Was Al Davis wrong for saying Raiders’ opponent’s QB had to feel pain?
By Jon Becker
Thursday, April 5th, 2012 at 11:58 am in Oakland Raiders.
We just posted a column by Monte Poole on his reaction to exiled ex-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ speech to his players the night before playing the 49ers in the NFC playoffs in January.
While agreeing that Williams has been wrong for his role in the bounty-gate scandal, Monte thinks that Williams’ speech was only a bit worse than what the late Al Davis used to say about the Raiders’ opponent’s quarterback: “The quarterback must go down, and he must go down hard.”
Do you agree with Monte? Was it wrong for Al to openly say that? Or is it just all part of the game?
Incidentally, here’s a link to the full audio of Williams’ speech to his players. Warning: This contains a LOT of profanity!
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
April 5th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Primero
April 5th, 2012 at 11:59 am
I believe it was just for motivational purposes!!!
April 5th, 2012 at 11:59 am
It’s fk’n football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 5th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
yo
April 5th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Monte pool is a fairy whiners fan , he needs to Stfu already n never talk about the Raiders ..
April 5th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Why so many bounty, puzzy complainers??????
April 5th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
It’s football, enough said.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
There is a huge difference between saying that the QB must go down and I will pay you to target his head. Al Davis was correct, you want to sack the QB and you want to sack him hard. It gets in his head, it makes him think about the next hit, and all that thows off his ability to get comfortable in the pocket. However Al Davis did not say “I want the QB to leave the game.” That was the intention with Gregg Williams, and that is what differentiates him from every other football coach.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Now they f*ckin takin every thing to a new level , even the fukin slogans
April 5th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Code Black will rise once again n be dominant like never before
April 5th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
NFL draft can’t come here fast enough
April 5th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
In a word: NO !
If people are THAT squeemish about the nature of football, please don’t watch it. Don’t read about it, don’t bother us.
But as long as this great country remains free (which doesn’t appear to be much longer), stfu already.
I highly doubt Gregg Williams locker room speech will shock me or any actual football fan. Even casual ones…
April 5th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
This is too chilly to be April, wtf?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Monte Poole is a douchebag wanna be! There is no comparison to what Al said vs. what Williams DID and said. Get F’ing real!
Prepare for the National Flag Football League.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
What’s next, feigned surprised and horror that MMA athletes actually PUNCH AND KICK one another!?!? OMG, think of the CHILDREN!!!!!!
April 5th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
DMAC Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
This is too chilly to be April, wtf?
–
I know man , have you noticed that it’s been getting colder n colder over the past few years or is it just me
April 5th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
mcfadden20. Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
DMAC Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
This is too chilly to be April, wtf?
–
I know man , have you noticed that it’s been getting colder n colder over the past few years or is it just me
==========
Its not just you
April 5th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Football!
April 5th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Al Davis did not say injure the QB, He said, “ Sometime within the 1st 10 plays the other teams Quarter Back must go down and must go down hard!” To Al Davis football was a game of intimidation. It was important for the Raiders to be as intimidating as possible, especial to the other team’s QB. If your QB is greatly intimidated then you probably are not going to win. Even Al’s cover 1 man to man press defense was designed to get the QB to hold the ball as long as possible so DL-men get a better chance of hitting the QB to intimidate them . But Al Davis loved football players even one on other teams, that’s why Al Davis help set up originations to help retired players & has won awards for his treatment of players after they retire.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Slow news day
April 5th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
DMAC Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
mcfadden20. Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
DMAC Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
This is too chilly to be April, wtf?
–
I know man , have you noticed that it’s been getting colder n colder over the past few years or is it just me
==========
Its not just you
///
Oh man , I live in San Jose , n I think there has been more raining than the previous year n summer’s been just ok
April 5th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Cfrylopez Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Al Davis did not say injure the QB, He said, “ Sometime within the 1st 10 plays the other teams Quarter Back must go down and must go down hard!” To Al Davis football was a game of intimidation. It was important for the Raiders to be as intimidating as possible, especial to the other team’s QB. If your QB is greatly intimidated then you probably are not going to win. Even Al’s cover 1 man to man press defense was designed to get the QB to hold the ball as long as possible so DL-men get a better chance of hitting the QB to intimidate them . But Al Davis loved football players even one on other teams, that’s why Al Davis help set up originations to help retired players & has won awards for his treatment of players after they retire.
