Would the Oakland Raiders be better off if Al Davis stepped down?

Thoughts from the Dark Side

March 11, 2008

Would the Oakland Raiders be better off if Al Davis stepped down?

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Al Davis has long been a flashpoint in the NFL. He has always been at the center of controversy, including siding with the defunct USFL in their lawsuit against the NFL. There was no riding the fence, either someone was on Al's side or they were on the side of Pete Rozelle. Al has long since forged an uncomfortable alliance with the NFL establishment, but he has now become a faultline in the Raider Nation that threatens to rip the Nation apart. The first breaks started with the move from Oakland to Los Angeles and have been exacerbated by the recent trend of questionable roster moves, the trade of Jon Gruden, losing, and the incessant rumors of his looking to force Lane Kiffin out. There is an increasing contingent of Raider fans who are calling for Al Davis to step down from his position and allow others to run the Raiders. The question becomes, who will take over for him and what will be the unforeseen consequences of new management?

The word out of Alameda is that when Al passes on ownership of the Raiders will be transferred to either his wife Carole or his son Mark. Neither Carole of Mark have had any experience running a football team, so they will have to bring on a new staff to run the team. That is assuming that they have the desire and ability to hold on to the team. It could be a situation along the lines of the heirs of the late Jack Kent Cooke who were forced to sell their interest in the Washington Redskins to Daniel Snyder because they could not afford the estate tax.

There is no team that is linked as tightly with the personality of its owner as the Raiders are to Al Davis. Al took over a fledgling Oakland franchise and built the Raiders in his own image. The Raiders were the tough underdogs who were about only one thing, winning. Just as Al always saw himself as the tough Jewish kid from Brooklyn who always strove to be the best.

In a post a year ago, I likened Al Davis to a protagonist from an Ayn Rand novel:

Al Davis is a personification of a protagonist of an Ayn Rand novel. Al Davis has his belief that he will be successful against all others with his football organization, and he is going to do it his way or not at all. This is a rare commodity in the "me too" league the NFL has become. Just as Howard Roark the architect in The Fountainhead designed his buildings according to form rather than trend, the Raiders are designed on Al Davis's ideas of football rather than bending to the current popular system. Al is under consistent criticism for his perceived inability which is more like unwillingness to go with the crowd, which leads to further the negative image of him. Al has taken on the league to insure that he had control of his franchise, just as John Gault in Atlas Shrugged took on the world. He moved his team from Oakland to Los Angeles, and he dared the others to try to stop him. They couldn't. The other owners have greatly benefited from Al's taking the stand to move his team, as other teams have used that move as their own precedent to move to other cities or to use the threat of a move to get better facilities in their own cities. They will criticize Al, but they were quick to take advantage of his success.

When it comes to the future, this presents a problem as the identity of the Raiders will be thrown into limbo. If the Davis family continues ownership, they will still be hiring outsiders to run most of the day to day operations with Amy Trask likely taking an even bigger role. Many of Al's detractors will say that the fresh blood and fresh ideas will be a good thing, but no outsiders truly understand the essence of the Raiders. It can be argued that the essence of the Raiders has disappeared in the midst of the losing, but there is something about the Raider family that is still very much intact. It is well known that Al Davis takes care of most of his former players. Would any new management continue with that, or would they just see numbers on a balance sheet?

If the Davis family does not keep the Raiders, what will happen. Again, there are many who think that anything would be better than Al Davis still running the show. The problem with this line of thinking is that Al Davis and the Raiders are part of a dying breed, a family owned and operated team. (There are no other teams that are run by football-men the way the Raiders are.) There is no way to know if the next ownership will care about winning or if they will follow the path that so many other ownership groups have taken and know that maintaining a team well below the salary cap is a sure way to maximize profits in the NFL.

The day that Al Davis steps down as owner whether by choice or by nature taking its course, will be a dark day for the Raider Nation as Davis is the patriarch. Not seeing Al in his track suit in the owners' box will be a symbol of an era that is now closing. Under new management, the Raiders will change. Al Davis, for better or worse, is a huge reason that "There are 31 teams and the Oakland Raiders," and when he is no longer running the show that slogan will lose most of its truth. Here is hoping that when the time comes, the new owners understand the "commitment to excellence" and ensure that they do everything possible to "just win, baby" so that the Raider Nation can maintain its "pride and poise."

