Oakland Raiders Must Increase Individual Defense: Look at the Data

You are dressed for success. Now take a look at each individual and his defense statistics.

It’s easy to see that the numbers for certain players must increase.

I call it “player integrity.” You say you can do the job, so do the job.

Look at this simple chart. Yes, this is the last pep talk in the locker room before you get out there, tough enough to tackle and tumble the opponent, down to his knees and on the ground!

The average number of tackles per individual player is four. So, according to this method of mini-analysis, the high performers (in terms of efficiency) are

 

Tyvon Branch

Thomas Howard

Chris Johnson

Ricky Brown

Richard Seymour

The players who need more opportunity or efficiency are

Greg Ellis

Trevor Scott

Gerard Warren

Nnamdi Asomugha

Hiram Eugene

Kirk Morrison

Jon Alston

Tommy Kelly

Michael Huff

Enough said!  Play ball and demonstrate that what you say you can do, you DO! We believe in you so believe in yourself and demonstrate your strength.

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Oakland Raiders History: Remembered From Here To Eternity

A tribute to the Oakland Raiders and Al Davis.

There was a time in American history when the older folks sat in a rocking chair on the front porch and told the history of the family, the city, the state and nation. Some of them also told stories of the last minute victories of the Oakland Raiders.

It was called Oral History, and some American colleges actually built programs, teaching the technique of interviewing that older generation to record the history for the younger generation.

I took part in such an Oral History project in Fifth Ward in Houston, Texas. My generation knew very little about former slaves in Texas and there was a project to educate us so that we would not be a shallow generation.

As we learned more about the accomplishments of the past, we humbled ourselves, and we realized that who we are is built on the risks, large and small, taken by the former slaves who were determined to be free. I see a parallel for the Raider Nation. Who we are in 2009 is built on the risks, large and small, taken in earlier years of Oakland Raider history.

A knowledge of our history built up the pride and passion to rise above other, more contemporary techniques that are oppressive.

It could be that if the young Raider Nation does not know, appreciate, or understand the importance and power of history, that we, the seniors, have fallen short in our duty to relay the historical moments, events, episodes and games in Oakland Raiders history.

Having studied Hebrew and mathematics, I offer a few watered down definitions for time, including past, present, and future.

First, what is “now?” It becomes a historical, infinitesimal event, even as we think “now.” “Now” becomes a past moment, for it shifts instantly to the past.

You see, time is a continuum, constantly shifting. Even the tick of the clock does not accurately record “now.” The length of a tick of a clock records an interval, for the sound of the tick is too long to record (in sound) an instant in a reference called “time.”

If you cut out a past interval of important events, then you cause a discontinuity, a break or “hole” in time. In fact, you cannot forget nor delete what occurs in time, rather you simply know that events are shifted, and they become history or heritage.

One thing we do know is that great nations take pride in their history. Great families take pride in their heritage. Great clans take pride in recording their genealogies.

Those who are not great, have the shallow records of past events, and the shallowness is a symptom of a nation, headed for a “fall.”

Now my point. We must never forget the history of the Oakland Raiders.

Without the contributions of Al Davis as the NFL commissioner, the merger with AFL may not have occurred and those moments you treasure “now” would not have manifested.

Without the spirit and determination of past Oakland Raiders, the present generation would not have the sense of pride to be affiliated with the team.

Great nations rise and fall. Great teams have peaks and valleys. The valleys make the peaks look taller, and more beautiful.

The low moments make the high moments in history more exhilarating. The good times balance the bad times. The bad times are the frame of reference for judging that which is better.

We can not forget the history of the Oakland Raiders. To forget the history of the Oakland Raiders and Mr. Al Davis would be to forget American History.

And if we are wise, we will remember the contributions of past generations, from here to eternity.

For some believe that nothing actually is destroyed, but is transformed to another form. Just as ice becomes water and water becomes gas, so the contributions of the Oakland Raiders in the ’60s are somehow transformed and connected to the ’70s, and to the ’80s, and to the ’90s, and so on.

There is a continuum of history that serves as a rich heritage for the team.

How can we help those with a shallow understanding of the greatness of the Raiders?

Pull out those NFL films and watch for yourself. I have a few, and it is still exhilarating to watch those last minute and even last second victories of the Oakland Raiders.

You cannot forget the history of the Oakland Raiders. Just visit the archives of the Pro Football Hall of Fame where more than two million artifacts record the history of the Oakland Raiders, and the 31 other NFL teams.

