Al Davis is one of the great football men of the history of the NFL. His accomplishments in both the AFL and then the NFL define a legacy that will stand the test of time. Under his leadership, the Raiders rose from an afterthought in a second class league to three championships and one of the winningest teams in all of sports. However, the Raiders have fallen on sustained hard times and there is only one person who has been consistent through the down years and that is Al Davis.
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(AP Photo/ Paul Sakuma)
Davis has run the Raiders in his autocratic manner since he was was brought in as part owner and general manager in 1966, following his stint as commissioner of the American Football League. He cemented his power 1972 when he conned fellow partner Ed McGah into amending the ownership agreement to make him unquestioned "President of the General Partners" for life. This move forced out original partner Wayne Valley, and left no power in the Raiders' front office that could balance him out.
For many years this worked well. However, the game of football has evolved in the 47 years that Davis has been involved with the Raiders. His views on building a team have not, however.
There are numerous examples throughout sports history where someone has kept going beyond their prime, and that is where Davis is dragging down the Raiders. There is no shame in admitting that it is time to step down and let the next generation take over.
Muhammad Ali had no business stepping into the ring with Larry Holmes for their fight on October 2, 1980. Ali was a shell of his former self, and could not hold his own against the younger fighter. Davis is a lot like Ali in this manner. Both of them are towering figures in their respective sports. Davis his hanging on to what worked once upon a time, and doesn't see that the league has changed around him. Ali could not see that his skills had declined to the point where he would be dominated by Holmes.
It is obvious that Davis's fingerprints are all over the Raiders problems with the draft. It was common knowledge throughout football experts that JaMarcus Russell was going to be a project. However, Davis could not see past the athletic ability and strong arm. Even with Russell's struggles, Davis continues to defend him with examples of quarterbacks from the past. Darren McFadden and Darrius Heyward-Bey were both taken based on their speed and not on their football abilities.
What worked for football in 1976 is not going to work in 2009. The game has changed and evolved. Al Davis's methods and schemes have not. The Raiders only sustained success since their 1995 return to Oakland was the Jon Gruden-Rich Gannon era. During this time, the Raiders moved away from their philosophy of a strong armed quarterback and vertical offense. They also had a coach who instilled discipline and accountability instead of just talking about it. That was a team that dominated.
It is time for Davis to bring in the football guy he was speaking about during the firing of Lane Kiffin and let him run the show. It is time for the Raiders to step into the 21st century.
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
A-Men To That
Word to that!
That is it in a nutshell
I agree with this over-all GREAT article...for the most part. Darren McFadden was not seen as a RB that only had speed. He was seen as the best player in the draft by ALOT of "experts". And I still think that if used correctly, he may still be the star he was seen as when he left Arkansas. As for Russell, his only hope of not becoming one of the all-time busts is if the Raiders sit him down this year, and make him EARN his way back onto the field like the Niners did with Alex Smith. I think it helped Smith, it will help Vince Young, and it will help Matt Leinart as well. As long as Russell sees the Raiders starting QB job as his God given RIGHT, he will continue to take it lightly...and S.U.C.K!
A loosing combo is what Davis has tossed together! You put a quarterback out that cant throw and to a reciever that cant catch! Sit back now Davis and watch the fans that keep you filthy rich walk away! Ive been a Raider fan 40+ years and ia at the point of picking another team!
Al Davis has ruined this team....with his vanilla schemes on defense and puppet coaches on offense, the league just laughs at the old man. The Raiders are a punchline on every pre-gae sports show....you can see on Fox that it hurts Howie to see this team the way it has turned out...such a shame! Mark Davis needs to slap his old man in the face and grow a pair!
Let's be honest here we all thought JR was a good pick. But if that young man doesn't apply hisself he will be a bust. MacFadden is a good running back but injuries have limited him. And if the other team stacks the box. No running back is going to have a good game. As for DHB that was a big reach should have drafted a solid middle linebacker. Crabtree would not have been the answer for this team he's too into himself. I am a big Al Davis supporter but he has to let the coaches do their thing. Been a fan since 1971 and it kills me to watch these kids gett'n their tails handed to them. So which team will show up Sunday???
Go Raiders!!!!!
Totally agree! Gruden for GM with a completely new, young staff that Gruden can grow. If Al has a brain cell left, he will give Gruden some stock in the team and make him the future so his son can just be an owner and clip coupons, because he could care less about football.
It's a head coaches resposibility to put the players on the field who gives the team the best chance of winning, period. If he does not do that he will lose the team. If players are busting their ass and giving 100% effort and keep losing because a coach is not playing the right people, the seams will fall off.