Tags: Al Davis, Amy Trask, Carole Davis, Daniel Snyder, Jack Kent Cooke, Jon Gruden, Lane Kiffin, Mark Davis, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Pete Rozelle, Raiders, Redskins, USFL, Washington Redskins

Discussion

53 Comments on "Would the Oakland Raiders be better off if Al Davis stepped down?"

Posted by raider60, March 11, 2008 12:14 AM

Hey Moe getz,

Wow are you really that ignorant? You know nothing about Al Davis if you think he would settle being a "PR" guy lol, as long as he is on the scene he will control every aspect of this once proud franchise.

Pay attention fool, I wrote that Madden would be in charge of football operations (like Parcells in Miami) he and Ron Wolf (who helped build yet another successful franchise in Green Bay) would get the team back on a successful track.

If you think Madden and Wolf wouldn't be able to field a modern, successful, well run team then you really no nothing about football or the Raiders.

Posted by peanut, March 11, 2008 12:50 AM

YHA, YHA, YHA, YHA, YHA, YHA, YHA

Posted by Southern Raider, March 11, 2008 12:50 AM

Harold who was there to throw the deep ball to. We had no fast receivers, and the line could not hold up long enough for a receiver to get deep. Kiffin knew he did not have a good offense, so why get your quaterback killed throwing the deep ball. Let Kiffin bring in some better players, and in three years see what he has done.

As for Al, I love the man, but it is time for him to stop making all the decisioins for the team. He should step back from the day to day work, and be an advisor to the team.

Go Raiders

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Posted by Nick C, March 11, 2008 2:37 AM

The Raiders will not be the Raider Nation without AL...will they be better ... i don't know... but they will no longer be the Raider Nation

Posted by Rolni, March 11, 2008 4:21 AM

We should wait a little...if Kiffin stays if we draft good and if this years FA's could play like they should according to their salaries than Al should stay cause he still rules the game...

If he send Kiff away make a bad draft and our FA's sucks than he should think about retiring

Posted by Snoopy, March 11, 2008 4:59 AM

Everything comes to an end and everyone loses a step after a while�Ķ Nobody is eternal and Al's time has ended.

Whether he wants to accept it or not, just like the Patriots run is now DEAD, so is Al Davis' run�Ķ

I can only hope he realizes it and ��Steps down NOW!�� If he does he can still live to see another Lombardy trophy.

Hopefully I'm wrong but, "I Don't Think So!"

We love you Al but it��s time to retire.

PLEASE don��t be like that old fart senator Bird who just doesn��t realize how pathetic he seems to every single person who hears him talk while he makes a mockery of himself and the office he holds�Ķ

Long may your legacy rule the Raider Nation!!!!

Posted by R. Christopher Meyer, March 11, 2008 5:01 AM

Al Davis is a great and loyal man. Its to bad there are not more people like him in the world. Its only a bunch of little people who now criticize and attack him. Do we even know their names? No, and those humans are not even fit to shine his silver and black shoes! They won't be remembered beyond tomorrow.

Posted by LA Dave, March 11, 2008 5:10 AM

it's always a little disappointing when i read people linking the raider nation too closely with al davis. al is getting to be an elderly, increasingly infirm man who will at some point pass the way of all mortal flesh. the raider nation is more about an identity, an outlook, a mindset, and yes al davis was the main architect, but he also had input from others in the way he molded the early raiders. if the raider nation dies with al davis, it doesn't say much about the nation, and it doesn't say much about al davis' ability to plan for the raiders' future without him.

#10

Posted by Maverick, March 11, 2008 5:32 AM

You can't like the Raiders without like Mr. Davis, he is the Raiders. There are not very many people out there that knows more about football than him. You don't have to agree with everything he does but to ask for him to sit down or retire is treason! I hope that he lives to be older than his mother did and rule the roost up until the very last day. Nobody has to like Mr. Davis, there are plenty more teams out there. Good luck!

#11

Posted by Joe Raider, March 11, 2008 5:56 AM

I have been an Al Davis supporter/apologist for the better part of 32 years, but I can see the end of the road for Al coming sooner rather than later.As LA Dave said unfortunately everyone eventually reaches retirement. Al is in his eighties and facts are facts, he won't be around too much longer.I don't get into blaming Al for everything short of gas prices.Although I have no idea what right-wing conservative Republican politics have to do with the Raiders management situation, I am surprised Snoopy hasn't blamed the Raiders' problems on the Democrats and Bill Clinton, or the terrorists,but I digress.Having said that, I have concerns as to what plans Al has set up for after his eventual departure. Nobody seems to have any idea.Or be able to find anything out. And those that have heard anything at all get the impression that Al really hasn't set up anything as far as team management structure post Al. I hope this is wrong otherwise the Raider Nation is in trouble.