—–
Code fvkkkin black
April 5th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Has TB signed a long term contract yet?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
I remember being in 7th grade playing football and our coach makes Williams sound like a Kindergarten teacher!!
Roger Goodell needs to grow a pair!!
Fukin pu$$ee!!
April 5th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
It’s the sport of kings, better than Diamond Rings
That’s why we’re here to sing, football.
Sunday in the snow, referee’s whistle blows
We’ve been warriors toe-to-toe, football.
For Old Timers, do you remember the names?
Like Bronco Nagurski and Nightrain Lane,
Bulldog Turner, my man Sam Huff
In the snow and mud, they were still real tough.
Crazylegs Hirsch and remember Raymond Berry?
Ask me if they hit hard and I’ll say “Very!”
Paul Christian, Buddy Young, Lenny Moore
It’s them I adore, they seem to always score.
Ed Sprinkle, defensive end for those years
Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb was the man to fear!
You had Steven Van Buren and Otto Graham
Johnny Unitas had the arm of a Superman!
We had Charley Trippi and Gino Marchetti
If you’re searching for a champion, they’re your best bet!
Wish I could quarterback like Johnny Lujack
Or even Sid Luckman as a matter of fact.
Do you remember Red Grange, the Galloping Ghost,
He could do a ninety-five running coast-to-coast.
You had Norm Van Brocklin, a real great player
So slick with his moves that he could be mayor
Y.A. Tittle, Ollie Matson, Hey!
I remember all those guys, from back in the day.
It’s the sport of Kings, better than Diamond Rings
That’s why we’re here to sing, football.
Sunday in the snow, referee’s whistle blows
We’ve been warriors toe-to-toe, football
Football
Football
Football
April 5th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
This makes no difference…who cares???????????
April 5th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Who knows, the NFL might decide that in fairness they must fine and strip the Raiders of draft picks for what Al has said in the past.
Wait, we don’t have any picks….nevermind.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
joker94583 Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Monte Poole is a douchebag wanna be! There is no comparison to what Al said vs. what Williams DID and said. Get F’ing real!
Prepare for the National Flag Football League.
***********************************************
I couldn’t agree more Joker. There is no comparison to what Mr. davis said vs. what Williams did. Willams should be arrested.
Hey DMAC my prayers are sent to you for your new gig. Blessings
April 5th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
if al davis was a black guy, monte poole would’nt have a problem with anything……one thing for sure it is all black and white with Monte
April 5th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
McFadden and DMAC, I know what the problem is, YOUR GETTING OLD(ER)!! You guys come up to the mountains and I’ll show you some COLD!!
Peace boys…
April 5th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@25: nice song.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Thanx Goldie
April 5th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
JLofty Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
McFadden and DMAC, I know what the problem is, YOUR GETTING OLD(ER)!! You guys come up to the mountains and I’ll show you some COLD!!
Peace boys…
==========
Yeah, I guess I’m spoiled w/ this Cali weather.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
I guess Bynum has learned how to play hurt, eh Dakota?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Wow, been a fan of Football for 30+ years and had no idea that bounties were offered to take out opposing players. Except for my high school coach ($25 if someone got carted off), my kid’s college coach ($100) and just about every NFL team since October 1920. Shocked that this is happening. Next we’ll find out that some players may use profanity in the course of a game. Hey Monte, could be a great investigative piece there, check it out and get back to us, would ya? Do players cuss- or is it Tourette syndrome on a massive scale?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
The name of the game is to rattle the quarterback by drilling him (legally but hard) whenever possible.
Hardnosed defensiveminded teams have used Al’s mantra as their own. Unless he added Gregg Williamsspeak to his comments there’s nothing wrong with that.
I remember a Raiders team in the early 90’s that put quarterbacks out of the game six straight contests. didn’t really remember anything out of hand in the unceremonious way they were treated.
And Poole is a tool (pardon nothing with that comment. . .).
April 5th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
JLofty Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
McFadden and DMAC, I know what the problem is, YOUR GETTING OLD(ER)!! You guys come up to the mountains and I’ll show you some COLD!!