To forget history would suggest we close down the museums, the Hall of Fame, and other places where history is there for all to learn, if you are a good researcher and student of history.

Yes, we will remember for if we do not, we then experience the first stage of a type of bondage. Whenever one nation enslaves another, there is an attempt to destroy the “history” of the ones who are in bondage.

When naysayers want to crush the spirit of the Raider Nation, they attempt to distort the memories of the greatness of the Raider Nation in the past.

They become pessimistic of the present talent and potential of the present generation of players. Those taunts and intimidation will not work. We are not designed for bondage, rather we are designed to be victorious and free.

We will rise again. And, even if we lose a few battles, we will not lose the NFL sports “war.”

We will rise again, and again, and again, from here (and now) to eternity.

Got it? I hope so.

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Oakland Raiders Self-Study and Mini-Analysis

Taking a good look at your own performance is a part of a self-study which many corporations and organizations do on a periodic schedule.

The performance must go up, and the histograms will grow in height.

Hopefully, by producing profiles of performance, a focus on who, what, where, and how to improve will become evident.

Here are a few charts to help you visualize comparisons of players. Every tool available to us must be used to see clearly our strengths and weaknesses.

What observations can you make in this mini-analysis? All comments are good. We need a lively, honest, and transparent look at ourselves, the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation.

This mini-analysis is at a fundamental level so that readers from all ages, can appreciate this approach to understand our profile of strengths and areas in which we must improve. More detailed analysis will be provided in future articles.

It is imperative that we do a self-study on a regular basis. Otherwise, how will we know that we have grown or improved?

A transparent approach, and a willingness to focus and exercise the mental and physical discipline to attain victory is what we need.

We are encouraged by a display of our strengths, but we must be inspired to optimize and improve.

Yes, we are encouraged and grateful for the strengths that we have. We, however, work hard and aggressively move toward a higher level of efficiency, proficiency and competency.

We are the Raider Nation, determined and strong, fearless and forceful.

Go Raiders!

Data: Sept. 14, 2009

 

 

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Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation: Much Is Given, Much Is Required

Wham! Bam! An idea has popped up in my mind.

The Oakland Raiders are working hard, training, thinking, and building up their stamina.

What are some of us doing?

1. sitting in front of a television

2. sitting in front of a computer

3. lying on a couch, like a couch potato

4. eating junk food

You can add to the list.

If our team can exercise, get fit and stay fit, what about us, the Raider Nation?

I will ask of you what I ask of myself.

I started a walking program a few days before our first game. This is a part of my answer.

It is my way of demonstrating support and commitment to my favorite team. To me this program I have launched in my own household is no different than the other “walks” promoted on radio and television.

These “walks” are usually an outward demonstration of support for breast cancer survivors, infant illnesses, and so on.

Now, let’s walk for the Oakland Raiders to have more stamina and power throughout the games, even throughout the last quarter and final seconds of the game.

Based on what I saw in the first game of the season, we need that energy, strategic thinking, and stamina to forge a victory, even against unusual “odds.”

Something needs to rise up in our soul, like a mother who finds the strength to snatch her child from danger.

Something needs to rise up in us, like those mammals that strike fear in a predator, especially if the “cubs” are in danger.

Rise up, and fight to the end.

There are historical examples of men and women who lift heavy objects to rescue a loved one who is in danger; carry a heavy load when his or her body seems too frail; survive severe cold weather when lost in a winter storm; find strength to push down the pillars of opposition in order to save a nation threatened by opponents.

Those moments of triumph are possible because of a certain type of “fitness or readiness to win, at all costs.”

So, as the young men learn to get the physical, emotional, and spiritual fitness needed to assure more victories in the Raider Nation, we, too, must become active participants in a “fitness program.”

My personal plan includes walking, biking, using a fitness band, and eating healthy meals.

What is your plan? How will you demonstrate your commitment to excellence in the performance of the Oakland Raiders and in the Raider Nation?

Let’s start now, before the second game on Sept. 20.

The Oakland Raiders have given much, so much is required of us, the Raider Nation, to demonstrate our commitment to excellence.

Go Raiders!

 

 

 

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Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation: Not Blind, For Now We See

You take a test. It takes so long for your professor to return your papers.

You ponder how you compare with the class mean, median and mode. Are your grades better than others? You ask yourself, “Is the grade for the Oakland Raiders better than that of the Kansas City Chiefs, if we compare historical data?”