#12

Posted by H, March 11, 2008 6:07 AM

Once Al Davis passes the torch it will be the end of an era. But, it will take a full generation at least before his association with the Raiders fades. Not just owners, but players owe him a debt of gratitude. For how many times did he side with the players against the owners?

For my long association with the team as a fan this is at least the third football obituary that has been written about the man and his team. Each time before he and the Raiders have risen from the ashes. Is this the time they are correct? I don��t know, but I wouldn��t bet against him.

It is also sad that in our form of democracy one can face their accusers in every court except the court of public opinion. In this court detractors hide behind the mask of ��anonymous source��, or ��speaking on the condition of anonymity��. The accused is presumed guilty and is demanded to testify while their accusers hide in the shadows with no consequence for their actions.

Where the First Amendment is one of the most important cornerstones of this country, its abusers, sadly, do not care for the eventual affect of that abuse.

#13

Posted by KD, March 11, 2008 6:26 AM

Al Davis has ben a great leader and represents the "I don't give a fu%#" attitude every Raider Fan feeds off of. I know with Al at the helm, we at least have a chance because he will do what-ever he can to try and get the win. Some chumps may bash him, but like I treat my family, I support Al whether he is right or wrong. He is what makes the Raiders great.

"Al Davis, for better or worse, is a huge reason that ��There are 31 teams and the Oakland Raiders,�� and when he is no longer running the show that slogan will lose most of its truth."

Great factual line...

To the Al bashers...Ever wonder what is would be like rooting for a vanilla team like the Chargers? No championships, no magic, NO FLAVOR!

Before he goes, Al will bring us one more championship, it sure would be great to hear "Just Win Baby!" One more time. Cheers to you Al, thanks for still fighting even when chumps who claim to be family stab you in the back.

From the Raider Family,

#14

Posted by Anthony, March 11, 2008 6:48 AM

The most likely consequence is that the Raiders will adapt, and probably fairly quickly, to the business model that has been the most successful in the league of late, trying to copy the internal structure put in place by Bob Kraft.

There will be some sort of internal power struggle, and how that all washes out will determine the degree to which the new owner (or owners) will have a say in the on-field product, or whether they need to toggle the structure to incorporate things like a dedicated GM/Director of Football Operations, a more streamlined scouting process, more clear lines of authority and access.

Of course, the house could fall in on itself, too -- that has to be reckoned a possibility.

#15

Posted by Mad Road Dog, March 11, 2008 7:25 AM

I had the distinct pleasure to be a Raider fan from the beginning, through all the great years and Al Davis has certainly enriched the entertainment part of my life. I cannot think of any other person who has done more for the game of football than Al Davis. It will be sad day indeed when he leaves the game.

I hope that AL Davis passes the team on to his family and that they always control the team so that the future of the Raiders remains close to the memories that I will always have.

#16

Posted by Dan, March 11, 2008 7:58 AM

Al is at the end of his rope, but as always he is in complete control. The maves he has made in the past few years have ended up in turmoil, but as a long time Raider fan I don't trust Al's decision making process anymore.

I must say in all honesty that I thank BIG AL for all of his loyalty and spite, for it is AL and AL alone that made this franchise what it has been, and for that I praise AL, but I say it is time to let someone else take over. The problem is, it is going to be hard to find someone with the heart and desire of AL DAVIS.

Thank you AL for all that you have given us.

#17

Posted by tradedown, March 11, 2008 8:22 AM

If Al Davis was the great figure some people say he is, he would have prepared and transitioned the Raiders for after he is gone. He has had many lucid years to do that but instead, he has driven The Raiders into the ground and all but destroyed his legacy. The glory that once was the Raiders has vanished and will never return under Al Davis.

#18

Posted by Raider T, March 11, 2008 8:35 AM

Al Davis should remain the owner, but step away from day to day operation of the team. Al had a great run up to the early 90's. Here is the status of the Raiders since then: Since the first firing of Art Shell, the Raiders have had 7 coaches, and only 3 winning seasons. Al Davis has made all of the coaching hires and fires in that time frame. He doesn't give coaches a chance to establish themselves, and does not like coaches who do not run the offense that he likes. All the teams that win consistantly, are teams with stability in the front office, and stability on the field. Al needs to step away from the team, for the better.

#19

Posted by raider60, March 11, 2008 8:45 AM

The team will go to Davis's son and wife and they will bring in John Madden and possibly Ron Wolf to be in charge of football operations.

Madden or Wolf would never work under Davis again, but once he has left the scene, they will come in to help his wife and son bring the Raiders to greatness once again.