Playing a rookie, there will be some growing pains. This not the case with Russell. This is his third year and at what point do you stop the on the job training? The way he is going, it will take years if at all. By starting Russell on Sunday, you are kissing his ass and the owners ass but will lose the team and what fans are left because you are not comitted to winning. Why should a player continue to bust his ass, when the coach is starting a player who sucks? I liked Cable up to this point but it seems it now will be the same senario as the past couple of years. It really is a joke. I'll check back around draft time.
I can't even get upset anymore because it's a freakin joke. You watch the Pitt/Minn game and then you put on the Raider game and you just can't believe what you are seeing. The killer is that we have a very good team. DONE
I have never heard the Raider Nation like this, I remember a day If anyone uttered a foul word about Al Davis, the Nation would chime in to defend their dark lord. I think that it is time for Al to step down and hand the reigns over to some youth, which in Al's case, is just about anyone else in the world. We need to clean house, the whole front office is garbage, our team is garbage. DO OVER!
First of all,great article. Secondly I think all the comments on this page so far are spot on. What about making limited minority partner John Madden the G.M. with total control of the team. He could hire Jon Gruden as Head coach and set up a professional organization like Bill Parcells did in Miami. Then a few years down the line he could turn the reins over to Gruden as head coach and General Manager, and the Raiders could return to being the team we all know they can be. Who wouldn't love that? Then Al Davis could kick back and watch his team win division titles again.
Maybe Al Davis wants to lose and have the fans walk away so he can justify moving the team back to Los Angeles or maybe London. I wouldn't put it past him as he has shown no loyalty to the fans that have been loyal to him through the years by moving the team to L.A. and back already. I feel that there is something going on behind the scenes that isn't quite right, besides Al being Al.
This article says it all, time to move on Mr. Davis.
I can't believe this guy is starting on Sunday. Another year, the same BS. OVER DONE
TONY PIKE
I totally agree, but Davis will never step down unless he has a stroke or equivalent. You can't teach new tricks to an old broom. And bringing Gruden back; I just don't see it. If Gruden came back, he would automatically become the face of the Raiders, and that is what initially and led to the trade with Tampa.
I'm not convinced of Davis' greatness either. He acted like a gangster when he was commissioner of the AFL, the merger was made by Tex Shramm and Bud Adams without Davis' knowledge, and the Raiders were never the same after Ron Wolf left for Green Bay. Davis, however, has managed to take credit for everything, and it was not due to him. I sincerely hope Davis gets back what he has given; good and bad.
There is no ergency with this franchise. I don't see any of the important raider heads get up set at whats goin on. The only time the front office showed any emotion was towards Rich Gannon.
The Raider keep loosing because Al Davis allows it. I think the fire has gone from Al. No one wants to make a change. this whole thing makes me sick.
How can you blame Al Davis,a 3 time Superbowl champ & hall of fame owner, when the head coach is sitting players that could be attributing to the offense. Javon Walker is far better than any wide receiver that is currently playing and yet he hasn't played a snap this season. Right now JaMarcus Russell is making Ryan Leaf look like Tom Brady, at least give the kid someone to throw to besides Zack Miller, and just maybe we might look respectable. The problem is not Al Davis, look at the players on this team. It's a matter of utilizing the talent that isn't being used.
Granted that Cable is an idiot, but he is an idiot with his hands tied behind his back by Davis. No reasonable coach would be starting Jamarcus, and we all know that Davis likes to punish players, that last one being Walker. Davis controlls all the coaches. What did Cable immediately say after the Jets game even before any reporter asked him the question? Jamarcus will start next week. What did Marshall say when he changed the defensive scheme for the Eagles game? He hoped he wouldn't get yelled at. Other former players have said that Davis dials in during games to dictate plays. It has taken me years to realize how Davis really is; an unprofessional, gangster-like figure who cares about no one, except of his now very crap-like legacy.
When I look at Al Davis I see an NFL owner that has 17 Hall of Fame players that donned a Raiders uniform, won 3 Superbowls,and the list could go on if we wanted to pay history a visit. But the fact of the matter is when I look at teams that never even made it to a single Superbowl, let alone win one I say thank you to the gangster you call Al Davis. So if your a true Raider fan, I mean bleed silver & black, which I do !! I say stay loyal, and things will turn around... Just Win Baby !!!!
Hey massraiderfan,
You truly are delusional, aren't you? Not the fault of Davis?
He is the one that is sitting Javon, not Cable. Cable plays who Davis tells him to. Why can't you get that through your thick skull?
Davis wants DHB and Chaz. Chaz is hurt, so Murphy is the guy.
Granted, Cable is a horrible play caller, and frankly cannot find the right way to use any of the players we have. McFadden, DHB, even Russell. Enough with the vertical passing plays from inside our 10 yard line. No stupid reverses in the red zone.
