Bleacher Report - Articles by Damali Binta YAEL

Raiders-Steelers: An Organizational Comparison

Damali Binta YAEL — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:22:57 -0500

If a team's age of existence made a difference in the quality of its performance, then the Pittsburgh Steelers should have the advantage in the Week 13 game with the Oakland Raiders.

However, being older does not necessarily make one more competent.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded in 1933, which would make the team about 76-years-old. The Oakland Raiders were founded in 1960, celebrating their 50th year, along with the other charter members of the AFL.

If these teams represented two men, a 76-year-old man is getting ready to compete with a 50-year-old man.

Given that analogy, who would win this competition?

Another way to look at the competitors is to look at a portion of the data for the two franchises:

Pittsburgh has 526 wins (to date) in 76 years, while Oakland would only need to be 8.95 years older in order to have the same level of performance.

Additionally, Pittsburgh has seven Super Bowl appearances in 76 years, using a proportion equation, the Raiders would need 4.6 Super Bowl appearances to match the Steelers' level of performance.

Since the Raiders have appeared in the Super Bowl five times, they have out performed the Steelers in this category.

However in terms of Super Bowl wins, the Raiders have under performed when compared to the Steelers. Oakland's actual number of Super Bowl wins is three, whereas mathematically it should be 3.947 when compared to the Steelers.

The win-loss percentage for the Raiders exceeds that of the Steelers. Oakland's percentage is 55.1 percent while the Steelers have won 51.6 percent of their games.

The Steelers have been in existence some 27 years longer, however, their win-loss percentage is below that of the Raiders.

Oakland Raiders organization may be younger and have had their struggles of late, but when they are good, they are very good .

Who Is Tiger Woods' Ahithophel?: One Who Is Close, but Who Tells His Secrets

Damali Binta YAEL — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:32:00 -0500

Too many times in history, we see that great and powerful men tumble downhill because they get bad advice and suffer bad consequences.

A historical example is found in 2 Sam. 16:21. Ahithophel strategically advised Absalom, the son of the great king, David. He told him:

"Sleep with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear about how you have made your father despise you. Everyone who is with you will support you even more."

One thing is clear. Both Absalom and his father King David were not easily accessed because of their power. Men (or women) close to them would counsel them.

Now in the contemporary world of power and money, it is certainly clear that everyone could not get access to Tiger Woods. There is probably an “Ahithophel” near him. This person close to him may have even helped him get introduced and to have access to certain people.

The “Ahithophel” in Tiger Woods’ life is someone the media needs to seek out.

Time and time again, great men fall from public grace because of their transgressions. Some go on with their lives. Some are forgiven.

The focus of this article is not Tiger Woods and his transgressions. Rather, the focus is on a question of “Who helped him gain access or who helped the women gain access to him?”

Why the media explosion in 2009? Was there someone who fed the story to the media in order to dismantle the powerful establishment built on the talents of Tiger Woods? I ask, again, “Why now?”

Whenever a story hits the internet or the major media, you can be certain that someone let it “leak” out. There is a reason hidden behind all of this surrounding the personal life of Tiger Woods.

In the historical example, someone was jealous and envied the position of David. That person gave poor counsel to David’s son. The motive was to destroy David and to dismantle his power. The man who devised the scheme against David was the grandfather of the woman David so dearly loved. It was not enough for this man to know that his granddaughter would marry the king. He wanted more. He wanted the king’s position and power.

Now in the world of golf might there be a “Ahithophel” who is jealous of Tiger Woods holding a prime position in the sports world. This man, in this scenario, would cover for Tiger and help him smoothly slip in and out of situations. Whoever this man (or woman is) would strategically leak out information on the great golfer, and thereby, start a hurricane of stories to disturb the career and household of Tiger Woods.

In modern vernacular, this man would say, “Go on man, have a little fun. I’ve got your back.”

Later, he (or she) turns his back on Tiger Woods, and then releases the news of his alleged transgressions.

One story said that Woods had an affair for 31 months. Are you going to tell me that nobody knew about his coming and going during those 930 days. If there were 300 text messages then, according to the arithmetic, that is one message every three or four days.

Think about it like this: If someone is getting 300 text messages over, say, 930 days, surely someone saw him gazing over the cellphone, and zipping off to a rendezvous to meet a friend.

In fact, most women, while cleaning and arranging things at home, will “accidently” pick up their husband’s phone and peek at it. So, are you telling me that his indiscretions were not discovered earlier than Nov. 2009?

Just a thought. More importantly, it is an opinion.

History: Huff, Ellis, Seymour Compared To Green, White, Holmes

Damali Binta YAEL — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:02:25 -0500

A historical look at the Pittsburgh Steelers is good preparation for the Oakland Raiders in 2009. It will alert the Oakland Raiders to rise to the occasion and tackle an opponent who historically is credited with having a very good defensive squad.

The Historical Context

There was a crisis because of a lack of presence of role models. Organizations like the National Urban League got involved in education, mainly to help reduce the dropout rate in urban communities.

Defenses needed to be built in American education. Young men needed to be herded off the streets and back into the classrooms. The legislation that would fund the dropout prevention programs, which was America's defense for an emerging problem, was called the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA). While all of this was happening on a national level, the Pittsburgh Steelers were building up a powerful defense, called "The Steel Curtain."

The Connections

As the project director of a Houston Area Urban League ESAA project, I was told to hire four strong men who could help find the dropouts and encourage them to return to high school, and to identify those who were potential dropouts.

I found four good men to implement the project. One of them, I distinctly remember, was a relative of Dwight White, a defensive player with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The name of Dwight White's relative was Bob White, and he had been a probation officer. He was perfectly suited for the job.

The other man I hired was an ex-U. S. Marine who wanted to help young people.

The Motivating Stories

Mr. White constantly talked about his relative Dwight. I was curious and Mr. White would share with us, the experiences of Dwight White, "Mean" Joe Greene, Ernie Holmes and L. C. Greenwood. He would brag about how tough, smart and determined those NFL players were. Somehow that motivated the ESAA counselors to go out there in those rough, urban communities and tackle those dropouts, and herd them back into the schools such as Jack Yates High School, in Third Ward.

Each NFL player stands out in my mind in 2009 for a different reason.

Dwight White stood out because he was the relative to a man who worked as a counselor in the program I directed.

"Mean" Joe Greene stood out because of his performance on the football field and his name.

Ernie Holmes stood out because he attended Texas Southern University, and he was known for his intensity on the playing field. His name stands out in my mind even more now because he fathered one of the promising young mathematicians in the United States, Dr. Rod Holmes.

There were really four outstanding defense players with the Pittsburgh Steelers at that time. I made no connection with the fourth player.

Here is what an interesting chapter in history looks like in 2009.

Ernie Holmes who passed away, at 59-years-old, in a car accident somewhere between Houston, Texas and Beaumont, Texas is the father of a young mathematician who has made history.

I work with Ernie Holmes' son. Dr. Rod Holmes, the second African-American man to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Houston, must have put up a powerful defense to negotiate his way to the end of a historical accomplishment.

He was mentored by Dr. Willie Taylor, the first African-American man to receive his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Houston. Is it possible that the wisdom of his father, the great defensive player with "The Steel Curtain" rubbed off on the son, Dr. Rob Holmes?

The Common Traits for Success

The determination, persistence, and passion you need for football is also needed in intellectual endeavors. Perhaps the powerful attributes of the father were passed on to the son, giving him the coping skills to wedge forth and get a Ph.D. in one of the most challenging areas in mathematics, functional analysis? I think so.

Does the tradition of building and having a powerful defensive team continue in the current Pittsburgh Steelers team? Probably so.

Traces of genius stood out in the career of Ernie Holmes.

In one quote we see:

"Holmes, drafted out of Texas Southern, was part of a defense that held Minnesota to 17 yards rushing and 119 total yards in the 1975 Super Bowl. The Steelers won their first title, 16-10. They were back a year later, beating Dallas 21-17 for the championship.

"The 1976 Steelers defense was one of the best in NFL history, shutting out five opponents—three in a row—during a nine-game, season-ending winning streak. The Steelers allowed only 28 points during those nine games, an average of slightly more than a field goal per game.

"He was devastating and would just destroy the opponent across from him," Russell said. "Sometimes I had to remind him to tackle the guy with the pigskin. He was a brilliant player. He played all with his heart."

"He used his head, too. Besides "Fats," he was also known as "Arrowhead" because in 1974 he shaved his head, leaving only an arrow-shaped pattern of hair on his skull. "I asked him, 'What the hell did you do that for?'" longtime Steelers director of communications Joe Gordon said.

"We were getting ready to play the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. He said, 'That's to point me to the quarterback.'" What stands out is the comment "He used his head" and "he was a brilliant player."

The Role Models were evident

So, the four men who often bragged about the brilliance of L. C. Greenwood, Joe Green, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes were good role models. Perhaps they saw the merit and power of a good defense.

And, the four men who took part in "The Steel Curtain" set a model in place for those times by being one of the best NFL defense squads in NFL history. Out of that pool of talent was birthed one of America's promising mathematicians.

It looks like Dr. Rod Holmes inherited the brilliance and heart of his father. It is no small feat to be one of the few African-American men to get a Ph.D. in functional analysis.

Brilliance can be in the genes, however, it may manifest itself in different ways. Ernie Holmes showed his on the playing field while his son shows his in intellectual pursuits.

The Historical Encounter

Now there is a story telling about what Ernie Holmes did, and how he approached Gene Upshaw of the Oakland Raiders. Holmes forewarned Upshaw that the Steelers defense was, let's say, stronger and more fierce than the Raiders.

Well, a game is coming up on Dec. 6. Is there a "Ernie Holmes" making his way to a "Gene Upshaw"? Is the Oakland Raiders team being forewarned about the tactics and strength of the Pittsburgh Steelers?

A historical encounter is captured in this quote: "To motivate his teammates, Holmes purposefully strayed into the Raiders' warm ups to tell star lineman Gene Upshaw before the January 1976 AFC Championship Game what the Steelers would do to him and Oakland.

"The Steelers went on to win 24-13. But at a team Christmas party, Holmes surprised everyone by dressing up like Santa Claus and handing out toys."

It's 33 years later. In 2009 is there a Steelers defensive player who will "stray into the Raiders' warm ups" and tell the Raiders' star lineman what the Steelers will do to him and Oakland on Dec. 6?

The Heritage

I conclude by saying that out of the personal heritage of Ernie Holmes has come an outstanding young mathematician, Rod Holmes.

More broadly, then, we can say that out of the franchise heritage of both the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Oakland Raiders should come forth with a "Ernie Holmes" and a "Gene Upshaw."

