Oakland Raiders need a leader

Thoughts from the Dark Side

October 7, 2008

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Al Davis is known for loathing disciplinarians as coaches. He believes that it is important for the locker room to police itself. Once upon a time that idea worked perfectly. The Raiders had their zany characters, but the core of the team was the solid vets with names like Jim Otto, Gene Upshaw, and Art Shell. The guys could do what they liked away from the practice field, but once it came time to suit up, even the heartiest partiers went to work. The key to the success of the Raiders was the locker room leadership. In a more recent time, it worked once again as leaders like Tim Brown, Rich Gannon, and Jerry Rice kept the team together despite the lack of discipline from the top. Today's Raiders do not have those leaders, and that is reflected in the current doldrums in which the Raiders reside.

An example of Gannon's leadership from a Sports Illustrated story in 2001:

An MVP candidate last year, Gannon doesn't restrict his battles to Sundays. In his eyes a team's toughness and mood are molded on a continuous basis, which is why he confiscated the pool balls from the team's player lounge late in the '99 season. "I was used to an organized, disciplined system," he says, "and when I got to the Raiders, guys were showing up late to practice and meetings, and missing curfew, among other problems. Then we had this lounge that was like a big playroom, with a pool table, one of those pop-a-shot basketball hoops and video games."

The noise from the lounge could be clearly heard in the room where Gruden holds his midday meetings with the quarterbacks. "We were cramming for a Thursday game against Tennessee late in the season, and I finally flew off the handle," Gannon says. "I went in and took all the pool balls and put them in a box over my locker."

The following Monday, Gannon stood up in a team meeting and delivered a now famous speech. (It's commemorated by a T-shirt featuring Gannon's face inside the Raider logo.) "I told them to look at guys like Steve Wisniewski, Tim Brown and Russell Maryland and consider why they've been so good for so many years," Gannon says. "It's like, sit next to the kid who keeps getting A's in class; don't hang in back with the dummies. It was a difficult thing to say to my teammates, and there was a group that didn't like what I said. At least two guys told me so, and I know there were more who didn't come to me directly."

That is what a leader does, he leads. Gannon took an unpopular stand with his teammates, but what he did was give that spark to the guys who want to be winners. Its hard to fathom anyone on the current roster taking a stand like this.

Rich Gannon was already a seasoned veteran before he was brought into the fold in Oakland. The Raiders currently have a dearth of seasoned veterans on the team. Not counting the kickers Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler because the nature of their positions don't lend themselves to team leadership, there are 19 Raiders with over five years NFL experience. The bulk of these players are back-ups and special teams players. The only crucial players in this group are Justin Fargas (6), Nnamdi Asomugha (6), Javon Walker (7), Ronald Curry (7). Derrick Burgess (8), and Gerard Warren (8).

Justin Fargas: Fargas leads by example, as he plays hard every down. He is not known for being a vocal leader, however. As last year's commitment to excellence award winner he has the respect of his teammates, despite his injury history.

Nnamdi Asomugha: Asomugha is one of the defensive team captains. He is known as a quiet leader. With Aso on a one year franchise tender, it is not known if he is going to be a Raider next year so that also caps his potential as the guy who will step up. If he signs long term this offseason, he could easily be the guy if he can be more vocal. Having spent his entire career with the post melt-down Raiders he won't have the same perspective that Gannon had.

Javon Walker: He contemplated retirement in training camp. Not a leader

Ronald Curry: Curry is one of the offensive captains, but doesn't seem to be a rah rah guy. He is also having a very down season, which won't help him win over the locker room. Other than Jano and Lechler, Curry is the lone holdover from the Super Bowl year.

Derrick Burgess: He is the other defensive captain. He came to the Raiders after having been in the playoffs with the Eagles. He has two Pro Bowls on his resume, and with his presence could be the guy to stand up. It seems that isn't likely as he has been disappointed on not getting a new contract the past two offseasons.

Gerard Warren: Warren is in his second year in Silver and Black after arriving late in training camp in 2007. Prior to coming to Oakland he has been thought of as an underachiever. Not the kind of guy who screams leadership.

The most likely to emerge as a strong locker room leader of the Oakland Raiders is Kirk Morrison. He was voted as team captain in only his fourth year, and is often seen as the guy getting people hyped up before the game. He has been part of the Raider Nation since he was a kid, so he knows what it means to be a Raider. If he can step up his leadership and truly win over the locker room, that would take the Raiders over the top.