But that is who DAVIS hired. The players are who DAVIS drafted. The defense plays the scheme that DAVIS wants. The offense throws vertical because it is what DAVIS wants.
Get your head out of your black hole and realize what is going on.
Massraiderfan,If Tom Cable had 100% control of this team as all other head coaches do would he be playing Russell and DHB?I think not.Also I don"t think he would have taken DHB over Monroe in the draft!These are Als moves.Cable is just doing what he is told.It is painfully obvious he is a Al Davis yes man puppet.Until we get a head coach with a set of peaches that will stand up to Al,the losing ways of the Raiders will continue!!!
Hey mass, history only goes so far, and like I have mentioned before, Al Davis did not accomplish all those wins by himself. He was surrounded by good people who advised him, such as Ron Wolf. What has Al done since Ron left? Only Gruden comes to mind. Al is not a good talent evaluator; just see our draft picks and trades over the last 20 years: Marc Wilson, Jay Shroeder (who was traded for pro-bowler Jim Lasch..), Todd Marinovich, Anthony Smith, Chester McGlockton, the Dallas safety who won a SB and the next season was traded to the Raiders, Jamarcus, etc., etc. Man, take those blinders off and see things how they really are.
Tom Cable hasn't played Javon Walker because Walker spoke to the media saying he was ready & it was Cables decision not to play him, nothing to do with Al Davis. Al Davis talked Walker out of retiring last year. Plus I've never seen Al Davis with a headset on the sidelines, so how can you blame the man for play calling? As far as delusional, I can't answer what you consider delusional. But when morons like yourself think they know it all your probably a geek that won't last a minute at a Raiders game and must be a Bronco fan. So get your facts straight before you open you yap, poser.
Hey mass. Listen to a former player from the Gruden area. This is your great Al Davis:
www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/13358.mp3
granted the draft is a gamble at best, how can you justify paying a rookie QB $30 million guaranteed , when he has never played a down in the NFL, this is not Al Davis fault but the NFL owners. As far as Al Davis judging talent I see 17 hall of fame players he signed.Tom Flores, John Madden, Mike Shanahan, John Gruden, all Superbowl head coaches that Al Davis hired and have won Superbowls. As far as trades I see Mike Haynes, Willie Brown, I could go on.. granted there are a few bust, but overall it could be worst, we could be talking about the Lions, Browns,Bengals, teams that are not worth mentioning.
Hey AT, it sounds like you have some history behind yourself as do I. All things aside, I look at the draft history and selections Al Davis has made and I see some great talent such as Marcus Allen,Bo Jackson, Tim Brown, Howie Long. I'll even say presently Micheal Bush and Darren Macfadden are going to be outstanding players. So over twenty years I wouldn't change one pick. So pardon the blinders because I only see great players in front of me on some great teams. Granted times are tough right now, but they will turn around,just be patient.
We all know the team is going down the drain but if your a true raider fan then you should always wear the colors no matter what.
GooooRaidersGoooo!!!!!
Cable - If you continue to play DHB and Russell, your team will lose. You will keep your job however for another year and then you will be fired. Do what Davis says, lose and keep your job or be a head coach and take control. If you win, Davis just might be forced to keep you. You have a better shot at keeping your job long term if make your own decisions and win. Any coach with a pair would have benched him a long time ago. Come on man, show me something. Put your best players on the field. REALLY DONE
We are going to have to have at least one good year under these circumstances (impossible, maybe) for Al to do the right thing and hire a GM. I can't see him going out on the bottom.
Nobody is saying that he needs to sell the team, retire, die, etc...Just hire a smart person and give them controll of personel. Let the coach the GM hires play the best players and draft the RIGHT players for HIS system. Al can still have his face on TV and give an occasional press conference. He can sit up in his box and watch the game. If we win don't ask questions, just be happy. If we continue to have double digit loss seasons, then he can ask questions and start meddeling again.
ya know, it's real simple.. if raiders are to win.. al must go.. then the team has a chance to win.. for al to go,, he will probably have to die.. so be it..
Don't agree about McFadden being picked based on speed and not football ability. McFadden was very productive in college. Russell was the top rated QB. Brady Quinn was the closest to him and he was considered a good fit for a west coast team because of questionable arm strength. Bey is the only reach. The problem is that the draft picks have not been developed. Russell is still dealing with the loss of his uncle ray who was his mentor and, according to Jimbo Fisher, a big part of his life. McFadden has had multiple injuries and Bey's position coach is Sanjay Lal a first year WR coach who is a Kiffin holdover. If your going to blame Al fine just blame him for allowing a first year NFL position coach manage your most inexperienced position group. (blind leading the blind??). The offense they are trying to run is based on timing and requires strict discipline from the WR's. Next year Marc Trestman will be the HC and we will see a big turnaround.
