Jawgate Fallout: Al Davis Again Fails To Bar the Media

Hanging out at Raider fan headquarters (Ricky’s in San Leandro, California ) I heard the first plausible explanation for Randy Hanson’s broken jaw.

 

First, as new details have come to light, we just have to laugh at the scenario in the Napa Marriot hotel room where Jawgate took place.

 

According to the D.A. account of events, Randy Hanson was leaning back in his chair with his feet on the table.

 

What kind of NFL assistant coach would attend a staff meeting with his feet on the table when his boss is trying to get his point across to you?  That seems a little suspicious but considering that a man of legal stature is telling us this information, we have to assume that this version of the story is credible. 

 

If this is in fact true, what seems likely is that Hanson really did fall over when bumped into (rather than being struck). As one of the many ardent Raider fans at Ricky’s explained, when one’s body is impacted (as Hanson would have done hitting the floor or some furniture), smashing your chin against your own collarbone is a perfectly reasonable way of causing not only a break in the jaw but also can cause damage to the teeth,

 

So there you go.

 

As for whether Coach Cable’s tirade is somehow at fault for what occurred is speculative but we will see how the civil case pans out.

 

One thing is certain; the very fact that criminal charges against an NFL head coach is even part of the discussions about the Oakland Raiders has tarnished Coach Cable’s reputation, made the Raiders organization mode of operations even sketchier than it already is perceived and is just a useless distraction no one needs.

 

What needs to be pointed out is Al Davis is at fault for this because it is he who hired Randy Hanson and it was his decision to keep him on staff after dismissing Lane Kiffin last season.  Obviously Hanson felt he was secure in his position enough to have his feet on the table during a defensive coaches meeting with the head coach.

 

But most things don’t change at Raiders HQ, as evidenced by the attempt to ban Yahoo Sports writer Michael Silver from a media production meeting.

 

Hey…wasn’t that what Al tried to do with CBS Broadcast Analyst Rich Gannon just a few weeks ago?

 

One would think Al Davis would have gotten the message by now.  You don’t have the authority to ban anyone with valid media credentials from covering the Raiders wherever production meetings are held.  In fact, Al Davis has no authority to stop anyone from informing the public about the glaring deficiencies within the organization.

 

Do you get it Al?  You have no authority.  How does that make you feel?  A little powerless?  Does it make you feel like a smaller man than you thought you were all these years?  You really gave Pete Rozelle a shot in the gut didn’t you.  How’d that make you feel?  Like a big man for a few days.

 

But, unfortunately for you Al, the party’s over.  Your team stinks to high hell and the world knows it.  There is no bounce back to glory.  You are done and past the point of no return.  You have muffed harshly on just about every draft pick since your last super bowl appearance and have caused calamity within your own ranks.

 

It took defiance by your defensive coordinator to change the scheme so they could manage to sack Donovan McNabb a few times en route to  a meager four-point victory because your horrible offense can only manage a few drives here and there and a lucky break for a change of pace TD.

 

Al’s ego is what keeps the Oakland defense predictable.  Believe it or not Al thinks man to man/single high safety can be effective.  Somehow he thinks opponents won’t see it coming or that the Raiders can match up man for man as well as overwhelm an opponent with a four-man rush (no blitzing) all game.

 

In another instance of bad management, Al trotted out Chaz Schilens for a press conference just last week.

 

Chaz is a solid receiver when healthy but clearly, showcasing him for the media was intended to give Jamarcus Russell a break (since he’s not cutting it as team leader).  You were so hoping Chaz would be able to lift the team’s fortunes.

 

So close but so far.

 

Let’s see, what other recent bad judgment by Al Davis has the hurt the team?  

 

Well, there was cutting Gary Russell after preseason.  That’s because Al (or maybe Kelly Skipper, Running Backs Coach) figured Oren O’Neil or Luke Lawton could adequately handle the fullback role.  Though Gary Russell is a short yardage running back, the coaching staff’s (and Al’s) poor assessment of Russell led to his release, only to bring him back and find out how valuable and versatile he is.

