Oakland Raiders: Miracle on Fourth Street, a Christmas Story

Friendships Through Thick and Thin

Forty-seven years ago, a young, handsome man said “Hello” to a slim, strutting young lady in the hallway of the Nabrit Science building on a university campus in the Southwest part of the United States. 

A friendship started and it has lasted through thick and thin, gaps and breaks, in the lives of both people. The Bleacher Report names for these two people are JCI and Damali. Although the length of these two people’s journey spans 47 years, there were gaps in their communication, one of which lasted for 26 years.

JCI became a professional football player. He played for the Oakland Raiders.

Damali became the mathematics professor and writer. Both have reached goals that are to be respected, since all of us get transformed for the better, especially as we mature. A third component of this circle of friends and colleagues is Damali’s brother, Rev. Edsel Warren Brannon, Jr. He, too, has been through transformative experiences.

The Beginning, the Idea

One day the man, JCI said to Damali, “You with your big head, and you are suppose to be so smart, and me, with my big head and NFL data that got the attention of so many people…let’s put our heads together…”

His comment suggested that something needed to be corrected, resolved, and made clear by a gleam of dawn from the heavens. The truth is that light which shines on all situations and let’s us “see” clearly and correct errors, misconceptions, or distorted perceptions which plague the lives of so many celebrities in sports and other professions.

Those words are profound because JCI was affirming that the gifts that the professor and the professional athlete have, together, can spell out a story of a miracle on Fourth Street on Christmas Day, 2009.

How did they meet again on Dec. 23, 2009? Well, it is an intriguing story that is developing into a saga. The recent chapters are reported in this article.

An Intriguing Encounter

It was Dec. 22, and Damali was working on her laptop. It started to crash, but one picture was frozen on the desktop. It was a picture of JCI, and nothing else showed on the screen. Control, alt, and delete were pressed, but nothing happened. Finally, Damali felt that something was going on in another domain or realm. She shut off the computer and began to think, “Why was the picture of JCI the only one on the screen when there were so many icons on her desktop?”

Next, Damali went to a website for a national mathematics conference that was to be held in San Francisco. As she looked at various links, she stumbled on one tagged, “In Memorial.” At the top of the page was the name of a professor from an academy who was to facilitate her session on Sports and Mathematics, planned for Jan. 16, 2010. This great professor passed away on Nov. 23, 2009, and Damali was totally surprised. The professor helped Damali get an article published on the Oakland Raiders who played many years ago.  

Her topic for the planned presentation is on “Intensity and integrity on the playing field.” The NFL data of JCI and other senior players is to be analyzed using various mathematical techniques so as to reveal and shed light on the power and impact of the senior Oakland Raiders contributions on the playing field.

Now there are four contacts who were giving various levels of advice to Damali as she worked on her project to become a sports writer, and each of these men has passed away since Feb. 2007.

Her brother, Rev. Edsel, said to her, “God wants you to depend on him alone as you do this project on the senior NFL players.”

The Transformations, the Departures

One of the sports historians who passed away was Bob Carroll who had a significant role in the development of the Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA). He helped Damali, by serving as her editor, when she wrote an article, “The Gleam of Dawn.”

The article reported on the life and transformative stages of a great wide receiver who now has been “redeemed by his belief in the One whose birth we celebrate today, on Christmas.”

Carroll had encouraged Damali to expand the design of her book project and asked that she start an article in September, 2009, recording the history of many players from the Golden Triangle, in Texas.

One day, Damali was reading her PFRA newsletter, and was shocked to find out that Bob Carroll passed away in his sleep in Fall 2009. This made Damali reflect on her interview with a retired coach named, Coach Black.

On a Thursday in 2009, Damali went to a golf course restaurant to interview Coach Black who had worked at Texas Southern during his youth. The interview went well. Damali told Coach Black she would return with a draft of her article on Monday. When she returned, she learned that the coach had passed away on a Saturday.

What does all of this mean? Well, Damali is in the processing of discerning the meaning.

Now, to share another intriguing series of events.