If its not Morrison, the Raiders need that Rich Gannon type leader to take over and instill the importance of the team and working together for a common goal, instead of playing pool or video games. Until that leader emerges, the Raiders will continue wandering in the darkness.

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

19 Comments on "Oakland Raiders need a leader"

Posted by Umer Waris, October 7, 2008 12:08 AM

KUSHMAN,

Where did u find that out?

Post the link if u can.

Posted by Oakland Raiders need a leader - Oakland Raiders Forum, October 7, 2008 4:15 AM

[...] Oakland Raiders need a leader Al Davis is known for loathing disciplinarians as coaches. He believes that it is important for the locker room to police itself. Once upon a time that idea worked perfectly. The Raiders had their zany characters, but the core of the team was the solid vets with names like Jim Otto, Gene Upshaw, and Art Shell. Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders independent news, commentary, analysis, and m... [...]

Posted by Raider Scott, October 7, 2008 8:58 AM

I made some comments about Gannon a day or so ago. I talked with him on a plane ride down to LA. He's a very nice guy and you can tell he was a leader. As I mentioned, his tenure on the Raiders was marked by yelling at Gruden and basically getting in peoples face when necessary. Because of his age, his time in the league and his reputation for being a student of the game and preparation he could give people a lecture when they were out of line. The bottom line was our offense when he was running it was a thing of beauty to watch. So when I hear his comments last week about the disaster that is our management, it really hit home. Gannon could be a good choice to be a leader/coach/manager/advisor in the Raider organization. Especially with a lot of young guys, he can show them how you approach the game and how you properly prepare. He is willing to call BS when it is necessary and I have never heard he was a bad teammate. Most importantly, leaders don�t let problems fester for a year. He will confront the problem ASAP so it won�t blow up inside the organization or in front of the media. We really lack management at all levels, I think Gannon (or someone like him) is a good starting point for rebuilding management within the organization. He pays attention to details and I think our team needs that.

Posted by KUSHMAN, October 7, 2008 9:46 AM

i would love to see him in there too.. the only problem is he's already bad mouthed AD and the organization on national TV... so scratch that, haha!

Posted by KUSHMAN, October 7, 2008 11:40 AM

wow i just heard a rumor that the bengals and the raiders are working something out for a wide receiver trade... HOLY HELL CJ?! dunno how true this is..

Posted by Mildog, October 7, 2008 1:17 PM

Is there something wrong with the Raiders? There certainly might be when the only player that attended AD's news conference was a head case that has shown that he cannot keep it together to keep from yelling at his teammates and coaches, getting STUPID penalties and from getting posterized by a rookie wideout. Hall lauded AD because of his approachability. Am I missing something here when he did not mention his position coach, the offensive coordinator or head coach. Does AD have a room in his abode filled with large cribs for fools like Hall. He announced that he was one of the great cornerbacks in the league only to be a spokesman for Wonder Meal bread popping in to the toaster. But a well paid piece of toast.

Posted by CJ Legend 34, October 7, 2008 1:24 PM

Who the heck are the Riaders going to give them a straight trade Walker for Chad? Or Walker and Lee Lahi (what's his name) for Chad?

Posted by Raider Scott, October 7, 2008 1:36 PM

We need character players right now. I am not saying that Chad is a problem player but we are not an elite team right now and appear to struggle getting the ball to wide receivers. We don�t have a team that can handle guys who may cause trouble. While I think we need a player of Chad's caliber, I think we need to make sure we get guys who are not a cancer in the locker room or undermine the team/coach. Once again, not saying he�s a troublemaker, I don�t honestly know much about him other than he likes attention. Most importantly, what do we have to offer to get a player like Chad after we spent so much money in the offseason? We are so thin at most every position; we can't afford to give away any players other than high priced Walker. Who would be dumb enough to take Walker knowing that he was ready to retire a few weeks ago? Besides, I thought Chad jacked up his shoulder? Maybe we can get him for a fourth round draft pick?

Posted by Raider Scott, October 7, 2008 1:41 PM

The only stuff I saw about Johnson were articles as old as January of this year and nothing newer than early May of this year. Where is the new stuff coming from?

