Comments on Raider Take: The Raider Way Gone Astray

PR: Every owner is entitled to run their franchise...

2009-01-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

PR:

Every owner is entitled to run their franchise as they see fit.

However, almost everyone on this board, including BR, agrees that Davis needs executive help.

What you are forgetting in my previous posts is that a HC/GM/Owner should be a partnership. Each has a different role but are vital leaders to the performance of an organization. I also have unequivocally said that a HC and GM can make recommendations to the owner including personnel, coaches, etc BUT and this is a BIG BUT, Davis as owner is and will always be the final decision maker.

Bottom Line:

In Davis current health condidtion, he is incapable of the demanding 24/7/365 double duties of GM/Owner. Even when 100% healthy and 10,15 years younger I would say he is incapable of the demanding 24/7/365 double duties of GM/Owner.

If Davis chooses not to get executive help, that is his perogative but in my view it is a negligent choice.

Quotes about Al from todays Raider articles:"He do...

2009-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

Quotes about Al from todays Raider articles:

"He doesn't trust anybody," [...] "This is just Al being Al, and no one is going to tell him what to do."

And:

In the infamous press conference where Al Davis showed Lane Kiffin the door, he said that he was going to be bringing in a "football guy" with "local connections" that he could not discuss for "contractual reasons" but it would be a "big thing."

So I guess I am supposed to believe the people here with no insider info, and who are in full panic mode... that everything is going to turn to shit, or deduct on my own that things will end up ok in the end?

We shall see...

>>>>You, on the other hand, seem quite content wit...

2009-01-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

>>>>
You, on the other hand, seem quite content with the status quo.
>>>

I do? I think we will end up with a completely new staff except for HC, and possibly a new GM... and think that is a great thing!

What do you know to convince me this will not happen?

Wild guesses and speculation doesn't hold much water with me for some reason.

>>>CJ:BTW, Gary, change (including a new staff) ca...

2009-01-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

>>>
CJ:
BTW, Gary, change (including a new staff) can be a very good thing if it is done in a purposeful way. Change, with no rhyme or reason, is not a good thing.
>>>>

Uhh, I think the staff cleaning of the defensive staff in particular is very reasonable, and you are simply making shit up again if you know there is no "rhyme" to it.

Myself... I will wait to see how things work out in the end because I don't have any insider information to conclude Al doesn't know what he is doing here.

Either share your insider info, or stop making shit up and/or moving the goalposts... Thank you.

Great article on the '84 champion Raiders:http://t...

2009-01-26T07:33:00.000-08:00

Great article on the '84 champion Raiders:

http://tinyurl.com/create.php

>>>Something that Davis has tried repeatedly and f...

2009-01-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

>>>
Something that Davis has tried repeatedly and failed repeatedly.
>>>>

Except for when it worked and we went to a SB this decade... yes.

And as far as secrecy... the Chiefs hired one of the tight-lipped GM's in the history of the NFL, and you all look at that as a great move. When NE is secretive, they are smart businessmen... if Oakland is secretive, Al is crazy and doesn't care about winning or the fans.

Go figure?

From today's news, regarding the "unique" approach...

2009-01-26T06:47:00.000-08:00

From today's news, regarding the "unique" approach to hiring a coaching staff: "We have very specific reasons for doing it this way," said senior executive John Herrera, a key member of Davis' ever-shrinking inner circle.

"When it's all done, there will be a very detailed explanation as to why we are moving the way we are. We're connecting the dots and we're doing things the right way.

"This is a very well-thought-out, reasoned game plan."

----

Well, I do look forward to the details.

I was once told that to expect explanations from the Raiders was wrong and nasty and pointless, yet here they are, promising me an explanation. Guess it doesn't hurt to ask after all.

Gary - just because teams like Atlanta, Miami and ...

2009-01-26T06:06:00.000-08:00

Gary - just because teams like Atlanta, Miami and Balt made the playoffs with new coaching staffs doesn't mean they lacked continuity.

As Calico Jack points out, "change (including a new staff) can be a very good thing if it is done in a purposeful way."

Promoting quality control assistants and hiring position coaches before you hire your coordinators and HC isn't very purposeful. All that implies is that you're going to force a system onto your coordinators and HC and, thereby, erode the chain of command.

