Oakland Raiders: Making Outrageous Comparisons

Yes, I used the word "outrageous," because what has happened to the Oakland Raiders in the past seven years is outrageous.

Having the audacity to compare aspects of the Oakland Raiders franchise with the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers is probably going to piss somebody off—and it is a good thing to get a little agitated.

Let's just say it is about time to examine the Raiders' situation from every angle, leaving no stones unturned.

Anybody who thinks that numbers are not important is living in a very limited reality, in my opinion. If numbers don't matter, then why are there so many NFL statistics posted in so many places on the Internet?

Numbers do matter.

As a response to one comment, this example was given: If numbers do not matter, then think about a body with only one eye and one leg. Would the quality of life of a person with that body be changed dramatically when compared with someone who has two eyes and two legs—which is what is called "normal?"

In such a situation, accommodations are often made. In the case of the Raiders, if we are short of a GM or an assistant coach, then accommodations ought to be considered to help bring the team up to par.

So it is in the NFL. A team with one coach may be odd when most teams have more than one. A team with no strength and conditioning coach may also seem odd.

A team that is top-heavy, with 12 coaches and limited productivity, again may seem odd.

If we look at the selected group of teams and tally the total number of head coaches and assistants, offensive coaches, and defensive coaches, you may make a few observations.

Here are a few—and I admit I like to write articles that make us think deeper and further into the travesty of failures we are witnessing with the Raiders in the past seven years.

Obviously, no one has reversed the pattern of losses yet, so it means all types of research are needed to diagnose the problem—and to also identify all types of situations that are a waste of money.

Observations

1. The Super Bowl-winning Saints have a total of 15 personnel in the head coach and assistant coach, offensive coach, and defensive coach categories.

2. The Colts have 16 coaches in the same categories.

3. The Raiders have 14.

4. The Steelers have 13.

Now, consider this outrageous question as we explore an outrageous comparison: Is it possible that the Raiders need more coaches—more eyes to see, more brains to think—to improve in all categories?

Because the Saints and Colts seemed to have had more stamina in 2009, is it possible that the Raiders may need more work in the strength and conditioning category? During the last quarter in most games, it seems that the energy, passion, and ability to know what to do under pressure was greatly diminished in several games.

I have given some examples—and I am certain you get the general idea. Now, you add to the observations and make some solid and valid recommendations based on your research.

Go Raiders! We are watching and researching the situation.