An Oct. 2009 article, written by Saint , cites a progress report on the Oakland Raiders defensive players:

"1) Michael Huff —Huff is second in the NFL with three interceptions, and he has also gotten his hands on plenty more as he, playing a part time role, is tied for the NFL lead in passes defensed. He is definitely the surprise of the 2009 season, for the Raiders, to this point.

"2) Greg Ellis —Ellis is 7th in the NFL with four sacks, although he was not given credit for a half sack in the first game that was given to Seymour. He has been an outstanding pick-up from Dallas and I am sure that he has something special planned for Thanksgiving Day in the Big D!

"3) The Law Offices of Morrison, Howard and BRANCH?—Howard and Morrison are tied for 17th in tackles with 31 and Tyvon is fifth among all safeties with 29 of his own. Morrison and Howard have really stepped up their games and are each tracking 124 tackles while Tyvon is proving to be one heckuva Fourth Rounder and is tracking 116 in his first full season starting in the NFL.

"4) Richard Seymour —Seymour does have two sacks this season, but his leadership has been invaluable in galvanizing the front four.

"5) Nnamdi—The man with ZERO stats. As they once said, a long time ago, if your name is being called a lot and you are on the offensive line or the defensive backfield, it is NOT usually a good thing. So, Nnamdi is doing his "Nnamdiest" to stay out of the stat column but has made nearly every play that has come his way.

"This defense is young and getting better, what do you think Raider Nation?"

Who will win the game on Dec. 6, 2009? I will leave it up to you, the readers, to give predictions.

The Vision

One thing we can conjecture is that the Oakland Raiders has an emerging leader, Richard Seymour. Will the current Oakland Raiders defensive players reverse the results of the 2009 pattern, and overcome the Pittsburgh Steelers who have historically had players like Holmes who "bullied" and out-thought his opponents because not only was he tough, but he was smart, too.

So in 2009, the Oakland Raiders need to build up their "Brick Wall" or some wall made out of a viscoelastic material (polymer) so as to combat the forces they will likely encounter on Dec. 6, 2009.

Go Raiders! Build up a history of a powerful defense!

Steelers Historical Strong Defense: White, Green, Holmes, Greenwood

Damali Binta YAEL — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:22:50 -0500

During the same years the Pittsburgh Steelers were building "The Steel Curtain," America was building a defense for dropouts and push-outs in urban schools.

Those years saw the high school dropout rate for African-American males climb to an alarming high. There was a crisis because of a lack of presence of role models. Organizations like the National Urban League got involved in education, mainly to help reduce the dropout rate in urban communities.

Defenses needed to be built in American education. Young men needed to be herded off the streets and back into the classrooms. The legislation that would fund the dropout prevention programs, which was America's defense for an emerging problem, was called the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA).

As the project director of a Houston Area Urban League ESAA project, I was told to hire four strong men who could help find the dropouts and encourage them to return to high school, and to identify those who were potential dropouts.

I found four good men to implement the project. One of them, I distinctly remember, was a relative of Dwight White, a defensive player with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The name of Dwight White's relative was Bob White, and he had been a probation officer. He was perfectly suited for the job.

The other man I hired was an ex-U. S. Marine who wanted to help young people.

Mr. White constantly talked about his relative Dwight. I was curious and Mr. White would share with us, the experiences of Dwight White, "Mean" Joe Greene, Ernie Holmes and L. C. Greenwood.

Each NFL player stands out in my mind for a different reason.

Dwight White stood out because he was the relative to a man who worked as a counselor in the program I directed.

"Mean" Joe Greene stood out because of his performance on the football field and his name.

Ernie Holmes stood out because he attended Texas Southern University, and he was known for his intensity on the playing field. His name stands out in my mind even more now because he fathered one of the promising young mathematicians in the United States, Dr. Rod Holmes.

There were really four outstanding defense players with the Pittsburgh Steelers at that time. I made no connection with the fourth player.

Here is what an interesting chapter in history looks like in 2009. Ernie Holmes who passed away, at 59 years old, in a car accident somewhere between Houston, Texas and Beaumont, Texas is the father of a young mathematician who has made history.

I work with Ernie Holmes' son.

Dr. Rod Holmes, the second African-American man to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Houston, must have put up a powerful defense to negotiate his way to the end of a historical accomplishment.

He was mentored by Dr. Willie Taylor, the first African-American man to receive his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Houston.

Is it possible that the wisdom of his father, the great defensive player with "The Steel Curtain" rubbed off on the son, Dr. Rob Holmes?

The determination, persistence, and passion you need for football is also needed in intellectual endeavors. Perhaps the powerful attributes of the father were passed on to the son, giving him the coping skills to wedge forth and get a Ph.D. in one of the most challenging areas in mathematics, functional analysis? I think so.

Does the tradition of building and having a powerful defensive team continue in the current Pittsburgh Steelers team? Probably so.

Traces of genius stood out in the career of Ernie Holmes. In one quote we see:

"Holmes, drafted out of Texas Southern, was part of a defense that held Minnesota to 17 yards rushing and 119 total yards in the 1975 Super Bowl. The Steelers won their first title, 16-10. They were back a year later, beating Dallas 21-17 for the championship.

"The 1976 Steelers defense was one of the best in NFL history, shutting out five opponents -- three in a row -- during a nine-game, season-ending winning streak. The Steelers allowed only 28 points during those nine games, an average of slightly more than a field goal per game.

"He was devastating and would just destroy the opponent across from him," Russell said. "Sometimes I had to remind him to tackle the guy with the pigskin. He was a brilliant player. He played all with his heart."

"He used his head, too. Besides "Fats," he was also known as "Arrowhead" because in 1974 he shaved his head, leaving only an arrow-shaped pattern of hair on his skull.

"I asked him, 'What the hell did you do that for?'" longtime Steelers director of communications Joe Gordon said. "We were getting ready to play the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. He said, 'That's to point me to the quarterback.'"

What stands out is the comment "He used his head" and "he was a brilliant player."

So, the four men who often bragged about the brilliance of L. C. Greenwood, Joe Green, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes were good role models. Perhaps they saw the merit and power of a good defense.

And, the four men who took part in "The Steel Curtain" set a model in place for those times by being one of the best NFL defense squads in NFL history.

Out of that pool of talent was birthed one of America's promising mathematicians. It looks like Dr. Rod Holmes inherited the brilliance and heart of his father. It is no small feat to be one of the few African-American men to get a Ph.D. in functional analysis.

Brilliance can be in the genes, however, it may manifest itself in different ways. Ernie Holmes showed his on the playing field while his son shows his in intellectual pursuits.

Now there is a story telling about what Ernie Holmes did, and how he approached Gene Upshaw of the Oakland Raiders. Holmes forewarned Upshaw that the Steelers defense was, let's say, stronger and more fierce than the Raiders.

Well, a game is coming up on Dec. 6. Is there a "Ernie Holmes" making his way to a "Gene Upshaw"? Is the Oakland Raiders team being forewarned about the tactics and strength of the Pittsburgh Steelers?

A historical encounter is captured in this quote:

"To motivate his teammates, Holmes purposefully strayed into the Raiders' warm ups to tell star lineman Gene Upshaw before the January 1976 AFC Championship Game what the Steelers would do to him and Oakland.

"The Steelers went on to win 24-13. But at a team Christmas party, Holmes surprised everyone by dressing up like Santa Claus and handing out toys."

It's 33 years later. In 2009 is there a Steelers defensive player who will "stray into the Raiders' warm ups" and tell the Raiders' star lineman what the Steelers will do to him and Oakland on December 6?

I conclude by saying that out of the personal heritage of Ernie Holmes has come an outstanding young mathematician, Rod Holmes.

More broadly, then, we can say that out of the franchise heritage of both the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Oakland Raiders should come forth with a "Ernie Holmes" and a "Gene Upshaw."

Who will win the game on Dec. 6, 2009? I will leave it up to you, the readers, to give predictions.

The Oakland Raiders Need to Do a Self-Study to Get Out of a Rut

Damali Binta YAEL — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:06:41 -0500

Whatever I ask of you, I must ask of myself. If the Oakland Raiders are perceived as having fallen into a rut, then it is likely the Raider Nation is in a rut.

So, I initiated a self-study on Nov. 27. The self-study is only done to serve as a model for each and every member of the Oakland Raiders franchise.

Now, here is my humble submission of a self-study since I started writing for the Bleacher Report.

My first article was published in May 2009, which means I have been an active writer for about six months. I estimated the number of days I have been active, and it added up to 189 days.

This is the 200th article that I have published. Some may say this is cause to celebrate, but when I look at the study, I see where there is room for improvement.

I hope it does not surprise you that I admit that there is room for improvement, but the only way to reach a very high level of excellence is to be honest with yourself when you judge your own performance.

Is this type of self-study being conducted on a daily or weekly basis for the Oakland Raiders? I hope so. It would be an eye-opener.

Here are some statistics:

Am I pleased with this report of my Bleacher Report activities? Yes and No.

The daily discipline of reading and writing about sports is a positive activity. However, when I see that I have not written many comments when compared to the number of comments I have received, I am not happy.

What will I do? I will try to respond to more comments from my colleagues. If support is what I want, then I must give support to others.

Here is more data:

-58,800 article reads
Rank: 363 of 18,247

-199 articles written
Rank: 165 of 18,307

-449 article likes
Rank: 20 of 6,846

-2,324 comments received
Rank: 68 of 11,736

-1,502 comments written
Rank: 130 of 83,844

-85 comment likes
Rank: 211 of 13,064

-133 fans
Rank: 90 of 17,254

Based on this self-study, I have been either selfish or too busy to respond to other writers' articles and comments. I have got to do better.

Now, let's focus on my favorite team, the Oakland Raiders. Are you willing to be honest to assess your performance as of Nov. 27?

Please do so. It is your professional responsibility to look at your performance and design a strategy for improvement.

I was so dismayed at the loss on Nov. 26 that the numbers were scrambled in my brain. A 4-7 record is what I deeply desired, but instead we are 3-8.

Since I have written 200 articles in about 189 days, it means I am writing articles more than once per day. This means that the Oakland Raiders have been on my mind, not once, but sometimes twice per day. That should tell you something about the commitment many of us on the Bleacher Report have for our favorite teams.

Now, what is good for the fans is certainly good for the Oakland Raiders. A daily dose of discipline and attentiveness to the training and learning associated with transforming into a winning team is all that we, who are committed to writing about the Oakland Raider experience, expect of the team we so dearly love.

A few months ago, someone said that my growth in sports writing has advanced at an above average rate. If the growth of the writers is greater than the growth of the team, then how do you think the writers (and fans) feel?

Things will get out of sync. So, do your job and we must do our job. Together, we can learn from a regular self-study of our team and of ourselves.

Oakland Raiders, do your self-study and get yourself on a plan for improvement.

That's the lesson for Black Friday! Let's get out of the losing "rut" and get on a "yellow brick road" to success.

