Bleacher Report - Articles by Andres Sotelo

The Oakland Raiders' Kryptonite? The All-Important Fourth Quarter

Andres Sotelo — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:50:46 -0400

To the NFL and its coaches, players, analysts, reporters, fans, and, most importantly, the Raider Nation:

I hope that you’re all as excited as I am for the 2008 season to finally get underway. The anticipation overwhelms me at times, but that's just me.

However, that may not be the case for some Raiders fans, as they find themselves discouraged after Saturday night's game. Daydreaming with endless thoughts of déjà vu, replaying last season's memories of disappointment and hoping they won't be repeated in the upcoming season.

The Cardinals gave a constant reminder of an old feeling that has haunted Raiders fans for the past five seasons: discouragement. It's has definitely been a roller coaster ride both in the offseason and preseason.

It's kind of like one of those things you deal with when you're in a relationship, being unable to open up because you're afraid to get your heart ripped out. And this is a very similar situation with the Oakland Raiders, as I know that the members of Raider Nation carry a relationship of love and passion for their team.

And after five years of getting new hopes broken, they now find themselves in a position that they do at the beginning of every season. Do they open themselves up in hopes of the glorious return of the Raiders...only to have their hearts ripped out with disappointment, once again? Or do they give in to what reality wants them to believe: expect nothing, lose nothing?

I can't speak on behalf of the entirety of Raider Nation, but I can tell you this: It would take more then a bad half of a meaningless game to strip me of my loyalty and love to the Oakland Raiders. And the Glory days are near; my belief of this is stronger then ever.

To be honest, can we really take anything to serious from these exhibition games?

I don't believe so. Did we really learn anything new that we didn't already know? We run great, play good defense and are in a learning process with the passing game.

Here's the main reason why nobody really knows what to expect from the Raiders this season: In these preseason games, we never had the chance to see starters play a full game, but, most importantly, not in the fourth quarter, the most important of the game.

The Raiders are that type of team that hangs in through the entire game and always finds a way to lose at the end. And those are the most unpredictable teams for upcoming seasons, because they are usually one key element away from becoming a winning club. Do you guys remember how many times last year the Raiders were leading going into the 4th and lost the game. There were at least 5 games.

Quite honestly, if I were coach Lane Kiffin, I would have put in my starting squads at the beginning of the second half and let them learn to finish games out. Ridiculous, I know, but I can't emphasize enough how important the fourth quarter will be for the Oakland Raiders, especially being a running team.

The Raiders rely on running the ball, controlling the clock, and playing great defense, all to put themselves in a position to win at the end of the game. That's coach's game plan, bottom line; he's stated this numerous times. I just hope I don't have to watch Q&A with Kiffin the next day and hear him say what I've heard from him say too many times... " Well we put ourselves in the position to win the game and just blew it"... Im tired of hearing that, no more excuses. Find a way, get it done Lane. We believe in you.

Enough is enough, this team fell short too many times, and I don't know if it's because the Raiders are used to losing or just don't remember what it takes to win! Sadly, the most impressive way Kiffin showed us how to finish a game with a "W" was to ice a kicker (against Denver). That won't cut it in this league.

It seems as if anytime the fourth quarter comes along, the team weakens, and it seems as if this has been happening for a few years now.

So will the Raiders finally overcome their kryptonite of the fourth-quarter? Because this will be Oakland's biggest challenge. If somehow they can, then without question this can be a winning team that could surprise the league.

We may get our first glimpse of a fourth-quarter win in two weeks, against the Broncos once again; rival games are always close.

As always, God bless America, and long live the Raider Nation,

—Andres Sanchez

Darren McFadden: a Commitment to Excellence

Andres Sotelo — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:20:37 -0400

The autumn wind is a Raider, and as July has passed and August has approached, so has the emergence of a star of the future in Raiderland.

His swagger is as smooth as a playboy, his talent as high as the clouds that cover our existence, and his destiny as significant as water is to survival of man. Some know him as Dmac, some as Oakland's Run-DMC. His name: Darren McFadden.

11-days deep into training camp, there is only one thing that is certain: Drafting Darren McFadden in April with the fourth-overall pick seems to be as close to a Christmas present Mr. Davis could ever have before December.

His speed? Rare. His attitude? Perfect. His homework? Similar to a student at Harvard Medical School. He's taken Al's slogan to heart: a Commitment to Excellence.

