Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation: The Ties That Bind

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Are there just 11 men on the NFL football field? Or, is there a team, tied together for the common purpose of winning football games?

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 made us all wonder about whether our Oakland Raiders team has a passion for the sport, or is there some benign, hidden tumor obstructing the progress of the Oakland Raiders?

I have looked at a lot of movies. Some story lines depict plots of "fixed" outcomes in competitions, horse races, boxing matches, and other sports.

Lately, things have been looking so unusual for the Oakland Raiders, those themes from the movies slip into my subconscious, causing me to wonder: Are these guys being paid to lose games?

As an analyst, I am prone to ask questions.

More than once I have read comments by fans, indicating that the team is not putting their whole heart into the football games.

Then I reflect back on both the discipline, and the lack of discipline, players who are now retired would sometimes exhibit.

For example, I know of two Oakland Raiders who slipped away from camp in one state, caught a train, and landed in New York City to have fun in Manhattan on a Friday night.

They took this chance on a Friday, returned to their hotel on Saturday morning, and then played football on Sunday.

Now, the question comes to mind: Were these guys in the optimal shape, and rested enough to put their best foot forward during the game on that given Sunday?

How were they able to slip away unnoticed? Were they fined, if they were discovered?

Did they care enough about the outcome of the game, to avoid taking those types of social "chances".

I wondered then. I wonder now.

Is this generation of Oakland Raiders prone to the same type of behavior and risk-taking?

I watched JR's numbers, computing his completion-attempts ratio. It was good at the beginning of the game with the New York Jets. Then, the ratio began to slip downward.

It seems JR's stamina diminished. It got so bad, that I could not stand to watch and do the computations. I knew, from a numerical standpoint, that he was not up to par.

At the beginning of the game, I believe in the first quarter, his ratio was better than the opponent's quarterback completion-attempts ratio.

On Sunday, I did not watch the physical contact between the teams, rather I tracked the data, minute by minute, and play by play, using the ESPN Gamecast as my primary source of data.

One thing is certain: JR needs an updated, complete physical to see if there is something going on with him. It's possible, you know.

Now, others make reference to his laid-back attitude. Some may call it "detached".

I suspect that what some perceive as detached, or laid-back may be a symptom of something deeper. Only a professional can discern this type of situation. I am only making observations.

As a researcher, I am certainly free to raise questions.

Please don't get me wrong. I am pulling for JR. I am pulling for the entire team. I want to see him function up to his potential. But, we can not be in denial.

Let me make something clear. He is not the only one out there looking out of sorts, in my opinion.

So, check him out. Check the whole team out.

Some folks may question my questions. It does not matter.

We have a recurring problem here, and I suspect (since I observe so many young people) that some of these guys need a powerful pep talk, counseling, or something to get them fired up for their games.

It's my opinion that if you love something, or somebody, you see clearly what their needs are, and you address those needs, no matter how painful the reality of the situation may be.

I admit, I do not know the answers. But, I can ask questions with the hope that someone in a position to relay the questions will do so, because they, too, love our Oakland Raiders.

There is a song I used to play on the piano years ago. The words are:

"Blest be the ties that bind

Our hearts in...love...."

It also speaks of "fellowship".

I truly believe that our love for the Oakland Raiders prompts us to have a kindred mind, the same mind. And, when we love something, or someone, we discern what's going on in their body, mind, and soul.

We address it, or seek to get help from the right persons to address the covert problem.

Finally, what is the tie that binds our team together? Answer that question, and we may just be nearer to an approach for a solution.

What do you think?

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