The Oakland Raiders woes go far deeper than just the poor play on the field. Six years of eleven plus loss seasons are not the problem. The record the Raiders set in relation to losing seasons is a symptom of an infection of losing. This infection is deep and widespread, and it is well beyond something that simple antibiotics can fix. In order to cure the infection, the Raiders need an aggressive and comprehensive treatment.
Looking at the numbers since the Super Bowl meltdown are bad enough. However, they don't tell the full story. The organizational dysfunction runs deep. Bill Calahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, Lane Kiffin, and Tom Cable have all seen first hand how the infection that is losing is in the bloodstream of the Raiders, and ultimately has damaged all that it has come in contact with.
A perfect example of how bad the team is infected with losing is post game comments by the Raider players and coaches after they were systematically dismantled by the New England Patriots:
"I give myself an A for effort"
JaMarcus Russell
An A for effort? The great Vince Lombardi, who never tolerated losing said it best, "Winning is not everything, its the only thing." In fact, after looking at Russell's stat line of 17/31-242-2-1 and two fumbles, it would beg the question: If that was his "A" game, imagine his "B" game. Even if his numbers were better, he better have given all his effort thats why he has a $60 million contract. By the nature of his position, he is a leader of the team so he should be giving his A effort every single game.
It would be hard to imagine Kenny "The Snake" Stabler in the locker room after any loss saying that he deserved an A for effort. Stabler would be talking about all his missed opportunities to win the game. Of course, Stabler was a Raider before the losing attitude infected the team. In fact, Sean Connery's character in The Rock said it best, "Losers always whine about doign their best. Winners go home and (have sex with) the prom queen."
This quote, as innocuous as it seems gives some credence to the talk of Russell being a bust. He has a mediocre, at best, game and feels compelled to tell the world that he gives himself an A for effort. That is not a winning mentality. If Russell is going to be anything other than a bust, he needs to get treated for the infection.
There's a lot of good out there. Now, we just got our tails kicked. I'm not trying to get around that. But the fact of the matter is the quarterback had another week of progress. Offensively, we moved a step closer in terms of a unit.
--Tom Cable
"A lot of good out there." Neither John Madden, nor Tom Flores would find any good in a 49-26 loss. He got it right with the tails kicked part of that quote, but that is the beginning and end of it. The sad part is not that he followed up with a "We're better than we played" or "we could not get it done, and have to work harder" either of which would show that there is some urgency, or at least some wining attitude. Instead, "We moved a step closer in terms of a unit." WHAT? There are two games left in the season, and a positive is moving a step closer?
He is infected, horribly. In fact, he needs to be replaced. When the head coach is infected enough with the losing attitude to offer up that pablum after a humiliating loss, he needs to go. He is part of the infection, so he can not be part of the cure. There are no two ways about it.
The first thing that comes to mind is it's not fun at all, but you just have to keep battling. We did a good job. No one put their head down and was ready to fold the tent.
--Thomas Howard
Howard is definitely infected, but then that has been obvious since he thought it was cool to celebrate a tackle when the team was getting slaughtered earlier in the season. There is a baby step forward, in that he was still having fun when the Raiders were blasted by the Ravens. However, saying that a defense that gave up touchdowns on the first four possessions did a good job is a bad joke. The Raiders defense was horrendous. The Patriots moved up and down the field at will, and had Bill Belichick not called off the dogs, the Pats could have scored 70. Howard is a great talent, but he needs to have that loser infection removed.
Now that the near complete prevalence of the Oakland Raiders is clear, its time for radical and comprehensive action. The team needs overhauled from the top down. Al Davis needs help in the front office, and he needs to let go of the guys he hangs on to out of loyalty. Come on, Sam Williams hasn't shown anything in five years, let him go. The Raiders also need to bring in a whole new coaching staff, and allow them to change the culture, and eliminate ANY players who seem to be infected. Until that happens, the infection will continue to ravage this once proud franchise.
