Al Davis is fond of saying he'd rather be right than consistent. Well, he's been consistently wrong for the past six seasons with his heavy handed handling of personnel and the media. In fact, but for a couple of instances at the beginning of the 90s and the 00s, his teams have been mediocre to horrible since its last Super Bowl championship in 1984. It really boils down to Al achieving success early with some fairly innovative techniques. Problem is, he's remained stubborn to those ideals while being fairly close-minded to the way the game has evolved.
I don't say these things lightly. I've been a Raider fan since I was ten (1974). During that time, it was Muhammed Ali, Richard Pryor, Marvel comics, and the Raiders were it for me. Al shaped those Raiders, and I was, and have been, an Al Davis fan. I've held out on calling for his retirement or relinquishment of the reins, in large part because I know he won't do it. And while I hear that he remains as sharp as a tack, he can't keep operating like this and expect different results. I seem to recall the definition of insanity is doing something the same while expecting different results. I don't know if that's insanity, but it might define idiocy.
In the early days of my Raider fandom (the mid-70s), the Raiders were a hardcore thing of beauty to behold. John Madden was the coach and his antics on the sidelines were almost as entertaining (sometimes more so) as the game itself. The Snake was a left-handed rebel who was as a cool as a cucumber. Of course, he was helped by the O-line, particularly Gene Upshaw and Art Shell, who allowed him to just stand in the pocket as still as a statue before firing a pass to Mr. Stick-Um, Fred Biletnekoff. Cliff Branch used to beat fools on a deep fade before snatching a bomb. Dave Casper was one of those smart quirky rebels the Raiders seemed to have. Ted "The Mad Stork" Hendricks was another one but on the other side of the ball. Otis Sistrunk made the shaved head goatee look hip before it was hip. Then there were George Atkinson and especially Jack Tatum patrolling the middle of the field like a couple of Darryl Gates cops in South Central LA.
After Madden retired (according to some reports with Al glad to be rid of an independent thinker as his coach), the Tom Flores era began. The 1980 team was my favorite because it was full of grit and determination. A few holdovers from the 70 glory years, such as Upshaw, Hendricks, Branch, and Shell, remained. However, there were some new heads who brought that Raider flavor to the table - in particular, Jim Plunkett, Lester Hayes, Rod Martin, Matt Millen, Kenny King, and Bob Chandler.
The 1983 champion team was even better. By then they had added my all-time favorite Raider Marcus Allen along with Lyle Alzado and Mike Haynes with Todd Christensen and Howie Long becoming more significant players. I hated the Washington football team as much as the Broncos in those days, and the Raiders smashed the Washington.
But the downfall was in full effect at that time. Al drafted Marc Wilson to be the QB. Now, he may have been a perfectly nice guy, but he was not an effective quarterback. It has been Al's chasing of a quarterback that has led to the Raiders mediocre ways. Particularly after Al decided to banish Marcus Allen to the doghouse.
Al likes to pat himself on the back for hiring Art Shell the first time around. But Art benefited from a decline in the AFC at that time. Soon KC got strong again and Belichick coached circles around him for a mediocre Cleveland team. Art's teams were never particularly sharp. The qb's got killed routinely. Plus he benefitted from the Bo Jackson experiment.
Another in the qb fuckery was the Jay Schroeder for Jim Lachey trade. At the time, Al had Willie Gault, Mervyn Fernandez, and James Lofton on the squad. He believed all he needed was a strong-armed qb to get them the ball deep. Well, he didn't have the line to hold the blocks, he wasn't giving Marcus Allen the ball to offset the passing game with a running attack, and Schroeder wasn't particularly accurate. (Does this sound familiar?)
Jeff Hostetler got into a famous argument with Art Shell over play-calling because Art's o-coordinator, Tom Walsh, kept calling Al-type deep ball throws. He was getting killed because the line couldn't block and weak-ass receivers James Jett and Rocket Ismail couldn't get open. (Sound familiar?)
Al kept signing big name players hoping that he would see the same impact on his roster he saw doing similar things he had done in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It didn't work. In fact, the 49ers and Packers were better at the game than he was by then (former Al protegees Bill Walsh and Ron Wolf being responsible, respectively).
Finally, he hired young Jon Gruden to turn the team around. Gruden convinced Al to change the scheme and sign a back-up qb who had always been effective when given a chance in Minnesota, DC, and KC - Rich Gannon. Gannon blossomed. The Raiders returned to the top after Al made savvy signings in Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Eric Allen, Lincoln Kennedy, William Thomas, Zack Crockett, and Charlie Garner. I thought maybe Al hasn't lost it after all.
Then Gannon got hurt into retirement. Kerry Collins took over and couldn't hit the side of a barn. Al signed Aaron Brooks (huh?) And then drafted Jamarcus along with Darrius Heyward-bey to revitalize a passing attack that hadn't seen a consistently thrown deep ball since Plunkett to Branch in the 80s. Gannon has been banned from the facilities because he offered friendly analysis as to why Al's offense is not working.