Oakland Raiders Need Black Roses on Black Friday: Courage and Strength

Damali Binta YAEL — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:49:27 -0500

Thanksgiving is a family day. It is a day when we are thankful for all of the wonderful things we have experienced, or that we possess.

Good health, sound mind, healthy children, a job, and friends and family are just a few of the things for which we express appreciation.

When the family is large and competitive, they have a great time "kidding" each other about their favorite football team.

Well, I am in Texas, so most of my family was pulling for the Dallas Cowboys. In college football, we were split between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies.

There was a moment when folks got a little loud. Here is the reason: One of my nieces got her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, and her Ph.D. from Texas A&M.

Her husband got his bachelor's in engineering from the University of Texas, and his M.B.A. from Texas A&M. So, who did they pull for? It was confusing.

Finally, they stuck with the University of Texas.

When the dust from that decision settled it was time for a new target. Me. I became the one picked on and questioned about being a die-hard Oakland Raiders fan. They wondered why, and they were bold enough to ask.

I gave them my short version of why I am a consistent and dedicated supporter of the Raiders. Yes, I debated their current standing in the NFL, but I insisted that Oakland has the potential of rising up in rank, no matter what the situation may be.

So, we looked at the game. There was a point when most of the family decided that Oakland had lost any hope of winning, and the group, using a majority vote, changed the channel during the last few minutes of the game.

I shouted out, "Don't do that, because Oakland may win it in the last few seconds."

The matriarch in my family looked at me with a gaze that said, "Are you serious?"

Well, you know what happened. So, Nov. 27 is Black Friday for more than one reason.

Black communicates mourning. Yes, Raiders fans should be saddened because things are not looking good right now. The team is up one day, and down another.

Our record for 2009 is 3-8, and "The Terrible Towel" just may bring more tears to our eyes next week. I hope not, but I must deal with reality at this point.

Now, tell me, what do we do in times like these? Well, we redefine the meaning of some of these experiences. Here I go, trying to squeeze some positives out of a dim and dark situation in 2009.

Here is what I want to say, using two quotes:

"It is true that black is the color of death. But death does not always cause mourning.

"It can also be the beginning of new things, a journey into unexplored territory. The black rose, because it symbolizes death and passing away, also indicates a major change or upheaval in the future.

"In that sense, the black rose also means the death of old habits and the old order. It inspires confidence and enthusiasm by signaling the birth of a new era of hope and joy."

Another quote reassures us:

"The black rose, tragic in its dark beauty, is not always symbolic of unhappiness. The Irish have used the lyrics of 'the Little Black rose' during their ongoing battle with the British. Similarly, many anarchist and anti-authoritarian groups have also adopted the black rose as a symbol of mutiny and strength.

"Therefore, the meaning of the black rose also includes courage and resistance."

In conclusion, I hereby present the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation with a black rose. Courage, and resistance to failure, strength and mutiny against those who believe we can never rise above the challenges are what should be proclaimed.

We are going to redefine what most people tag as "loss" and call the "lesson."

We are in a stage of preparation, and because there are many covert and overt issues that must be dealt with, we know that we need time to diagnose, and prescribe remedies to reverse the trend we are currently experiencing.

Accept your black rose, and clasp the courage and strength to continue believing in the Oakland Raiders.

Source of Photos: Photobucket

Do Oakland Raiders And The Raider Nation Think and Have Priorities?

Damali Binta YAEL — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:39:57 -0500

Are there connections between faith and sports? Have you heard this saying, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"?

Now for a response to a comment that was made public a few days ago.

One thing that impressed some people when they heard about Richard Seymour's first press conference is he prioritizes and focuses on his faith, his family, and football.

If indeed Richard Seymour, an Oakland Raider, focuses on his faith, then Seymour has a belief system. Belief systems usually have books of wisdom defining and outlining acceptable behavior or game plans for the game of life.

Some folks use the Tanach, Torah, Bible, and other books of wisdom.

From my research, it is discovered that Bruce Gradkowski uses the Bible as his source of inspiration, knowledge, and game plan for life. Since sports is a subset of life, then whatever governs life also governs sports.

I often tell people that if the mind can think of the finite and infinite, in a classroom, for example, then it has the ability to think about time and eternity. Time is finite; eternity is infinite.

If the mind can think about the fine-tuned universe and the fact that galaxies are still forming, then it has the ability to realize the expansiveness of all of this in which we dwell.

If, in fact, you have been a student of the Hebrew language, then you realize that the word "sin" in Hebrew is "chatar," which is an athletic term meaning "to miss the mark."

How can an athlete hit the mark, if he can not see the mark?

Now research is a powerful tool. Research helps us see and discern. There is an article titled, Religion: Sports and the Bible . It was inspired by a question from a journalist. The full response is found on this link.

Definitions and quotes are always good when you start a discussion:

"He that doth not know those things which are of use for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides." --Tillotson. [1913 Webster] ...
www.dictionary.net/ignorant

Another historical quote:

"Did I for this take pains to teach Our zealous ignorants to preach?" --Denham.

I will answer Denham, and I will "preach" or teach in order to shed light on those areas where darkness seems to limit the insight and vision of some people. Also, my definition for "preach" in this particular forum is:

To inculcate in public discourse; to urge with earnestness by public teaching. "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." --Ps. xl. 9. [1913 Webster]

In a reference article by Bob Armbruster, dated April 3, 2009, the following examples of sports in the Bible are given:

1. Sailing and rowing -- Acts 27

2. Swimming --Acts 27

3. Horseback riding-- 1 Kings

4. Archery

5. Mountain climbing

6. Wrestling -- Genesis

7. Boxing and Track-- 1 Timothy

8. Fishing

9. Hiking

10. Javelin throwing

The author of my reference article wrote:

"Was shooting a rock from a slingshot, the method of warfare in which David killed Goliath, somewhat similar to discus throwing?

"Perhaps you can find other references to sports, or what are now sports, in the Sacred Scriptures.

"I was discussing this matter with a rabbi who said baseball is ref erred to the Bible. I looked surprised, and he chuckled, In the big inning ."

Now back to an issue that needs a forum. Fans and bloggers are encouraged to research and identify how many of the Oakland Raiders have a belief system, or have some type of faith?

How many of the Oakland Raiders and members of the Raider nation believe that all that we do in life and in time, somehow connects and gets transformed into infinity or eternity?

If, then, you realize that there is a connection between time and eternity and you know that you are now dwelling in "time" how then might you be transformed to dwell in "eternity"?

These are questions for you to think about when you have "time."

Now an argument built on "transitivity."

If the Oakland Raiders are a subset of mankind; and if mankind is governed by some books of wisdom, say, for example, the Torah, Bible, Tanach, or other; then, the Oakland Raiders, by the law of transitivity, are governed by those books of wisdom.

In a symbolic argument, it goes like this:

a --> b, b--> c, therefore a--> c

Or in words, if a is related to b, and b is related to c, then a is related to c.

So if the sports franchise, Oakland Raiders is related to mankind and if mankind is related to books of wisdom, then the Oakland Raiders are related to (taught and governed by) the books of wisdom.

Now, the conclusion to this forum is found in Romans 12:21, which is numbered by a palindrome 1221, when read backwards is still 1221. It simply says, in summary, "to overcome evil with good." I will define ignorance, in this forum, as "evil" and, knowledge as "good."

Got it! Now, smile because either way you look at it, it just makes sense to think before you write or speak in a public forum.

Now use your fine mind and answer the thesis question: Do Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation think and have priorities somewhat like Seymour and Gradkowski?

What do you think?

Do You See What I See: Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys' Patterns?

Damali Binta YAEL — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:27:01 -0500

Studying the historical and contemporary performance of the Oakland Raiders is a heap of fun when you see and discern information using verbal, symbolic, numerical and graphical data. Decoding these ways of seeing allow for a rich discussion of performance.

One the most prolific and celebrated writers on the Bleacher Report, Leroy Watson, said that I seem to see patterns in most things. That was a humbling compliment. Now let's have a little fun looking at the numbers for the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys.

For example, and to set the tone. Do you see a line of symmetry in the figure in the article's photo? Here is a hint: Look at the picture, thinking of horizontal lines, and vertical lines, then diagonal lines.

I see a vertical line of symmetry. Do you see it?

Now let's look at the performance data for the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys.

Oakland has a win-loss record of 3-7

Dallas has a win-loss record of 7-3

Oakland has a win-loss ratio of .3

Dallas has a win-loss ratio of .7

Now look at this mapping:

Oakland Dallas

3 -----------> 7 wins

7------------> 3 losses

.3-----------> .7 ratio

Do you see the pattern? There is a line of symmetry in this pattern. It, too, is a vertical line.

If you perform a reflection with respect to a vertical line, and flip the wins to losses, and the losses to wins, and then flip the magnitude of the win-loss ratios, you see that these teams are inverses of each other.

So, my recommendation is that Oakland is going to have to play real smart and real hard to reverse the pattern set forth in the 2009 season.

Do not take Dallas for granted.

Another example: The B/R writer named El posted a comment on Sunday, Nov. 22. At the time of his comment, Dallas had a score 0, and the opponent had 6 points. In the last few minutes of that game, Dallas overcame their opponent, and they were victorious.

So, the same dynamic performance that we had over the Bengals on Nov. 22, was similarly exhibited by Dallas in the last few moments of their game.

My conjecture: Dallas is going to be a formidable opponent.

How do I know? The numbers tell me so.

Bruce Gradkowski: What The Bible Can Tell Us About His Future

Damali Binta YAEL — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:24:25 -0500

A song says, "Be very sure, be very sure / Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!"

Now, let's apply that idea to the Oakland Raiders.

It was Nov. 22 when Bruce Gradkowski brought back a victory for Oakland. It was exciting. It was a last minute thriller.

Early this morning, a thought came to me. Let's look at a story about Noah. He was the 600—year—old man who was the owner of an ark/ship that was a safe haven for a select number of people and animals during his time.

A big rain fell. It rained for forty days and forty nights. A test had to be run.

Noah sent out the raven. The raven went here and there. There is no record of its return.

In a symbolic way, JaMarcus Russell was our raven. He went here and there, and few victories were returned, few touchdowns were scored.

Then, as the old story goes, Noah, the very old man, sent out a dove. That dove had no place to land, so the dove returned.

Noah sent out the dove, two times. On the second time, the dove came back with an olive branch, a symbol that the struggle and the hard times were about to end. In the case of the Raiders, this would be the streak of losses.

But, slow down and read this: The dove was sent out again, and on the third time, the dove did not return.

That was a sure sign that Noah could come out of the ark, and return to a stage of more space and physical freedom.

The moral of the story is that you must run a test. The test may have to be run more than one time.

Our victory on Nov. 22 is a good thing. But, we must run a test with Bruce Gradkowski.