Two teams are scheduled to play NFL football on Sept. 20. How do they compare in certain categories?

The chart above shows the Oakland Raiders are a formidable force in NFL football. Historical data has been charted to help you see clearly.

In terms of the number of League Championships, Oakland leads four to three.

In the category of AFL Championships Kansas City Chiefs leads three to one.

Three Super Bowls belong to the Oakland Raiders, while Kansas City has only one.

There is no comparison of the Oakland Raiders with Kansas City in the category of Conference Championships. Kansas City has not won a Conference Championship, and as you know, you do not divide by zero.

Again, Oakland dominates in the category of Divisional Championships, with 15 wins compared to Kansas City’s seven wins. The ratio for the dominance of the Oakland Raiders is 2.14 which is 214 percent. The strength of Oakland in this category is twice that of Kansas City.

Finally, Oakland has gone to the Playoffs a total of 21 times, while Kansas City has been present only 15 times. Again, the Oakland Raiders strength is measured by a ratio of 1.4 or 140 percent.

Now all of this means that we are not blind, but we see clearly many of our strengths.

And a classical response in some communities would be, “No weapon formed against us shall prosper.”

To paraphrase this word of wisdom and to put it in the context of this discussion, we say:

No team that comes against us will be victorious, if there is consistency, validity, and integrity in judging what we know, see and believe about the strength embodied in the 2009 Oakland Raiders, coached by Tom Cable.

We are not blind for now we see clearly what our potential is, and what our strengths are.

We may have been temporarily blind, once, but now we see, clearly!

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Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give in: Oakland Raiders Stand Strong on Monday Night

It is clear to me as I remember select moments in the Oakland Raiders-San Diego Chargers game that the Raider Nation and the Oakland Raiders cannot and will not give up.

The performance last night was very impressive. I charted several episodic moments of the game, and clearly we dominated and stood our ground at the five selected moments that are in the chart.

We are on our way.

It was the kind of game where you had to hang tight, sit still, watch, fight, and even pray.

A four-point loss is not bad, but it is an indication that we have developed more strength than our opponents expected.

Near the end—and I do mean near the very end—the twist occurred. Those are the moments where the Raider Nation and the Raiders cannot falter nor be shaken.

Stand strong, stand tall, and always fight to the end. 

Don’t give up! Don’t give in!

Remember, so many of us were impressed and encouraged by your fantastic performance overall.

It’s been a good day! Be grateful for it!

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Memo to the Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation: Look in the Mirror

Did you say that you don’t like to look at yourself in the mirror?

Well, it’s a countdown to the Monday Night Football game, and a little introspection just might be good for all of us before the game begins.

So many fans have their charts, statistics, videos, and comments about what should be done on Monday night. Just in case there is a dimension of the human experience that is not acknowledged by all, but, nevertheless, exists for some, let’s delve in it for a minute.

Let me remind you that this article is designed to speak to Tom Cable and his staff, the team, Al Davis, the Raider Nation, and other interested parties.

Do you remember reading about the Six-Day War? Did you read the comments about the probability of victory for a certain people? Were the odds against them in that war? Did they win the war?

A lone voice called for fans of Israel to perform something to get connected. See the fun video by clicking this link.

According to one report, the opponents’ leader and his key men attended a party with a gyrating belly dancer, stayed out late, and were fatigued because of their “shenanigans” the night before the war.

On the other hand, a Rabbi made a powerful appeal to some of the people to perform a little ceremony or meditation, to get their mind and heart on one accord.

Hum. Do you see the difference?

So now, let us do introspection or become the man or woman who looks in the mirror. We look to see ourselves, clearly. We ask if our hearts and minds are tuned in and plugged in to the right source of power, to charge us up for victory.

As the video says, we charge our cellphone each night, we charge our laptops, and so on.

How do we charge our body, mind, and spirit for victory?

Oakland Raiders and Raider Nation, heed the words of the Rabbi who called for a different approach to build the confidence and power for a victory when others shout that the odds are against us.

You have got about three days to try something different and deeper. It’s up to you!

I have got to go now and get charged up, the way I prefer to do it.

1. I am putting on my receptors and plugging into my source of inspiration.

2. I am looking at my writings and my B/R archives to determine if I have done the job I have been assigned to do.

3. I am expecting a miracle, as the story tells us the Rabbi did not falter in his confidence that Israel would be victorious. He spoke his belief, and many believed him.