The Surprise Endings and Hints of Progress

There have been three surprise endings to games in 2009: the ending of the Raiders games against the Bengals, the Steelers, and the Broncos. Each time, these last minute wins occurred, Damali thought about JCI.

So, after her computer crashed, and after she learned of the great professor’s death who asked her to contribute to the book he was writing on Sports and Mathematics, she decided to follow her unction to visit JCI on Fourth Street.

She arrived at 1:15 pm a few days ago, and saw three senior citizens in Central Park, near Fourth Street. One of those men was JCI’s roommate in the college dormitory at Texas Southern University.

She left the park and drove down Fourth Street to a place where JCI often watches television and “hangs out.” After parking her car, and entering the location, there JCI sat, showing very little emotion, and with an expression which seemed to say, “Why did you take so long?”

Damali asked him, “Are you surprised to see me…I came to wish you a Merry Christmas.” He said, “No, not really.”

She scanned him from head to toe. He was well-dressed, alert, and keen. He had an official Oakland Raiders cap on his head. His hands were manicured, and he stood straight and tall. A trace of his swagger was present. At the age of 67, his posture and muscles seemed toned.

What is the miracle? JCI looks well, is very intelligent and he appeared to be as gentle as a lamb. He quoted one of his favorite scriptures, Psalm One. He smiled and looked Damali in the eyes, showing his alertness and clarity of mind as he gazed at her.

JCI said to Damali, “You know we beat the Broncos, Steelers, and the Bengals.”

Damali answered, “Yes, somewhat like you guys did during your career.”

The Present, The Connections

Rev. Edsel Warren Brannon, Jr., who owns a Motorola dealership , is present during the writing of this article. He reminded me of his transformative experience when he was 16 years old. He said, “I was at that teenage period when no one could tell me anything. I thought I was grown. So, when people gave me instructions, I disobeyed.”

“One day, I left abruptly, went to my Dad’s, thinking that I did not have to be governed by Dad’s rule, because he wasn’t at home…he was at work. I snuck off and went with my buddies, ending up in a car accident and of all the guys in the car, I was the only one who got hurt. A spring came out of the seat and cut my leg. Glass from the windshield lodged in my hand.”

“In the meantime, after the doctors cleaned the wound and put 81 stitches in my leg. I was told by the doctors at the hospital that one of my legs would be shorter than the other because of the accident.

“My mother called Damali in New York, and Damali called JCI in Oakland, California. JCI took time and contacted the Oakland Raiders doctors and identified a specialist in the Medical Center in Houston who was an orthopedic surgeon who treated professional athletes. JCI called Damali and told her about the specialist, and I can now say that I walk straight.

“I can truly say, I woke up after that experience. So, I believe a man can change. He affirmed that JCI has had a transformative experience.”

The Miracle

The conclusion and words of wisdom:

Rev. Edsel believes a man can change. I believe a man or woman can change. Some people call it redemption, but the fact is, when you embrace the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the One who redeems all mankind, you have a personal experience the transformation that occurs in many peoples lives.

Since the Oakland Raiders is comprised of a team of men who struggled somewhat in 2009, but showed traces of greatness in the recent games with the Bengals, Steelers and Broncos, we affirm that the Oakland Raiders team can change.

Rev. Edsel puts it this way:

“The great Coach is God. He writes the play book and calls the plays in this “football game of life.”

“The great referee is the Holy Spirit. He lets us know when we are out of bounds, and he governs you and watches you.”

“The great quarterback is Jesus Christ, the one born on Christmas Day. He works in us, through us, and with us. The ball is the Word. He is the Word, and He dwells with us.”

“We are the wide receivers, moving in a position to receive the ball (the Word) and running for a touchdown to reach success.”

Conclusion

Each of us experience the miracle of Christmas, when that gleam of light shines in our lives, and makes clear the pathway to success. Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth is the greeting to all people around the world.

Finally, the Oakland Raiders team can change, as we know that men and women can change once they have their personal encounter with the true meaning of the celebration of the birth of a baby who is the Redeemer of mankind, and who demonstrated excellence as he was among men and women.