#20

Posted by moe getz, March 11, 2008 9:37 AM

RAIDER60:

John Madden? Ron Wolf? You are old and clinging to the past! Wake up and smell that "old folks home" smell? Yeah, that's the smell you bring with that concept. Madden and Wolf ARE OLD! Madden can't coach anymore. Wolf came outta retirement because they wanted his insight on Farve retiring. Who cares about these guys! They're from that same era that Davis is clinging too. Be bigger that Davis and all those motto, over the hill guys. Let Go! Move on. Evolve. Get outta here with that garbage. For all we know, the next in line might want to move to team or worse, change the team entirely, new name, new colors, new city. RAIDER60, it's time to hand in your season tix and wait over there next to the old guy in the white jump suit! RAIDERT has a good idea, Al should be the PR guy and talk to the cameras, it's about his ego anyway. Let the coach and front office do they're thing. Al gives advice not orders, the team gets better, Al welcomes the new players with the "greatness of the Raiders" slide show, and he takes all the credit if they start winning. Front office is where teams are built and championships are designed!!!!!

#21

Posted by Richard Bentley, March 11, 2008 10:07 AM

Al should not step down. He has to, however, stabilize the situation with Kiffin. Kiffin is, in his own way, very much like a young Al Davis. Aggressive and brash. I do not know how well they compare intellectually, but Kiffin has some smarts. I hope they can come to a meeting of the minds and get the Raiders rolling again. To be frank, changing coaches now would be a total disaster for the Raiders. They desperately need continuity and some sense of stability, however illusory. I hope Mr. Davis will stay the course and let things play out while giving true support and not cutting Kiffin off at the knees. If that happens, the Raiders have a future. A good draft could put enough pieces in place to make progress next year.

#22

Posted by harold, March 11, 2008 10:26 AM

I would prefer seeing MORE Davis influence. Especially after seeing some of the conservative bone-headed play calling from last season. We have a rocket-arm QB now, coupled with a West Coast coach.....and a verticle game owner. What is wrong with this picture? Culpepper, one of the very best deep-game QB's, it made me cringe to watch him throwing short passes with time running out and us needing two scores.....yes, we lost that game as anyone could predict. When he WAS allowed to go deep last season, he often got results. Are we to suffer through another season watching Russell throw screen passes and another losing record? Davis is the commodity that made the Raiders great. I started listening to the games on radio from Frank Youell Field in the 60's. Lamonica, Stabler, Blanda.....and Al Davis working with Rouch and Madden.....and the long bomb. Struck fear into other teams. Raider fans held their heads high for decades. It is Al's team, he created it. In my opinion, Al should get personell who are Al-minded. I am just glad we have an owner who loves, lives and breathes his team.

#23

Posted by Diamond Jim, March 11, 2008 11:14 AM

Step down - NO, just back up a little bit and delegate some authority to other people. No disrespect to Al, I've been a fan of his for a very long long time but there comes a time when you need to back up and let people do their jobs. If I am hired as a manager, then let me manage. If I don't do the job then fire me but don't tell me how to manage. Letting Gruden go and then the hiring of Shell were just just really bad moves that hurt the franchise. One was an ego move and the other was one of desperation. I don't give much credibility to rumors in the media as I have been a Raider fan for a long time but I do hope that Al will give Kiffin a chance. He looks like he has the team going in the right direction and if he was, in fact unhappy with Ryan then he was justified. It would be a shame to see Al's legacy become tarnished after all the good things he has done for the game. He hired Kiffin, so let him do his thing. Let's win a Superbowl and then if you wan't to step down then you can do it on a high note.

#24

Posted by Joey, March 11, 2008 1:01 PM

I just hope that the next in charge would be 1/2 as great as AL is. If we want to continue the maverick image, let Mark Cuban come in and buy the team. I'm sure he could bring in a great staff with him. One can only imagine the fights him & Goodell would have!!

#25

Posted by Red Bluff Raider, March 11, 2008 1:47 PM

A vikings fan I know told me durring the Green/Culpepper years they were 20 to 30 mil under the cap every year.at least al spends the money

#26

Posted by TK, March 11, 2008 1:55 PM

There are two competing ideas here. One is whether Al was great for the Raiders and the game of football. No one can argue against that point. He did help build the greatness of the team and its mystique. The second is the current state of the team. While I admire and respect Al, he has put himself above the welfare of his team. Take out the Gruden years (where he let go of the reins briefly) and the Raiders are an embarrassment. They are the laughingstock of the league -- even coaches and players think so, not just the media. Al's ego has been a great weapon, but now it's his worst enemy. He wants to do things his way, but his way is past. Adapt or die, that's evolution. He refuses to adapt and the team has suffered. The NFL is demonstrably different than it was in the 70s and 80s. Free agency, a salary cap, film study, etc etc. Teams that thrive now do so because of coaching, talent evaluation and game planning. The Raiders, because of Davis' refusal to hand over these tasks, are among the league's worst in all three areas. Which is why they are among the league's worst teams.