Head coach Tom Cable and the very old Al Davis must send Gradkowski out to lead the team, not once, not twice, but three times.

It looks like Gradkowski is our dove, but he has only been sent out one time. He did return with a victory in his beak.

Now, let's stay on pins and needles, and send him out twice more.

It makes good sense to run the test more than once.

When we are convinced we are in a safe place, and not flooded by losses, we can come out, and reign in glory and honor.

This time, when we get back to that "safe place," we are going to be grateful.

Yes, we will even thank "the very old man" who is often misunderstood.

We will be grateful, for we will have weathered a storm that flooded our territory for the past six years. That was our forty days and forty nights of confinement while other things were being cleansed, and purged.

This time, we will start anew.

Bleacher Report Has a Head Start On STEM Public Awareness Initiative

Damali Binta YAEL — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:56:08 -0500

Sports is an integral part of the American lifestyle. It is an integral part of education.

There are about four broad purposes of sports, according to the American Sports data website:

It provides children with "fun" and instant gratification;

It fulfills what social psychologists call the "affiliative" need—friendship, and a sense of belonging;

It offers the near-term prospect of healthier minds and bodies through physical exercise;

For the longer term, its cumulative benefits hold the promise of those favorable "outcomes" associated with youth development.

Another website cites ten good reasons to engage young Americans in sports.

By participating in youth sports , the young athlete will:

1. Develop and become proficient at the various sports skills.

2. Develop skills needed to socialize with their peers as well as adults.

3. Develop independence and confidence.

4. Develop a sense of achievement, which helps develop a positive self-image.

5. Develop leadership skills and qualities.

6. Learn how to cooperate and compete.

7. Develop agility, coordination, endurance, flexibility, speed, and strength.

8. Develop the ability to make decisions and accept responsibilities.

9. Learn to understand and express emotions, imagination, and appreciation for what the body can do.

10. Develop an interest in continuing sports participation as an adult.

On a television screen in the Martin Luther King building of Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, I saw President Obama announcing the Educate to Innovate initiative in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

I was impressed, since I was among the hundreds of professors and administrators who visited Washington, DC earlier this month to discuss ideas in the STEM professions.

Most of all, I am pleased that this major sports website has a page titled "Sports and STEM."

This page will help in creating public awareness about the use of STEM in discussing, interpreting, and analyzing sports data, among other important related issues.

So, in agreement with the national call to action by the President of the United States, and others, I urge you to become cognizant of this crisis.

I encourage you to write and post your responses, blending, when possible, your analysis, descriptions, and interpretations of sports in conjunction with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Recently, there was an article on neuromuscular dentistry and how developments in the area are enhancing performance of athletes at all levels. That's a Sports and STEM area.

One of the television channels has a Sport Science telecast, which so many students enjoy.

Now, with the addition of the Bleacher Report "Sports and STEM" page, there is no doubt in my mind that public awareness will be increased, and some people just may delve to increase their knowledge and understanding of the area.

There are reports tagging the times we live in as a "quiet crisis." Surely, we want to hear and respond to this call to action in education and public awareness.

What's more, our national security is connected to our competence in the STEM professions. So, don't turn a "deaf ear" to this call to action.

Get involved.

What can you do?

Well, you can begin to support many of your arguments and discussions in sports with supporting data from science, technology, mathematics, statistics, and engineering.

Try it! You might like it.

White House Press Release

Xerox Executive named to STEM Board

Can Anything Good Come Out of the Oakland Raiders? Madden's Turducken -We Won

Damali Binta YAEL — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:26:45 -0500

Now, let me stretch your imagination. Think about big John Madden. He tells you that if you, Oakland Raiders, win the game today, he will give you a turducken. A Cajun fried turkey would be a good gift, too, if you pull it off today, and win the game.

Now since you are probably the generation of young people who were given incentives for your good behavior and good grades in elementary and middle school, I can see you right now, getting excited to show your best performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.

After all, you need to present something nice to your loved ones and friends for Thanksgiving, and this is the time to get your prize, a turducken or fried turkey.

Here is what one article from Wikipedia says:

"John Madden , noted NFL analyst, popularized the turducken on air during his announcing for CBS and later Fox by awarding a turducken to players on the winning team for the Thanksgiving Bowl .

"On the November 9, 2008 broadcast of NBC Sunday Night Football , Madden responded to a fan's sign reading "JOHN MADDEN, BRING BACK TURDUCKEN" by calling his fixation with turducken "a thing of the past," stating that he would return to a traditional turkey for successive Thanksgivings."

On November 22, 2009, at 9:10 am, Houston, Texas time, I am holding up a banner saying, "JOHN MADDEN, BRING BACK THE WINS FOR OAKLAND."

There are so many neat stories out there about John Madden. One story we know is fact. John Madden was the winningest coach in the history of the Oakland Raiders.

He needs to spread some of his gold dust on the players and coaches this season. We need to hear the word "win" resound throughout the atmosphere. It sure would make us feel good, wouldn't it?

Another way to feel good is to have a fine meal for the week of Thanksgiving. Here are a few recipes. A picture of the supplies is shown:

Today, I am going to do my homework and learn how to fry a turkey. I will also learn how to prepare turducken.

I hope my guests will enjoy everything and I hope they have a big John Madden smile after they experience my cooking.

Most of all, I hope I can truly enjoy my Tailgate meal today, as we celebrate a win over the Bengals.

Dedication: To Felix, Brent, Bret, Raider Card Addict, Justin, Leroy and Mary Jo, and so many others.

Instructions for Fried Turkey

Can Anything Good Come Out of the Oakland Raiders? Yes, Rod Woodson

Damali Binta YAEL — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:26:56 -0500

It was not that long ago when Rod Woodson, a 6'0", 200-pound corner back/safety played with the Oakland Raiders. He was a member of the team in 2002-2003, for two seasons.

My Saturday research to report some positives is what motivated me to write this article.

A recent Bleacher Report article mentioned that many Oakland Raiders have been overlooked by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That may be true, but a few good men have been recognized and enshrined, too.

In 2009, Rod Woodson was enshrined in the Hall of Fame. On page 17, in the Insider magazine, published by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Woodson is pictured and a biographical sketch is given.

As a member of the Oakland Raiders and other NFL teams, Woodson managed to accomplish the following statistics:

71 interceptions

1,483 interception return yards

2,362 punt return yards

17 touchdowns

The article tells us,

"The Fort Wayne, Indiana native also reached the end zone on an NFL record 12 interception returns, 1 fumble return, 2 punt returns and 2 kickoff returns.

"His interception return yards are also an NFL record and his 71 interceptions rank third all time."

So, I ask you, "Can anything good come out of the Oakland Raiders?"

The answer is, "Yes."

Now the context in which Woodson played while with the Oakland Raiders is partially characterized by the data in the chart.

The data indicates there was one good year, and the following year, a bit of a struggle with a .25 win-loss ratio. The 2002 season with a 11-5 record was followed by a 4-12 season.

Nevertheless, a man whose career ended with the Oakland Raiders was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2009. That is recent enough to believe that some good can still come out of the 2009 season.

Let's look at the bright side and cheer the team to victory on Nov. 22.

The article in the Insider helps us connect with an expectation for Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009:

"Rod Woodson's first career interception, which he returned 45 yards for a touchdown, came against the Cincinnati Bengals' Boomer Esiason on November 22, 1987."

Without this research I would never have seen a connection. It goes like this:

Who are we playing tomorrow? The Bengals.

What day did Rod Woodson make history? Nov. 22, 1987.

What team was Woodson's team playing when Woodson made history? The Bengals.

What is tomorrow's date? Nov. 22.

How many years ago did Woodson's historical moment happen? 22 years ago.

Well, some say that history repeats itself. Let's hope there is another "Rod Woodson" type on the field tomorrow, making history for the Oakland Raiders, and getting a touchdown!

Go Raiders!

Are The Oakland Raiders Getting Comfortable With Losing?

Damali Binta YAEL — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:02:44 -0500

Am I lucky or what? One of my calculus students surprised me with his comments on Wednesday night before class.

He said, "Guess what, Professor? I flew to Oakland and attended the game on Sunday."

I was surprised. I had just read a comment from a neuromuscular dentist and I was surprised at the student's comment about the Oakland Raiders.

He continued by telling me that he and his guest sat in the best seats at the stadium. After the game, he said they went to a fine restaurant. Yes, they had a party and had a great time.

I asked, "Were any of the team members at that particular party." He said, "No, only some of the coaches."

I then asked him, with an attitude, "Do you mean they were able to party, hard, let us say, after losing that game?"

He quipped, "Maybe they are getting used to losing."

Well, let's "nip that in the bud," right now.

We don't want anyone to get too comfortable with this losing streak. In fact, I am glad I am so lucky to have had an associate to have firsthand observations of some of the leadership of the Oakland Raiders.

Of course, the young engineer could be misunderstanding what's going on. But, I don't think so. Or maybe they were "self-medicating" because of their pain and disappointment after the loss to Kansas City. Hmm, I wonder.

So, I am making these comments public.

Here is what I have to say. Discipline starts at the top.

If JaMarcus Russell is overweight or too heavy, then is the head coach too heavy, too?

If the folks think that JaMarcus Russell is too laid back, then are the coaches a little too relaxed after a string of losses and a 2-7 record this season, even after bye week?

What's good for the gander, is good for the goose, so the country folks say.

Let's get it straight: the whole organization needs a reality check and something, like a bolt of lightning, needs to shock and jolt them out of their fogged vision of what it means to be a team who aspires to win.

When we were children, there would always be one child who would be the "tattle-tale."

Well, don't tag the young engineer in that way. Rather, let's just say that he let us peep in on the real deal, behind closed doors in the culture of our team, this season.

My response to this is: Shake it up. Get it straight. And, please tell us, how can you celebrate after the Nov. 15 game, and what in Hades were you celebrating?

My opinion is you should have been drowning in your own tears, like some of the fans are doing.

Let's play it again, Sam. Give us a victory on Nov 22. Got it? I hope so!

Oakland Raiders: The Beat Goes on, Get Ready for the Cincinnati Bengals

Damali Binta YAEL — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:20:10 -0500

The "boos" ought to be hushed. The "cheers" ought to be loud. We expect an improved performance since a few changes have been made in the lineup of the Oakland Raiders.

The global comparison of the Oakland Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals shows the performance of each team in several categories.

So much is involved in the prediction of the outcome for Sunday. Nevertheless, we can be encouraged to know that, overall, the Oakland Raiders do have some positive attributes when you look at the historical data.

The chart shows the strengths and weaknesses, from a global standpoint.

The outcome of a football game depends on more than deterministic data. There are all types of probabilities involved. There are coaching decisions, too.

Would you be disappointed if the change in quarterback did not dramatically change the outcome of the game on Sunday, Nov. 22?