Photo: Rev. Edsel Warren Brannon, Jr., with wife, Emma, and family in St. Louis, Missouri 

 

 

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Oakland Raiders: Students Say, “Play Harder, Work Smarter.”

If you are not pleased with your progress in 2009, several college students in Texas are willing to give advice. They have sent a message to the Oakland Raiders: “Play harder, work smarter.”

Here are a few quotes from students ranging from 18 to 30 years old.

 

Quotes for Oakland Raiders and Coach Tom Cable

Casey : “To become a winner, you must be a champion among your peers. So practice harder than your peers and play/work smarter.”

Terry : “The key to becoming a winner in 2010 is to keep trying, keep our focus and not quit.”

Obama : “…a person must determine and compromise to apply all the things he or she has planned to do.”

Ryan : “To continue working hard and to give full attention to the attainment of your goal.”

Sean : “You can become a winner in 2010 if you have set short term and long term goals for yourself. I have what I call the six P’s: Perfect. Planning. Prevent piss poor performances…”

Rose : “Finish what you start.”

Carine : “Have a positive outlook on life and sports. Live a healthy life.”

Zamzam : “Learn from what you have done. 2010 is a new year and it can be a new beginning in your life and sports career.”

Iris Canales : “Positivism and confidence are the elements you need to win and reach your goal in this competitive world (of profession sports).”

Elaijia : “A winner, according to me, will be on top of things and carry positive energy and good motivation.”

LaTonya : “A winner is someone who recognizes his or her God-given talents, works his or her tail off to develop their talents into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his or her goals.”

Charles : “Staying positive is a must in order to accomplish your goals. It is also necessary to study and work.”

Saviour Laba : “To become a winner, the first thing you have to do is to have a positive mind set. Then you set your goal.”

“In the Bible, Habakkuk 2:2 says “Write the vision, and make it plain upon a tablet, that he may run that reads it.

“You need to do things that are relative to your goal, vision or target. And, when you do this, you come out as a winner in 2010.

“Stay on God’s Word and you will succeed, for it is written, ‘Seek ye the kingdom of God and his righteousness and every thing will be added to you.'”

Larry : “Be tough on yourself…really and truly. I think the definition of a winner is to be on top of any thing you do. A winner is someone who stays positive and who keeps on keeping on and completes his or her task.”

 

Conclusion

Now, Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation, if you want 2010 to be a better year than 2009, maybe you should heed the wisdom from these young students.

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Oakland Raiders: Students Say, “Play Harder, Work Smarter.”

If you are not pleased with your progress in 2009, several college students in Texas are willing to give advice. They have sent a message to the Oakland Raiders: “Play harder, work smarter.”

Here are a few quotes from students ranging from 18 to 30 years old.

 

Quotes for Oakland Raiders and Coach Tom Cable

Casey : “To become a winner, you must be a champion among your peers. So practice harder than your peers and play/work smarter.”

Terry : “The key to becoming a winner in 2010 is to keep trying, keep our focus and not quit.”

Obama : “…a person must determine and compromise to apply all the things he or she has planned to do.”

Ryan : “To continue working hard and to give full attention to the attainment of your goal.”

Sean : “You can become a winner in 2010 if you have set short term and long term goals for yourself. I have what I call the six P’s: Perfect. Planning. Prevent piss poor performances…”

Rose : “Finish what you start.”

Carine : “Have a positive outlook on life and sports. Live a healthy life.”

Zamzam : “Learn from what you have done. 2010 is a new year and it can be a new beginning in your life and sports career.”

Iris Canales : “Positivism and confidence are the elements you need to win and reach your goal in this competitive world (of profession sports).”

Elaijia : “A winner, according to me, will be on top of things and carry positive energy and good motivation.”

LaTonya : “A winner is someone who recognizes his or her God-given talents, works his or her tail off to develop their talents into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his or her goals.”

Charles : “Staying positive is a must in order to accomplish your goals. It is also necessary to study and work.”

Saviour Laba : “To become a winner, the first thing you have to do is to have a positive mind set. Then you set your goal.”

