I've been asked the question, how does a person in South Dakota, become a Raider fan?
Some might think I was on something, some might call it a form of rebellion, some even might consider it form of brain damage.
To me, it was a simple thing. I hated the broncos.
Everyone I knew, in school, wanted to grow up to be John Elway. To me, the guy looked goofy, something like a cross between a horse, and Jimmy Carter. Goofy.
But, before then, I also knew, of a QB, that the...

RCAinSD

When we were young, if we were lucky, our dads took us to the ball park. We would gorge on hot dogs as long as our arms, we would eat stale popcorn and eat ice cream that was really made of cream. We would be wearing our favorite team's logo hats, and our dads would teach us how to use a score card. We would see our favorite players who towered above us, and we would marvel at their skill. We would visit such places as Joe Robey stadium, or Candlestick Park. There was a feel to the power of the park.

Those times are gone, and in their place are parks like LP Field, and or US Cellular Field. Old man Commisky must be rolling in his grave. The old times parks that had those great names have been taken over by money hungry owners who would squeeze a dime out of a rotten egg if they could. They have gouged the public to the point where the average day at the park for a family of four at a baseball game is over $190.00, and it's much worse for a baseball game where the day will cost that same family over $321.00 to see their team. It has become a once a year event for many families, and for some, not even that often.

It was announced this week that one of the last of the old time parks will be available for renaming quite soon, as one of the oldest parks in America (second only to Fenway), Wrigley Field will get a new Christening all too soon. How can that happen. The loveable losers in Chicago have been known for that quaint park named for the chewing gum baron for almost a century, as a matter of fact, six years before the old girl is eligible to be interviewed by the today show, she will get a new name.

Off the top of my head, I can only think of two or three others that have maintained the names we grew up with, Dodger Stadium. Fenway Park and Soldier Field. If Wrigley can fall, how much longer will these stadiums last.

Years from now, when our children take their kids to see a game, I can only envision one standing the test of time. Soldier Field (brought to you by Ford, have you driven a ford lately, and Bounty, the quicker picker upper, and the Pepsi Generation)...

Attyla

While I hate the Patriots, I hate Randy Moss more. So I was elated to see them lose the SuperBowl. It was football karma at it's best.
In my mind, Randy does not deserve to be a World Champ. After how he quit on his Raider team, while making millions, I hope he never wins a world title and doesn't make the hall of fame.
If him and his spoiled brat attitude have success, he'll just give every lazy, gifted athlete a reason to dog it in practice, not try when they are losing and quit...

Brazy

For the past few months, chaos has surrounded the Oakland Raiders. From the reports of Kiffin trying go back to the college ranks, to Al Davis trying to force Kiffin to resign. It wouldn't be an off-season without controversey in Oakland now though would it? Every year, there is always something new, exciting, and unbelieveable leaking out. A lot say it's because of the man upstairs, Mr. Davis.

Entirely true, because as the years pass Al by, he gets more and more unpatient, stubborn...

yayarea_raider

For the past few months, chaos has surrounded the Oakland Raiders. From the reports of Kiffin trying go back to the college ranks, to Al Davis trying to force Kiffin to resign. It wouldn't be an off-season without controversey in Oakland now though would it? Every year, there is always something new, exciting, and unbelieveable leaking out. A lot say it's because of the man upstairs, Mr. Davis.

Entirely true, because as the years pass Al by, he gets more and more unpatient, stubborn...

yayarea_raider

Ah yes, the immortal words of former head coach Jim Mora Sr. after the 2001 Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers that dropped the team to 4-6 on way to a 6-10 season.

Then a funny thing happened. A new coach and a new attitude surfaced and the team that was "wasting" the talents of Manning won 10 games and went to the playoffs. Yes, Jim, the playoffs. The team has not been the same since, going to the playoffs every year of the Dungy era, and winning it all 13 months ago. The monkey was removed from much maligned Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy both who were the subject of many articles questioning their leadership abilities and the ability to "win the big one". The biggest obstacle to the Colt win seemed to be the New England Patriots, who seemed to have Manning's number. In fact, the year they won it all, Manning and Company had to overcome a huge first quarter hole as the Patriots ran up the score 21-3 in the second quarter. The Colts went on to win the game, 38-34.

You might have heard this story before. The last time this happened, it had different names, but many of the same results as a young coach named Madden took a bunch of ballers and created a legend. And, much like the Colts, Ken Stabler had to overcome the mighty 1970's Steelers as year after year they defeated the Raiders when it counted most. Ironically, the year the Raiders won it all, it was the Patriots who almost ruined the plays for Pasadena, going up 21-10 into the fourth quarter. The sure armed "Snake" took defeat and turned it into victory. From there, only the Steelers stood in the way, and that only lasted until the National Anthem was over. The Raiders went on to a well deserved win, and ultimately a Super Bowl win. Again, the team who could not win the big one put the critics on notice as the Raiders beat the Vikings 24-13.

So, why the comparison? After all, the game has changed, and living in the past only creates ire among lost season weary Raider fans. But there is another comparison that bears some scrutiny. Even the harshest Manning critic will admit that the Colts would not be the champions without the talents and leadership of a guy drafted first overall in 1998. The 3-13 Colts were no better in 1998, finishing 3-13 again.

There is an old adage that states "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it". One could only hope....

Attyla

I love the NFL draft. Back in the 80's, I use to wake up at 5am and stay home from school to watch it all on ESPN. Back when they used to draft for 12 Rounds and Prize Fights went 15. I was in junior high. I've always watched some portion of the NFL draft since 1985.
That year, the greatest receiver of all time was drafted, Mr. Jerry Rice. Now here is the "Believe it or Not" portion of this blog: Buster Rhymes was drafted at the top of the Fourth Round, #85 overall by the Vikings....

Brazy

From this week's issue of Newsweek:

...

Raider51

From the fans of the team that made the "Tuck Rule" notorious:

giantscheated.com

Raider51

The definintion of insanity is, " Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results". How else can you describe my love affair with the Oakland Raiders over the past 5 years? Infact, there are thousands of us across this great country that wake up every day, turn on our computers and televisions to see what our beloved Raiders have for us, day in and day out.

Here at Raiderfans.net, we discuss and argue everything from Al Davis to the draft. We separate...

LOUISVILLE R8R