 

RB Louis Rankin surely was worth keeping as well.

 

There’s more but it can wait for another article.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Jawgate Fallout: Al Davis Again Fails To Bar the Media

Hanging out at Raider fan headquarters (Ricky’s in San Leandro, California ) I heard the first plausible explanation for Randy Hanson’s broken jaw.

 

First, as new details have come to light, we just have to laugh at the scenario in the Napa Marriot hotel room where Jawgate took place.

 

According to the D.A. account of events, Randy Hanson was leaning back in his chair with his feet on the table.

 

What kind of NFL assistant coach would attend a staff meeting with his feet on the table when his boss is trying to get his point across to you?  That seems a little suspicious but considering that a man of legal stature is telling us this information, we have to assume that this version of the story is credible. 

 

If this is in fact true, what seems likely is that Hanson really did fall over when bumped into (rather than being struck). As one of the many ardent Raider fans at Ricky’s explained, when one’s body is impacted (as Hanson would have done hitting the floor or some furniture), smashing your chin against your own collarbone is a perfectly reasonable way of causing not only a break in the jaw but also can cause damage to the teeth,

 

So there you go.

 

As for whether Coach Cable’s tirade is somehow at fault for what occurred is speculative but we will see how the civil case pans out.

 

One thing is certain; the very fact that criminal charges against an NFL head coach is even part of the discussions about the Oakland Raiders has tarnished Coach Cable’s reputation, made the Raiders organization mode of operations even sketchier than it already is perceived and is just a useless distraction no one needs.

 

What needs to be pointed out is Al Davis is at fault for this because it is he who hired Randy Hanson and it was his decision to keep him on staff after dismissing Lane Kiffin last season.  Obviously Hanson felt he was secure in his position enough to have his feet on the table during a defensive coaches meeting with the head coach.

 

But most things don’t change at Raiders HQ, as evidenced by the attempt to ban Yahoo Sports writer Michael Silver from a media production meeting.

 

Hey…wasn’t that what Al tried to do with CBS Broadcast Analyst Rich Gannon just a few weeks ago?

 

One would think Al Davis would have gotten the message by now.  You don’t have the authority to ban anyone with valid media credentials from covering the Raiders wherever production meetings are held.  In fact, Al Davis has no authority to stop anyone from informing the public about the glaring deficiencies within the organization.

 

Do you get it Al?  You have no authority.  How does that make you feel?  A little powerless?  Does it make you feel like a smaller man than you thought you were all these years?  You really gave Pete Rozelle a shot in the gut didn’t you.  How’d that make you feel?  Like a big man for a few days.

 

But, unfortunately for you Al, the party’s over.  Your team stinks to high hell and the world knows it.  There is no bounce back to glory.  You are done and past the point of no return.  You have muffed harshly on just about every draft pick since your last super bowl appearance and have caused calamity within your own ranks.

 

It took defiance by your defensive coordinator to change the scheme so they could manage to sack Donovan McNabb a few times en route to  a meager four-point victory because your horrible offense can only manage a few drives here and there and a lucky break for a change of pace TD.

 

Al’s ego is what keeps the Oakland defense predictable.  Believe it or not Al thinks man to man/single high safety can be effective.  Somehow he thinks opponents won’t see it coming or that the Raiders can match up man for man as well as overwhelm an opponent with a four-man rush (no blitzing) all game.

 

In another instance of bad management, Al trotted out Chaz Schilens for a press conference just last week.

 

Chaz is a solid receiver when healthy but clearly, showcasing him for the media was intended to give Jamarcus Russell a break (since he’s not cutting it as team leader).  You were so hoping Chaz would be able to lift the team’s fortunes.

 

So close but so far.

 

Let’s see, what other recent bad judgment by Al Davis has the hurt the team?  

 

Well, there was cutting Gary Russell after preseason.  That’s because Al (or maybe Kelly Skipper, Running Backs Coach) figured Oren O’Neil or Luke Lawton could adequately handle the fullback role.  Though Gary Russell is a short yardage running back, the coaching staff’s (and Al’s) poor assessment of Russell led to his release, only to bring him back and find out how valuable and versatile he is.

