Al Davis Death: 5 Reasons the NFL Won't Be Nearly as Much Fun with Davis Gone

"Just win, baby"

The words of the iconic Al Davis have been said in memorial fashion this morning.

This morning, the 82-year-old NFL legend passed away in his home.

Davis' rebellious attitude made him a unique individual in the football world in the game that has been transforming over the last decade.

Davis refused to let those changes effect his attitude. It was win at all costs, and it always has been for his team.

Here are five reasons the NFL won't be nearly as much fun with Davis gone.

5. Brand Name

When I say "Oakland Raiders", what is the first thing to come to your mind?

It's likely Al Davis. There is no other owner in the league who has had such an impact on their team as Davis did with the Raiders.

He had a win at all costs mentality. He was a rebel. He was, essentially, a Raider.

The badass attitude that the Raiders have possessed was nothing more than the image of Al Davis.

4. The NFL Draft

Let's face it, Al Davis wasn't the greatest at changing with the times.

But that's what made him so awesome. He stuck by his old school philosophy through thick and thin.

It always made for some interesting decisions come draft time.

JaMarcus Russell and Darrius Heyward-Bey are some of the more notable recent names.

Davis went after athletes. The Raiders have always been stacked in terms of physical abilities.

They may not have always been the most talented football team on the field, but usually they were the scariest.

3. Well-Known Owner

Most people can't even name five owners in the NFL.

Al Davis, Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, Dan Rooney and maybe the owner of your favorite team. Those are the ones most people know.

There is a reason that these are the owners everyone knows.

They have the biggest impact on their teams.

2. Quotes

Please, name just one owner in the league who has come forth and said as many awesome things as Al Davis did.

"We don't take what the defense gives us; we take whatever the hell we want."

"You don't adjust, you just dominate."

"The quarterback is going down ... the quarterback is going down hard."

"Why should I talk to you? I don't know where you're from."

“Once a Raider, always a Raider.”

"Just win, baby"

1. Passion

Al Davis made some fantastic choices, and he also made some poor choices.

He made all those choices with his heart. There is nobody who loved the game of football as much as Davis.

One of the more recent complaints in the football world has been the lack of passion. Players used to play for pride. Coaches used to coach for pride.

Now it's all about money.

That was never the case for Davis. He was a man who was passionate about something and wanted to be the best.

He was a fantastic scout, an assistant coach, a good head coach, a fierce general manager and the most competitive owners the NFL has ever seen.

Some may not have agreed with his philosophy, but nobody can say he didn't love the game.

Al Davis, you will be missed.