Oakland Raiders' Al Davis still has a silver tongue

Thoughts from the Dark Side

August 7, 2008

Oakland Raiders' Al Davis still has a silver tongue

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There's little doubt that Davis could sell swamp land in Florida

As a Raider fan, I'm sure that there are many stories that you're probably tired of hearing about.� Take for instance the story about the Raiders record over the past five years, or the fact that they didn't draft Matt Leinert when they had the chance, or even that dreadfull 2006 season when Tom 'bed and breakfast' Walsh ran the offense into the ground with the help of Art Shell, Irv Eatman, and Jackie Slater.

As someone entrusted to come up with fresh takes and breaking news for TFDS, I can't say I blame you for being numb to those past tidbits.� Personally, I'm getting pretty annoyed with the latest Javon Walker incidents, but maybe (cautiously optimistic) that is all about to change.

Since his proposed retirement from the Raiders and, in effect, the NFL Walker's play has begun to take a new form.� He's starting to show up in practice.� He's been there all throughout training camp, without missing a day, but being there and showing up are two completely different animals.

It all started with Monday's practice.� The 49ers were in town, and Walker hadn't made an impact in the silver and black to that point.� One veteran was quoted saying that they hoped that he was the type of player that made an impact when the lights were on.� Lane Kiffin, a few days later made sure to tell the world and Walker, that he expected more than that type of play from his star receiver.

Up until that joint practice with the 49ers, Walker had looked like he didn't even belong on an NFL practice field, let alone the Raiders.� But since then, he has begun to steadily improve and even last night was jovial while making plays on what should be one of the best pass defenses in the league this year.

So what did it?� Was it the constant criticism by reporters?� Probably not, or else he would've snapped out of his funk a while back.� What about the criticism of his own coach?� Doubtful, since the reporter criticism started well after Kiffin had criticized him during mini camps for being out of shape.� What about a nice long talk with the owner?� Hmmm....

The two happen to coincide.� Javon Walker was willing to return his $11 million signing bonus and retire until Al did what he has always done, 'WILLED' him not to.� Did big Al also 'will' him to get better and play better?� One week doesn't make a season, but so far it looks as though there is improvement.

This week, we've seen an absence of those 'when will Walker show anything' types of stories.� In fact, he's been flashing some of his talent this week and found ways to get open where he hadn't in the past.� What is it that Al said to him?� Whatever it was, if Javon Walker goes on to have a great season, it's clear that Davis may have found a new calling: Motivational Speaker.

Heck, if Davis were to make motivational CD's he'd be sitting on a gold mine.� I'd buy them, wouldn't you?� If for nothing else, just to see what the guy has to say about success and willpower.� Mr. Davis, if I have given you the idea that makes you millions of dollars, I only ask that you give me a free set of your CD's as recognition for such a great money making ~~scheme~~ opportunity.

If he made the CD's, he could also make videos too.� Then after signing a free agent, he could direct them to a video room in the Harbor Parkway offices where they'd be expected to watch one a day until completion before getting their jersey number and media photos taken.

Just to keep the collection fresh, and to make more money from the masses, he could make a new CD and video that the team would have to watch at the start of training camp every year.� Of course, there would be a quiz at the conclusion of the video to make sure that each player got it.� For those that fail the quiz, they'd go on the physically inactive list while they watched the entire series again and retook the quiz that they failed.

Maybe then it wouldn't matter who coached the Raiders.� It probably would enable him to turn over the operations to his son.� Davis would still always be there with words of encouragement and advice on being a winner.� Anytime someone forgot how to win, they'd just pop a video in and re-learn it.

If Javon Walker can break out of the doldrums after an hour or two with the boss, then we have another thing to blame Al Davis for over the past five years.� Where have you been Mr. Davis?� Ah!� Who cares!� You're here now, and while you're here, could you please have a conversation with our offensive tackles and defensive line?� I'm sure that those guys could use a little of your 'words of encouragement' that have livened up Mr. Walker.

Just subtly analyzing here at TFDS

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

14 Comments on "Oakland Raiders' Al Davis still has a silver tongue"

Posted by KUSHMAN, August 7, 2008 12:21 AM

good write up! al will never die so get used to it! i think javon will bounce back with a will to win.. he'll be better than porter was at the very least.

go bill go! haha ... i dont know.. al needs to believe in his coaches tho... if the raiders have another bad year and he fires kiffin.. they will continue to be at the bottom of the barrel, plain and simple.

hey dark knight... dont you watch nfl news on any channel? the panthers were never willing to give up steve smith for anything... he's their best player on the team... by far.. yes maybe javon isn't worth the money, but he will catch some balls this year.. and his leg is a lot better btw... that's pretty muchthe only positive thing i hear coming from him these days.

Posted by Nick C, August 7, 2008 12:22 AM

I have no problem with Al being the motivational speaker.. just make sure he allows Lane to run the team into the playoffs

Posted by Bill, August 7, 2008 8:07 AM

Here come all the Al Davis haters. Rob, that was a nice write up of the greatest owner in NFL history. I'm sure this will stir up the haters. Give it some time and some ldiot will post "Al Davis needs to die" or my fav "the Raiders will never win until Al is gone". Al Davis is football, he was a player, coach, and owner. He has done more for the league then any other owner. He still can put a winner on the field at any time. During owners meetings when Al talks the other owners still listen. Can't wait to read all the "fantasy" owners showing their ignorance with thier hate.

