Rise Up and Win, Oakland Raiders!

I woke up with the phrase, "Rise up, and win" on my mind.

The Oakland Raider data for several years is listed:

W-L-T             Total points     rank in AFC     rank in NFL     Year     sign change

11-5-0             450              1                   2 out of 32      2002    

4-12-0             270              3     -             26 out of 32    2003    -

5-11-0             320              4     -             18 out of 32    2004    +

4-12-0             290              4    0              23 out of 32    2005    -

2-14-0             168              4    0              32 out of 32    2006    -

4-12-0             283              3    +              23 out of 32    2007    +

5-11-0             263              3    +              29 out of 32    2008    -

Observations:

Based on this mini-analysis the Raiders are on an upswing in the AFC.  Overall, in the NFL there is more of a struggle to hold a steady rank or to rise up to higher ranks.

In 2005 and 2007, the Raiders held the same rank but the coaches were different.  In 2005 the coach was Norv Turner, and in 2007 it was Lane Kiffin. 

A team of coaches led the Raiders in 2008:

Lane Kiffin (1-3-0) and Tom Cable (4-8-0)

If you want a global view of the Oakland Raiders performance, click here.

This B/R scribe has a few words of wisdom:  There is an ancient Hebrew story about a man who died.  He was wrapped in grave clothes and he had been dead for several days.  Finally, a great "coach" came to the scene, and commanded the dead man to "rise up and walk." 

A strong command from a strong coach, proclaiming to the team:  "Rise up, and win." is what we need. 

Who is that strong man for the Oakland Raiders in 2009?