Yes, we expect victory. Some analysts see it differently.

Jimmy Boyd had this to say:

"Last week, Russell was pulled in the third quarter after completing just 8 of 23 passes for 64 yards.

"It’s hard to say his replacement, Gradkowski, was better as he was picked off twice. He strained his hamstring in last week’s game with the Chiefs and that could keep him out of the starting discussion this week.

"Whoever Cable ultimately decides on will lead an offense that ranks 31st in the league with a 9.8 points per game scoring average.."

Now add this comment Boyd made and, perhaps, get a little encouragement:

"A win Sunday would give the Bengals a fifth straight road victory, which is something the team has never done before. While they are nearly a double-digit favorite, pulling off the feat figures to be no easy task as they are 0-8 all-time on the road against the Raiders.

"The Raiders already showed they can hang with the big dogs on any given Sunday with a win over the Eagles earlier this season so the Bengals will have to avoid any letdowns after an emotional win last week."

Sometimes you have to dig deep to get a little encouragement, but what the heck, we will do what it takes.

We will never give up hope for a renewed commitment to excellence and to winning, again. Go Raiders!

Oakland Raiders: Are Performance-Enhancing Mouthguards the Answer?

Damali Binta YAEL — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:52:51 -0500

Did you say that the performance of the Oakland Raiders needs to be enhanced? Are other teams competing against the Raiders already using those high-tech mouthguards?

An article in USA Today claims that performance can be enhanced by having a dentist design a mouthguard that improves an athlete's bite. The articles states:

"A neuromuscular dentist tries to find the optimal bite based on where the muscles are most relaxed. If the bite is out of alignment, a neuromuscular dentist can run test and design a mouthguard to protect and correct the bite."

Now just suppose our opponents already have made use of the scientific and technological development for optimizing bite alignment.

With these developments, is it possible that the playing field is not level after all? Does the team with the best dentist win?

One NFL lineman, Derrick Dockery, is on record as claiming that his performance was better with his mouthpiece.

The Raiders should recommend that all of their guys get that technologically designed mouth guard so their performance might be enhanced.

I am a firm believer that a team should do whatever it takes to get on a winning streak. So when it comes to a new-fangled mouthpiece, I say try it!

JaMarcus Russell seems like he has lost his stamina. Is it possible that his jaw is not aligned properly?

I know you think I am being funny, but I am serious. He needs a high-tech check up because his performance is not optimal.

In fact, the whole Oakland Raiders team needs to go see a neuromuscular dentist, this week, before more fans loose hope.

Something is wrong with this team, and the problem needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible.

Oakland Raiders: When Things Are Going Right, Not Wrong

Damali Binta YAEL — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:47:14 -0500

I know it is hard to keep cheering a team to victory when there are losses, back to back. But, we have got to keep cheering, hoping, and pulling for our team.

Sometimes we look for signs of progress. Surely, you see some type of progress? Don't you?

When I see some of the guys who I believe really love the team, write about their disgust at the recent performance, it is heartbreaking.

I think of it as I think of dealing with troubled children or persons with addictions. You work with them. They fall down, we pick them up. Again, they fall down and we pick them up, again.

The cycle seems to go on and on. If we give up during that cycle, we will never break the cycle.

So, no matter how difficult it is right now, don't give up.

I have the dual mission of pulling for the current team, while planning to impact the lives of some of the senior players who need someone to cheer them forward during their senior years.

I have a testimony to share. Yes, I am starting plans for a Center in the Golden Triangle. Before I boarded the plane to Washington, D.C., I actually thought it would be a good thing to meet a politician, say, a Congressman to help me get the project developed. I am in Virginia today, writing this in the Westin Hotel before one of my final meetings.

The government purchased my ticket for this trip as a consultant to an educational agency. They even selected the seat on the plane, 5F.

The two people on the seat with me on Nov. 15, were very polite and were reading books. My intuition said that one of them was an elected official.

When we landed in Washington, I got up enough nerve to ask the tall man if he was an elected official, and he was. I smiled and I asked for his business card.

Well, again, I am experiencing people in the right place at the right time. Here is what I wrote to the United States Senator:

Dear Damali Binta Yael,

Thank you for contacting my offices. Your correspondence has been received, and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. A copy of your message is attached below for your records.

If you need immediate assistance regarding an urgent problem you are experiencing with the federal government, visit the "Help With Federal Agencies" section of the website for details on how to proceed so that your difficulties are brought to my attention as soon as possible.

If you are seeking information or services from my offices that are NOT related to my Legislative duties, please visit my "Services For Texans" section for more information.

Warmest Regards,
U.S. Senator

---------------------------------------------------

Your Message:

I had the pleasure of sitting in a row with you, today, on Continental Airlines. I could tell from your countenance that you were an elected official.

I purchased a lot in Beaumont, Texas, and I have plans of building a home/center there to benefit a retired NFL player who has had many ups and downs in his life.

I am writing a proposal for this project, and I feel like it is destiny to have a chance to meet a U.S. Senator so near to the date of the purchase of the land. I purchased the lot on Nov. 3, Election Day.

I attended college with this gentleman. He is a recovering alcoholic, and he attended college with me more than 40 years ago. I seek your advisement.

Completion of this project in his honor and in the honor of others like him who have had their bouts with living on the streets, will not only bless the ones of us who share our contacts and expertise with them, but it will bless us for having compassion for others who have not negotiated the opportunities in America as successfully as we have.

I do not believe in luck. I believe it was God's will that I had the opportunity to sit in 5F, and to have the discernment that you were an elected official. I am in Washington, DC reading proposals for a government agency. Thank you for your time.

If I had given up, I would not have a good report today. I am meeting people who will advise me on this great project. I did not give up, and things are moving forward.

Finally, I am sharing this example because I believe we can not give up on the Oakland Raiders. Hang in there. It's going to get better, even though it looks dark and dim, the sunlight is going to come through.

I see a gleam of dawn. Do you?

Texas Southern Student Analyzes Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs Data

Damali Binta YAEL — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:26:02 -0500

On Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, Brandon Dural, a public affairs major at Texas Southern University (TSU), in Houston, Texas, analyzed historical data for the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of this week's matchup between those two teams.

He has been an NFL fan for several years. He was willing to be interviewed for this article, and told us what this data says about this week's game.

Interview

Damali: What does this data tell you?

Brandon: Based on the data, Oakland should be the favorite to win.

Damali: Give me more details.

Brandon: Oakland has a higher winning percentage. They have gone to more Super Bowls and won more. However, Oakland has a tendency of running the ball more, while Kansas City has a tendency of passing the ball.

Damali: Looking at the 2009 data for the first half of the season, what do you think?

Brandon: Based on the September game, I feel as though this game will go down to the wire. In other words, whoever has the ball last will win.

Damali: Is there a particular player that may influence the outcome greatly?

Brandon: Since one of Oakland's star players, Darren McFadden, is returning after injuries, he should have an impact on this game.

His dynamic speed and explosiveness combined with the physical power of running back Michael Bush will give Oakland a one-two punch that will wear down the weak defense of the Kansas City Chiefs.

I have watched both teams play against my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Oakland is more physical this season.

Damali: What else would you conclude?

Brandon: Oakland has a good secondary, led by Nnamdi Asomugha. The Raiders should be able to cover the receivers for Kansas City.

Kansas City has been struggling to have a running game. The Chiefs recently released their starting running back, Larry Johnson, due to off-the-field issues.

Brandon Dural loves to analyze sports data. He is a member of Bleacher Report, and he joined the Sports and STEM community. He is excited about the opportunity to write and publish his own articles in the near future.

Brandon's Prediction: Oakland 17, Kansas City 14

Former Oakland Raiders Inspire Center's Development in Golden Triangle, Texas

Damali Binta YAEL — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:05:53 -0500

When an NFL player retires, he often misses the camaraderie of his football buddies. Some would call it "social dislocation."

For several years, I have been doing research to discover what happened to several NFL players who are senior citizens. I am writing a proposal for the development of a center for retired NFL players and others who could have been in the NFL but injuries prohibited the fulfillment of their dreams. Some of these men reside in the Golden Triangle, in Texas.

One mayor in the Golden Triangle in Texas tagged it as the Professional Football Capital of the World. There was a time when a number of young men were drafted into pro football. They attended high school in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange, Texas.

Three coaches from the Golden Triangle area are Clifton Ozen, Willie Ray Smith and Alexander Durley. These men had the knack for developing outstanding, disciplined athletes at the high school, college and professional levels.

I have heard of several stories. One is shocking to me. A former athlete lives in the woods near Port Arthur, Texas. He is the brother of a successful, retired NFL player.

One article in the Beaumont Enterprise says of the man, "He is estranged from his famous, younger brother, Bubba Smith, who lives in Los Angeles."

It said, "the brothers have not spoken in years".

This man, who most folks call Beaver, had aspirations for a career in professional football cut short by injuries. Beaver was a friend to Gale Sayers, who visited Beaumont, Texas, with Beaver years ago.

Beaver is somewhat "socially dislocated" but he claims all is well in his life. He, according to the article, "has not seen or spoken to his son, Sekou, or daughter Jamilla, both grown, in years, but he knows they are all right."

A second example is a former Oakland Raider named Eldridge Dickey. Dickey was drafted as the first African American quarterback. He was disappointed because he never had a chance to function as an NFL quarterback, although he had a stint as one of Oakland's wide receivers.

Dickey carried the memory of his hindered dream heavily on his shoulders—perhaps causing him heartbreak—to the end of his life. He passed away in the Medical Center in Houston several years ago.

Three things stick out in the first stages of my research:

1. Some men grieve because they never get to have professional football careers.

2. Some men have a career in professional football, but it gets truncated by social, legal or other problems.

3. Others have a career, but injuries force them off the playing field.

Examples are provided of senior citizens who were aspiring to play professional football. These retired or injured players' careers were cut short. In fact, some of these senior players have not had a lucrative life after football.

A proposal for the Center for "wholeness and wellness" is being written. The plan is to have a facility for both residential and on-site activities, including counseling and life coaching.

Another gentleman I researched did something honorable in the 60s. He took his bonus from an NFL team and gave most of it to his parents to help them purchase a new home.

Life is filled with "swift transitions." The man who loved his family enough to share his bonus later encountered some rather severe medical and social problems. Although he has benefits, he does not manage his own assets to date.

This man has undergone a transformative experience. He is the "Humpty Dumpty" trying to put his life back together again after falling off the wall of prosperity and celebrity.

The floor plan for the Center will be similar to the floor plan of the home this NFL player helped purchase for his family. Hard times stripped the family of their means to keep up the taxes on their home.

Eventually, the county took possession of the home. As the story goes, in past years this great man would get depressed and would find a comfortable place under a tree on the property that once belonged to him and his family.