I congratulate Al for all he has accomplished -- way more than I or any of us here ever will. But as a 30-year fan and season ticket holder, I have a right to state my case and ask for a better product. I don't want to bask in old glory for the rest of my life. I loved the 70s and 80s and the success we had. But I'd like to see some success now too. The NFL is best when the Raiders are great. I just hope they are again sometime soon. I'm afraid that will never happen until Al is gone.

#27

Posted by tradedown, March 11, 2008 2:08 PM

Who do you think the Raiders should take with the fifth or under overall pick for 09?

#28

Posted by Crazylegs Finegan, March 11, 2008 2:16 PM

Remember the the 3 flicks of the God Father? Hummm. It's SHOWTIME !!!!! If it wasn't for Mr.Al Davis, there wouldn't be 31 families and the RAIDERS. So the man is in his 80's. So fxcking what!!!???. My on father is 79 years and goes out with me and plays golf with me. No, not 18 holes, but 9 holes. he also works out at the local gym 3 times a week and eats very healthy food. Do you think Mr. Davis sits around and eats nachos and plays vidio games all day? I don't think so. That man is a DIE HARD, SIVER & BLACK game tape watching man all the way. So, if Kiff and Al had it out in the halls of Raider Valhalla, it's to be exspected. Exspressing ideas in a loud form just as all families due at times during stressful times. YES? The love is still there. It just gets loud. My first Raider game was at Frank Yuell Field. I still have season tickets. Sec 226. Just below Mr. Davis's sky box. He want's to win. What ever it takes. Look at the money he shelled out. All the coaches want to win and all the players want to win. They cut the cancer out and got players who want to win. Never Ever Give Up. They retooled and the draft is coming. I am 57 and I will never give up. Silver & Black Forever. GO NATION!!!!!!!!!!!! Lane, don't give up. Big Al, don't give up.

#29

Posted by Phillip Avalos, March 11, 2008 3:04 PM

Anyone who thinks that Al davis should not step down is on some serious drugs ,the man is senile and needs to just let go of the team and let someone who is sane run the it.Davis makes every move with the thought of winning yet his actions speak of a man who is no longer in control of his mental functions and has become a bitter old man who thinks everyone is after him.

#30

Posted by Sonny, March 11, 2008 3:14 PM

When the day comes that Mr. Davis is no longer with his Raiders is the day ALL will come to realize just what they have lost. It has been a very rough 5 years. The likes that no Raider Fan has ever had to experience before. Some mistakes were made along the way and I want to see the Raiders back in their rightful place and winning again.

With all the negativity I read from some of the Fans I must disagree with them. The team has a great bunch of young talented players and the future looks bright. No owner will spend the money to bring in new players like Mr. Davis. And we are on our way back no matter what you read.

Why do you think the Raiders are so hated? It is because for a very long time they put a thumping on many a team. Most of the X jock media type on ESPN and elsewhere played for teams that the Raiders use to thump on a regular basis. Jackson, Jaworski, Salisbury and on and on I could go. Look at the Arizona team that has never been good, nobody hates them.

It is because we have always been different. From the team to the Fans and yes the owner. When you have played the bully for so many years and have an attitude when you fall they are coming for you my friend. Thats the world we live in everyone loves to see the mighty fall so they can stomp the sh-- out of them.

That is the time when you see who really has your back. It does not feel the same walking in a sports bar wearing your Raider gear like it did during the winning years. Fingers start getting pointed and some jump ship. That is what the rest of the NFL wants to see, they love it. I may be old school but I can talk about a family member but I better not hear an outsider do the same.

I have to laugh at how many Fans take all the garbage that is written about the Raiders as gospel. Most all turn out to be nothing but fiction.

When we signed Burgess Al was nuts they wrote. Who would pay a player unproven and that had been hurt that kind of money. The media laughed and said no team would have paid that. Well with our 2 time Pro Bowl DE now playing as the Raiders thought he could ask those other teams if they would pay that price today. They would jump on it and the Raiders got Burgess on the cheap.