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders� Al Davis still has a silver tongue | The RaiderCast, August 7, 2008 8:08 AM

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Posted by Rob Calonge, August 7, 2008 8:18 AM

Bill - You're absolutely right. Even though I thought that the comedy of my assertions left the big guy open to ridicule, I felt it necessary to put a light hearted take on the current events.

Whatever Al said to Walker, it worked. Even though he is getting up in age, he still has a way with young men that gets them to do things that they might not do for another owner. We take it for granted right now, but when he's gone the world will finally understand and hopefully respect all that he's done for football as a whole.

Posted by darkknight, August 7, 2008 9:11 AM

Wow, who's been drinking the Al Davis Koolaid again? Im blown away by the fact that Al Davis still has any support from anyone in the bay area?

Do any of your realize that Javon's leg is complete ****? Do you realize that on top of his physicial demise, he has the deep emotional scars from the D-Will shooting? My god people, this man got his ass whipped in Las Vegas by some punks. He wants to retire, and for god's sake, give his money back. Why the hell do you want to pull a guy back, that doesnt want to play here? Or has lost his heart.

The only reason Al talked him into to staying, and to keeping the 11M, was to save face, and his pride. He knows he went out on the market and signed "damaged goods" from the Broncos just to try to prove to Shanahan that he's still the boss! He'll do anything to provoke or try to one up Shanahan. This makes Al look very small, and unfortunately very unimportant. We just had 11M handed to us...that could have been used to sign a long term agreement w/Steve Smith. Here's a guy that has always got it done,and at a high caliber. Now, word on the street says Broncos are closing in quickly on his services, and could be in camp by this weekend. Yeah...thanks Al!

Posted by Bill, August 7, 2008 10:07 AM

Steve Smith? Are you kidding me? I'll say this once only once, I hope everyone gets it. STEVE SMITH IS UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE PANTHERS! The only way to get him would be to offer way to much. As in draft picks and mabey starting players. A rebuilding team like the Raiders do not want to do this. I guess all of Walkers problems are Al's fault, sorry I did not know that. It goes down like this. Al knew he needed a #1 WR. He looked at the market and at the draft and seen who? Was anyone there? No he got the BEST WR that there was there to get for his team. Al did not have alot of choices he got Walker because that was his best choice. I'm not saying Walker was a great pick up. I'm saying Al did not have many other options to get a #1 WR. Hey Al, thank you for throwing down 55 million of YOUR MONEY to try to help our Raiders get better. Sorry Al its not working out exactly how you thought it would. Al has done nothing but TRY to make HIS team better. If all you COUCH GMs think you can do a better job then sell everything you own and buy your own team. 31 teams did not win the Superbowl last year. 20 teams did not even make the playoffs. Another 15 teams had losing records. Mabey all those owners should die or quit too. Get over it people, you can't always be a winner. Quit looking for someone to blame. There is no blame, THATS JUST SPORTS!

Posted by Bill, August 7, 2008 10:11 AM

Sorry about the rant. No ones perfect. I'm not perfect and neither is Al Davis. I'm just glad he is the owner of my team.

GO RAIDERS!

Posted by Patrick Patterson, August 7, 2008 11:19 AM

Not to belabor the point, but on a second and one Tom Walsh called a play to run it into the ground and lost two yards

#10

Posted by The Fifth Horseman, August 7, 2008 3:20 PM

The Raiders will never win another Super Bowl as long as Al Davis is the owner, but I don't want him to die. In fact, I want him to live another 100 years. He is such an incredible target to laugh at and his senile ramblings during press conferences always make my day. His outdated man to man, no blitzing defensive schemes are incredibly easy to gameplan for. His love affair with DB's will always leave the defensive line undermanned, thereby letting teams with inferior RB's (Kolby Smith, Ron Dayne, etc) look like the second coming of Jim Brown. It is Al's deluded , stuck in the 70's mentality that keeps the Raiders in the toilet, right where they belong. May the old man live another 100 years!

#11

Posted by raidermomo64, August 7, 2008 7:07 PM

I agree with 5th Hores' Ass. I hope Mr. Davis does live another 100 years. I went to the SD game last year and walked around ths stadium w/a buddy of mine. There was Mr. Davis with bodyguards and a huge crowd all around him. Listening and taking pictures of him. When he speaks, he makes you listen. He is so passionate about the Raiders. He really loves his team. More now than before. He knows his time is almost up and wants one last hurrah before he is gone. One of the greatest coaches, and commentators of all time calls him Mr. Davis and asked him to speak at his induction to the hall of fame. We all know who that is, John Madden. Many other ex-players, coaches, and owners call him Mr. Davis. He is dishing out alot of HIS money. He is pretty awesome. Go Big Al!! Go Raiders!! 10-6

#12

Posted by raidermomo64, August 7, 2008 7:09 PM

go raiders!!

#13

Posted by Raider Blues, August 7, 2008 10:35 PM

Fifth Horse? I thought there were only four... Did you get cut or just couldn't cut it?

10-6 isn't something to crow about for a Raider team but it is what we're getting this year and onward and upward from there.

Al isn't perfect but I'm glad he's our team's Owner.

Just Win Baby!

#14

Posted by AndrewBoldman, June 4, 2009 9:13 AM

da best. Keep it going! Thank you