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Raiders Score No. 116 in ESPN Ultimate Standings… Ugh
Published: July 3, 2009
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ESPN released their Ultimate Standings this week, evaluating all 122 pro teams in then nation. The Bay Area sucked it up. Giants 84, 49ers 87, A’s 101, Warriors 109, Raiders 116.
ESPN Magazine points to the fact that 2008 was the worst in the Raiders’ 44-year history after having a poor offensive run.
The rankings also refer to the “futility” of Al Davis’ head coaching choices, having traded out four coaches in the past decade. These decisions put the Raiders at No. 114 in ownership.
The lowest mark was the player ranking where the Raiders scored a dismal 111. Fans and ESPN attribute this to a suffering offense that made just 27 TDs last year.
The magazine’s methodology occurred in five steps (you can skip to the bottom of this article if you feel like getting this information directly from the website). First consulting firm Markitecture took a poll of 1,000 fans across North America to determine how much they felt their team gave back in return for the devotion of its following. The Markitecture asked laid out 21 questions referring to coaching staff and opportunities for fan feedback.
Next, ESPN.com garnered the 50,000 responses they received and had fans rate their clubs based on their assessment from the survey. The network grouped these into seven categories.
ESPN then evaluated dollars spent to on-field wins to determine fans’ “bang for their buck.”
The eight catagories were prioritized as followed:
Players: 16.3 percent
Fan relations: 21.1 percent
Affordability: 12.3 percent
Stadium Experience: 9.6 percent
Bang for your buck: 21.2 percent
Title track: 5.3 percent
Ownership: 10.6 percent
Coaching: 4.6 percent
Finally, the scores were tallied and the rankings set. And boom… Raiders end up at the bottom of the list.
From the responses I’ve gotten to my articles, this ranking seems to be very curious. The Raider Nation is comprised of some of the most devoted fans in the country. Even in a losing season, true fans stand behind their team, vowing that every season is THEIR season of victory.
ESPN was not specific about where these surveys went exactly, whether they only assessed fans from the Bay Area or whether they tested fans in general who may or may not have voted for their own team.
Additionally, the survey, as far as I know, did not ask fans about the potential of their team in the future. It seems, despite the injuries of Heyward-Bey and Russell, that Al Davis made some of the smartest decisions as he’s ever made in the past five years.
With the speed of Heyward-Bay (assuming he recovers), the progress in accuracy of Russell, and the addition of Tom Cable, the Raiders have a good chance of, at the very least, improving their record in 2009.
So weigh in, Raider Nation. Where would you put the Raiders in the scheme of pro sports? I have a good guess at what you will say…
Bad News Sports Fans: Oakland City Council Raises Ticket Prices
Published: July 1, 2009
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Recession equals bad times. And now it’s making its way into the sports arena—the Oakland Coliseum and Oracle Arena to be exact.
Whether you’re a music fan or a sports fan you’re about to take a hit on those ticket prices.
Last night, the Oakland City Council announced it will do it’s darndest to decrease the $83 million general fund budget deficit. That means cutting police salaries, and increasing ticket prices.
Yeah… crazy.
OPD took a huge hit when the council voted to cut $13.4 million out of the Police Department’s personnel budget. OPD has recently been trying to up its homicide force to soothe gang relations and public safety. Looks like the union better step up its game.
Speaking of games, and the point of this article, City Council also voted to increase ticket prices for Oakland teams by 10 percent. The increase has to be approved by the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority board, which includes members of the council and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
So where is your surcharge going?
The council’s proposal—a final decision for which has been postponed for another 60 days—will rake in an estimated $18 million annually to be split 50-50 between Alameda County and the city.
So how ’bout it, Raider Nation? Ready to tack on another 10 percent to those season passes?
Knowing Raider Nation this shouldn’t even be a question. Looks like Oakland will ride this fanbase straight to the bank.
JaMarcus Russell: Stepping Up His Game, On and Off the Field
Published: June 29, 2009
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The Oakland Tribune reported this morning that JaMarcus Russell has called his fellow QBs along with the team’s wide receivers and tight ends to a special practice preceding training camp in Napa.
Russell wants to make sure the offense is on the same page going into the 2009 season.
But perhaps it’s more than that. Russell is definitely in a defensive position with veteran Jeff Garcia vying for a starting position. Or maybe Russell is simply living up to the expectations set upon him when he was drafted in 2007.
Many doubted Russell’s ability, while physically prepared, to translate his college game into NFL prowess when he was drafted. But now in his third season, Russell is showing signs of taking the reigns and pushing his team forward.
With the potential of signing new draftees Darius Heyward-Bey and Michael Mitchell, and Russell’s continual progress in strength and accuracy, the stars seem to be aligning in favor of the 2009 Raiders.
What they need now is management, discipline, and leadership. New head coach Tom Cable should help in all three departments, but now it appears Russell is taking steps to get his team in shape as well.
Offseason, On Air: Raider on the Radio
Published: June 25, 2009
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If Troy Aikman can do it so can you, Nnamdi Asomugha.
ESPN recently chauffeured Raiders CB Asomugah around the office for their ongoing project “Take Your Athlete to Work Day,” showing him the ropes of sports radio.
We’ve seen a lot of pro athletes find post-pro careers in the field of on-air talent. And unless he’s another Jay Bilas who constantly bashes his alma mater and sides with UNC, the Raiders could finally have a friend in mainstream media.
Asomugha is considered one of the league’s leading defenders, making 33 tackles this past season. But does he have what it takes to analyze the game?
Asomugha had this to say about his experience: “It was nerve-racking, but I could definitely see myself doing this for a long time after my playing days are over.”
Asomugha is still only 28 and his playing days are far from over. But I guess it’s never too early to think about the future, especially if you’re an athlete prone to injury and early retirement.
Raiders Shield on AirAsia
Published: June 25, 2009
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That’s right. On your next trip to Asia, take a flight on a Raiders-customized plane. AirAsia has just signed a RM1 million sponsorship deal with the Oakland Raiders, which will slap the Raiders’ shield on the tail of the plane.
Random!
AirAsia doesn’t even make flights to the US. The company now come under fire for not sponsoring local teams.
The company has promised at least one landing in Oakland to show off it’s new plane to fans but other than, it will be a while until we see the planes making regular landings in the States.
Oakland has already signed a contract with Hawaii Airlines and have made the deal with AirAsia non-exclusive, so that sponsorship will stand.
Well, congrats Raider Nation. Looks like our piggy bank is overflowing so we can finally write up those expensive contracts and get some of this year’s major talent on the field.
