-of-a-sudden had the thought that Al doesn't know what he's doing! This has been boiling for a good 6-10 years! He has HAD a great HOF career, but should have stepped down many years ago or at least passed over some authority to people who are smarter and understand the new NFL better.
Being a member of the Nation, there is no ill intentions towards Al Daivs- we respect him and what he has done. But just becuase you respect someone, doesn't mean that you won't acknowledge that Baker Acting them would be in their best interests!!!!!
from 2 months ago
Snoop, first of all, thanks for reading.
Secondly, Where does it say I'm asking for Al to step down? I know he never will. The sarcasm was obviously lost on you.
Thirdly, if you want to, write a rebuttal. From the position i've been sitting at, for over 5 years now, i've listened to more idiots than I care to count, who all think Al needs to die, retire, get fired, insert your own accident here garbage. The point of this article, is that it's not that simple. Just by having Al Davis out of the picture, things will not suddenly turn rosy, like dropping a house on the wicked witch.
Lastly....do something with that hair. You look like a bad party favor.
2 months ago
No one thinks Al passing means immediate success. Why would you even ask that? Has anyone anywhere ever stated that, or believed that?
Obviously when Al goes the team gets what it should have, a GM who has specific duties.
We hopefully get a quality coach who is allowed to actually coach. make coaching decisions, and do what he feels is right.
Hopefully that coach stays around more than 2 years, and puts a program in place.
Players learn that the coach is the one they listen to, and fear not listening to him.
That means quality coaches would gladly coach here. instead of turning down the job
means quality players would gladly play here. instead of only coming here if they get more than their market value.
all that takes time. likely two to three years.
but then it stays that way. competitive. like it should be
2 months ago
I have to second Rich's comments. Al Davis dying would be the turning point toward a normal football franchise with well defined roles and authorities. Only a naive person would think that would mean instant success, but at least there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. For now, we as Raider fans have the same thing to look forward to for an undetermined eternity, a constant turnover of third tier coaches and programs that will make even the best prospects on the field average.
2 months ago
Nice article Raieder Card, I agree with you if Davis were to die tomorrow who would bring them back from the grave, there passing sucks, this season theyll suck again, Davis please just pass out tomorrow breakfast.
2 months ago
All I want to know is... if Al Davis did die tomorrow...
where would he want his ashes spread?
The Black Hole?
The Coliseum Turf?
The Commissioner's Office?
from 2 months ago
probably loaded into a series of cluster bombs, and dropped over shanahan's house....nothing like making an ash of himself.
2 months ago
To answer the question RCA, After the normal mourning of his passing, funeral and grieving it would give the team the opportunity to start over in terms of the front office. Al Davis has said that in his passing he would turn the team over to his wife and son who would then bring in football people to run the team with Amy Trask remaining as the CEO.
If those football people can finally be a President, Vice President, General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Director of Player Personnel, Assistant Director of Player Personnel, Director of College Scouting and Director of Pro Scouting -- This would move allow the team to take a huge step in the right direction.
All of the above mentioned hats have been worn by Al Davis since 1963, there've been good and bad times but time stops for no one and it is time for a change. I know exactly how things have been but a change in the day to day operations and how business is conducted wouldn't be a bad thing. Allowing the team to have an identity wouldn't be a bad thing.
I have to echo the comments of Rich, Nick and Brett. This would put an end to the quick fix theory that Al Davis has had for years. At this point there is no quick fix. The change has to be made from the top down the organization and structure needs to change.
2 months ago
If there should be someone that could run your frachise down a black hole it should be me cause nothings giong right.
2 months ago
"We don't rebuild; we reload!!!" Al Davis
"Just whine, Baby!!"
2 months ago
i'm a new england fan,but i think he should let me be the gm,at least they'd have a chance!!!!!
about 1 month ago
Lets not ask how removing Al Davis will solve the Raiders problem, but how is keeping a 79 yr old with Dementia and living in the past and making terrible draft picks and free agent signings helping the Oakland Raiders?? Its 2008 not 1970..No credible coach will coach for him..But hey he owns the team so lets just say Stuff him when he dies and put him in his cozy little owners box and let a psychic tell management what his spirit wants..By all means let him stay forever
from about 1 month ago
Thats almost frightening, Raiderville....who's to say that's not what's already going on?
Maybe he died in 2002, and is kept alive by artificial means...a zombie in effect. But when something is needed to be done, they get one of those animatronic units from Disney, and let the tapes play with his voice speaking....who would know the difference?
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