My point is I am not jumping ship or going to throw my old man out into the street because he lost his job and has had a rough few years. I was always so proud to let people know I was part of the Raider Nation, win or loose. It is sad to say but I am becoming ashamed of it today. It is not because the Raiders have been very bad these last 5 years and it is not because of Mr. Davis. It is because I always thought we had each others back. And with what I have been reading by many people that say they are or were part of the Nation it makes me sick.

Davis is bringing the Raiders back and to me we have what looks to be a bright future for years to come. I will trust in the man that gave me all that Glory for oh so many years to get us back. As a matter of fact I am going to purchase another 4 season tickets to go with the 4 I already own. And to all my brothers and sisters who are standing the line under fire I am proud to stand and fight the fight with you.

And to all that have showed a sickening degree of disrespect to our leader I say 5 years or 30 years you may have bought the tickets and the shirts. You may have called yourself a part of Raider Nation but you are nothing more then a Punk and you have never been a part of Raider Nation, not the Nation that I know and love.

I will leave you with a few words from the great Sonny Barger. "You treat people like you would like to be treated until they treat you differently, then you treat them accordingly.

Disagree with Davis it is your right but RESPECT my friend is what it is all about and you should not sh-- where you eat, Raider Rock

#31

Posted by Chicago Raider, March 11, 2008 4:47 PM

As the name suggests, I am a Raider fan in Chicago and I make it a point to go to one Raider game every year. I have been to 10 stadiums and I look forward to trying to go to all of them over my lifetime.

Al Davis deserves a lot of credit for things he has done in the past, but the time has come for change. It is obvious by the path this team has been on that he has lost his sharp eye for the game.

I have met him twice in my life and he totally blew me off both times, so that doesn't help my perspective of him. One time I ran into him at the airport in Pittsburgh after a Raiders/Steelers game and explained how I followed the team around the country. He could have cared less and wouldn't sign a Raiders football I had with me.

I realize he is a busy man, but I think he good have taken a second out of his day.

Oh well, I just want to win again baby.

#32

Posted by LDizzle, March 11, 2008 4:51 PM

I have stood up for Al Davis through nearly 25 years of criticism. Recently my stance has not been as solid as in previous years. Because while there is no disputing that no single person has ever meant more to his respective organization (or sport for that matter), it seems to me it may be time for Al to loosen his iron fist before he further taints his legacy and drags the team and it's fan down with him.

The last few years have been truly painfull for me and I am sure I am not alone in that. Even our 03 superbowl appearance was a team built by a man that Al fired the year prior and an offense that AD never wanted the Raiders to run in the first place. That was when I truly started questioning "Just Win Baby". Because the Raiders WERE winning and Al was hopping mad that it wasn't HIS way. And after Callahan proved that it was really Gannon that was the coach of that amazing offense, Bill was out the door as expected.

AD should watch the Favre press conference and take notes. Favre was everything to the Packers and he took them to 2 superbowls in 16 memorable seasons. And he went out at the top of his game. He didn't keep going while he slowly deteriorated and the Packers and their fans let him do it out of some blind loyalty "For all he has done for Green Bay". And sitting back and saying that Al should continue because of long passed accomplishments is truly blind loyalty. Has he truly earned the right to terrorize his coaches while ripping Raider fan's hearts out every season? We cheer, we buy tickets and merchandise, we invest our energy and time into this team. And at some point the it seems Al Davis has forgotten that the Raiders would still exist without him but the one component that they could not exist without is THE FANS.

#33

Posted by jeff knows, March 11, 2008 4:58 PM

When Al dies the birds will sing and rainbows will appear !! These are the wasted years.

#34

Posted by kevini, March 11, 2008 5:12 PM

your crazy.....i agree that the raiders will somewhat lose their identity when Al finally gives up the throne. but that may be a great thing. the identity of the raiders for the past 6 years have been a joke. he has made it too easy for analysts and fans to make us the laughing stock of the league. he will truly be remembered for being a visionary and a pioneer of the sport. Al Davis has helped make the NFL what it is today. I'll be glad when he steps down, hopefully by then the raiders' contract with the city of Oakland will be up and then they can move back to L.A.!!!!!!

#35

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#36

Posted by OakFoSho, March 11, 2008 6:49 PM

When Al Davis goes, If the Davis family does not take over, the Oakland should do what Green Bay did with the Pack. Buy the team, and let the Oakland Raiders belong to the city of Oakland.