Many are quick to judge a young phenom when he comes into the NFL, and some have raised doubts about Oakland’s RunDMC, even saying he would not have the impact on the Raiders as Adrian Peterson had on the Vikings.

I say to those critics, "What do you think the Raiders expect of thier feature running back? What impact do you speak of?"

If you’re talking of breaking records, then that may be true, due to the fact that he's in a backfield with a three-headed monster ready to let loose on all opposing defenses.(Fargas, McFadden, Bush).

But when I think of a young rookie coming in and making an impact, I think of one thing: helping the team win football games. Adrian Peterson helped his team win three more football games than last season, having them fall short, once again, of the playoffs. In an offense that yearly contributes 1,000-yard rushers.

But the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation are expecting one thing and only one thing of Darren McFadden, to help them win football games, whether that means he is running, catching, or just being a decoy.

We don't need him to break records or to make the Pro Bowl. We need him to help create a playoff berth, which I believe he will do.

Come Sept. 8, the whole world will be watching as Darren McFadden keeps an audience of millions in awe over his debut of excellence with nothing less than a spectacular performance. But most importantly, his impact will be...a Raider victory, with many more to come.

I'll end this article with a quote from Coach Kiffin: "I can’t find something to complain about Darren. He brings it every day. The guy is still going to special teams and he is not even involved. He is just sitting in there just learning ball and he is always out here early. He is always out here working. Like I said before I think he would stay out here for four hours if everybody else did and he has to just keep working. He has been wonderful so far."

God Bless America and long live the Raider Nation.

A Quick Note to Oakland Raiders Haters

Andres Sotelo — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:02:08 -0400

Firstly, as a loyal member of the Nation of Raiders I would like to thank all the people who take valuable time out of there days to dedicate an article to the Oakland Raiders. To the Negative writers, I ask you....What are the objectives of your writings? I read your articles as you bash Al Davis, Raider players, but most often the Raider Nation and I can’t help to think, why? Five seasons of losing records ITSELF couldn't destroy the loyalty which is inside a Raider Fan. So if years of defeat couldn't do it, do you believe YOU a puny little man behind a desk can do it? If you believe so that’s quite pathetic and I would tell you to quit your wasting your time. And I have to tell you, messing with Raider Fans isn't exactly the wisest decision to make. These men literally bleed Black & Silver and would do anything for those Oakland Raiders who put it on the line for them every Sunday. Not only that, when we refer ourselves to a Raider Nation we mean that exactly. We embrace each other as a Raider Family who shares a love for our team. No, believe it or not not all Raider fans where a Gorilla suit and play Halloween on Game day but guess what.... we love all our fans cause they love those Oakland Raiders. However they may choose to show their affection as a Raider Nation we admire and continue to cheer next to.So with that said I would like to just end by speaking to everyone, all fans, the Raider Nation and Bleacher Report Staff.... That Raider fans live and die for this sport. Massive Coliseums are built and are filled with thousands and thousands of Fans who feel just as involved in the Game as the 22 on the Field. So don’t bash our ethics and loyalties to our team because your not getting anywhere with those articles. Respect our owner, Respect our Team, Respect our Fans, Respect our Passion we all as Fans share for this sport.All Your negative articles on the Nation of Raiders are quite pathetic on your part, but thank you for showing interest in the Greatest Organization in the NFL and a team on the Rise to Greatness once again. Take care and God Bless-Andres Sanchez

Enough Is Enough!: Loyal Raiders Fans Rally Behind Al Davis

Andres Sotelo — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:22:53 -0400

In my previous article i acknowledged and recognized how this nation of Raiders remain loyal through the good and the bad. But There is no question we had many problems last season. And there is doubt many are questioning some of Davis n companies decision making.

Many believe that the main issue with our team was not being able to stop the run. And without any question that is a true statement, but i don't believe that was our main problem. Then what was it? Well i believe our main problem was that Kiffin n Company failed to teach our Oakland Raiders the key ingredient to winning, and that's believing that they will win. You see i feel they believed in Kiffin, they believed in the system but we all saw that something was missing. I remember distinctly looking at Sapp and the rest of the team last year after they had got there second win in .......All i got from his facial expression was how he couldn't believe they actually pulled that win off, for once in a long time. Unfortunately it was the only one of the season but had he believed they would've won, his facial expression would have told us, 'Better Believe it, Here we come!'. I'm well aware Its a tough mentality switch to turn on, especially when your so accustomed to only winning a few games each season like we have. I think that will be the toughest job for our Raiders young head coach to accomplish. To get this bad vibe of losing that has haunted us for the past 5 years.