“In the Bible, Habakkuk 2:2 says “Write the vision, and make it plain upon a tablet, that he may run that reads it.

“You need to do things that are relative to your goal, vision or target. And, when you do this, you come out as a winner in 2010.

“Stay on God’s Word and you will succeed, for it is written, ‘Seek ye the kingdom of God and his righteousness and every thing will be added to you.'”

Larry : “Be tough on yourself…really and truly. I think the definition of a winner is to be on top of any thing you do. A winner is someone who stays positive and who keeps on keeping on and completes his or her task.”

 

Conclusion

Now, Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation, if you want 2010 to be a better year than 2009, maybe you should heed the wisdom from these young students.

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Oakland Raiders: Patterns of Improvement

On Dec. 16, 2009, a medical doctor said,

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

 

This quote comes from Seneca, a Roman Stoic philosopher.

 

The reference to a doctor makes us think about people with ailments.  What is the connection? Our beloved Oakland Raiders have an ailment because of the patterns of poor performance.

 

There are natural patterns for wellness and wholeness. There are patterns for wellness or good performance on the playing field, and wholeness of all team member’s who function effectively in their position, with minimum injuries. Well, we put our hopes in the performance of Bruce Gradkowski. He was injured. So, the team is not well.

 

We either need an implant or a transplant. What do I mean? We need someone to replace our quarterback so we can have hopes of functioning again, as we functioned during the games with the Bengals and with the Steelers.

 

Research shows us that when things are fine-tuned, there are proportions and numbers that characterize “wellness or wholeness” or in football it would characterize winning games and being headed toward championships and Super Bowls.

 

In the last few years, the patterns in the Oakland Raiders performance have been somewhat erratic. Extrapolations (predictions) about future games have been difficult, because the patterns for “wins” have appeared chaotic.

 

There is still hope, however. I heard two mathematicians say at a national conference that even chaos, if looked at more carefully, may have a pattern. The challenge is to discern the hidden pattern.

 

So, the Oakland Raiders coaches are challenged to see their chaos and the pattern of that chaos.

 

Once they understand the hidden patterns that are governing the performance on the playing field. they may be able to develop a plan or strategy to alter the pattern and shift to a winning phase.

 

For example, some people probably do not see the pattern in the design of the human body, or in the design of the universe. There are others who “see” clearly. Let’s put this argument to a test.

 

Once we recognize the pattern that most people do not see, we can be inspired to implant or transplant “something” to correct a design or interaction, say, on the playing field. When the pattern is discovered, then there can be a correction of the flawed pattern.  The Oakland Raiders must aggressively seek an adjustment to “something” that produces “wins” not losses.

 

For example, if you study the human body, you can see a pattern. It seems to be based on five. The beauty in the design of the human body is the inspiration of this article. It undergirds a discussion of a dire need for new patterns in the execution of the Oakland Raiders play book.  Here is an example that some people discern:

 

There are five appendages: two legs, two arms and a head.

There are five appendages to each of the appendages: five fingers on each hand, five toes on each foot and five openings on the face.

There are five openings: two eyes, two nostrils, and a mouth.

There are five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell.

 

The number “phi” is present in the design of so many things in our world, and “phi” which is called the golden section is found in the human body which dwells in our world.

 

Now my argument. Since we see the pattern, based on “five” we must, then, see the patterns, both covert and overt, in the plays and reactions on the football field.

 

There has to be a coach on our team who sees both global and local patterns. He must see a pattern that must be transformed. At this point, everything may look like “chaos” but the gifted coach and gifted players should be able to discern and “think smart” to direct the Oakland Raiders to victory.

 

In the short time Bruce Gradkowski was able to be the quarterback there seemed to be an energy and an intelligence to move the team toward “last minute and well thought out” victories.

 

The ethereal quality or intuition to be appropriately reactive and proactive to direct a team to victory may be inherent. I am not certain. However, although it can not be defined by this writer, the patterns of that type of ability produces the results we witnessed with the Bengals and the Steelers.

