Chaz vs. Crabtree

Jerry Mac makes the case today for Uncle Lenny's favorite receiver. He also has an interesting chat transcript involving Warren Sapp, who loves the Black Hole and is apparently a JaMarcus apologist as well. The opposite of Bronco Bill Williamson.

Elsewhere, Timmy issues a clarifying statement about African-American Athletes from Notre Dame.

Jason Jones: Timmy still wants a job

Jason Jones provides a partial transcript of Tim Brown's appearance on Sirius this morning. He still wants to come and work for Al and try to help get the Raiders back on track. Jones is not exactly hot on the idea:

The problem is the fans, not the players would be the ones who would respect the decision.

Imagine JaMarcus Russell welcoming a chat with Brown after he accused him of having the "propensity" to gain weight.

When Brown won the Heisman in 1987, Darren McFadden was an infant.

Brown underestimates (sic) the impact he'd have on the locker room.

I think Jones means "overestimates" the impact Brown would have on the locker room, but anyway, I see his point. But I think Jones maybe underestimates the how important it is right now for the fans to respect any decision Mr. Davis or the Raiders make. Because lately, none of them have been very good. So maybe Timmy's not the answer. But there's a glaring question, and that is, "What the hell can be done to fix this debacle?"

Nnamdi Plays the Timmy Role

There was a time when John's main man would stand up to Al Davis when things weren't going the way he thought was right. Tim Brown had the "moral authority," you might say, to do so.

The only man in the Raiders locker room with that authority today is Nnamdi Asomugha, and it appears he is letting Al know he doesn't like the way things are going, particularly as it relates to DeAngelo Hall being cut. One might argue that Nnamdi is the reason it happened, but with his locker tagged with the words, "Franchised forever!" here are some of the things he had to say (as seen on NBC Sports):

"There's some things that have been going on - some shakeups - that I just haven't agreed with."

"I'm not allowed to speak on it because we're just supposed to shut up and play."

According to a report from John Clayton, Al showed up at the offices in Alameda the other day with a list of 10-15 players who are not performing up to standards. Creeping Death has indeed begun his journey through the Raider locker room.

Jerry: Draft Timmy

Jerry McDonald makes the case for why Tim Brown could make a difference in the front office.

We're leaving now for the House.

Live updates via iPhone, and Sllaacs may join us for the tailgate.

Draft Timmy.

I saw this first at Jason Jones' blog this morning--should we make Chris Rock Hater of the Week?--and now Jerry has more of Tim Brown's interview on KTHK in Sacramento yesterday.

I'm glad Jerry brought up the Matt Millen debacle in Detroit. Timmy wisely says he doesn't need to be involved in contract negotiations or anything. He could be that Bridge we talked about a couple of weeks ago. Al needs a loyal Raider. Timmy is a loyal Raider. Couldn't he smooth things out between the coaching staff and Al, no matter if it's Cable next year of someone else? Who would make a better spokesperson for the Raiders?

I'm biased, because Tim Brown is my favorite Raider of all time. The first jersey I bought when they moved back to Oakland was a Tim Brown #81. It wore out, so bought another one in 2002. I still wear it sometimes. It's now a throwback. He always represented the Raiders with class and poise, including sticking up for Gene Upshaw when Irvin was running his crack-head mouth the week Gene passed. That, to me, is the real difference between someone like Warren Sapp, who collected a fat pay check that nobody else in the league was willing to pay him. Once a Raider, always a Raider. Even the way Timmy goes after Gannon a little bit shows his loyalty the Raiders.

I like this idea because it manages to honor Al Davis contribution and legacy and his ubiquitousness in the organizatioin, while at the same recognizing that a change needs to be made. I hope that this weekend, Timmy gets a chance to talk to Al, and they can work something out. Even it's to fill the role that will eventually be left by the indestructable Jim Otto, as a confidant to Al, and someone who can go out and represent the Raiders without embarrassing himself in front of the whole world.

Weird in White

So the Raiders are wearing White. At home. Sign of the apocalypse, or just more sign that the Raiders don't know what the hell they're doing?

I remember about 10 years or so ago, Tim Brown was doing his weekly, Tuesday night call-in show on the old Ticket 1050, and someone asked him why they didn't wear white at home in September when it was super hot. He said Al Davis wouldn't care if it was 150 degrees, the Raiders wear black at home.

But who knows, it's so crazy it just might work. Anything is possible at this point.

Tim Brown vs. Michael Irvin

Jerry McDonald has some interesting quotes from Tim Brown in his blog today regarding Michael Irvin and trash he's been talking about Gene Upshaw:

...Brown seemed disgusted by former Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin.

“I’m sitting down here in Dallas and listening to Michael Irvin talk about the man like he was the worst man to ever walk on this earth, and it’s just incredible folks can be so ignorant about what Gene has done,” Brown said. “It’s sad that a guy like Michael Irvin, who was saved by Gene Upshaw, whether he wants to believe it or not, several times, in his career, for him to not be able to see the good that Gene did for him.”

Love it. While I always enjoyed Irvin's work on Sunday Countdown, his crackhead ass owes career to Gene Upshaw. If the Player's Union hadn't been as strong as it was, do in no small part to Upshaw's organizational prowess, Irvin would have spent the majority of his career suspended.

Timmy was always my favorite Raider. He played with class and pride, which he continues to exhibit in his post-football career. Michael Irvin is the opposite of that.

ESPN Poll, WTF?

Don't know how we missed this, but ESPN had an online fan poll asking who is the Greatest Raider Ever. Marcus Allen won a dominating victory with 54.7%. The great Tim Brown, for whom I'd have voted had I been paying attention and noticed that they were running this poll, came in a distant second with 14.5%, followed by Howie (10.6%), Ken Stabler, Fred Biletnikof, Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Ted Hendricks, Willie Brown, and Dave Casper.

Marcus was a great Raider, and his Super Bowl performance against Washington is one of the most spectacular games in football history. But this selection is controversial, seeing as how roughly 1/3 of his stats came as a Chief.

I know a lot of that isn't his fault. But shouldn't Art Shell be penalized for his role in that debacle as coach, and him and Marcus cancel out each other's eligibility?

Where is Jim Plunket with his two Super Bowl rings? And don't get Dan started on Lester Hayes' exclusion from this poll. His head is still sore from banging it against the wall when Lester once again did not make the Hall of Fame.

And no Ray Guy? He wouldn't have won, but it would have been fun to include.

Also, Bill, the "Greatest Raider Ever" is Al Davis. Marcus Allen was voted the All-Time Franchise Player. There's a difference, and most Raiders fans, even they now hate Al, know this difference.