 

RB Louis Rankin surely was worth keeping as well.

 

There’s more but it can wait for another article.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Raiders-Jets Rivalry Has a Long History

The hilarity of the episode can’t be understated.  It was a playoff game in January 1983.  The New York Jets were on the road playing the Los Angeles Raiders.  A phone call came through to the Jets locker room at halftime.

 

Jets head coach Walt Michaels was handed the phone.  The voice on the other end claimed to be Jets owner Leon Hess.  What followed was a tirade, making Michaels feel the heat for his Jets underperforming.

 

Michaels knew it was a prank, but his anger bubbled over.

 

“I’m gonna have something special to say about this damn Raider organization,” he promised after the call.

 

Obviously, Walt thought the prank was the work of the Raiders. What he did not know was that the prank was from a New York bartender.

 

Well, unfortunately for Raiders fans, the Jets beat the Raiders 17-14 that game. Afterwards, Walt Michaels said, “I just want to say that whatever member of the Raider organization called me on the phone at halftime and said my owner wanted to talk to me is a sick SOB. It’s a sick, rotten way to try to disrupt our team. His initials are A.D. and I don’t care if he knows it or not.”

 

Comedy gold.

 

So how did a bartender manage to make a phone call and catch an NFL head coach in the locker room to begin with?

 

The security guy who initially answered the call said later,

 

“The guy said he was Leon Hess, the Jets’ owner, and he had to talk to Walt Michaels.  He sounded quite normal.  When Joe Namath was here you’d get a lot of crazies calling, but Carroll Rosenbloom (then the owner of the LA Rams) used to call down a lot at halftime, too, so how was I to know?  Anyway, Walt just happened to be in the hall at the time, so I gave him the call.  I feel like a fool now.”

 

More comedy gold.

 

It turned out the bartender came clean, though, and told the press.

 

“The conversation lasted about 30 seconds.  I told Coach Michaels to tell his team to fight harder in the second half, to go out and kick hell out of the Raiders, and to make (defensive end) Mark Gastineau stop doing his sack dance because he looked like a real jerk.

 

“The coach kept saying, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’

 

“I heard that Al Davis was getting blamed for it and I didn’t want it laid on Al so I called the press to give my side of it.”

 

The Jets and the Raiders, two original American Football League teams, have been playing each other since 1960. The rivalry came on strong in the late ’60s.  The Raiders’ Ike Lassiter broke Joe Namath’s cheekbone in 1967.  The following season, on their way to winning Super Bowl III, the Jets beat the Raiders in the AFL championship game at Shea Stadium as Namath threw three touchdown passes.

 

Earlier that season, the Jets and the Raiders played in the famous Heidi game.  The Jets took a 32-29 lead with 65 seconds remaining when, at 7pm on the east coast, NBC cut to the start of Heidi, the television movie scheduled to begin at that time.  Viewers missed witnessing two stunning touchdowns by the Raiders, who won, 43-32.

 

Michaels is a man who remembers it all.  Including those trips to Oakland to play Al’s Raiders when Michaels was Jets head coach Weeb Ewbank’s defensive assistant.  

 

He remembers that Al Davis fired him as a Raiders assistant before he joined Weeb’s staff.  Needless to say he remained aware of the enlarged photograph at Raiders’ HQ of Ben Davidson knocking Joe Namath’s helmet off.

 

Walt remembers Al Davis causally coming into the Jets’ hotel to talk shop with Namath on the eve of a game.  He remembers Al’s paranoia that the Raiders locker room was bugged at Shea Stadium and the supposed retaliation in Oakland when the tarps were mysteriously unrolled on the field in 1968 where the Jets were to practice.

 

Walt remembers the league fine the Jets absorbed when Michaels stormed the referees locker room after a loss at the Oakland Coliseum as he hammered the door with his fists trying to get the last word in with the refs.

 

Yes, Walt remembers. Maybe winning that playoff game in 1983 was some measure of consolation for him.