#10

Posted by azraider37, October 7, 2008 2:23 PM

Yea Gannon was a great leader, but he had it a lot easier than anyone who is going to try to lead this bunch. Gannon played with Rice, Brown, R. Woodson, Garner, Romanowski, Kennedy, Wisnewski. He had a lot more experienced talent who was used to winning. He has some nerve suggesting that leading this team would be anywhere near the same as leading the team he had.

Can't wait to see what Cable, Knapp, and Ryan do this Sunday. I hope we find out that it was Kiffin who was screwing us! Without the Bush touchdowns the Saints didn't show much. If we pressure Brees we should have a solid shot, if we get the offense going.

#11

Posted by KUSHMAN, October 7, 2008 2:32 PM

sorry my friend told me it's on raiders sports net.. i didn't get a chance to look yet...

#12

Posted by KUSHMAN, October 7, 2008 2:35 PM

wow i think my friend is smokin crack.. he probably looked at a post from freakin april... haha sorry folks.. last time i go off of rumors...

#13

Posted by The Fifth Horseman, October 7, 2008 3:38 PM

The Rayduhs don't need a leader. They need to be flushed down the toilet for all of eternity. The Raitards are the biggest turds in the league and am embarrasment to the great sport that is professional football. Al Davis has got to be the biggest, lowlife piece of shit walking the planet. It is finally great to see him get what is coming to him. Life is Good if you hate the Raiders! hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

#14

Posted by LDizzle, October 7, 2008 10:35 PM

Yes leadership is certainly a #1 priority for this team these days. I would like to see Gibril Wilson be more of a vocal leader as well. He was a big part of a superbowl winning team so he has the cred.

Kirk Morrison is absolutely the closest thing this team has to a team leader. He is well spoken, passionate and as you mentioned, a lifetime Raider.

It really disappoints me that Curry is underachieving and is also not a vocal leader. He was a point guard at frickin North Carolina for chirsts sake! Not many positions require much more smarts and leadership than that. The only position I can think of is being a QB. And he was one of those too! So what gives? It has to be the disorganized system and lack of consistent coaching or discipline.

#15

Posted by juice, October 7, 2008 11:05 PM

I would love to see Rich Gannon head the Raiders next year. Upon reminiscing about his time in Oakland, you could tell the guy was coaching material. He was the extension of Gruden on the field. If Cable's out at the end of the year, Gannon makes sense. So what if he bad mouthed Davis, hasn't everybody on the planet with an opinion done that already?

#16

Posted by juice, October 7, 2008 11:07 PM

Pray to God that the Chad Johnson rumor is just that, a rumor. If he were to come to the black hole, he'd be a cancer the size of T.O. proportions. Make a deal for Boldin or Roy Williams in the offseason.

#17

Posted by Coach Elkins, October 7, 2008 11:36 PM

Nice Topic Patrick,

I believe some of us were talking about leadership back in August?

I guess back then it wasn't too important?

So, lets get some predictions on the score next week. Who do you like? I think the Raiders match-up against a team like the Saints.

#18

Posted by Your Niner Reality Check, October 8, 2008 11:11 AM

LMAO...kind of funny watching Elkins play the little kid that had his popsicle taken away....all meek, mild, and resigned to the fact his "hero", Al, just performed the ultimate Hari Kari in sports, and is now universally viewed as a pathetic old man who can't stop shitting on his own shoe.

Now, honestly, I'm not surprised that you backed down from my REPLY TO YOUR CHALLENGE, where you stated you would take on anyone regarding Al's PC. Just means you're either not as stupid as you look, or are, in fact, just spineless, which is as I suspect.

As far as "leadership"?? The post, nitwit, is regarding players taking a leadership role, not the coach, which, in most organizations, except for the raiders, is kind of a given that they're the leader.

But hey, just to help you out...YOU mentioned Kiffin not being a leader back in August.

turns out everyone, including the other coaches, AND THE PLAYERS made it quite clear not only was he the leader, but they universally stated his changes were much needed, and were, in fact, leading the team in the right direction.

Of course, I suspect that's why you took your little blanky, and went home, licking your wounds, accepting the fact that Al's crash and burn, while you were hanging on his sac, just proves everyone's point about Al, and you, lol.

Both just don't have a clue.

#19

Posted by Charles Oakey, October 8, 2008 3:57 PM

Rich Gannon and Jon Gruden were the two best things to happen to the Raiders during our playoff/Super Bowl run.