May peace be with you, Run Run. You lived a great life. I will always appreciate your loyalty to the entire organization, your undying compassion to the fans and your enormous heart. Your smile will not be forgotten in the Coliseum. May God Bless your family and friends forever and ever, Amen..

While I’m in the blessing mood, I’d like to give it up to our enchanting owner, Mr. Al “Emperor” Davis.

Yeah, I can already sense the backlash and the negative feedback coming the Master of the Sith’s way. But before you chime in and express to me again how the old man has lost it, is not dedicated enough, not passionate enough to the fans, not confident enough..allow me to print some of Al’s responses after he was asked how he should address the recent problems in the Oakland Raider Organization..

“I’ll get it done. You don’t go through 5 decades, we’ve been there (to the Super Bowl) five times, we’ve won three..I’ll get it straightened out, you can bet on that.. hell yes. We’ve got things to do and it’s gonna be big, but we’ll get it done..” He continued “You’ve to look at it the way I have to look at it, not the way you’ll look at it necessarily. But in any event, I’ll get it done.I want to win, and I always will. I always have.”
When he was asked his thoughts on the Defense compared to the Oakland Offense, big Al recited “I don’t want to get into Football, seriously. I just think at this particular time, it’s not proper. You’ve got to win, it’s not how you play. That’s a prophetic remark, isn’t it? You never heard that one before.”
Asked about how Art Shell is holding up, he offered no opinion “You don’t make those decisions right now” he said “My determination is about this Football team, this organization, and the fans, the fans, the fans. What did McArthur say, ‘ The Corps, the Corps, the Corps?’ I say ‘The fans, the fans, the fans and the team, the team, the team’
” I want to win” he continued. ” Obviously, in life, I like certain things. I like beautiful women more than unbeautiful women. I’m not denigrating unbeautiful women, but I want to win, and I will win, and we will win..and we’ll get this straightened out. But this business is my life now, I’m getting so many people leaving me, it’s tough.”
Davis noted that he’ll get to Football issues in the future.. “I’m sure we’ll get together, but right now, this is where we are.”

So what does all of this mean? Uh,besides the startling discovery that Al like hot, voluptuous chicks? I believe it means that the Emperor still gives a damn on the direction of this team. I believe it means that Al will eventually figure out were he went wrong and will address every single position in the off season. I believe he possibly wants to let go of Aaron Brooks in favor of a free agent QB he likes who will be backed up by Andrew Walter. If he actually likes a top 5 College Quarterback in the draft, I would be surprised. That’s usually not the way Al thinks….but maybe he should…
Not Everyone knew what kind of player Vince Young would turn out to be….but look at him now, 7-4 as a starter. Should we take a risk and hope we don’t end up with a sub par QB? (see Eli Manning..Alex Smith 1st year..MOST of this year)
Can you honestly say that Troy Smith and Brady Quinn will produce for us right away? Shouldn’t we address the line 1st?
Ah, these are questions that makes my mechanical mind ponder. But I rest easy knowing that Al Davis IS in the Hall of Fame and has made great decisions before…and hopefully, he’ll make them again. Proof, you ask????
Al hired a Junior College coach named John Madden. Al picked up countless players who are remembered almost as folklore (insert your favorite 70’s, 80’s Raider here)
Al signed a backup;Rich Gannon, stuck with Tim Brown, picked up Jerry Rice, signed Romanowski to make a Super Bowl team in 2002.
Recently, Al has set the Raiders up with Randy Moss and Warren Sapp who even YOU thought was good idea until recent events…(with Bluntman) Al had a say on picking up Nnamdi in the draft, Burgess from Phili and giving Rob Ryan another chance this year as Defensive Coordinator…
Sure, he recently made some terrible mistakes regarding the Staff on the Offense…but I know the man will bounce back with big changes. He’s said so himself. Mock me, if you want, but the guy rebounds when others least expect it.One day, the old man’s number will come up again. One day, the Sith shall have their revenge…
and I sure as hell don’t want to miss it…
do you?

In other News, Congratulations are in order for Mr. Derrick Burgess. Good Job on making it to your second Pro Bowl as an Oakland Raider.
Shane Lechler, Warren Sapp, Chris Carr,and shut‘em down Nnamdi? You got F$#$#$ hosed…
Well…there’s always the reserves roster….

Merry Christmas, Nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let’s get a win for Xmas!!!!