Judging by the title, you might think that is a non-sequitor, but follow me on this. 

Recently, Tucker Carlson on The Great American Panel of FOX News gave his opinion on NFL star Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I’m a Christian, I’ve made mistakes myself. I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs. And he did in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should have been executed for that.”

There are so many things wrong with that.  I did not know where to start.

This is where I started.

Tucker Carlson has always had the job of media drifter, because it never mattered whether he failed or succeeded.  There's a reason that Tucker Carlson is, completely useless to society.

He's had the luxury of being able to sit around and babble about ideas that frankly, are just new to him.  No idea is truly new, as there is nothing new under the sun.  As a Christian, Carlson should understand that.

Yet, he's the type of guy that thinks that his privilege puts him on a higher plane of intelligence or consciousness.   The only reason for him to have a job was to keep him from doing drugs or getting tangled up in other crimes.

"Highway to Hell"

I kept thinking about this subject though.

Aside from the possibility that All Dogs Might Not Go to Heaven, I kept thinking until I had an interesting revelation.  I have in the past defended Michael Vick, because while his acts were cruel, I believed that he was merely caught up in a culture that he could not leave behind until it was too late.

I did so for personal, religious reasons.  Moreover, Vick paid his time and it was only fair to just let it go.

That however led me to an interesting insight: A light-bulb moment if you will.  The mainstream media itself is based almost entirely on the inventions of a man that, believe it or not, electrocuted dogs, amongst other animals that included elephants.

That man of course, was none other than the legendary Wizard of Menlo Park, Thomas Alva Edison.

What's that you say, Lassie? 

What the hell are you talking about?  And by the way, what may I ask are you smoking? 

Nothing I would add.

"Back to the Future"

You see, way back in the '80s, the 1880s to be exact, there was a war a-going on.  A culture war you might say.  That war raged between the likes of the inventor Edison and an industrialist named George Westinghouse.

The objective of this, "War of Currents" was to sway the hearts and minds of Americans on whether to use the Edison developed direct current or the newly developed alternating current of Nikola Tesla.

Much in the same way that FOX News uses scare tactics to sway the hearts and minds of the public, Edison decided to not only invent an AC powered electric chair, but he also chose to, well, torture animals in public.  The first prisoner executed with this chair was said to have been, "Westinghoused."

"You're Gonna Go Far, Kid"

Just as Michael Vick tortured animals for money through gambling, Edison tortured animals for money to sell his inventions and protect the value of his patents (must resist tangent to reference Napster!).

Alternating current however became the predominant form of transferring electricity.  Any time you use an outlet in your home, that is the result of alternating current.  Thus, all those dogs died in vain.

It seems that electrocuting dogs was not only part of Michael Vick's culture, it is integral to the foundation of American culture since the beginning of the 20th century.

By transference, I would think that Mr. Carlson would also believe, being the good Christian that he claims to be, would also suggest that Edison should have been executed for electrocuting dogs.  Yet, had that been the case, we wouldn't have the light-bulb, recorded music or motion pictures. 

Motion pictures would inspire the television, which of course, is the invention that Mr. Carlson used to express his opinion.

Perhaps, Tucker Carlson should consider a new career by leaving a mainstream media rooted in the acts of a cutthroat dog-killer and put more time into, you know, Christianity.

Concepts like, "Judge not lest ye be judged," or "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Either that, or FOX News should consider putting Carlson into the proverbial doghouse.

So I want you, the reader, to think about that. 

Every time you listen to music such as AC/DC, go to see a movie or even turn on the TV to watch football, I want you to remember that those things would not have existed if not for a man that tortured dogs for his own personal gain and in contempt of his moral values that execution is wrong.

And then ask yourself, if you still feel the same way about Michael Vick.

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The win also means that the Raiders still have an outside shot at the division title, but they must hope for San Diego and Kansas City to lose next week.

Even though the Raiders trail the Chiefs and Chargers in the division, I think I could argue that they have been the best team in the AFC West this season.

Since this is the last game before Christmas, I thought I'd talk about what the Raiders have to be thankful for this season.  And hopefully, this prior to next season, they'll add even more for Raider Nation to be thankful for.

Firstly, the Raiders are 5-0 in the AFC West and will face Kansas City in the final week of the season. 

And considering the number of changes made (quarterback, left tackle) and rookies that have started (wideout, linebacker, safety, defensive end), the Raiders have been able to light up their opponents.  In several cases, the Raiders have posted over 500 yards of offense and have made some of the most electrifying plays this season.

I would hope that Coach Tom Cable realizes that Jason Campbell is the quarterback of the future.  Cable simply needs to commit to Campbell rather than bench him every time he struggles. 

After being dogged by "bust" talk, running back Darren McFadden topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career. Running back Michael Bush has provided the needd physical running game, serving as a nice compliment to the home-run play of McFadden.  Meanwhile, fullback Marcel Reece has been a revelation for the Raiders as a productive runner, receiver and blocker.