On Nov. 3, 2009, I purchased that same property at 2728 Goliad Street, in Southeast, Texas.

As part of the Jubilee Year (50th year) for the Oakland Raiders, this restorative act is one of agape love, the love of God for a man who has had a life filled with ups and downs.

Although I am writing the proposal for the development of the project, my advisory board and I will select an administrative team to assist in the process of building a center at 2728 Goliad. This center will be for both residential, recreational, and reformative activities.

Today, I met a young architect who will design the center. Jamal will take a rough draft of the design that a former Oakland Raider will provide, and enhance and design the center around the ideas of the retired Oakland Raider. The plan for the Center will be reminiscent of the orignal home, but larger with an athletic atmosphere.

Is this project achievable? Yes, it is.

There are times in our lives when we know what we must do. Then, it seems the forces all around us, help us, putting the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

When I went to bid on the property at 2728 Goliad, I hoped and prayed no one would bid higher. I won it. I was as happy as a little girl on Christmas morning.

When I announced to my class I had purchased the property, I opened an email from a developer. I read the email aloud and discovered in the front row of my earliest mathematics class was a young architect who is willing to help me draw up plans for the project.

Finally, in the golden years of some of our beloved retired NFL players—some of whom were outstanding with the Oakland Raiders—it is our hope to build this center in the Golden Triangle.

It will be dedicated to the generation of NFL players who were active during the time of the merger between the AFL and the NFL, which was negotiated by Al Davis, and it became a reality for all of us to enjoy.

It will demonstrate the agape love we have for the contributions these men made in the lives of their fans. It will be a visible tribute of respect, honor, and recognition for the men who contributed to the building of the NFL.

Those who are the current NFL players have stood on the shoulders of great men who came before them.

And, as one song says, "No man is an island, no man stands alone."

The labor and sweat of the earlier generation of NFL players is the foundation on which the current NFL players now stand.

Some of these senior NFL players have given much, and therefore, we must find ways of giving back to them.

Note: Jamal, the architect is pictured below.

Tom Cable: A Case For Performance Evaluation and Identifying Triggers

Damali Binta YAEL — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:41:55 -0500

Years ago I learned the term "yellow journalism." Too many times politicians, leaders, professional athletes and others were attacked by the media. Now the Oakland Raiders head coach, Tom Cable, is being attacked by what appears to be "yellow journalism."

Whenever an article is filled with assumptions, judgements, accusations, faulty reasoning, too much subjectivity and minimal factual information, it is questionable journalism.

Sponsorships behind most media may even shift the focus to "propaganda" rather than reporting facts and truth.

This problem was so prevalent during the Civil Rights Movement that organizations such as the NAACP and the National Urban League started a movement of suggesting that minorities become stakeholders in the media.

The witch hunts were designed, in the 1960s and 1970s, to topple powerful men. Many of those witch hunts were successful because there were no rebuttals, nor were there enough analytical thinkers across disciplines who could disprove allegations.

More and more the focus is aimed at professional athletes. Money may be the issue. But, resentment or unrequited love may be another reason.

This is why I believe the focus of the media should be the character of the man on the playing field, or in his job as a professional athlete or coach.

There is no doubt that allegations should be investigated, however too often conclusions are drrawn before the accused are found guilty beyond a shadow of doubt.

There are also cases where the innocent are allegedly proven guilty in a court of law. Conversely, there have been cases where the guilty go free. The justice system does a good job sometimes, but if error creeps in, then error is propagated.

Technology is everywhere, and more and more science and technology are helping investigators discover truth. This search for truth must become more aggressive as more people shrewdly bring forth allegations against former husbands, lovers, co-workers, and so on.

This problem has become flagrant. Yellow journalism is rising up, up, and away.

The Oakland Raiders already have several challenges before them. Adding the allegations against Tom Cable seems a bit strange since the timing certainly ought to be at the edge of some statutes of limitation, if they exist for these types of cases.

During my youth, I would not have wanted a friend to knock on my door in the wee hours of the morning. I, on the other hand, would not have knocked on the door of a friend in the wee hours, taking a chance of finding him with other guests.

During earlier years and probably before the AIDS era, men and women often dated more than one person if they were not married. That was the culture of an earlier era. You know that if you were dating during the 60's and 70's.

In my community, you just didn't pop up at a man's apartment or home, knocking on his door well past midnight, demanding to see who his new friend is. That's crazy unless other hidden motives are present.

Next, if a woman appears at a man's door at that time in the morning and he is "busy" with his guest, why not just not open the door? Sometimes being polite just seems a bit dumb.

Now, after this prelude to characterize the social-legal-media menagerie we experience in the 20th and 21st century, I want to make something clear: Our focus must be on the performance of Tom Cable, something observable and measurable.

Here are some facts:

Tom Cable's data is item ten in both charts. When you look at the second chart, the height of his win-loss percentage is not that bad when compared to the other selected coaches for this study.

I selected 18 coaches in order to create a context for this discussion and comparison.

We wanted to keep it simple.

The main point is that we must be cautious of allegations against a man in his personal life. A focus on job performance, consideration of the culture of frivolous lawsuits in America, the racism and anti-Semitism which still raises its ugly head; all of these things should make us more the "thinker" for ourselves, drawing valid and true conclusions as much as possible. And, by the way, truth and validity are defined differently.

Be mindful, too, that some folks are experts at triggering behaviors in people they want to intimidate, control, or destroy. If you jab a dog over and over, even if he may have had a history of being docile, he will eventually rise up and bite you.

There is no excuse for abuse of a man or woman, but abusive behavior has more than one direction. It can be abusive to nag a man. It can be abusive to show up at a man's home, and repeatedly bang on his door.

Since these areas are so fuzzy, let's focus, as I said before, on those things that we have direct observational, measurable or scientifically determined data.

If, however, we are forced to enter into discussions outside of the job, then let us evaluate the matters from every direction and recognize the possibility of subtle and abusive provocation and triggers.

Tom Cable: Good, Better, Best Comparisons with Selected Two-Year Coaches

Damali Binta YAEL — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:16:43 -0500

Is Tom Cable the best NFL coach during his two-year tenure with the Oakland Raiders? Are others doing better during their two-year tenure?

The focus of this article is to do selective comparisons of Tom Cable with other NFL coaches with only two years experience in the head coach position.

First, Tom Cable's win-loss percentage is not the worst for a two year career as head coach.

In the group studied in this selection, some head coaches had win-loss percentages lower than Cable. Numbers such as .2, .071, .133, .267, .2 are in the list.

This series of numbers make Cable look above average with his win-loss percentage of .3, to date.

There are other coaches during the history of the NFL whose numbers were .667, .588, .458, .842, .469, and .435.

This series shows us that the win-loss percentage can be as high as .842 for a head coach with only two years under his belt.

Elgie Tobin coached 23 games, with 16 wins, three losses, and four ties, giving him a win-loss percentage of .842.

Tobin coached during the early years of professional football in the United States. We admit that so much has changed since the early years.

Tobin is historical in more than one way. Wikipedia said:

"In 1920 , Tobin coached the Pros to win the first ever NFL Championship. The very next season, he split the team's coaching duties with Fritz Pollard , making Pollard the first African-American coach in the NFL."

A cluster of data listed before and after Tom Cable in an alphabetized list is posted:

No. in list G W L T W-L%

28 14 1 13 0 .071

35 10 3 7 0 .3

40 32 13 19 0 .406

43 15 2 13 0 .133

47 Cable 20 6 14 0 .3

49 32 15 17 0 .469

51 30 8 22 0 .267

There have been 449 head coaches in the history of the NFL. The data is comprehensive.

Other comparisons are forthcoming. A series of articles making selective comparisons will be posted for your consideration.

In the 21st century, we don't have to guess about who is good, better or best. We have ways of measuring to find our answers.

So far, we know our coach is not the best, but he is not the worst. Perhaps, he is "just right" for the part of his tenure with our beloved Oakland Raiders. He has a young coaching career, and a young team.

It is reasonable to say, that both the coach and the team are experiencing "growing pains." Time will tell the whole story...wait and see.

Sports Writing Inspires a Search For Insights, Revelation, Illumination

Damali Binta YAEL — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:25:55 -0500

When a man's face is lined deeply, it prompts me to wonder where has he been, what has he accomplished, and how he feels about his life.

The code name for the man above is JCI. He is pensive. He is smart. He shows emotion only during certain, very private circumstances.

I asked to take a picture of JCI in Nov. 2009. He agreed.

The beauty of the picture is the sunlight and how it shines so vividly, enhancing the image of a man, now 66 years old. The beauty in the picture is the inspiration for this article.

The picture touched me, deeply. The first time I took a picture of JCI, after we had absolutely no communication for about 26 years, there was a similar image, with rays of light, and the colors of a rainbow, subdued, yet visible.

It was as though God was telling me to encourage JCI, and others, through my writing.

I have tried to do so.

I write. I take pictures to capture moments like the one shown in the photo. You don't really plan for pictures like these. It just happens by divine timing and arrangement.

The picture profiles a man who has made his mark in history. I, however, veil him in mystery, until the complete story is written, published, and recorded.

He is a man who has always been kind to me. He encouraged and inspired my writing since 2007. He even suggested I write about sports.

I, then, must write about sports as aggressively, and passionately, as he played his sport. I do so in honor of him and his generation of sportsmen.

So here I am. Bleacher Report is my platform. The stage is set for the telling of a great adventure.

The articles are my rehearsal performances. Each one rising higher in interest, and, perhaps, excellence. I am experiencing a crescendo of creativity in sports writing.

In any case, it is catharsis for my soul. For in America, your dreams can be deferred and busted. In America, your hopes can be crushed and crippled.

But this is also the America that has a balm in Gilead, a place to be restored, respected for your contributions, and forgiven for your debts, and forgiven for what your debtors may owe you.

Some may wonder why I write so often. I can answer in a candid way. My writing is spawned by unusual events and other things in my life.

The bird on the field during the Oakland Raiders game inspired several stories.

The feather on the ground the next day squeezed out another creative outpouring.

A second feather near my car on a third day and in almost the same position, this one wet, caused me to connect to a Gideon experience.

And, on that day that I became pensive, I looked down and I found a watch, a symbol of time, perhaps, of God's timing.

I have had my sign to go to writers' war, to discuss issues in sports, in life, and circumstances in the life of those I have carefully observed during the years.

I have witnessed some who were talented and gifted in sports, but who have been crushed by accusations and the media.

I have watched great men crumble, because they have stumbled in their moral decisions and positioning. Once crumbled, only a few of those men have their images restored and redeemed in the sports media.

Another case of media madness may currently be puncturing the life of Tom Cable, and that puncture could be a death blow, not only to his personal career, but to the continuity and flow of growth and improvement we so earnestly expect for the Oakland Raiders.