 

One thing is certain: the Jets-Raiders rivalry is no longer that intense.

 

The 1983 playoff game was in front of 90,000 fans in the LA Coliseum, a game with 10 turnovers.  Two offsetting personal foul penalties had been called in the first quarter.  Raiders defensive end Lyle Alzado had ripped off the helmet of Jets tackle Chris Ward and flung it at him. The game-ending quarterback kneel down at the very end by the Jets Richard Todd was marked by a flurry of fists.

 

 

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Oakland Raiders Barely Survive in Win Over Philly

Let’s hope the hard-fought win over the Eagles was not the shining moment for the Raiders this season. 

It’s nice to be 2-4 instead of 1-5, but let’s see this win for what it is—a great defensive effort and a barely acceptable offensive effort. 

The running game still has not emerged and one passing touchdown does not make up for the underwhelming output JaMarcus Russell and the receiving corps has accomplished to date.

While Russell threw for over 200 passing yards, a good chunk of that came on one touchdown to Zach Miller. In terms of passing production, Russell is still not getting it done.

In both Raider wins this season, a single touchdown in each has enabled the win.

If not for Sebastian Janikowski’s perfect 9-for-9 on field goals thus far, the Raiders could be 0-6.

While the Eagles represent a quality opponent, it is obvious they did not bother to show up. Let’s give them their due. Maybe the long distance flight made them sleepy or maybe they did not consider working for a living on Sunday. 

And even if Tom Cable manages to avoid more legal troubles, he will likely blow a gasket if he continues to get all worked up on the sidelines. Blowing a gasket when you are a middle aged fat man usually leads to bad things. 

A word of advice: have some salad and relax, Tom. We already know you have a temper. You have nothing to prove to us.

While we like to see some emotion, overreacting to every little thing is pointless and paints you as desperate.

The Oakland defense finally moved off from their glaringly obvious man-to-man/single high safety look to Cover 2. The change helped, but let’s not kid ourselves. Donovan McNabb has seen Cover 2 defenses before, so changing up the look did not fool anyone. It just so happens the Raiders played good defense and McNabb did not bother to focus on the game. (Just like he did in the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots a few years back). 

The last time we saw good defense from Oakland was in the opener against San Diego. (We’ll leave out the Chiefs game out of mercy to Kansas City).

At this pace we can expect good defense from the Raiders every five games.

How long can the defense prop up a sluggish offense?

One touchdown does not a season make. Russell is not off the hook so easily. He still has everything to prove in the NFL.

More is also expected from the receivers if the Raiders are to have any chance at more wins.

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Raiders Coaches Close Ranks on Jawgate

“There must be some kind of way out of here,”

Said the joker to the thief,

There’s too much confusion,

I can’t get no relief.”

 

-All Along The Watchtower, Jimi Hendrix

 

If only the cloud of dust would dissipate and we could get a clear picture of what really happened between Randy Hanson and Tom Cable. 

 

Jaws don’t break themselves.  Hanson is alleging felony assault against Cable.

 

The backdrop is a hotel room in Napa, CA, where a defensive meeting was taking place.  Defensive Coordinator John Marshall along with secondary coaches Lionel Washington and Willie Brown were also present.

 

It makes sense that witnesses to an alleged crime would cooperate with a police investigation.  BUT, in this case Tom Cable has not been charged with a crime yet (or at all).

 

Apparently, it’s ok for witnesses to not cooperate with a police investigation.  Oakland Raiders lawyers must be providing a legal shield.

 

For their part, Napa legal authorities are not too keen to forge ahead with charges.  Politics are in play.  They benefit from good relations with the Raiders for training camp during summer.

 

Still, a citizen was injured and has the legal right to want to prosecute the accused.

 

But there are several gaps in detail, despite lengthy articles from Nancy Gay of NFL Fanhouse and Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports.

 

Things are not adding up.  First it was mentioned Hanson was knocked out of his chair and into a cabinet.  That didn’t wash very well but Hanson now says he was knocked out of his chair and into a table.  This is what caused the jaw fracture and cracked teeth.