Something that Davis has tried repeatedly and failed repeatedly.

CalicoJack....Wrote...Let's not get too bogged dow...

2009-01-26T00:55:00.000-08:00

CalicoJack....Wrote...

Let's not get too bogged down on the term "GM".

There are some teams that have a Personnel Director instead of a GM. There are other teams that have a GM but not a Personnel Director. There are other teams that have both a GM and Personnel Director. I have seen some teams that have a GM, Personnel Director, and Asst Personnel Director. Some teams have a VP of Football Operations. Some teams have an Executive VP.

The point is not the title but the football 'executive' serving an important role for the team

Reply....

Fine..It just so happens that the Raiders have a "MGP" by the name of Al Davis so therefor they fit your personal requirement for team structure...

Or are you of the mind that NO owner should be allowed to run his own damn franchise....Or are you of the mind that anyone who is old and/or disabled should not be allowed to be a "GM"...In what freaking world do you live in....

You are attempting to demand a situation that no-one on this board could or would want to live up to...

Draft day comes and you are the owner...The "HC"-n-"GM" you hired and you pay don't like that player that you are so fascinated with and the whole NFL is so fascinated with...But they want to spend your cash on some bastard that you don't like and don't want on your team...Now...Do you shut your mouth like a good little owner and go sit in the corner while they spend all your freaking money....

I Doubt It!!!!....

So now if it's a case where you just don't like Al Davis than fine...Just say so....

If it's a case where you don't like old men than fine...Just say so...

If it's a case where you don't believe an owner should be allowed to run his own sports organization than fine...Just say so...

But you can stop with all that bogus damn "The Structure Isn't Right"...Anti Raider bull shit that's being pimped here...Because that's all it is..."BullShit"...

Now you have painted yourself into a corner...You can wiggle right or wiggle left but the only way out is to leave foot prints in all that fresh wet paint and those foot prints will be exposed....

PantyRaider....Check!!!!/_

PR: What questions did you pose to me? I honestl...

2009-01-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

PR:

What questions did you pose to me? I honestly didn't see any questions. I will be happy to answer any questions you have ... fire away!

Regarding (1):

So you don't believe Davis needs any help as far as the responsibilities of GM? Really?

Regarding (2):

If I'm the owner and I need to attend to personal matters (my wife or my own health), it is my responsibility and duty to ensure that there is a capable executive to keep things running efficiently. The fact that Lombardi didn't work out shouldn't prevent the owner from the due dilligence of making sure to field the best possible team with the aid of the entire support staff.

Regarding (3): The final trump card is and always will be that Davis decides when, what, where, why he wants to do something. I get that. Should this discount my feeling that it is negligent on his part to dilly dally around with getting a capable executive to help him? No.

Gary wrote:

"Nothing "whacko" about stating the future as a fact huh?"

The point I made was that the Browns and Broncos will be hiring GMs in the very near future. You want to bet on that outcome? You have a way of always deflecting or skirting the main topic.

I don't care what the Broncos and Browns do. What I do care about is the Raiders becoming a competitive football team.

Without an executive to help Davis, I feel like it will be a continual downward spiral as he becomes less and less able to devote the time, attention, and focus to both GM/owner roles. Is that too hard for you to figure out? I guess not since you answered "yes" to the 3 questions I posed.

You act like I will only be happy with a "strong GM" ... please for the very last time:

I have stated countless times the need for "executive" help. ANY executive help ("strong", "soft", "competent" whatever) to help with football operations is an improvement. Is that clear enough for you?

BTW Gary, I love to enjoy a nice pint or two of Guinness Stout and savor every last drop.

I also love the Raiders and enjoy every aspect of following the team. Nothing would please me more than for Davis to get the executive help that he needs and deserves in order to make 1 final push towards glory.

You, on the other hand, seem quite content with the status quo.

BTW, Gary, change (including a new staff) can be a very good thing if it is done in a purposeful way. Change, with no rhyme or reason, is not a good thing.

Gary,looks like Calico can see the future afterall...

2009-01-25T20:46:00.000-08:00

Gary,

looks like Calico can see the future afterall.