Some may say that life is cruel, for Cable's transgressions, as all of us have them, pounced forward in the media at a time when he could be distracted from a challenging career as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

So, why do I write? I write to offer alternative ways of thinking. I write to nudge those to believe in something that they cannot see with the naked eye.

I write to inspire. I write to search my own soul, to purge myself of any bitterness or pain that my life struggle may have aimed in my way, like a shotgun that blasts pellets to cause damage in many places in the lives of a human target.

As I write, I am healed. The testimony of my growth and healing rises up like a tidal wave and floods into the lives of all who hear me through my writings.

I write because I think. I think, using words, numbers, pictures, and symbols, all of which have messages embedded in them, pregnant with wisdom and knowledge, yet waiting to be released.

My type of thinking is enhanced by a revelation, from time to time, from a ray of sunlight from above, which symbolizes the illumination of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes "know" because something moves the scales from my eyes, somewhat like Paul, and I can "see" deeply and clearly.

The "call" or "anointing" on my life and writing attracts others on this site with a similar mission to write. Although we do not know each other by having a physical presence, we somehow connect in another domain.

I say this because I know how I met Leroy Watson on this site. Then there is Brent, who watches my writing and often responds with more insight and depth. There are also Kevin L. and many others.

When I started sports writing, I had no idea of the acidic, pungent comments that can be made about Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders, and even the Raider Nation. It is as though there are some who believe themselves above others, failing to realize the cyclic nature of life. Once up, now down. Once down, and, again, up.

There have been senior athletes who left professional sports, bruised and broken. Some are like birds with broken, little legs, hopping along to their next destination.

You would think that someone would be the Good Samaritan and pick them up, patch their little legs, hold them in a temporary cage, until they can spring forward, and fly on their own, again.

I have observed that the Good Samaritan did not show up in time in the lives of some retired athletes. Some senior athletes have died with broken hearts.

So I write to tell their stories. And by telling, perhaps, someone will stretch forth a helping hand.

Finally, I write to bring illumination, light, and understanding of those truths that may have been hidden in the shadows of these men's lives.

And the Word says it so clearly:

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2

"But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" 1 Peter 2:9

1 Peter 2:9

Interview with an Ordinary Oakland Raider Fan

Damali Binta YAEL — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:56:31 -0500

It's time for a survey. Rather than assume people think a certain way, it is better to gather data and make an assessment.

I thought I would interview an ordinary fan in a small town.

I visited a gentleman who loves professional football. He is a fan of the Oakland Raiders. He looks at the games on a big screen television.

I asked him several questions.

INTERVIEW

Damali: Did you watch the game between the New York Jets and Oakland?

Jefferson County Interviewee (JCI): Yeah. What 's wrong with those boys?

Damali: Are you talking about the Oakland Raiders?

JCI: Yes, of course.

Damali: I don't know. That's why I am asking you since you have been a fan for more than 39 years. What do you think about JaMarcus Russell?

JCI: He is not a leader, in my opinion.

Damali: Tell me more.

JCI: Those guys don't seem to know their plays. They need to study their plays.

Damali: Is there any hope for them this year?

JCI: No response.

Damali: Did you watch the game with San Diego?

JCI: Yeah. They did a little better. They aren't aggressive enough to win the game when the pressure mounts up near the end. During the days of Madden, Blanda, Lamonica, and others, that just didn't happen.

Damali: Well, I don't want to ask you too many questions and get you tired. Can I take a picture of you?

JCI: Yeah, sure.

(He fixed his cap, and straightened his shirt.)

Damali: I have to go now and get back to Harris County.

JCI: Be careful. Be good. Bye for now.

Oakland Raiders: If the Numbers Tell a Story, Then Don't Bash JR

Damali Binta YAEL — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:17:01 -0500

Do you believe the numbers tell a story? Well, they do.

The numbers do not tell the complete story, but they certainly measure efficiency and effectiveness in some categories.

After visiting an archive of the data for the Nov. 1 game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers, several observations were made.

It may surprise you to see that certain numbers for the Oakland Raiders' were almost equal to those of San Diego.

For example, the time of possession of the ball differed by only .967. That is 58 seconds difference in possession time. Not bad!

Oakland's yards per rush exceeded the measure for San Diego. See the chart above.

Now, the point of interest for me is the measure of the quarterback's efficiency. The ratio of completions-attempts for JaMarcus Russell is 0.636. The opponents quarterback had a measure of 0.64.

This means that Russell's performance, as measured by this parameter, was very, very close to that of the opponent. In fact the difference is the infinitesimal 0.004.

So, during the game on Nov. 1, Russell, in my opinion did a better job of "doing his job."

A concern is our total yards are down, too much, in fact. We tend to have very short passes, with an average of 3.7 yards per pass.

What does that mean? You tell me.

Teamwork is what it is all about.

With a two-week break before the game with the Kansas City Chiefs, we ought to see a leap in progress.

Finally, if the numbers tell a story, then we should be careful who we dump the blame on.

Based on these numbers, Russell improved.

Now, it looks like his teammates need a threat of being "benched," so they, too, can sprout up in efficiency and effectiveness in the next game with Kansas City.

Oakland Raiders: After The Pain, Keep Moving On Up

Damali Binta YAEL — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:55:41 -0500

Several years ago, a television show had a theme: Moving on up. Another phrase in the song said, ".....we finally got a piece of the pie."

Well, the Oakland Raiders certainly did improve in performance on Nov. 1, 2009, in the game against the San Diego Chargers.

The Raiders had a bit more spunk. They fought and played like they meant it. The results were far removed from a shutout, and they were within arms reach of a tie or victory.

It is evident that some learning is going on. Most of all, JR had a completion-attempt ratio wavering from about .6 to .7 which, at several moments, was above the ratio of the opponent's quarterback.

It seems that JR and Fargas made better connections during the game. Russell aimed toward Fargas, and Fargas was in place to receive the ball, more than once, I might add.

I agree that much more needs to be done. However, we must recognize improvement, and salute that, too.

I know we lost. But, we surprised San Diego, and gave them more fight than they expected.

You can be sure they were a bit rattled that Oakland was pressing so hard to win the game.

The progress may be in baby steps, however, steps are being made, and Oakland is moving on up.

Now, keep it up. Don't do as one book title says, "One step forward, and two steps backwards."

After the pain of this loss, get focused this week and during the bye week, and keep moving on up, in points and wins.

We love you, even after the pain of the Nov. 1. 2009 results.

And by the way, when the enemy wants to take over the house of a strong man, he attacks the strong man. So, the shifty ESPN story was released on Nov. 1, a sure indication that the Oakland Raiders are under attack by the media.

The media attempted to attack the coach, in the hopes of unnerving the entire team.

We see the ploys. We see the questionable practices. We will stand strong, and we will fight back. No matter what rises up against the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation, we are going to "keep moving on up."

Got it? Good. Now, let's move it on up!

Finally, as I studied the Gamecast data and charts, a sequence of moments that were an indication of the "spark and spunk" of the Raiders are listed here, from the play-by-play archives in the third quarter, of the Gamecast:

Oakland Raiders at 13:33		OAK	SDG
1st and 10 at OAK 47	J.Fargas right end to SD 46 for 7 yards (S.Merriman, B.Siler).
2nd and 3 at SD 46	J.Fargas left guard to SD 44 for 2 yards (E.Weddle).
3rd and 1 at SD 44	J.Fargas right tackle to SD 42 for 2 yards (L.Castillo).
1st and 10 at SD 42	J.Russell pass short right to Z.Miller to SD 31 for 11 yards (K.Ellison, E.Weddle).
1st and 10 at SD 31	M.Bush left end to SD 30 for 1 yard (O.Nwagbuo, B.Siler).
2nd and 9 at SD 30	J.Russell sacked at SD 31 for -1 yards (S.Phillips).
3rd and 10 at SD 31	(Shotgun) J.Russell pass short right to J.Fargas pushed ob at SD 24 for 7 yards (B.Siler).
4th and 3 at SD 24	S.Janikowski 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Condo, Holder-S.Lechler.	13	21
	S.Janikowski kicks 71 yards from OAK 30 to SD -1. D.Sproles to SD 38 for 39 yards (M.Mitchell, I.Ekejiuba).
DRIVE TOTALS: OAK 13, SD 21, 8 plays, 29 yards, 4:24 elapsed I enjoyed the game on Nov. 1. 2009. Did you?

Oakland Raiders: The Addiction Of Loss, The Recovery Of Win

Damali Binta YAEL — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:38:21 -0500

Post-game Note: There was dramatic improvement. An indication that the patterns will be changed, soon. JR's ratio was consistent and far better in this game. Keep the faith, Raider Nation.

Addictions can sap the life out of a man, his family and his friends. Addictions can sap life out of life. An addiction to losing can sap the energy and life out of a team of talented professional football players such as the Oakland Raiders.

Dealing with the reality of a situation is what I believe in. After looking at the data for the past five years, I saw a losing pattern between Oakland and San Diego.

That "addictive" pattern needs to be broken today.

Why am I calling it addictive? It keeps recurring. It is probably affecting the self-image of the players when they see the facts. It's "messing with" the spirit of the Raider Nation.

The Oakland Raiders can break that addiction to losing by changing their reactions and strategies, and move toward recovery, starting immediately.

I know that some folks out there do not want to hear the truth. Knowing the truth, however, can set you on a new course, a new path, and new trend toward recovery from whatever is sapping the life out of the team, and the Raider Nation.

Having started my teaching career in Harlem, I once taught people who had a heroine addiction. One of them was named Lewis Louis. He had been addicted to heroine for a very long time. Lewis wanted to get rid of his addiction. During the years he sought recovery, the research was not fully complete on methadone.

The tragedy: he became addicted to methadone. He died. Yet, Lewis was one of the most gifted students I had taught during those years between 1968 and 1971.

His addictive, losing behavior of drug use cut his life short and truncated his opportunity to use his gifts. Lewis never received his A in the math class. He died before the semester was complete.

Let's just say that Lewis stayed in "a state of losing" too long. If only he had broken the pattern earlier, then his story would have ended differently.

Now to apply this type of thinking to the Oakland Raiders. The "losing pattern and addictive behavior of falling into a losing state" must end. It can not go on too long.

As far as I am concerned, we hit rock bottom a few days ago. It's time to get up off the ground, clean up our act, and start a recovery stage in the history of the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders need to wash the stench of losses off their muscular, strong bodies; shrub up and down with an anointing of recovery, stop wallowing on the ground level of the statistics, rise up, clean up, straighten up and fly right.

A senior gentleman who would have been 86 years old this year would say, "Down it and get from 'round it."

So, put down the losing behaviors and get from 'round the losing streak, and move to recovery, from this moment on.

Oakland Raiders: Object Lesson From Your First-Grade Teacher

Damali Binta YAEL — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:00:32 -0400

Let's make it plain and simple. This is your object lesson for today.