 

So, the luck of the Oakland Raiders needs to change. And, as the doctor said, and as the Roman philosopher said,

 

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

 

I have said it before and I say it again. The Oakland Raiders need to be more prepared, and when the opportunities appear, see the bad patterns, introduce more productive patterns and see the “design” of a winning team.

 

Execute the new patterns. Win more games.

 

Can the Oakland Raiders shift from “losses” to “wins.” I say, yes.

 

What do you say?

 

Source  

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Oakland Raiders: Venny Boy Raps About His Favorite Team

Not everyone has sentiments for both the Oakland Raiders and the L. A. Raiders. Venny Boy likes the Los Angeles Raiders best.

Damali: How long have you been an Oakland Raiders fan?

Venny Boy: I have been a fan for 21 years.

Damali: Why do you like the Oakland Raiders?

Venny Boy: What first drew my attention was the logo.

Damali: What is it that you like about the logo?

Venny Boy: If I saw somebody walking down the streets in Los Angeles with two swords, a helmet  and a patch on their eye, they have to be serious about whatever they are doing!

I like the colors, too. Besides that, I just like the franchise.

They went through a period of losing, but, I believe, now they are coming back (even after today).

Damali: When did you become a fan?

Venny Boy: I noticed the team when they were Oakland before they moved to Los Angeles. I became a fan when they were in Los Angeles and stayed with the team.

Damali: When they began to have a challenging era, what did you do and what did you think?

Venny Boy: What I did is I put my faith in the owner, believing they were going to draft the right people to pull them out.

I really believe they are going to come out of their slump.

(With a smile) They might come out of it, if they move back to Los Angeles.

Damali: What else can you tell us?

Venny Boy: I like it a lot when our Raiders team plays one of the other teams that I like. For example, the Giants, the Saints and the Redskins.

Damali: The score at this time, Dec. 13 in the fourth quarter in the game between the Raiders and the Redskins, it’s not looking good. What can you say?

Venny Boy: It’s kind of strange to be talking highly of the team that I am a fan of, and they lost. But at least they lost to one of my other favorite teams.

Damali: What do you see for the future?

Venny Boy: They will take this season in 2009 and, hopefully, build on top of it for 2010.

Venny Boy is an aspiring writer and he does construction work. He says he is a “handy man” so if you need a hand, he’s the man.

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Oakland Raiders: Get Up and Go with Bruce Gradkowski

What is the probability of the Oakland Raiders winning two consecutive games? Will it happen and can it happen?

I believe so. Bruce Gradkowski has brought “spunk” onto the playing field. He functions well under pressure, as demonstrated in the game with the Steelers. It’s clear to some fans that more data is needed on Bruce Gradkowski and what he has added to the Oakland Raiders’ performance on the playing field, but no one can deny that there is a big difference when you compare data from the fourth quarter in 2009.

The type of “get up and go” that is needed to finish the 2009 season with dignity is good enough to set a positive tone for 2010.

Surprising our opponents (and the media) with fantastic last minute successful plays shows football fans, coaches, and other teams that they should not underestimate the Oakland Raiders.

Louis Murphy has definitely demonstrated his worth to the team, when the situation is tense. He helped Oakland have an explosive ending on Dec. 6.

Now let’s compare a subset of data by viewing the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins.

Yes, more than numerical data is needed to forecast the outcome of a professional football game. Nevertheless, the data can provide at least a framework or skeletal view of what has been and what can be.

Here are some facts, but not all of the facts, since the physical and psychological behavior on the playing field is complex, and not always measurable, although it can be observable.

Some facts for the Redskins in 2009. 

Similar facts for the Oakland Raiders in 2009. 

Now a visual presentation of data for a comparison:

What’s your prediction? I predict victory for the Raiders, although I read one forecast, giving the Washington Redskins a one point lead for victory.

We are in a country where free will and freedom of speech prevails. We can disagree without being disagreeable. So, I have an opposing view, and I say that Oakland is going to win. And, if I am correct, then good. If I am wrong, it is still good.

Why? Because all things work together for good, for quarterbacks like Bruce Gradkowski. He has a new job as the starting quarterback and nothing but upward growth is expected for him.  Who knows? He may be our 21st century Darly Lamonica.