 

A table did that huh?

 

It’s not out of the question he was blindsided, somehow tossed into a table or perhaps hammered face down into it.  I have an image of an enraged Tom Cable tossing the guy around like a rag doll.  Cable looks like a guy you don’t want to tick off.

 

And let’s also be clear, claiming Cable said “I’m going to kill you” is not that big a deal.  That’s what guys say when they are pissed off at each other.  It happens.  It would be insane to conclude Cable had any intention of really killing Hanson. 

 

Machismo is about intimidating the other guy.  That’s what this was about.  Hanson got roughed up and now he wants his payday.

 

This is most assuredly about money and pride. 

 

Yet, witnesses are not talking.  Tsk, tsk

 

We know that Cable must have stepped over the line because medical reports are pretty good evidence.

 

But the game is now a legal one which means stalemate.

 

On one hand it is unfortunate the guy got hurt.  On the other hand, why was this guy even on staff?

 

Al Davis, you only have yourself to blame.  Your bad management of the franchise is at fault here.  If the guy is not serving a useful purpose on the coaching staff and getting people upset, confusing players, why is he there?

 

If your head coach and his staff feel he is not productive, why don’t you let the guy go?

 

Oh that’s right, you threw him a bone for his cooperation with your last head coach hiring mistake.

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The Next Head Coach Of The Oakland Raiders Is…

Let’s play what ifs.

 

If Jon Gruden was given the personnel authority he needed as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, would the Raiders have made it to the super bowl in 2002? 

 

Why not?

 

Would Tampa Bay have made it to the SB without Gruden? 

 

Nah.  Even without pointy headed Tony Dungy leading the way, the Bucs NEEDED Gruden for that achievement.

 

If Jon Gruden remained head coach of the Raiders (and obtained personnel authority), would they have slipped to the debacle they are today?

 

Not a chance.

 

Will Jim Harbaugh leave his peachy position as head coach of the Stanford Cardinal to become the next head coach of the Raiders?

 

Doubtful BUT, he is the likely leading candidate on the burner right now.

 

If for some reason Jim Harbaugh decides to leap into the fire, will he have a chance at being successful?

 

He’ll have to work his tail off as Gruden did, but chances are slim for success without personnel authority.

 

It’s just not possible to be a hard charging, innovative head coach for Al Davis because the Raiders are all about Al’s ego.  He does not stand for independent thinking.  As much as people may deny it, you have to follow a script.  If Al does not have the glory of the seeing his decisions pan out then it’s not ok for the head coach or a GM to take any credit.  That’s what this is all about, a little boy and his sandbox.

 

Gruden had to painstakingly prove through film cuttings why Al’s ideas would not work and then defy his master more than a few times to get his point across, ultimately leading to his trade to the Bucs.

 

All of Al’s hires have to be submissive to his authority not just in word, deed, and action but in conscious belief system.

 

Gruden managed to do this because he needed to at the time.  As a young head coach, he had to establish his path in the NFL.  He did this successfully as best as possible.

 

Jim Harbaugh is similar in this regard and therefore stands a chance at following the same blueprint but it’s a long-shot he will rise to the occasion.  The Raiders were not in as worse shape as they were when Gruden took over.  Harbaugh would have to be superman to turn the ship around.

 

Bottom line is any coach would have to be the very best there is to work with Al’s ego and return the Raiders to a semblance of a competitive team.

 

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NFL Plays Hardball With Blackout Policy

How sad is it I cannot find any really cheap Raiders tickets online (except for 300 section nosebleed which SUCK regardless of what anyone hypes otherwise).  You would think people want to unload their tickets any way they can but people spent a few hundred (or a few thousand) bucks before the season in hopes this year would be different.  Well, those folks now are having buyer’s remorse and want a return on their misplaced investment.

No can do.  No one is paying face value for Raiders tickets unless you have absolutely nothing else to do on Sunday or money to burn.

What is even sadder is I actually want to go to this game because it will be blacked out (since the game will not sell out unless Al buys a lot of empty seats).