Peace boys…
——
Hahaha , I’m not complaining n I don’t mind cold here , I just noticed an unusual pattern .. So I was wondering if anyone else thinks that’s whats happening too that it’s been getting more colder here in bay
April 5th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I think there’s a big difference between “The QB must go down and he must go down hard”, and “KILL the head”. I also don’t think Williams was really telling his players to kill anyone. Coaches are paid to motivate their players to play hard. This is the NFL, it’s a very violent game, hence the huge salaries. Bountygate is being blown way out of proportion.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I’m no Monte Poole fan, but Becker is really stretching it on this one. Read the article; Poole is not implicating Al Davis at all. He’s trying to show where Williams crossed the line.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Area Man Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Wow, been a fan of Football for 30+ years and had no idea that bounties were offered to take out opposing players. Except for my high school coach ($25 if someone got carted off), my kid’s college coach ($100) and just about every NFL team since October 1920. Shocked that this is happening. Next we’ll find out that some players may use profanity in the course of a game. Hey Monte, could be a great investigative piece there, check it out and get back to us, would ya? Do players cuss- or is it Tourette syndrome on a massive scale?
—-
It’s all about the after NFL career affects , NFL doesn’t want to lose any money , paying for players who don’t play anymore
April 5th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Lakers = the most high & exalted potentate of CA..
clippers = little brother
kings = little sister
warriors = little brother with downs syndrome
April 5th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Edward Teach Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I’m no Monte Poole fan, but Becker is really stretching it on this one. Read the article; Poole is not implicating Al Davis at all. He’s trying to show where Williams crossed the line.
—-
Jon Becker is a tool
April 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
“The quarterback must go down, and he must go down hard.”
++++++++==
This is the truth…fuk pool
April 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
When did everyone forget this game that Grown Men play called FOOTBALL? What the hell happened?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Marks Hair Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Lakers = the most high & exalted potentate of CA..
clippers = little brother
kings = little sister
warriors = little brother with downs syndrome
—-
Hahaha good one, but I think they need to rest ,Kobe,Gasol,Metta for a couple of games before the playoffs start..Agree or DIsagree? Why?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
YO SWEET SLOGAN AL, BUT IT’S MINE
That right, blog goobs – I’ve been telling my ladies for years that “They must go down, and they must go down while it’s still hard”.
I going to sue Mark Davis and his Lame Bowl Cut for millions and put it all into head shots for my new boy band, 2 Kewl 4 Skool
Speaking of getting wasted on wine coolers, got loaded on Bartels & James this AM and 69ed the heck out of this underage stripper on a bean bag
When I got up it looked like my face had been attacked by a dozen glazed donuts
Just keeping it real, wizzle
YO KIM K KEEP MY BOI KANYE SATISFIED ON THE REAL
April 5th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Jabels1488 Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
When did everyone forget this game that Grown Men play called FOOTBALL? What the hell happened?
—-
Still football , but flag football
April 5th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Mr. Davis had it right then, and its right now…
All Qb’s not wearing silver and black need to get the buisness…
April 5th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
45. I wouldnt sit them if thats what you mean.. Id reduce their minutes if possible down the stretch..
April 5th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Tim kawakami, Monte pool, Jon Becker , Steve are all tools . Only Jerry knows about football
April 5th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
becker, how about some real news??/ f pool….
April 5th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
46. I call my hairstyle a superbowl cut..
April 5th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
mcfadden20. Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Tim kawakami, Monte pool, Jon Becker , Steve are all tools . Only Jerry knows about football
+++++++==
The joke squad….
April 5th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
I remember that Antispy3, always been a key to success in contact sports. Got to find out who REALLY wants to win and who is just there collecting paychecks…
April 5th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Say hi to the new NFL. Say hi the “new” Raiders. The Raiders will be lock step with the other 31 teams getting fitted for flags around their waists. None of the current owners will stand up to the Comish. Soon it will be illegal to play defense in the NFL.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Marks Hair Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
45. I wouldnt sit them if thats what you mean.. Id reduce their minutes if possible down the stretch..
—
Nah man , sitting few extra minutes ain’t going to work … The playoffs are starting in couple of weeks ..they need rest , remember what happened against Dallas last year , you could tell 3 straight finals appearances took it’s toll on the Lakers
April 5th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I will be back when one of the joke squad brings us something riveting…
1 NATION
April 5th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Thec Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
mcfadden20. Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Tim kawakami, Monte pool, Jon Becker , Steve are all tools . Only Jerry knows about football
+++++++==
The joke squad….