The chart shows that the Redskins are an older team, but that does not mean they are more competent. Over the history of the team, Oakland has a higher win-loss ratio. Both teams have played 12 games, and Oakland has won one more than the Washington Redskins.

What do you think?

Source of Data

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Oakland Raiders: Foreshadowing Emerging Greatness in the NFL

A Framework

Donald P. Moss defines “foreshadow” in the following passage:

“Foreshadows are remarkable narrative mechanics God included in the Bible to reveal the future. Foreshadows serve as hidden manna in the same way as parables are hidden messages of God revealed by the Holy Spirit to Spirit filled believers.

“Foreshadows and parables are messages that are spiritually discerned and cannot be understood by non-believers. However, understanding hidden messages of foreshadows will deepen your faith in God’s Word as the only source of the truth and reveal a higher level of the spiritual narrative style of scriptures.”

 

The Pattern Recognition

As a so-called “math” person, I often look at probabilities and patterns. Clearly, the article I did which mentioned Rod Woodson, signaled a surprise ending to the game between the Oakland Raiders and the Bengals.

It was intriguing, but since the article was dated and published before the surprise ending to that game, I thought, this is very interesting.

Again, some intriguing events occurred on Sunday.  Here is the testimony:

I decided to hit the publish button at the moment the Raiders–Steelers game began. A rebuttal to a pronouncement by Tomlin is what inspired the article. Also, the laughing and what I perceived as belittling commentary on ESPN got me fired up. 

I know that this is a sports blog, but if Tomlin can use the world “hell” in the media, then others can negate that use by firing back with the use and power of the word “heaven.”

Next, I watched the game and I tracked the data on Dec. 6, 2009. In the fourth quarter, I had this strong inclination to get my Bible and read Matt 18:18.  I picked up the Bible and it fell open on Matthew, Chapter 18. All I had to do was move my eyes to the right, and I saw the verse which I wanted.

Now, I have heard of that type of phenomenon of the Bible falling open in just the right spot. I tend to ignore it, and I usually dig out the scriptures I want to study. But, it happened.

 

The Connections  

As much as I love football, I have only attended one professional football game in my life. I view the games on television, listen on the radio, or now view them on the computer.

Years ago, I was invited to a game at Shea Stadium. Hindsight is what let me know how important the game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders was on December 6, 1970.

I expected something unusual to happen on the day we played the Jets in 2009. So clearly I was puzzled when the Raiders lost. That strong inclination that I had prompted me to recognize that it was 39 years ago when I witnessed the Raiders defeat the Jets.  A victory which came in the last eight seconds of the game. Again, I was puzzled that my intuition had seemingly failed me.

I expected a challenging game with the Steelers because of the unusual and unique experience of working with the son of one of the historical players with the Steelers. As you can see, I think deeply about most events in my life.

My fascination with history inspired me to write an article about Ernie Holmes, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White, and “Mean” Joe Green. That’s my documentation that I am not embellishing my record of experiences in sports.

So I sat down, and logged on my laptop, and stared at my computer on Sunday, Dec 6. As I said, during the fourth quarter I got a little worried, and I actually began to pray for the Oakland Raiders to muster up the type of “get-up and go” that was demonstrated years ago.

I asked for one of those eight second “turnaround” miracles in the outcome of the game. I actually asked for the type of wide receiver responses and precision that Oakland had when I lived in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

Then, I started reading Matt 18:18 aloud, focusing on Gradkowski and his family, saying that if only two or three of us believe in miracles, please give us one this day.

Well, something wonderful happened.

Here is the pattern recognition:

On December 6, 1970, a wide receiver No. 81 caught the ball in the last eight seconds. George Blanda kicked the extra point and Oakland won, 14-13.

On December 6, 2009, a wide receiver No. 18 caught the ball in the last nine seconds. The extra point was good and Oakland won the game.

Later, I got so excited because I realized that the outstanding finish that I expected in the New York Jets game with Oakland actually occurred with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The win on Dec. 6 was even a more powerful statement because of the reputation and record of the Steelers.