But no matter what our record was last year, 31 teams failed to obtain the main objective of this game and that's to win a Superbowl. But rule out those Oakland raiders, we don't know how to win and don't know how to keep stability! Well you tell that to Davis, the "Dictator who will give orders till his last breath has past"...because guess what, hes giving the right orders and paying the necessary price, literally. He's bringing high profile players in no matter the cost to win may be. Hes not only converting these players into Raiders, hes not only bringing them for the coaches but most importantly hes bringing these new Raiders in to give those 11 men on the field a fighting better chance to win on Sundays. Truth is from a media perspective; It doesn't matter what our owner does or isn't doing, because his antics will always be negatively approached. It doesn't matter who we bring in or how much we pay them. For instance, look at every player the Raiders have picked up from free agency and what the media is saying about them...Hall has an attitude, Walker is injury prone, D.Carter is inconsistent i mean its kind of ridiculous. If we brought in Brady the league would probably say " Well Brady's days are numbered and he had a injured foot last year". But because of who Al is, they fail to acknowledge the great abilities these players have to offer for the future of the Oakland Raiders. If you don't have respect for the die hard raider fans you see in the coliseum, that's fine but don't pick apart our newest editions in every negative way because you have a grudge with our owner. We embrace these players with what they have to offer, not for whats occured in the past. Yesterdays gone.

Now Im no bias man, but for anybody to question Als motives would be unethical and unrealistic. Had he stood around for another five years and watched his team falter even lower even with showings no signs of promise, then i would understand where your coming from. The time is now, he along with all the NFL saw flashes and the potential for what this team is about to become. We are finally moving in the right direction.

Its easy to kick a team when they're down.. So i say to the media who don't believe in this franchise to take all the shots that they can now, cause they might not have all those opportunities when we begin winning games next season. We just had a few pieces missing from the puzzle and a lacking mentality to win. Were now close to a complete puzzle, a now experienced head coach and a team hungrier to win then in a long time. I believe Al is ready for his final masterpeice to unfold. Hes also sending a message across the whole team and organization. That winning is his first priority and he wont accept anything less any longer. Now every player in that locker room isn't no longer saying "Im in"....but rather "I will". I believe that's the attitude we need. And Regardless of all the ridiculous rumors and controversy surrounding Al & Lane that people live for, here is the bottom line..... the youngest coach in the NFL still IS, the youngest coach in the NFL, and hes not going anywhere anytime soon. As a proud member of the Nation of Raiders, I trust in Davis n company and rally behind his decision making. I don't believe we can win the west next year, i know we will.

And one more thing....To all the negative and false reporting on the Oakland Raiders, Enough is Enough. Go use your college degrees to report who Tony Romo is dating this month, ....pathetic.

Oakland Raiders: No Hope Lost for Loyal Fans

Andres Sotelo — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:26:14 -0400

A NEW ERA BEGINS...

Most of us have embraced our new future, a future that shows promise and hope.

But many in the Nation of Raiders had lost hope and still do.

Those who were un-loyal fled and abandoned our men who put it out on the line for us on Sundays, so that we can feel good about what team we represent.

Believe it or not we are the heart and soul of this team and great organization. Though we have every right to be frustrated with the past five seasons, we have just as a right to be excited for the upcoming ones.

To be honest with facts, no team in our AFC West Division has even been to or won a Super Bowl over these past seasons so they're in the same boat as us.

Right?

But the nation of Raider degraders will not allow us to believe or partake in any form of future greatness, I am not only speaking of the NFL Commissioner and his associates, I am speaking of all those who oppose to any type of success of the Oakland Raiders.

It is those who look at us with a keen eye, who believe we are lower then the rest, but only think that because they know we are the best. So to those who are considering leaving this Nation of Raiders, I tell you be patient and trust in Davis.

Stand by our team and keep cheering on Sundays. Our time is coming; I believe this stronger then ever. The actions and the initiative that Davis and company are taking only ensures the priority of winning an absolute necessity.

You will be rewarded for your loyalty in the years to come.

But if you choose to jump ship, feel free, the world needs plenty of Patriot fans.

To those of you who stand proud to be Raider fanatics, I embrace you as brothers. For we share a passion for the Oakland Raiders.

Whether were losing or winning, it will always be the black & silver.

To the TRUE Nation of Raiders, I commend you.