Raiders Need Sleight of Hand

Where to start?? 

Before I launch into the usual rantings about the organization, the boss and the team lets take a closer look.

The Raiders are psychologically whipped......beaten down......crushed.....smashed.....finished!  If that sounds cruel, then maybe you need be knitting or basket weaving because this is football.  And football takes no prisoners.

This whole franchise is in dismal condition and on the verge of imploding.  This downward slide is record breaking.  Seems every succeeding week, the Raiders break yet another record for mediocrity.

Reality Check:

1. Get a clue..........how many coaches since the glory days??  It's and endless carousel of yes men....and brown nosers.  Only Gruden had the guts to stand up to Davis while bringing the Raiders into prominance for a short time.  Until Davis is no longer in control of this team, they will continue being in decline.  Quit wishing upon a star! 

2. Brown-nosing coaches cannot coach because they are just trying not to lose their jobs.  Players ultimately will NOT respect them because they do not call the shots.  Their coaching staff is furthur confused because they don't know who the boss is either.  No company can function like this.

3. The league!  Trying to prove the NFL has something against the Raider organization is like trying to prove a conspiracy. Where do you start?  I'll tell you where, on the field.  The Raiders continue year after year to get awful calls in close games.

4. This is a team that does not believe it can win.  The 'just win baby' refrain rings empty and most teams and coaches laugh when the Raiders come to town.  This is a hard fact to swallow, but its true.  Game after game, the mental mistakes continue to be crushing.

What the Raider players need to realize is that they are children of a dysfunctional family and must grow up on their own.  The have to take to the field and go to war each and every game, forging respect from other players just like the Raider players of old.  They must get down and dirty and force their will on the other teams. 

They must become slick and crafty about stretching the rules, committing fouls and getting penalties.  Hell, they are going to get them anyway so why not make them count?  Take that shot when the ref is not watching instead of getting caught in retaliation.  Get smart, get slick , get mean!

Most of all, when teams play the Raiders, they must come away hobbling and sore. Whether the score reflects it or not, teams need to feel they have just been to war.  This is the only way to outlive the Davis curse.

The Raiders need Sleight of hand!

dogen