Again, it’s a countdown. Do you believe in miracles?

Here are my reasons (my articles) which express my belief in the Oakland Raiders:

1.     Oakland Raiders Twists, Turns, Tests: Help Is On The Way

Folks used to say, “There is more than one way to skin a cat.” Nowadays, the SPCA would condemn someone for saying that, especially if he is a professional athlete…

Written by Damali Binta Yael about 10 days ago 4,122 reads 61 comments

2.     The Raider Nation Looks at the Bright Side

A Raider Fan’s Best List for Participating in Sports In times of economic challenges, the best pastime to have is sports, especially NFL football. A love for sports can ease the stresses and duress of being in the American economy…

Written by Damali Binta Yael about 4 days ago 986 reads 14 comments

3.     Oakland Raiders Got to Clean Up What They Messed Up

The rhythm was syncopated. The words were simple: “I got to clean up, what I messed up…starting all over again.” I started rocking and rolling in my car, turned the radio up like one of those hip-hop kids who stops at a stop sign and blasts his radio..

Written by Damali Binta Yael about about 1 month ago 915 reads 43 comments

4.     Oakland Raiders: Of The Same Mind

Harmony is a beautiful concept. In music, it can take different forms. In professional football there are concepts and forms. In a jazz ensemble, every man improvises and plays his instrument with a unique expression, stream of musical notes and rhythm…

Written by Damali Binta Yael about 19 days ago 828 reads 11 comments

5.     Oakland Raiders: Keep Moving On…A Change Is Gonna Come

Damali Binta Yael’s Pep Talk You can read what you want and say what you want, but I love the story of the little Hebrew boy who killed the giant, Goliath. All the Hebrew boy had was a smooth stone, and an unseen power…

Written by Damali Binta Yael about about 1 month ago 696 reads 14 comments

Now examine what the fans and others are reading. They read:

1. Help is on the way.

2. Look at the bright side.

3. Clean up what you messed up.

4. Be on the same mind.

5. A change is gonna come.

So, you the fans read and you must have a level of belief or hope. You voted on the content and character of our cheerleading. You voted on

1. Help

2. A positive outlook

3. Clean up, by forgiving, supporting, sharing with others, etc.

4. Be single-minded.

5. Envision change, and move toward more wins for the Oakland Raiders.

I conclude by saying “It is your call!”

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The Raider Nation Looks at the Bright Side

A Raider Fan’s Best List for Participating in Sports

In times of economic challenges, the best pastime to have is sports, especially NFL football.

A love for sports can ease the stresses and duress of being in the American economy. You line up the chairs, turn on the big screen television, computer, or go to a sports bar. You wait patiently for an Oakland Raider game to begin.

Then you think, what might be the benefits of engaging in a good sport? Here is a list of 10 reasons, in my opinion.

1. You can lose weight, yipping and yelling, jumping and stretching as you watch the Oakland Raiders.

2. You exercise your mind, thinking of what you would do if you were the Raider coach.

3. You slow down, sit down, and enjoy quality time with family and friends.

4. You debate and speculate, using statistics and other information, trying to predict who is the best team.

5. You become attentive to details, watching the good and bad moves of each player, and conjecturing that if he had done “this” then “that” would have happened.

6. If you actually attend the game in the stadium, you have a chance to see old friends, and compare how you are aging with how they are aging.

7. You get a chance to see young people with their new styles: tattoos, mohawks, baggy pants, earrings in their eyebrows, noses, tongue, lip and other places.

8. You remember when you were young, and you say, “Look at them strutting their stuff, in my day I could have shown them how to strut.”

9. You have a chance to eat junk food like nachos, popcorn, hot dogs and more…

10. Whether the Oakland Raiders win or lose, it is a good thing to be in the crowd, cheering them on, or staring at your television or computer screen, yelling, screaming, and even “cussing”, but actually having a good time remembering that you are alive, and well and healthy enough to even pay attention to NFL football.

What are your reasons for participating or being a sports fan?

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Oakland Raiders: Two Can Withstand Him (the Opponent)

It’s a countdown. The drums are sounding.

The team is about to make their grand entrance. The rumble of the bumble bee, the sound of thunder is the sound of the Oakland Raider fans, cheering their team to victory.

The coach may shout, for example:

“We are in this together! Our victory is a victory for the fans, the Raider Nation. It is a victory for the franchise. Get in there, men, and play football, together! Functioning together, we can withstand our opponents.”