Some Speculations

Here is what can be speculated:

1. The connection between the 1970 experience and the 2009 experience is definitely documented.

2. Moments like those experienced years ago are somewhat of a foreshadow to the greatness that Oakland will enjoy in the future.

3. There is a reversal in the digits of the number of the wide receiver, indicating to me that this time we will reverse the pattern and rise to a higher level than we had in the past.

4. And now to have a little fun with the numbers. Since I read a scripture with a double of 18, specifically Matt 18:18, I conjecture that the Oakland Raiders, too, will double the number of Super Bowl wins, and will someday have six Super Bowl wins.

How do I know? Well, I may have stretched it a bit, but why not? I conjecture that the numbers tell me so, and the intriguing events are setting up for a grand future.

Go Raiders!

No matter what you believed before Dec. 6, you must now change your point of view. The Oakland Raiders have a new pattern of growth!

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What Can We Say During Times Like These: IMPROVE, OAKLAND RAIDERS!

One of the Bleacher writers said something like this: “Why are we writing on here (Bleacher Report’s Oakland Raiders’ page) since there is so little that can be said?”

I thought, “We can IMPROVE!”

I am not the only one who is struggling with the repeated losses of the Oakland Raiders. In fact, last night I dreamed I made a presentation before the team, giving them a pep talk and strategy to get out of this rut they have been wallowing in.

Only in my dreams did I shake them up, and they went out there and started toughening up and playing football like they meant it.

Reality says something different. So, since there is little or no chance of me getting into the front office of the Raiders’ camp and presenting my powerful “sermon” on how to start winning, we will have to tolerate “the dry bones” era in the Oakland Raiders’ history.

Can these bones live again? Yes they can. When will they begin to move, rise up, and get in position? When the young men truly commit to excellence?

How do you define excellence? Well, I visited a bookstore and selected a book by Joe Gibbs (with Jerry B. Jenkins). It is titled, Game Plan for Life , with a foreword by Tony Dungy.

Might these men be right? Is it possible that many people are missing the point of what it means to commit to excellence? Has anyone asked the coach, Tom Cable, and the trainers in the Oakland Raiders’ franchise how they define excellence?

Now, if you read books, you may have noticed Game Plan for Life . Gibbs’ resume includes three-time Super Bowl Champion, and three-time NASCAR Champion.

Dungy said in the foreword, “I watched him (Gibbs), studied him, and talked to many people who knew him. I wanted to know how he did things, how he was able to get his players to perform with such precision and togetherness—how he was able to get them focused to function so well under pressure and in times of adversity.”

Dungy surmised Gibbs in this quote:

“Coach Gibbs governed his life that way and led the team that way—with Christian principles learned from the Bible.”

Since I am a researcher, you can be sure that I am searching for answers to the Oakland Raiders’ problem. And if you are a researcher who looks at all angles, all dimensions, and all sides of an issue, you only come to a conclusion after a complete and exhaustive search for answers.

The final question is: Is the Oakland Raiders’ current definition of excellence accurate and complete, in establishing the gameplan for the success of the franchise in the 21st century?

What do you think? After all, several years have passed, and the Oakland Raiders have not pulled up and out of their slump, yet.

Will Week 12 be different? I hope so.

So, what can we say during times like these? The answer is: Improve your definition of “commitment to excellence” and be certain you have a complete and exhaustive definition of excellence.

Has Tom Cable studied a successful NFL coach, as, for example, Tony Dungy studied Joe Gibbs, and embraced an improved definition of “commitment to excellence”?

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Can You Walk in Al Davis’ Shoes: Coached, Owned, Or Been a Commissioner?

Early on this Dec. 5th morning, the question came to me: Can you walk in Al Davis’ shoes? Coached, owned, or been a commissioner?

The question is the title of the article.

Here is the framework. Years ago, I worked for the first African American in Texas who was officially recognized as a millionaire. His name was Mack H. Hannah.

At 74-years-old, he was a smart, tough, cantankerous senior citizen who hired me to be an administrator of his construction company, Standard Development Corporation. I learned a lot from Mr. Hannah. He was a big man, who towered over most of the staff, and he used a cane to walk.