Look at the blackboard and take good notes:

Go Raiders! Get a touchdown, Oakland Raiders.

Grab the football and hold on to it. Look at the picture to get an idea of what we are teaching today. This is your object lesson for today.

Now go back deep into the recesses of your mind and remember the time you first knew that you were good enough to aspire to play professional football.

Think back, all the way back to elementary school when you played touch ball. I think you called it that.

You were good then, and you are even better now.

You may have wobbled a little when you were short and young, but now you walk with a swagger and have a new attitude.

Don't disappoint those teachers from every level of schooling that you completed, Oakland Raiders. Give them something to get excited about. Get a touchdown!

Furthermore, keep the other guys from getting those touchdowns. Enough is enough.

I watch my students smirk at me on Mondays. I listen to my relatives telling me about what's been happening for five or six years.

Let me tell you right now: I don't want to hear it.

I want to see a touchdown.

Just imagine I am your tough, first grade teacher with the big paddle (before those laws on paddling were put in place).

She stood over you, tall and stern, like a giant in those days, telling you to get your homework done and to get to class on time, not sometimes, but everyday.

Well, here she is again. Come on, use your imagination! She's standing over you, again, with a big paddle. Only now you are the giant, and she looks like a petite senior citizen.

Yeah, you are taller and bigger than she is now, but you have that kind of respect for her that you just can't let her down.

She demands a touchdown. You muster up the strength, skills, and power to execute those plays and make one, if not two or maybe three.

That teacher that you are imagining has on the T-shirt that reminds you of military fatigues. She is looking at you eye-to-eye, telling you to go to war, football war, and aim for victory. Her message is loud and clear.

She's ready to give you a grade on Sunday evening.

You get inspired.

You don't want a C-, or D or F. You want an A.

In fact, you want more than an A for effort, you want an A for outstanding performance, for efficiency and effectiveness.

Class dismissed.

Raider Nation: Prepare for Nov. 15 Tailgate Cyber-Party

Damali Binta YAEL — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:18:38 -0400

Note: One slide show has the sound of fireworks.

Let's just say we are having leftovers, again, at this Tailgate Party. These recipes were published last week, and we lost our appetite, so we had fewer hits than usual.

So, we are republishing our fine collection, and we expect victory on Nov. 15, 2009.

What's our DJ playing at this week's party: A NEW ATTITUDE

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ADD YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE. POST THEM IN THE COMMENT SECTION. THANKS.

Enjoy!

We usually have a Tailgate Party before each game. Here is our "starter" menu.

Shrimp Fried Rice (other meats can be included) click link.

Raider Card Addict - RCA's Flat food

One package, Whole grain pitas, 4-8 in a package
1/2 pound sliced oven roasted turkey, any good deli will work.
Shredded mild cheddar, one package, medium size, or for those who love cheese, large.
Small bottle of Caesar dressing.

Prepare by tossing pitas and two slices of turkey on each pita, then warm on the grill. Sprinkle cheese on top, letting melt or after removing from grill. Drizzle ceaser on, let cool 3 minutes, fold and enjoy.

Felix's Out Of This World Breakfast Potato Pie Recipe

Ingredients

* 4 cups diced ham
* 1-1/2 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes thawed
* 1/4 cup chopped green peppers
* 1/4 cup chopped red peppers
* 1/2 cup chopped white onion
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
* 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
* 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1 cup cottage cheese
* 8 eggs
* 1 teaspoon white pepper
* 1 teaspoon thyme
* 1 teaspoon paprika

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together except paprika in a large bowl.
2. Bake in two pie plates for 1 hour at 350.
3. Sprinkle with paprika.
4. Serve with sour cream and chopped fresh chives.

Brent's "Buckle Your Chinstrap Recipe" - Frittata

It's going to be spicy:

(Men say omelet...)
Pie pan lined with hash browns.
Saute spicy green chiles, red bell pepper, and onion, as much garlic as you can handle.
Cut up a turkey sausage (or leftover brats). Throw on top of this stuff.
Then about 5-6 eggs beaten and poured on top. Then about 1 whole cup of mexican ranchero cheese. Bake a while.

Brent wrote: "But if you want the key to health, wake up and flush your system with a cup of water. Then grind 2 fresh lemons mixed with a little water. Dash some cayenne pepper on top. Down this.This is strong medicine. It opens the gall and liver ducts.

"Get out your juicer. Juice a cucumber, some romaine lettuce, half a beet, two carrots, two celery stalks, some parsley or basil, and fresh cranberries or apples. Drink with your supplements. You'll feel like a million bucks and the natural vitamins heal your body daily since the amount is gigantic.

"But all things in balance...beer and BBQ when you can!"

Barbeque Ribs and Chicken

Tossed Salad (Lettuce, tomatoes, walnuts, raisins) Your choice of dressing

Veggie kabobs (veggies of your choice)

Paella with chicken, mussels, shrimp, peas, etc.

You are always invited to add recipes in the comment section.

Don't forget our theme this week: GO TO WAR, OAKLAND RAIDERS!!!

Fans chanting "Autumn Wind"

John Facenda's narration of "Autumn Wind"

Music - Having a Party

More Music - The Osmonds - Having a Party

Oakland Raiders: Be on Guard, Toughen Up

Damali Binta YAEL — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:43:07 -0400

Research is a good thing. Sometimes, you get a shock when you see the results.

I am so curious I spied on the data for the San Diego Chargers. Let's call it reconnaissance. On second thought, it cannot be called spying because the data is in the public domain.

The goal of my research was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our opponent. Comparisons are sensible so the Oakland Raiders clearly know what they are coming up against.

Someone commented I should spend time discussing the Oakland Raiders, rather than searching out the strengths, weakness, and points of vulnerability of the opponents of the Raiders.

How immature that comment was. In war, even in football war, you need to study your opponent.

What you find will not always be easy to digest. For example, I looked at the 50-year history of the San Diego Chargers. During their existence, there has not been even one shutout.

Alert! Toughen up, Oakland Raiders. Even if you are tempted to party, sip a drink, and overindulge (a little) this week, don't do it. Please, focus on preparation for the game.

I had this great idea of comparing their shutouts with those of the Oakland Raiders.

This research was an eye-opener. Unless I am missing something, the Chargers have never had a shutout during the regular season in their 50-year history.

Another approach I used to gain insight was to calculate what I call "differentials." These are the differences in the score between the Raiders and their opponents.

The total differences in final scores between the Raiders and their opponents is negative 124, or -124. This means Oakland needs to work harder, play harder, and think smarter. Oakland has allowed the opponent to score 124 points more than they have.

It is difficult to sugarcoat these numbers.

All we can say is, "Get out there, and play like you mean it."

This, then, is a reality check for us. Don't dare go into the game without being buttressed and ready to play hard.

Enough said!

Come On Oakland Raiders, Learn From My Generation of Overcomers

Damali Binta YAEL — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:24:55 -0400

Life is not always a bowl of cherries. Sometimes you'll have hard times; sometimes good times.

I started respecting Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders more than 38 years ago. There are several reasons for this respect and support.

Davis took some chances on some NFL players who other folks denied opportunity. He came under criticism then; he comes under criticism now.

He seemed to defy the odds. And most times, he won. In fact, the history of the Oakland Raiders franchise is so strong, that the win-loss ratio is still above teams like San Diego, and others.

My generation of professional football players did not make the kind of money that is made by the young players in the 21st century. The support system was not even strong in the past.

Raw talent is what most of the players had who attended universities like Texas Southern University, Prairie View University, Tennessee State University, and others. They got in the door to play with the Oakland Raiders and other teams because of their talent, nothing more, nothing less.

I have always been observant. I love to dig deep, do research and look at issues and events from every perspective, including all dimensions.

I hear folks write and pronounce doom on the Raiders. They do it to the Raiders, and they do it to me and others. I don't listen to their pronouncements. I listen to something bigger than you and me, and I do believe in self-determination as well.

When I was younger, say, 1960, the year the Raiders got started as a franchise, I actually wanted to be a doctor. My school counselor discouraged me. I looked at him, an African-American man, and I thought, "He is limited and he wants to limit me."

When I was near 40 years old, I wanted to study for a doctorate in mathematics. Folks discouraged me. Did I listen to the naysayers? No. I went on and participated in a doctoral program in mathematics, studying subjects like differential equations, topology, advanced statistics, complex analysis and more.

All of this has prepared me to study and analyze situations in sports, and other areas. It is hard to pull the wool over the eyes of someone who knows how to ask questions, to delve deeper and to be aware of faulty reasoning, and analysis that is not built on complete and exhaustive data.

So, here I am on Bleacher, on a watch tower, discerning how situations are handled and how decisions are made. I enjoyed my B/R title of "analyst" but now I am a columnist. I enjoy that title, too.

Earlier today, someone asked about me applying to be a feature columnist. I did apply. I was rejected. Did I quit? Did I get disappointed? Did I get upset? No. Not one bit.

My entire career as a woman in mathematics and engineering has been "spiced" by rejections, from time to time.

Those losses, those rejections "fuel" my soul, and I rise up higher and higher each time those limiting decisions and hindrance raise up against me. I expect the Oakland Raiders to do the same, or even better.

So, here is wisdom for the current Oakland Raiders. Learn from a grandmother, from a woman who has been fueled by attempts to limit or hinder. Rise up, young men. Demonstrate your strength and talent.

And remember these words, given to me by someone:

"All things work together for good...."

Did a shutout happen? It will work it's for good.

Is the season not going the way you thought it should go in 2009? Look yourself in the mirror and say, "It is for my good, for now."

Finally, learn the lessons of wisdom from earlier generations and grow strong and powerful in your pursuit of excellence. Pursue excellence, Oakland Raiders, because that is a part of your motto!

Take heed: You are overcomers. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. You are being prepared for victory, if not now, then certainly real soon.

Oakland Raiders: Be Steady, Sturdy, and Study

Damali Binta YAEL — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:19:05 -0400

I have been steady, and sturdy in my attentiveness to the details of the history of the Oakland Raiders. After a heartbreaking 38-0 loss to the Jets last Sunday, it has become quite easy to identify the Raiders' vulnerability, and what needs to be done against future opponents.

If the opponent is stronger, then perhaps we must be smarter. One thing that is smart to do is to be steady in our preparation. We must be regular, constant and consistent.

We must be sturdy. This means we must have rugged physical strength and determination.

Next, we must study. It is clear that we must not be blind, but we must see clearly our strengths, and our weaknesses.

So, a theme to consider this week: Be steadfast and immovable, and be steady, sturdy and study!

The Oakland Raiders need to saddle up, and ride this "wild horse" San Diego Chargers until they are tame, broken and defeated.

Come on Oakland Raiders, ride that horse!