Don’t you hear the roar, the claps, the horns, sounding out, loudly, to signal victory over our opponents?

(‘Cause you are excited in your car, on the plane, train or motorbike, you turn the volume up on your radio.)

Yes, any two, working together, according to The Good Book and other wise writings, can assure victory, in many forms.

We are cheering for the Oakland Raiders.

Also, this semester, my students and I are cheering for, let’s call him, LaTroienne, a pen name for a man with a powerful personality and spirit of a fighter, who is determined to reach his goal. 

LaTroienne is blind, just as his namesake (the great stallion) was partially blind. He is a part of a great pedigree of stallions (strong men), metaphorically.

He is determined to run this race for victory in his life and for a team he watched years ago, when his cousin was a gifted, graceful, and unusually fast wide receiver.

La Troienne (remember this is his pen name for Bleacher) said, “My cousin has survived a lot of challenges. He has a great testimony to share, someday, at the right time.”

A survivor, a warrior, a man determined to clasp victory, even without his sight. He tells me, “I am alright. I have my friend (his beautiful dog) who helps me see.”

So, LaTroienne has his companion who helps him see. In a parallel, the Oakland Raiders have the Raider Nation, and we help them “see” victory.

The two, the Raider Nation and the Oakland Raiders, will travel the road to victory together. We will struggle and press forward toward the mark, the victory.

We will chime, “Two are better than one. We, the Raider Nation stand, solidly, with the Oakland Raiders!”

Then, someone will hear the powerful words of an older woman, the daughter of a preacher, who recalls words of wisdom.

Another says, “Can she vocalize those words?”

Then another says, “Yes, for we are a Raider Nation, very diverse and from various faiths, races, and ethnic backgrounds, but unified in our desire for victory for the Oakland Raiders!”

The story ends with the 65-year-old woman reading:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

         

          9   Two are better than one;

                because they have a good reward for their labour.

          10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his companion:

                but woe to him who is alone when he falls;

                for he has no one to help him up.

          11  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm:

                but how can one be warm alone?

          12  Though one may be overpowered by another,

                two can withstand him;

                and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

Conclusion:

Our friend, LaTroienne, will rise up and attain his goals in life, in spite of his challenged vision.

Our team, the Oakland Raiders, will rise up in franchise value, in performance, and in the number of wins, in spite of a few twists and turns of the past.

And, as the Oakland Raiders rise up, we, too, the Raider Nation, will rise up in a time of economic troubles in the United States.

OK. Let’s march to the beat. Let’s march, together, like in the military.

Where are we going?

We are headed toward Victory!

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Oakland Raiders: The Jonah on the Ship

Is there a storm raging?

Let’s just say we are on a ship, going somewhere.

Suddenly a storm forms.

Our ship is rocking, rolling, and reeling on the water.

Why, we ask?

Might there be Jonahs on our ship?

Yes, they are good people, but, for some reason we do not fully understand, they seem to be the cause of a storm, of sort.

We search and look to gauge what they believe about our beloved Oakland Raiders.

Hum, we find the Jonahs asleep in the bottom of the ship.

We come to realize the Jonahs are our problem.

They too, are destined to go somewhere, but not where we are going.

Well, I don’t think the historical Jonah jumped off the ship, rather the crew (say our Raider Nation) helped him a bit. We dumped them off, metaphorically, by refusing to listen to their doubts.

Once they are dumped, they land in a deep, dark place in the belly of a great fish. Don’t get upset. They survive and the fish becomes their ship and at the right place and time, the Jonahs arrive where they belong.

Sure, the Oakland Raiders have hit a few bumps over the years. But, who hasn’t?

Those challenges (or bumps) can be a good thing, causing the tough guys to pump it up and put more energy into the game.

Playing smarter and harder is a simple way to put it.

Once we all get it, that we must pump up the energy to cheer the Raiders to victory, we just might get there, to a place of victory and a bumped up value in the franchise.

So, in this journey, we are going to pump it up, and bump it up and see what the end is going to be.

Got it?

Now read the lyrics, and think about the rhythm and rhyme:

Jump off one man gang I’m back playa
Look, what you want bump double click pump
Ride, ride swamp dump off homey jump off
All these haters on my (huh) won’t jump off
When all the streets need is J J J Jump off
J J Jump J J J J J Jump off
Uuh, uuh, uuh

link to song

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