–
Four stooges?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
I thought we were just slow and uninspired last yr.. You have to go into the playoffs playing well. And if you bench the starters for 2 games right b4 the playoffs you risk losing your flow..
April 5th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Master Beeecham Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
YO SWEET SLOGAN AL, BUT IT’S MINE
That right, blog goobs – I’ve been telling my ladies for years that “They must go down, and they must go down while it’s still hard”.
I going to sue Mark Davis and his Lame Bowl Cut for millions and put it all into head shots for my new boy band, 2 Kewl 4 Skool
Speaking of getting wasted on wine coolers, got loaded on Bartels & James this AM and /69ed the heck out of this underage stripper/ on a bean bag
When I got up it looked like my face had been attacked by a dozen glazed donuts
Just keeping it real, wizzle
YO KIM K KEEP MY BOI KANYE SATISFIED ON THE REAL
************************************************
/69ed the heck out of this underage stripper/
Beecham…that reads like “child predator”. You ever watch Chris Hanson catching children predators? lol
April 5th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Justin Verlander is a beast , only 2 hits allowed through 8 innings, no runs allowed . MVP again?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I like the lakers chances more this yr because they match up better this yr.. Im not worried about rest in the playoffs..
April 5th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Goldie7 Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Master Beeecham Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
YO SWEET SLOGAN AL, BUT IT’S MINE
That right, blog goobs – I’ve been telling my ladies for years that “They must go down, and they must go down while it’s still hard”.
I going to sue Mark Davis and his Lame Bowl Cut for millions and put it all into head shots for my new boy band, 2 Kewl 4 Skool
Speaking of getting wasted on wine coolers, got loaded on Bartels & James this AM and /69ed the heck out of this underage stripper/ on a bean bag
When I got up it looked like my face had been attacked by a dozen glazed donuts
Just keeping it real, wizzle
YO KIM K KEEP MY BOI KANYE SATISFIED ON THE REAL
************************************************
/69ed the heck out of this underage stripper/
Beecham…that reads like “child predator”. You ever watch Chris Hanson catching children predators? lol
————————
Chris Hanson is a nerd
April 5th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Mcfadden20. Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Justin Verlander is a beast , only 2 hits allowed through 8 innings, no runs allowed . MVP again?
— against Boston lineup that’s among the best in BA, Runs scored every year
April 5th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Marks Hair Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I like the lakers chances more this yr because they match up better this yr.. Im not worried about rest in the playoffs..
–
Yeah me too, for the simple fact we have a capable pg to run the point and defend pick n rolls .. We should be fine this year ..
April 5th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Go fk yourselves san diego!
April 5th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Can’t wait for my Sharks to win tonight n lock up playoffs berth.. Bring lord Stanley cup to San Jose
April 5th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Code black ..
April 5th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I have long said to my friends. The game we watch since the mid 80s slowly but surely became a suit and tie game. The nfl attracted most of us in our 30s and 40s with its hits and tough guy image. Now its the spread and college offense and no defense. Score more points and more people will watch like many other sports. The nba the rules changed with guys now going down the lane and into the paint like its nothing. I havent watched and nba game since new jersey lost to the lakers. Money ruins everything sooner or later
April 5th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
new post
April 5th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
No, post 39, Poole said Williams comments were only “slightly more wicked” than Al, assertion that the quarterback must go down hard with the first 10 plays of the game.
In my book Al’s theory is football 101. Really, you think Poole was exonerated Al entirely? Read the words again. Slightly more wicked.
Poole is a tool & your comment is not accurate.
April 5th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
I keep giving Monte the benefit of the doubt, but he is truly looks idiotic when trying to make a story line.