The Packers are now the only publicly owned company with a board of directors in American professional sports (although other teams are directly owned by publicly traded companies, such as the New York Rangers (Cablevision), the Seattle Mariners (Nintendo of America), and the Toronto Blue Jays (Rogers Communications)). (Wiki)

The people of Oakland are allowed to buy shares in the team. They then have all the rights of stockholders in any big corporation. They can hire a BOD to hire a GM and fill out the organization that way. In this sense the team is controlled by the GM, who is controlled by the BOD, whom are controlled by the people of Oakland, aka Raider Inc. share holders.

I think that this is the way to go. Publicly owned. No Doubt!

OakFoSho

#37

Posted by OakFoSho, March 11, 2008 6:59 PM

It is also a great way to raise money for a new state of the art stadium to replace the beloved relic that is the coliseum.

OakFoSho

#38

Posted by Rory,, March 11, 2008 8:31 PM

Al Davis is the Oakland Raiders! You can't take him away any more than you can change the colors of the Raiders uniforms to red, white and blue. It has nothing to do with nostalgia its all about attitude with him gone I might as well be a Niner fan. No thanks!

#39

Posted by Stizzy, March 12, 2008 12:30 AM

INSANITY!

Al was a pioneer, a maverick, etc., etc...all that is true.But what's true now is that he has run this team into the ground! Are you guys kidding me? The Raiders have been the only team I've ever claimed in my 36 yrs, and will stay that way, but this blind loyalty in the face of embarrassment is crazy! The team's where it is BECAUSE of it's LEADERSHIP, period!

We are the laughing-stock of the League! I don't care who takes over, it can't be soon enough! As long as whomever it is cares about WINNING and putting a respectable product on the field, I'm all for it! Right now, this might be the worst organization in all of Pro sports, and change can't come soon enough!

Until then, wake me when it's over.....

#40

Posted by RAIDER RICK, March 12, 2008 10:13 AM

SO WHAT IF HE STEP DOWN HIS SON AND WIFE DO NOT KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT RUNNING A TEAM.I WILL ALWAYS BE A RAIDERS FAN.BUT AS FOR NOW LIKE MANY OTHERS I AM FRUSTRATED.

#41

Posted by Crazylegs Finegan, March 12, 2008 11:39 AM

Sonny, thank you so much for you support of what family is all about. When in doubt, KNOCK THEM OUT!!!!!!!!!!! Al's not dead and there will be a time when he turns the reins over to someone who thinks like him. Maybe Amy. He's looking and sharing ideas with thoughs that are close and he fully knows they have his back. That takes time. I believe that he has given the coaches all the ammunition. Because this man is in a wheelchair and is not on the field in his jump suit, the traitors kick him down. I would like to kick you down and keep kicking you down and the kick your bullsh#t to the otherside of the bay. preferably to China. You have NO RESPECT for a man that built our beloved Silver & Black. The media can't stand the man because he refuses to let and give them the time of day. When he does, they give him no respect. They can't get in and so they make up rumors that are disrespectful of the Raiders. Would you let someone in your house that disrespected you and your family? I don't think so. If you do, then you are a fu#king ass. Mr Davis still knows the game of Football and he retooled. We are in the down times right know. Going through the dark tunnel. We have all experienced that. ALL OF US! Through our own personnel lives. There becomes light at the end of that tunnel and then it shines. Stand by the man that built this team. Have his back and lift him up. I will always be a Raiders Silver & Black Nation Loving Crazy Fan. I will always have season tickets and support the Team that I grew up with. Mr Davis is letting others do the main corp. work. They all get together and figure out what is needed and the go for it. The passion in thoughs rooms are very intense because they are all passionate people. They want to win. They will win. The light is just around the corner. BELIEVE!

#42

Posted by The Fifth Horseman, March 12, 2008 2:57 PM

I actually hope that Al Davis is the owner of the Raiders for a long time to come due to the fact that the man is a complete joke and provides hours and hours of amusement to me. The game passed him by in 1984 yet he still seems to think he can get his joke of a team to the Super Bowl. Please for the love of God, I hope Al lives to be 110. I want to see him own the Raiders for eternity. When that unfortunate day comes when Al takes his place in the big owners box in the sky, then the Raiders might actually become a threat again. Until then, enjoy your time in the cellar chumps!!! bwahahahahahahahahahahahahha

#43

Posted by LDizzle, March 12, 2008 3:19 PM

Really Fifth Horseman Al Davis lost it RIGHT AFTER winning the Superbowl? Really? Yeah that makes a whole lot of sense. Maybe you think he was celebrating so hard from having just won his 3rd superbowl and had a stroke or hit his head really hard. Whoresman as long as you continue to exibit how bitter and jealous you are, all of us Raider fans will still know that you are still afraid and still hold respect for the Raiders. So keep visiting this site and keep commenting and renewing our faith in your jealousy. Oh and keep your gay ass name referencing greased up, roid raged fake wrestlers.