Can you believe the NFL blackout rules even extends to satellite networks?  We can’t even go to a restaurant or bar with a feed.  How shameful is this NFL blackout policy when we can’t even watch our beleaguered Raiders?

Not only are hard working fans expected to shell out top dollar to sit in the stadium, we are not even entitled to a mercy exemption.  Hey Roger and NFL Office underlings, we’re under the bus here.  All we want is to watch the game, even if it’s another blowout.

You see, we’re addicted to watching the Raiders on Sundays every Fall.  You know this and you depend on that for your revenue stream.  We have to watch the game even though many of us are losing faith (or in my case have lost it entirely).

I think this makes you culpable of extortion to insist we pay full price to attend the game.  It is clear to everyone paying attention, we are being force fed an inferior product unworthy of even half what full price tickets are going for. 

You can claim this is a personal choice how we spend our money but in the end, it is you who are living a fat cat existence and we who are paying the price for our franchise owner’s pathetically stupid methodology for bringing his team into the grave with his rotting carcass.

If we are not granted a mercy exemption, sad to say, we don’t like you very much Roger and other NFL underlings.

Just thought you would want to know.

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Randy Hanson Speaks to the Media, Tom Cable Hides His Wallet

Is it coincidence Randy Hanson chooses to speak to the media rather than wait for criminal charges to play out against his former boss, Tom Cable?

 

Hardly.

 

I’m not a lawyer, nor do I have any significant knowledge of the legal field. BUT it doesn’t take much to realize that by speaking to the media and telling your side of the story, you are basically so confident you would win a trial that you don’t expect it to go that far.

 

Otherwise, you keep your mouth shut (no pun intended) and keep everything under wraps so the legal system has no reason to dismiss your case.

 

I don’t even watch much TV, and I could figure that much out.

 

So what are Hanson’s motivations and expectations?

 

Prior to the jawgate incident, it is obvious he felt alienated on the coaching staff of the Raiders. His lawyer trumpets Randy’s lifelong love of the Raiders and his dream of being a coach for his favorite team now blown to bits.

 

Can you just see it all unfold before your eyes in a courtroom? Hanson’s lawyer turns in a dramatic pose and points his finger at Tom Cable: “AND THANKS TO THAT MAN, MY CLIENT’S DREAM IS NOW SHATTERED”

 

Boo-hoo. Hanson is a minion, a nondescript recipient of a solitary statement of praise from former boss Brad Childress, an annoying human being, and pretty much talentless in all respects according to people who have worked with him.

 

Let’s all shed a tear for Randy Hanson, a man we should never even know except for his big mouth getting slammed into a desk or table or whatever it was.

 

Let’s see this for what it is.

 

Pride and feigning poise. Then, of course, money. 

 

Randy must reclaim his honor after being fingered as the odd man out on the Raiders coaching staff and being belittled by Tom Cable before suffering physical damage, and he is now positioning himself for a chunky cash settlement.

 

This is not going to court. The Napa County District Attorney’s office can drag its feet as long is they want. Hanson knew he would be collecting salary through the end of his contract regardless if he was coaching or not. His lawyer made sure of that.

 

Now, he is speaking on record, which basically says, “I know my case is solid enough to win, so Coach Cable should prepare himself with a nice settlement offer befitting my hurt feelings and damaged jaw.”

 

This could be a major wallop to Coach Cable’s wallet—maybe seven figures.

 

Looks like Tom could be living out of his car again as he did in his hard-luck days.

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Are The Giants Just Too Good For The Raiders To Handle?

Most fans would seem to be writing off the Raiders season as yet another washout.  Though, a win for Oakland on Sunday against the mighty NY Giants would be a huge boost for the franchise and the sullen Raider Nation.

 

Is it possible?

 

We have to consider that it is possible if Eli Manning is out with injury as expected.  Eli is just too good a QB for the Raiders defense to deal with.

 

David Carr, however, is another story.  If the Raiders can apply pocket pressure and handle the running game (no easy task all things considered), maybe get a few tunrovers to give the offense more chances, things could turn out favorable.

