Raider Nation sends message to Al Davis

November 3, 10:48 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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The Raider Nation is fed up with the state of the Raiders. There are various ideas floating around the Internet ranging from organized boycotts to long term fans jumping ship. However, unlike the ideas floating around various comment boxes and forums, the site messagetoal.com looks to build a coherent buzz that "Al Davis can't ignore."

(AP PHOTO/ Paul Sakuma)

As part of their petition, they offer a four point plan that they feel are "the steps that need to be immediately taken to make them good again."

• We kindly ask Mr. Allen Davis to remove himself as general manager of the Oakland Raiders.
• We ask for a general manager to be hired with experience and success in the NFL.
• We ask for a new, Super Bowl Caliber Head Coach/Director of Football Operations to be hired replacing Tom Cable. Suggestions include Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden; or any other coach with similar credentials.
• We ask the Owner and new regime to give the new Coach substantial power in hiring Assistants, installing football philosophies and most roster decisions.

Those are four demands that seem to be common among those in the Raider Nation, but it seems to be common belief that the only way he will surrender control will be when he is lowered into the ground by the undertaker.

Site spokesman Jared Staszewski understands that Davis is not going to surrender his role as a general manager just because of a website. " We're not that naive." However, their goal is to garner 50,000 signatures on their petition as well as collect donations so they can purchase advertising in the Oakland Area with a tag-line showing that it is supported by a large number of fans. "We just want this to create a buzz around the Raider Nation and around the media and make this something Al can't ignore."

So far, they have 565 signatories representing nearly a dozen different countries demonstrating the global reach of which the Raider organization often boast. The international reach of the petition was a pleasant surprise for the operators,as their focus was on the football crazed US.

Their primary goal is the growth of the petition, and to create that buzz. If they can raise the approximately five thousand dollars it would cost, they plan to purchase space on a billboard near the Oakland Coliseum. According to Staszewski, his initial contacts with CBS about the possibility of purchasing space was met with caution. "They seemed cautious about the idea because they didn't want to sour their relationship with the Raiders." If they can't get the billboard, their backup plan will be to purchase ad space from the Oakland Tribune.

"Our message is going to be respectful and classy." However, it is sure to be met with disdain from the Raider organization.

On the web: Messagetoal.com.

For more info: Check out  RaiderNews.com for the latest on the Oakland Raiders.

You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.