Browns announced hiring of George Kokinis as new GM.

i'm sure the other teams will soon follow.

oh, that is, except the Raiders of course. we don't need a GM because losing 11 games every year can be done without one.

Did you know that the Western Division of the AFL ...

2009-01-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the Western Division of the AFL was....

Raiders...
Chargers...
Chiefs...
Broncos...
Bangles...

I did not remember the Bangles being in our division....How about that....So when we beat them in that play-off game when Bo got hurt we were beating an old division rival....

http://www.remembertheafl.com/AFL.htm

PantyRaider....Check it Out!!!/_

This is a really fun site if you have not seen it ...

2009-01-25T18:19:00.000-08:00

This is a really fun site if you have not seen it yet....Go take a look...All sorts of stuff to click on....

http://www.remembertheafl.com/AFL.htm

PantyRaider...Remember the AFL!!!/_

Gary....Don't you know yet...According to "FaidaBo...

2009-01-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

Gary....

Don't you know yet...According to "FaidaBoy" we are already "0-n-16" Baby....

Others here are giving us the benefit of the doubt and projecting 5-11...Or at least 11 losses again so I guess that could be 4-12....3-11-2...

PantyRaider...What a Joke!!!/_

>>>>nyraider said... A successful coaching staf...

2009-01-25T17:56:00.001-08:00

>>>>
nyraider said...

A successful coaching staff requires absolute continuity.
>>>>

Pure mythology.

Just this season alone we had Balt, Atl, and Mia make huge improvements with new HC's and maybe with the exception of Rex Ryan, new staffs.

The changes are not what is killing the Raiders right now... it was Al's loyalty to SOB more than anything.

I fully expect that the Raiders will be a much better team next year if we pick up a good defensive staff.

Obviously if you don't think the Raiders will suck next year, you're the Village Idiot (TM) here or something?

CalicoJack....You did not respond to my questions ...

2009-01-25T17:56:00.000-08:00

CalicoJack....

You did not respond to my questions but I will none the less respond to yours...

#1)...NO...If and when Al himself decides to step aside than I am with that...Do I think he should consider stepping aside....Yes I do...But do I believe he will...No I don't....Do I believe I should speak negative of him if he decides to remain....No I Don't and will not....

#2)...Don't Know...For one thing Al needs to be able to trust the person who comes in to take up responsibilities....The last time he tried to trust somebody they shit in his face as Art-n-Mike went at each other like a couple childish school boys over that whole "Mole" thing...This at a time when Al was trying to care for his sick wife who almost died on him....

So now please put yourself in those shoes for just a minute or two...If you were in that position with your wife and needed me and Blanda to help with some business ventures while you gave your attention to the wife and we broke down in some totally childish episode that almost cost you your company how welcome would we be and how soon would you be willing to go out and bring in the next so called "Helper" to lift the strain....

#3)...Yes I think he should consider it and decide what he can continue to do and what he would be better off letting a "TRUSTED" and I emphasise "TRUSTED" (if there is one at this time) executive handle...But that is his decision to be made when it best suits him and "HIS" organization...I believe he already acknowledged that he desired to do so but did not make a definite time-line for getting it done now did he declare to what extent it would be done....I'm kool with that....

PantyRaider....Answered Truthfully!!!/_

CJ... I will answer yes to all three myself, but a...

2009-01-25T17:44:00.000-08:00

CJ... I will answer yes to all three myself, but already know at best all he is going to do is hire a "soft-GM" so I don't get too worked up about it.

Why do YOU get so worked up about it?

I am curious.

I really like beer but know for a fact that it has some bad health effects, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying beer all the time.

I really like the Raiders, but know that Al is not going to have a strong GM, so I try not worry about it much... and just hope for the best. I enjoy the Raiders more that way.

So are you the type that drinks a six pack and feels like shit after every sip because it is bad for you or something?

>>>>Who cares? Both these teams will have a GM in ...

2009-01-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

>>>>
Who cares? Both these teams will have a GM in the VERY near future.
>>>>

Nothing "whacko" about stating the future as a fact huh?

BlandaRocked,just to point out that while parcell'...