Don't agree about McFadden being picked based on speed and not football ability. McFadden was very productive in college. Russell was the top rated QB. Brady Quinn was the closest to him and he was considered a good fit for a west coast team because of questionable arm strength. Bey is the only reach. The problem is that the draft picks have not been developed. Russell is still dealing with the loss of his uncle ray who was his mentor and, according to Jimbo Fisher, a big part of his life. McFadden has had multiple injuries and Bey's position coach is Sanjay Lal a first year WR coach who is a Kiffin holdover. If your going to blame Al fine just blame him for allowing a first year NFL position coach manage your most inexperienced position group. (blind leading the blind??). The offense they are trying to run is based on timing and requires strict discipline from the WR's. Next year Marc Trestman will be the HC and we will see a big turnaround.
It's finally nice to read an article that captures the true AD character. I was around (my dad worked for Wayne Valley) when Al conned McGah and screwed Valley out of control of the Raiders. Dare I say that Al has no conscience?
I was a Raiders fan when they played games at the Stick, Frank Youell field and the Coliseum. Al has run this team into the ground for years. It took a miracle worker in Gruden to turn it around. It also took FOOTBALL players, not track stars to turn this team around (see Rich "dink and dunk" Gannon, Brown, Rice, Romanowski, Rod Woodson).
AD, it's time to give it up. The only constant since Gruden left is YOU. You've fired everyone else and surrounded yourself with Yes-Man zombies. John Herrera is the best that you can do?
Give us back a football team. It's time for you to walk away.
Al Davis needs to rid himself of his arrogance and admit the experiment has failed, repeatedly might I add, and turn this team over to a GM! Look how Crabtree played his first game for Frisco while sitting half of the season out. McFadden is also a bust because he needs to use stick em in order to not fumble the ball. How about Jvon Walker? DAvis must be punishing him for not getting his permission to have that surgery before the season started. Davis i a joke a needs to quit destroying our team! Fans need to continue to boycot and make Davis pay his player's salries out of his pocket then he might heed to whom pays his checks-US!!
I couldn't disagree more. This is the same garbage being spewed in and around 1997-1998 before the Raiders went on the win 3 AFC West Championships (First time anyone had) and went to 1 AFC Champsionship, 1 Superbowl, and had another shot at doing so stolen by a bad call. Guess what, Al Davis isn't the idiot you guys like to make him out to be. If you are so smart about how football works and how to build a winning team, it's a wonder you aren't a GM somewhere. Those who CAN do, and those who can't write about it and play armchair GM. It's too bad you won't go back and eat these words in a couple years when the Raiders are back in teh thick of things. Without Jamarcus probably, but he was the CONSENSUS best QB in the draft, and he Al didn't pick him you jerks would have been all over him like you were when he didn't pick Matt Leinert. And how has Leinert worked out for Az? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........
I think this team improves instantly when we draft or sign a QB that believes in offseason training. Hopefully Al will cut Russell and pick up Sam Bradford in the second round.
Hey Massraiderfan that's a nice list of raider greats!However we should talk about modern day picks of Al's.Dhb,McFadden,Russell and Huff.Gallery could be on the list too.Since he's turned out to be a good guard we'll give Al the benefit of doubt on that one.Even though he was drafted to be a tackle.We won't even get into fa signings and trades that have blown up in his face!Don't get me wrong,I belive Al's intentions were genuine.He wants this team to sucseed.He just dosen't have what it takes anymore!Until he's able to accept this,and get some modern day football minds to run this team the raiders will continue to be the laughing stocks of the nfl and pro sports in general!!!
It's funny how even us fans want to blame the Owner and Coach. Does anyone truly believe that Manning or Brady or even Leftwich would have fumbled on the first play of the game and given the Jets the ball on the four? Even if Cable or Bellicheck or whoever called a four WR streak from the 10? A more intelligent person, a person with a higher Football IQ would have understood the risk of such a called play and been prepared to take a sack rather than be sacked AND stripped!!!! Jamarcus Russell IS Kwame Brown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Literally, I think they are one person. Overhyped Idiots. Russell clearly has no sense of the game and while I do blame Al for the mistake of drafting him and I do blame Cable for daring him to succeed I understand they're need to see this mistake through, BUT, this season is on JR and he alone. The Jets were gift wrapped a W on Sunday and Seymour and his D couldn't stop it. CUT RUSSELL. Why wait until next year to find out what we already know, he is not a pro QB
BRING BACK CHUCKY...THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY
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