#44

Posted by reb raider, March 12, 2008 6:36 PM

Raider Nation rise up and spit on those who defile Al Davis. Al Davis and the Raiders on a bad day, week, month, year and a frigging decade for me is better than any NFL team.

and LDizzle:

Attack the policies of a The Man (Al Davis) not his personality and physical weakness... or are you still in middle school?

Raider Cool Raider Nation!

#45

Posted by reb raider, March 12, 2008 6:41 PM

Raider Nation rise up and spit on those who defile Al Davis. The Raiders on a bad day, week, month, week, month, year and a friggin decade is better to me than any NFL Team.

ldizzle-

Attack the policies of Al Davis, not his personality and physical weakness... or are you still in middle school?

Raider Cool Raider Nation!

#46

Posted by Salvy, March 12, 2008 7:14 PM

Nick C your comment is idiotic... I'm a part of Raider Nation... Thoughts from the Dark Side and just about everyone on here are a part of the Raider Nation. I don't know about you kid but when Al Davis dies, or retires, or both, he isn't taking me with him. Instead, as a member of the Raider Nation I will always keep him with me. Thank you Al Davis for giving us the Raiders. Thank you to all of you Raider fans out there for keeping the faith and the Raider Nation alive no matter what!! Long Live the Raider Nation!!!!

#47

Posted by The Fifth Horseman, March 12, 2008 7:45 PM

Raider Nation?!?!?!? Please!! You guys stole that from the Boston Red Sox and their Red Sox Nation! Please get some originality will you???

#48

Posted by LDizzle, March 12, 2008 9:20 PM

rem raider WTF are you talking about? I said nothing of AD's "physical weakness". I believe you need to find the person you are really trying to attack because I said nothing of the sort. But if I WAS going to attack someones physical weakness it would be your physical weakness for apple-tinis and man meat.

#49

Posted by arrogantbastard, March 12, 2008 9:26 PM

Raider Nation is forever we got rid of the week ones when they moved to LA & as the Raider Nation we might talk bad about AL but we don't like it when other who are not part of are family do & we stand together because they dont understand us because they never been to a game with us win or lose because they dont bleed silver & black!

#50

Posted by DevilDog, March 13, 2008 12:56 AM

The Fifth Horseman???????? Sounds homosexual to me!

#51

Posted by masterblaster, March 14, 2008 8:31 AM

The Raiders would be better if Al would stay out of the football operations and sit back, drink his tea, beer or whatever and watch the game. He's getting to old to be involved the way he is. Firing coaches each year is an indicator. He's geting "old timers disease" I think. He's had his day in the sun, let someone else take over. Isn't that why you pay people to run the organization?

#52

Posted by MaddenRaider, March 15, 2008 11:59 AM

Is this a joke?

The Raiders are ran by "football men"? And, just how well have these football men done in the last 5 years?

And, like how you take shots at Carol and Mark Davis, assuming them to be too milk kneed or stupid to run a football team. Oh, I'm sure it won't be hard for them to get the team to 4 wins per year, will it? They get the team to 6 wins, and guess what? They're better than the old man.

And Al Davis did not "build the Raiders". If you're going to shamelessly shill for a team, learn it's history. Ron Wolf, hired by Davis, albeit, was the one who put the core of the '70s team together. This is common knowledge. Davis brought in the malcontents, and the vertical game philosophy, which, btw, Madden and Stabler threw out the window anyway. That's right, even in the '70s the game had passed Al by, and Madden was smart enough to know it. He let Stabler call his own plays (Stabler HATED the vertical game. He thought it was the dumbest offense ever. Read his book where he talks about how it was Lamonica's downfall)

Davis hired smart people back in the day and let them run the team. Today, he hires yes men (like Lofton), and only hires smart people for a short period of time (Kiffin), only to run them out once they become a bigger figure than he is.

This blog is a waste of time. I can get the same hyperbole at Raiders.com, with pictures of cheerleaders included. Don't bother responding to this. I'm out.

#53

Posted by trim, April 4, 2008 8:34 AM

Is this a joke? Give me a reason what the man has done for this team in the last 8 years. He is going for the quick fix everytime he can. If you don't believe that then look at this post seasons transactions. When will do something that the raider nation wants and let a coach be a coach. I can't wait until Davis era is over, he has ruined the team.