April 5th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
“Sometime within the 1st 10 plays the other teams Quarter Back must go down and must go down hard!” = Physical Football and intimidation. Raiders did same thing with receivers: “Make them hear footsteps”
In contrast with:
“Hey there is a 10k bounty to put Farve on a stretcher and 5 more if he retires permanently” or Go after so and so’s ribs because we got to them earlier and he is whencing” = Dirty Football and spoken by a punk!
Poole is a fool – this is apples and oranges. Not “slightly more wicked” Poole needs to get a job digging ditches or something. 5k to smash his typing fingers….
April 5th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
no i have no problem with what al said compared to greg williams. Al was simply talking about playing hard and physical . what greg williams said was he was intentionally trying to go after players who had specific injurys. Thats the difference between al and greg.
April 5th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
No comparison. Monte’s just a hater.
April 6th, 2012 at 12:36 am
I believed Al Davis wanted his players to hurt the other teams QB and their chances of winning; the two are related; I agree with both and that’s one of my favorite Al Davis quotes.
It’s my understanding that Al Davis had a photo on his office wall of Big Ben Davidson standing next to Joe Namath after Ike Lassiter broke Namath’s jaw and Davidson did the finishing touches. Both Davidson and Lassiter made my Raiders All Time All Mean Team.
April 6th, 2012 at 2:07 am
Jon, Cork, Jerry, Monte et al.
why don’t you do a story about how all pro football teams will pick up players from practice squad of upcoming opponent or sign players they recently cut, or just bring them in for tryout, to pick their brains about their old team – including which players are nursing minor injuries that don’t show up in their injury reports, to take advantage of that information in any way it will help them win, including targeting the opponents’ injured body part.
You may even want to include how in the old AFL in the 1960s, before they had midweek injury reports (supposedly to discourage selling of this previously privileged info by insiders to gambling interests) and that Al Davis was allegedly a trendsetter in these kind of practices.
Probably cuz it’s old news
I listened to Williams’ speech highlights (tried to check out full 12 minute version but website crashed from excessive traffic).
Most of that is old news too; although it is a little extreme in the targeting of specific players’ body parts, but most of that is in the context of general intimidation as a means to the ends of winning football games–news as old as football itself. Obviously Williams is stupid and Saints management & coaches stupid for outright bounty payments and continuing while under warning and investigation is beyond stupidity. Specifically targeting the head of previously concussed players is pretty extreme and extremely stupid given the NFL’s purported (PR/Legal liability) “focus” on “preventing” head injuries. The NFL player contracts which can be structured to include all kinds of incentives, as well as increased salary for overall effective play, are the proper way to reward a player. No doubt, an institutionalized bounty program administered by management or coaches is really dumb.
Maybe Monte Poole should go back to the 1950s, when on of the big national magazines (I think Time or Life) allegedly had a story on NFL players retaliating against each other by trying to maim them. Bucko Kilroy, then a noseguard later the Patriots GM, was apparently featured in the story. ( a football magazine from a few years back ran a story about the original story). That was before Al Davis even was a coach. Or he could go back to the 1940s, 30s, 20s, whatever.
Hopefully, we’ll still have real football in the 2010s and beyond.
April 6th, 2012 at 2:10 am
Jon, Cork, Jerry, Monte et al.
why don’t you interview George Atkinson about this topic
April 6th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Poole’s equivalence argument is just plain nonsense, and that’s the most polite way to put it.
Saying that some time in the first ten plays the QB must go down, and must go down hard is part and parcel of intimidation. St. Tom Brady (or, Mr. Bundchen, if you prefer) is the prototypical example of why this is a big deal. Hit that guy early, pressure him often early, and his feet get crazy and his throwing mechanics go to hell, and he is a less than mediocre QB for the rest of the game — abd will kill your D otherwise. Same thing with hitting a receiver hard over the middle — is he tough enough not to have alligator arms the next time? Toughness here is not physical, it’s mental. Al Davis understood better than anyone and before anyone how much of a football game is decided on the mental plane.
On its very face, what Gregg Williams is urging players to do tells us he is focusing on the physical side, literally trying to make opposing players unable to continue.
Al Davis’ comment goes to the mental aspect of a football game and in a sense elevates what the game is about. Gregg Williams’ exhortation is entirely about the physical aspect of the game and demans the whole enterprise.
April 19th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
lower back pain, physical theraphy…
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