 

If the Giants get a large lead in the first half, then all bets are off, time to grab dinner, and forget about it.

 

The Giants defense is no joke.  Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is no joke.  This is in contrast to the Raiders current head coach who initially showed promise, but would appear to be now on his elongated way out (as par the course, Al Davis will mull this for a while, keeping us guessing).

 

We don’t need to look at the finer points of the Giants-Raiders matchup.  Personnel-wise, the Raiders are outmatched, but this is exactly the type of game that has potential for the unexpected.  A few breaks and the Raiders could have a shot.

 

It has been known to happen.

 

So long as JaMarcus Russell is not counted on to generate points, there is hope.  Not that we would want to put any pressure on our young millionaire team leader. 

 

At this point it really looks like JaMarcus is tired of being JaMarcus, based on his body language and second hand reports he is not bothering to show up for QB meetings.  His play, though not as bad as his stats reflect, certainly make him seem like a flop.  It could very well be time to let the guy disappear from the team into his private world of expensive living.

 

Though, let’s not jump the gun.  JaMarcus has led the team to a few wins here and there.  Maybe his receivers will step up and beat someone this week.

 

Maybe, just maybe, the O-line will stave off the Giants pass rush and be equally adept at opening up some space for the running game to succeed.  Whew, that’s a tall order.

 

Ok, maybe Janikowski will kick a bunch of field goals and Johnnie Lee Higgins will return at least one or two for TDs.

 

Or maybe…uh, hmmm….

 

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Raiders Tough Guy PR Approach Is Backfiring

“Hey you!  Yea, that’s right, I’m talkin’ to you.  See, I’m a tough guy.  I get to wear a Raiders shirt, back slap with Al Davis and crack the heads of all youse media types writin’ nasty tings ‘bout us heah in Raiders HQ”

 

Isn’t it funny how John Herrera has made a career of being a shoe shine boy for Al Davis? 

 

What’s even more funny is the authority this guy is allowed to wield with Raiders activities.  He contacts newspaper editors and tries to get Raiders beat writers fired.  He tries to bar Raiders beat writers from covering the team and even tried to bar a former Raider player turned broadcaster from meetings broadcasters are entitled to attend.

 

It is easy to speculate Herrera is just a thinly veiled veneer for the real voice of the Raiders, Big Daddy Al Davis.  Though it is John Herrera providing the machismo muscle so therefore he is worthy of ridicule. 

 

Herrera makes his living doing the dirty work, trying to control everything said publicly about the Raiders.  It would not be surprising if he is shaking the tree at whoever calls the shots at Bleacher Report to try and get anything said here removed as well.

 

See how predictable the Raiders public relations strategy is?

 

John Herrera’s job is to stick his mug into every situation we are interested in with the Raiders and attempt to manipulate it.

 

He cuts interviews short.  He suppresses information and does not release even the most common of details concerning the team unless it is a league rule to do so.

 

Most laughable is he tries to intimidate reporters with his pseudo mafiosa attitude.

 

Raider fans who complain about the media ripping on the Raiders only have to look as far as the shoe shine boy to get an idea of why they write what they do.

 

Then of course there is the ugly performance on the field which does not help matters.  Next, there is the refusal of the organization to accept reality and a further refusal to try and improve things by changing their approach.  Clinging to the past means the organization is dying with the past.

 

The Raiders organization’s lesson to be learned is that it does not control anything except short term annoyances (such as reporters asking questions).  We all know the truth anyway, regardless of Herrera’s attempts to block information flow. 

 

The walls are coming down.  The Raiders are the worst organization in professional sports.

 

Of course, fans are catching on to the joke.  They realize Raiders HQ is full of baloney.  Look no further for evidence in the plummeting values of the franchise, coming in 31st out of 32 NFL teams according to Forbes 2009 rankings.

 

You can blame the economy but you can also blame the organization for their ignorant and backwards policies and showing the fans an unispired product on the field.   Failure in all this, including mafiosa style handling of routine matters, translates to fan disgust and abandoning their team loyalty.

 

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