Mr. Hannah once told me that if you are going to own a company or run a company, you need to know the “ins and outs” of it, from A to Z. He indicated that it is impossible to do a good job if, in fact, you have not done the jobs below the top position in the company.

Now, so many bloggers and fans are writing articles and comments, telling Al Davis what to do with the Oakland Raiders. This is a country where free speech prevails. So, keep at it, keep telling him what you think.

But, consider this question: Can you walk in Al Davis’ shoes? Have you coached, owned, or been a commissioner?

Now who out there can answer: Yes, Yes, Yes.

The person who can say “Yes, Yes, Yes” to all three jobs, is the person to whom we should listen to.

Some folks have never even played a game of football, yet they are good fans of the Oakland Raiders. Let’s pose a question: You look at a beautiful house. Does that mean you can build the house? I don’t think so.

 

Imagine Al Davis saying to us, using the words of Emily King’s song:

See everybody’s got their own problems that their going through
I take it day by day, its only thing that I can do
so I live for me as you live for you
But you can’t be me unless you walk in my shoes

[Repeat Chorus x 2]

walk walk, walk walk, walk walk—walk in my shoes [x 2]

You gon do you, and ima do me

The proposal and questions for Dec. 5, the day before our big game with the Steelers: Have the fans ever put up a billboard telling the Oakland Raiders how much we love and appreciate what they did in the past?

Have the fans ever sent a vitae of a person to Al Davis who could serve as the GM for the Oakland Raiders?

Is there someone out there who has walked in shoes similar to Al Davis and can understand and advise us on how to deal with the situation in which we find our team?

There are more questions. The challenge is for us to search out the answers.

And, if we take the advice of the brilliant senior citizen who sat me down and got my attention years ago, we know that we should not take a job at the top of an organization without being fully cognizant of what it took to build that organization.

Why was Mr. Hannah tough on me and the other so-called young, sharp people who surrounded him in 1976? He said we had a lot of book-sense, and vicarious information, but we lacked the hands-on experience to run the company.

Those comments may be relevant to the situation with Al Davis.

Yes, we will continue with our concerns and comments, but be reminded that what we say would probably make more sense to Al Davis if we could present to him a spokesperson with experiences similar to his, who he might at least try to listen to, and then change his ways or strategies in running the Oakland Raiders franchise.

So, who is that person? Find him, and send him to talk to Mr. Al Davis.

 

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Raiders-Steelers: An Organizational Comparison

If a team’s age of existence made a difference in the quality of its performance, then the Pittsburgh Steelers should have the advantage in the Week 13 game with the Oakland Raiders.

However, being older does not necessarily make one more competent.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded in 1933, which would make the team about 76-years-old. The Oakland Raiders were founded in 1960, celebrating their 50th year, along with the other charter members of the AFL.

If these teams represented two men, a 76-year-old man is getting ready to compete with a 50-year-old man.

Given that analogy, who would win this competition?

Another way to look at the competitors is to look at a portion of the data for the two franchises:

 

Pittsburgh has 526 wins (to date) in 76 years, while Oakland would only need to be 8.95 years older in order to have the same level of performance.

Additionally, Pittsburgh has seven Super Bowl appearances in 76 years, using a proportion equation, the Raiders would need 4.6 Super Bowl appearances to match the Steelers’ level of performance.

Since the Raiders have appeared in the Super Bowl five times, they have out performed the Steelers in this category.

However in terms of Super Bowl wins, the Raiders have under performed when compared to the Steelers. Oakland’s actual number of Super Bowl wins is three, whereas mathematically it should be 3.947 when compared to the Steelers.

The win-loss percentage for the Raiders exceeds that of the Steelers. Oakland’s percentage is 55.1 percent while the Steelers have won 51.6 percent of their games.

The Steelers have been in existence some 27 years longer, however, their win-loss percentage is below that of the Raiders.

Oakland Raiders organization may be younger and have had their struggles of late, but when they are good, they are very good .

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