Raiders Vs Redskins: A Tale of Two Seasons

  Sunday's matchup between the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins marked yet another rematch of SuperBowl XVIII. Why do I point out that particular game? For a few reasons.

  First and foremost, January 22, 1984 is the day I became a Raider fan. I remember sitting in the living room and wondering what all the yelling was about. I saw Marcus Allen change direction and go for 74 yards. I saw the blocked punt. I saw the Jack Squirek interception return for a touchdown. I fell in love with the Silver and Black.

  Secondly, that game is a perfect example of what Raider football used to be. With that as a backdrop, I turn to today's game.

  What's left of the franchise is crumbling (is that even possible?).

  The stubborness of sticking with JaMarcus Russell is really taking a toll on this team. If any fan were to take the time to read today's game as a book with two parts, they would see exactly what the Raiders season has been like. Instead of choosing between "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob", said fan would be choosing between Team Gradkowski or Team JaMarcus.

  The first half played out like the last few games leading up to the game against the Redskins. Gradkowski had the Raiders in the game, the half-empty stadium was rocking, and there was passion on both sides of the ball.

  The second half played out like the first 9 games of the season. Russell led the team in a game that everyone in the stadium knew was lost when he came in, there was no passion from the offense, and his very presence deflated the defense.  

  What does this tell us about JaMarcus Russell and his future with the Raiders? Well, if this were any other franchise, the clear-cut answer would be that his days are numbered. But this is the Raiders, and the owner (we all know who he is) runs this franchise like Dr. Evil ran Virtucon in the Austin Powers movies.

  The truth is JaMarcus will be back next season. Gradkowski will be trying to latch onto another franchise, and Tom Cable will go back to beating women or assistants or whatever he wants. Cable won't be on the sidelines.

  Next season will be another wasted season, so season ticket holders, do not renew. Wait until Dr. Evil brings in a quarterback who will at least keep us in games and give us a chance to win. Based on what I've seen this season, had Gradkowski or Garcia or maybe even Frye started the first 10 games of the season, Oakland would be fighting for a playoff spot.

  But...The Raiders are not fighting for anything. They're not even fighting for their backup quarterback.