2009-01-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

BlandaRocked,

just to point out that while parcell's did not take cows to super bowl. he did give the team the structure, disipline, and direction, it so badly needed(sound familiar?).

the point is even jerry jones was able to put his ego aside, at least for a little while.
he hired parcell's, because he knew he needed to.
he knew parcell's could do things for the cows that he could not.

it didn't last long, as jones' ego came charging back with a vengence.

but now the cows are on the decline again.

that's why we hear rumors of cowher, or shanarat going to coach to cows when phillp's stumbles again.

al davis will never reach out to a cowher or a parcell's, or any top coaching talent available.

commitment to excellence my ass. there is only a commitment for al davis to run the show.

A few questions for Panty Raider, BlandaRocked, an...

2009-01-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

A few questions for Panty Raider, BlandaRocked, and Gary:

1. Do you think Davis the Owner should fire Davis the GM?

2. Do you think the hiring of a GM/Executive is long overdue?

3. Do you think Davis should delegate more authority and responsibilities for Football Operations due to his health limitations?

My answers: Yes, Yes, and Yes.

blanda - we agree on something - i think. heard pa...

2009-01-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

blanda - we agree on something - i think.

heard part of jed york's interview on kcbs this am. he was asked if the santa clara deal didn't pull through if the whiners would move to LA or wherever. his response basically was no way. he'd make every effort to keep his team in the bay. he said he'd love for both teams to remain in the bay and this shared stadium would be one of those ways. the guy's willing to sit down and talk about it but is al? this sharing thing makes perfect sense. the only negative is that if the two teams played each other, a lot of fans wouldn't be able to get tickets. but of course, the benefit here is that the game'll be on TV.

asked about his family's relationship with al and he was very respectful siting that it was al who convinced eddie's dad not to hesistate at all and to buy the team from mueli. sounds like this 27 year old has a good head on his shoulders. and who is representing us?

i'm all for it. its a GOOD idea wherever they decide to build it and i hope this happens! swallow that pride al.

Let's get this out in the open because all of this...

2009-01-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

Let's get this out in the open because all of this nitpicking at the edges and discussing irrelvant side tangents is driving me wacko.

All NFL teams do not run exactly alike or operate in the exact same fashion.

You can cite teams like Denver and Cleveland who hired the HC before the GM ... and say "See Calico Jack, this team didn't do it exactly the way you said it should be done" Who cares? Both these teams will have a GM in the VERY near future. Cleveland has already interviewed 3 well respected GM candidates.

You can cite a team like Dallas that is controlled and dominated by the owner and say "See Calico Jack, the Cowboys are designed like the Raiders." Who cares? The 2 owners situations could be more far apart. Jerry Jones is healthy active 66 years old; Davis is 79. Jones has the executive help of his 2 sons Stephen (Exec VP, Dir of Personnel) and Jerry Jr. (Exec VP); Mark Davis is not involved in Football Operations/Personnel at all.

Another Point:

Let's not get too bogged down on the term "GM".

There are some teams that have a Personnel Director instead of a GM. There are other teams that have a GM but not a Personnel Director. There are other teams that have both a GM and Personnel Director. I have seen some teams that have a GM, Personnel Director, and Asst Personnel Director. Some teams have a VP of Football Operations. Some teams have an Executive VP.

The point is not the title but the football 'executive' serving an important role for the team.

PR: My statement "A functional organization has a...

2009-01-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

PR: My statement "A functional organization has a GM. This is why all other teams have a GM besides the Raiders. A GM has an instrumental role for a competitive team."

is strictly in reference to the NFL not other businesses or entities.

Setting the Raiders' standard against other failed...

2009-01-25T14:50:00.000-08:00

Setting the Raiders' standard against other failed systems isn't exactly a recipe for success.

Just because Jones meddles with his team and acts as his own GM doesn't make it right... nor does it make Al Davis any younger or more physically able.

BlandaRocked....The "GoldenGetto"...That's funny B...

2009-01-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

BlandaRocked....

The "GoldenGetto"...That's funny Bro....

They try to copy-cat us with their "Niner Empire" and the "Donko"s talk "Bronco Nation" which is a total insult to the Raider Fans who self organised into the "Raider Nation" "Black Hole" and "Scull Patrol" years before....

No self imagination in the "MuleValley"....

PantyRaider...That's Our Bag!!!!/_