It's this last act along with Al's meddling in the personnel that has me at wit's end with my favorite football franchise. I know Al cares more about his thought process and what he believes will get this team turned around than what other folks think. But you have to be willing to go outside yourself and objectify your actions. Al has great ideas, but they need tempering. Cuz the product on the field sucks right now.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Vampirism
I cannot sleep eight straight hours. Many times I cannot sleep before six in the morning. For a while, it was reading a book I couldn't put down. Then I got hooked on Turner Classic Movies, especially when they have their themes - like Oscar Month or focus on stars month. Then I can't get enough of certain series on cable. Or I would re-watch a rare Raiders win or NFL Films depiction of the Raiders' glory days. And I have TiVo which has elevated the television watching experience.
I'm not sure when this affliction began. My theory is that I fucked myself up during my college days. You know - up all night cramming. Sanka coffee or NoDozes. A couple funny smelling cigarettes for inspiration. And the fear of failure if you don't do an excellent job on the project that keeps you up all night cramming.
This affliction got worse during my law school days. You'd have three or four classes a day where the assignment for each class was to read forty pages a night. And you had to know that shit because the law professors didn't believe in asking straight-forward questions about the subject. And God forbid, someone asked you about a footnote. But that lesson made me realize the importance of Big Picture and Details plus Effort.
Then I worked for law firms where neither me nor my supervisors had a full grasp of the cases we hustled. But I had to do the grunt work. I sharpened my research skills during this time because again I spent the night in the office with a little better quality of coffee but no benefit of a funny smelling cigarette.
So then a habit was born. Sometimes I felt like I had to drink some liquor to crash out. Music, as a lullaby, was very helpful. But then my wife likes stone silence to sleep.
So sometimes I would lie awake in the bed. Tried deep breathing - helpful. But in the law game, or any high pressured occupation/profession, you think about the next moves constantly. Your mind has several tracks of thought - all of which demand attention. All of which demand resolution. Many of which won't bring a happy ending or one you're comfortable communicating to the relevant person. So that keeps your mind up. And eyes red.
I began to embrace the dark. Loved and preferred it actually. My only problem was the required 8:30 a.m. reporting times. I could barely fall into a healthy REM sleep by six. But then I had to be awake by 7:30 at the latest, which I discovered was the time I preferred to be asleep. I was very uncomfortable.
The adage "Be Careful of What You Wish For" is very accurate. I lost my job almost a year ago. Double-edged sword because, on one hand, I can sleep when I want to sleep. On the other hand, my mind is even busier.
Busier trying to figure out how to replace my lost income. Busier with negative thoughts about slights - perceived or real. Busier fearing problems rather than creating solutions. Busier wondering what was it in my karma that led me to this stage. Busier comparing myself to my friends whose lives seem to be getting better while mine seemed to be getting worse.
In all of this I discovered the following: it's better to be your best friend than your worst enemy. More often than not, we swim against the ocean rather than surf that wave to the beach. I think I'm beginning to learn how to surf. Bring on the Moonshine.
I'm not sure when this affliction began. My theory is that I fucked myself up during my college days. You know - up all night cramming. Sanka coffee or NoDozes. A couple funny smelling cigarettes for inspiration. And the fear of failure if you don't do an excellent job on the project that keeps you up all night cramming.
This affliction got worse during my law school days. You'd have three or four classes a day where the assignment for each class was to read forty pages a night. And you had to know that shit because the law professors didn't believe in asking straight-forward questions about the subject. And God forbid, someone asked you about a footnote. But that lesson made me realize the importance of Big Picture and Details plus Effort.
Then I worked for law firms where neither me nor my supervisors had a full grasp of the cases we hustled. But I had to do the grunt work. I sharpened my research skills during this time because again I spent the night in the office with a little better quality of coffee but no benefit of a funny smelling cigarette.
So then a habit was born. Sometimes I felt like I had to drink some liquor to crash out. Music, as a lullaby, was very helpful. But then my wife likes stone silence to sleep.
So sometimes I would lie awake in the bed. Tried deep breathing - helpful. But in the law game, or any high pressured occupation/profession, you think about the next moves constantly. Your mind has several tracks of thought - all of which demand attention. All of which demand resolution. Many of which won't bring a happy ending or one you're comfortable communicating to the relevant person. So that keeps your mind up. And eyes red.
I began to embrace the dark. Loved and preferred it actually. My only problem was the required 8:30 a.m. reporting times. I could barely fall into a healthy REM sleep by six. But then I had to be awake by 7:30 at the latest, which I discovered was the time I preferred to be asleep. I was very uncomfortable.
The adage "Be Careful of What You Wish For" is very accurate. I lost my job almost a year ago. Double-edged sword because, on one hand, I can sleep when I want to sleep. On the other hand, my mind is even busier.
