Thoughts: The Raiders

Remember that team that people feared? Remember the original team in black? Remember the Raiders?

I think it is a common school of thought that all that is wrong with the Oakland Raiders start and end with one name… Al Davis. His choices have not only caused a team in turmoil, but one that has no chance at winning with him in charge. It all starts with the top, and he is the decision maker.

Just look at his coaching choices in recent years…

Art Shell? A link to the past? Success? Art Shell, and I will note that this is my opinion, but Art Shell never was a good head coach. A good position coach, but not head coach. He was just a benefit of good talent around his team. And his philosophy was from an era that the NFL has long since passed by. He never was capable of turning around a failing franchise.

Lane Kiffin? So the Raiders start to win a game or two. But Kiffin wants to do it his way, but not Al Davis’ way. What does Davis do? He tries to force Kiffin to quit and eventually fires him. Lane Kiffin never had a solid team to coach. And his track record at USC as a position coach shows his ability. And now he is turning around an attitude and having success at Tennessee. Go figure? Good move Al. Way to force out the one good hire you made.

And now Tom Cable? What a joke. No wonder a real head coach doesn’t want any part of your money Al. This guy, Cable, you can’t go a week without hearing negative news in the media about him. Whether it’s punching his own staff or allegedly hitting women this week in the news. Tom Cable is a train wreck. And has no qualifications to even be a head coach. He’s not even a good position coach.

Do yourself a favor Al… Stop. Take a step back and hire real people to run the franchise, sit back and collect your money like most owners do. That is the only way you can turn around this franchise. Oakland should move back to LA. Make lots of money. I personally think you should hire Marcus Allen, move the team to LA. That way you have a LA guy (He went to USC) and a Raider legend to draw fans. So at least you will make some money even if your team sucks.

Simply put… The Raiders are not just a joke to the NFL. They are just plain sad.