Comments
Damn right. This isn't frigging little league where everyone plays and goes to McDonald's for a happy meal afterward. Or maybe it is after reading these idiots. They just don't get it and likely never will. Getting half a hundred dropped on you and talking about effort, frigging priceless. Careful Cable, your puppet strings are showing.
great article. I agree. the raider's had something with Kiffen but Al Davis did not let him do his thing. As long as Al acts as AL , I don't think the raider's will turn it around. I agree the raider's need to get a complete overhaul and get a coach like a belichick to get discipline in this team
It seems they have no game plan and no direction both offensively or defensely . they have no identity and they need good tough players to bring that raider swagger back. I do not think russell is a bust . he needs time and a good qb coach.
wow...great article and totally the truth. can't put a pop warner quality players on the field and expect to sell raider hats, caps and jerseys to true fans that know real football.
Nice article and right on. A copy of this article should be sent to every Raider's player and staff member. An "A" for effort? Those sound like the words of a guy who goes home and says "What do I care Im makin 60 million". It's pathetic, a team full of guys that have forgotten where they are and why they are there. It's painful to watch. Myself and the rest of the working class Raiders fans run ourselves to exhaustion during the week trying to keep up with a failing economy, waiting for that one day a week to see our guys play. And what do we get, A bunch of guys sandbagging it because that can't muster up any pride or any heart for 60 minutes while getting payed stacks of cash. To the Raiders team, You have embarrassed yourselves,your fans and the NFL. Thank You for reminding us that players should not be role models.
Nice article and right on. A copy of this article should be sent to every Raider's player and staff member. An "A" for effort? Those sound like the words of a guy who goes home and says "What do I care Im makin 60 million". It's pathetic, a team full of guys that have forgotten where they are and why they are there. It's painful to watch. Myself and the rest of the working class Raiders fans run ourselves to exhaustion during the week trying to keep up with a failing economy, waiting for that one day a week to see our guys play. And what do we get, A bunch of guys sandbagging it because that can't muster up any pride or any heart for 60 minutes while getting payed stacks of cash. To the Raiders team, You have embarrassed yourselves,your fans and the NFL. Thank You for reminding us that players should not be role models.
look here ive been a raider fan for 30 yrs i believe tom cable is a good coach possibly great as soon as the wins start coming. jemarcus is not a bust. he just doesn't have any help as far as wr or offensive line. if u want to blame anyone blame rob ryan hes the one calling the plays for the defense and the one doing the inner teachings of their scheme hes got the players he just cant teach or call plays. hes got to go. they need a qb coach to help jemarcus also everyone else is great. theyre not far away from wins
I like this article. But what makes anyone think change will happen? Al Davis tried to hire new talent, but Kiffin didn't hide his distaste for Al, he was fired for cause. Now, no coach wants to work for the Raiders. Or if they do, they will have to be paid 5 million up front. The question is, will the league step in before Oakland goes 3-13 next year?
There is no doubt the Raiders need to be overhauled from the top down but it isn't going to happen while Al Davis is still in charge. When Al Davis is no longer in the picture, whenever that may be, the Raiders organization will make a lot of changes for the best. Quality coaches will become avaialbe because they know they won't have to deal with Al Davis.
the only way to change this is to hit this pathetic team where it hurts. stop wearing raider fan gear. do you really think davis cares if he wins. he wins every time somebody buys a stinkin raider hat or jersey. it about merchandising baby. i am only shocked that there are still people who are ashamed to wear the silver and black. until that happens, guess what...raiders can draft and keep sub par players that nobody in the league want. kiffin was not the problem. he was the solution. he saw and spoke the truth. can't put together a winning team when your working with what he had to work with. committment to excellence ? bull crap.
cable got things going in the right direction at the end of last season. he is a coach who is bringing unity to this team again. he proved he is a coach that the players want to play for. the problem is paying big money for injured and washed up players like tommy kelly and javon walker while good players like aso and burgess had to wait to get new deals. I liked the way the organization handled themselves in the off season by not going after high priced free agents, but instead looked toward the draft to build on the future. remember kenny stabler was the second quarterback chosen by the raiders in the 68 draft and he rode the bench for about 6 years before he got his chance. i got a good feeling about this coach and this team, and i been watching them like i was on the team for over 40 years
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