Busier trying to figure out how to replace my lost income. Busier with negative thoughts about slights - perceived or real. Busier fearing problems rather than creating solutions. Busier wondering what was it in my karma that led me to this stage. Busier comparing myself to my friends whose lives seem to be getting better while mine seemed to be getting worse.
In all of this I discovered the following: it's better to be your best friend than your worst enemy. More often than not, we swim against the ocean rather than surf that wave to the beach. I think I'm beginning to learn how to surf. Bring on the Moonshine.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Welcome to the Rant
To all folks who have read the Rant on the pages of Westworld and the Washington Informer, ebonyjet.com, BisonRoundUp, the radio show "Race", my Facebook page, the UndercoverBlackMan blog, my Fantasy Football leagues, and personal distribution via emails, I've finally followed some of your advice to set up a blog. To new readers, welcome the Rant.
I wasn't sure I wanted to do a blog. I've read some awfully clever and creative ones. Wasn't sure I had the energy to keep up with that level of unique output. But I need to sharpen my writing skills plus there's no shortage of people, things, and events to rant on, so why not? Besides, I've wasted enough time watching television the past few months when I couldn't sleep.
You may notice the color scheme. That's for my boys the Raiders and in some small part, my alma mater, Howard University.
Since I've stopped putting music on my voicemail, we'll try to make up for it on this site. Currently and on this maiden launch, we have one of my favorite groups since I was in 7th grade, Weather Report. This version of WR was its most popular featuring founders keyboardist Joe Zawinul, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and dynamic fretless electric bass genius Jaco Pastorius with drummer Peter Erskine. Zawinul, Shorter, and Pastorius, besides being master musicians are also master composers and arrangers. Enjoy by all means.
The tone will vary. I like being provocative but not provocative without facts. We like to reflect on the inner world known as the Mind. We might be humorous sometimes. We like sports, music, television, books, and movies. We'll try to be interesting and as we learn the technology up the stakes.
From time to time, I will have a guest bloggist who is a budding writer, my son, Barron Underwood. I might turn over the reins to some of my other favorite folks, if they so desire.
While I like provocation and intense discussion, I will not tolerate racist or genderist comments. I will delete those kinds of comments. Insults are cool with insults backed by facts even cooler. Cursing is allowed and encouraged. Use of nineteen letter words that make sense in a sentence, even better.
While I come from a religious family and have some spiritual values, attempts to impose religious views, be they Christian, Jewish, or Islamic, will be met with a severe case of ridicule. Key word is "imposition." Sharing your values will be tolerated.
Talking shit about your favorite sports teams is highly encouraged. However, if you have thin skin about your team, don't bother. Your feelings will get hurt.
Discussing sex is strongly encouraged as long as we don't have to hear about how good your latest escapade was. Oh, and share your adventures and partners at your own risk.
There is no word length for responses. There is no limit on number of responses to a particular topic.
Finally, I'm gonna have fun with it. I hope you do, too. Let's get it on!
I wasn't sure I wanted to do a blog. I've read some awfully clever and creative ones. Wasn't sure I had the energy to keep up with that level of unique output. But I need to sharpen my writing skills plus there's no shortage of people, things, and events to rant on, so why not? Besides, I've wasted enough time watching television the past few months when I couldn't sleep.
You may notice the color scheme. That's for my boys the Raiders and in some small part, my alma mater, Howard University.
Since I've stopped putting music on my voicemail, we'll try to make up for it on this site. Currently and on this maiden launch, we have one of my favorite groups since I was in 7th grade, Weather Report. This version of WR was its most popular featuring founders keyboardist Joe Zawinul, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and dynamic fretless electric bass genius Jaco Pastorius with drummer Peter Erskine. Zawinul, Shorter, and Pastorius, besides being master musicians are also master composers and arrangers. Enjoy by all means.
The tone will vary. I like being provocative but not provocative without facts. We like to reflect on the inner world known as the Mind. We might be humorous sometimes. We like sports, music, television, books, and movies. We'll try to be interesting and as we learn the technology up the stakes.
From time to time, I will have a guest bloggist who is a budding writer, my son, Barron Underwood. I might turn over the reins to some of my other favorite folks, if they so desire.
While I like provocation and intense discussion, I will not tolerate racist or genderist comments. I will delete those kinds of comments. Insults are cool with insults backed by facts even cooler. Cursing is allowed and encouraged. Use of nineteen letter words that make sense in a sentence, even better.
While I come from a religious family and have some spiritual values, attempts to impose religious views, be they Christian, Jewish, or Islamic, will be met with a severe case of ridicule. Key word is "imposition." Sharing your values will be tolerated.
Talking shit about your favorite sports teams is highly encouraged. However, if you have thin skin about your team, don't bother. Your feelings will get hurt.
Discussing sex is strongly encouraged as long as we don't have to hear about how good your latest escapade was. Oh, and share your adventures and partners at your own risk.
There is no word length for responses. There is no limit on number of responses to a particular topic.
Finally, I'm gonna have fun with it. I hope you do, too. Let's get it on!
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