Al Davis: two Super Bowls or bust (I’m betting on bust)
Al Davis doesn’t chat much to the locals anymore, mostly because we’ve seen his product and know how delusional this kind of thing sounds. Sunday in Minnesota, though, he had some time for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s similarly aged Sid Hartman. After they discussed how much better football was in the days of leather helmets, Al laid out his future, as only Al can:
Sunday, he sat in a Metrodome executive suite and talked about his refusal to retire until he wins two more Super Bowls. He is convinced he can accomplish that.
Two more Super Bowls. In 1997, Joe Bugel talked about winning “multiple Super Bowls.” Good to know Al hasn’t let reality set in over the intervening decade. His mom lived to be 103, so longevity is in his genes, but I really don’t see him making it to age 439 and seeing his team win the Lombardi/Belichick Trophy in the first Super Bowl played on the island of Madagascar.
Al also talked about the one that got away, recent vintage:
He sang the praises of Culpepper and said his only regret was that some coaches persuaded him to trade Randy Moss.
Translation: Hey Lane, see what Randy’s doing? That’s on you.
And of the current team? Every week, Lane Kiffin has to explain to the media who’s going to be the starting quarterback and why. We’ve been told, and we’ve assumed, that Kiffin is the one in control of that decision. We might have assumed wrong.
“I want to give Daunte a chance to see what he can do,” Davis said Sunday. “And so far, he has done all right.”
I want to give Daunte a chance. That is not good in promoting the concept of Lane Kiffin, Central Authority Figure.
I must admit, I was skeptical of Kawakami’s premise that Kiffin’s job status is not as secure as it might outwardly appear. But reading this State Of The Al is another reminder that only one opinion counts in Raiderland, and that opinion is usually based on facts not in evidence.
On the plus side, the Raiders are going from happy boring incompetence to potential franchise-turning dysfunction again. And here I thought the 49ers had the market cornered on that for the next six weeks.
Al’s discussion with Sid puts to rest those questioning Al Davis’ senility. Culpepper is a below average QB and regretting the trade of that quitter Moss who didn’t even try when he was with with the Raiders is insane. The Raiders will continue to circle the drain until Al Davis hires a GM and relinquishes control over player personnel decisions. Until that happens I see nothing but endless losing seasons on the horizon. Davis could live until he’s 200 years old and the Raiders won’t sniff another Super Bowl.
Didn’t the Raiders draft a pretty good quarterback? Too back they won’t let him play. But I guess their one loss record is just great this year.
This Moss talk is funny. Is there anyone that believes he would have stepped up this year if he was still with the raiders?
Moss is a prima donna that needs a perfect situation to excel. What would the Pats record be without him right now?
10-0
i take the reference to giveing Dante a chance to mean he picked him up as a free agent not that he told Kiffin to start him last sunday. That’s a lot less sinster explanation than what is said above and more probable.
LET JAMARCUSS PLAY!!!
Sorry folks, I think the main reason JaMarcus ain’t playin is because he may get killed. The combination of one of the worst wide receiver tandems in the league and an awful offensive line doesn’t bode well for the 30 million dollar man. Curry and Porter get about as much separation as a broken yolk from an egg white and the offensive line is amazingly unathletic and slow, basically the same untalented group as last last year, with a fab new zone blocking scheme. . .so what.
Why am I spending the day after Thanks Giving talking about Al the meddler Davis. He is so yesterday that he shouldn’t be interviewed except by AARP. His time has passed but like any Dictator he hangs on to power to show his verility. If the other owners should stage an overthrow and get a new King! Raider fans are like we demented 49er fans, always waiting for the big breakout. The Raiders and the 49ers couldn’t break out of Alcatraz! Al Davis should be banished to Elba!
The Bay Area should call for a recall on Davis and Dr. York. Neither are currently qualified to run an NFL franchise. To have to hope for a 5 win season in a region that proudly supports their teams is asking too much from the fans.
Trust us Al, if you were in office, Arnold would be moving his stuff into it!!
I hate to say it, but Al must go….and now! Players have been replaced, coaches fired, schemes changed, executives banished and still the losing doesn’t end. Trading Gruden was a bad idea, but hindsight is 20/20. Most teams could make 4 first round picks amount to something, but the Raiders were able to turn them into 4 bust and that $8 million is long gone. On a high note Gruden hasn’t exactly blazed a trail; he should still be thanking Tony Dungy for leaving him a Super Bowl winning team. ALMUSTGOANDNOW.COM
al has certainly had his time. the late 60’s 70’s and early 80’s were great years for the raiders.I feel they missed some chances( tuck rule and all) in the early 2000’s.And after that super bowl loss in 2002 a tremendous drop off occured. a total team colapse of epic proportions. after that, they can only go up.
however, al will always be more than a hands on owner. if al could do everything he would.i think time hasnt changed al’s will to win. when a franchise is failing, the blame starts from the top down.
for some strange reason i feel al will live to his mid 90’s. and although at that time he might relinguish ownership, he will still be sane enough to watch the raider finally win the whole thing before god takes him.then he can die in peace and careless about pass failures.