The receiving corp is still here and there, but it has arguably the most talented group of receivers in the NFL in Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy, and Jacoby Ford.  The trio would surely benefit from the presence of a veteran wide-out (say, Donald Driver) or a better position coach.  Of course, tight end Zach Miller is still one of the best at his position.

Defensively, the Raiders have made significant strides in boasting one of the best rushes against the pass and run.  Tommy Kelly has proven himself to be one of the best pass rushers in the NFL from the tackle position after critics had questioned the big contract he received in 2007. 

Richard Seymour has been a steal, after the Raiders sent their 2011 first-round pick to New England in exchange for the All-Pro tackle. Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley has been a boon as a pass rusher since the Raiders acquired him for a draft pick from Cleveland.

The only weaknesses on defense seem to be against the deep pass and gaffes against running backs.  Obviously, both those types of plays have been costly but would surely be eliminated with the signing of a free-agent defensive back, (say, Antonio Cromartie) and more experience.

The Raiders arguably have the most complete special teams unit in the league.  Punter Shane Lechler has perennially been the NFL's best punter.  Kicker Sebastian Janikowski is a top scorer.  Returner Jacoby Ford has returned kicks for touchdowns.  Aside from a nightmarish game against Arizona, the Raiders have been generally solid on special teams coverage by blocking punts and recovering multiple muffed punts.

The Raiders needed to upgrade many positions in the off-season and the Raiders scored on almost every pick from the 2010 Draft.  I said almost, because rookie offensive lineman Bruce Campbell did not start or play much but is considered the future at right guard.

Here's a question that I would like feedback on: Do you think that the Raiders should experiment with Cooper Carlisle at center? 

The move would allow Campbell to start at guard.  Carlisle has been average at best as a blocker, but he's a smart player who makes few mental errors in terms of penalties and would be sandwiched by massive guards, Robert Gallery and Campbell.

Rookie left-tackle Jared Veldheer appears to have shored up an offensive line that had been porous at best. I know that part of the improvement has been the scrambling and toughness of quarterback Jason Campbell, but in terms of sacks, the O-line has improved significantly.

Ford has been a threat every time he touches the ball, either running, receiving or returning kicks.  He has scored a touchdown in each facet he brings to the team.

Rookie linebacker Rolando McClain appears to be the defensive leader of the future.  Defensive end Lamarr Houston has played very tough and productively.  Late-round picks CB Walter McFadden, LB Travis Goethel, CB Jeremy Ware and S Stevie Brown have either started or made big plays on defense or special teams.

Going forward, the Raiders simply need to commit to Jason Campbell and make smart additions because they clearly have the playmakers.  The 2010 Draft could be to the Raiders what the 2004 Draft was to the San Diego Chargers.  Even though the Raiders could miss the postseason (they still have a chance though), the Raiders could be the best team in the AFC West for years to come.

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That may be wishful thinking or just the reality that the AFC West is a tight division between three teams that aren't great.

The Kansas City Chiefs also lost today to the San Diego Chargers, 31-0.  If the Chiefs lose to the St. Louis Rams or Tennessee Titans, then the Raiders will be in position to even the records in the final week, when the Raiders face off at Kansas City.

Yes, the Raiders have been putrid on the road this season.  Except within the AFC West, in which the Raiders went on the road and destroyed the Broncos 59-14 and the Chargers, 28-14.

In order to win the division however, the Raiders will also need the San Diego Chargers to lose once because the Raiders own the tiebreaker against San Diego. 

San Diego's schedule looks soft in the final three weeks, but play on the road in the final two weeks—at Cincinnati and at Denver.  The cold weather in both cities could play a factor in whether the Bengals or Broncos can upset the Chargers.

Next week however, the Chargers face the San Francisco 49ers, a team that is 5-8. 

Yet, like the Raiders, the Niners also have a shot to win their division, if Seattle and St. Louis each lose once more. Seattle still must face Atlanta, Tampa Bay and St. Louis.  Sorry, Seahawks fans, there's at least one loss in that hand.

The 49ers will face the Rams however.  The Niners defeated the Rams earlier this season, and so another defeat would mean that the Niners would own the tiebreaker.

Like the Raiders, the Niners have also fared well inside the division.  That might not bode well for that team's chances in the playoffs, but it can put the team in the playoffs.  And hey, once you're in, anything is possible.

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But as I have come to realize over the years, pro football is meant to inoculate people from caring about anything else, including government and future of the country.

Eventually, I concluded that politics is analogous to a baseball game.  The maxim for winning in baseball is, "Pitching, defense, and timely hitting."  In politics, the maxim for winning is, "Rhetoric, spin, and timely scandals."

Well, if some meaningless fun is all we get as the powers that be eff everything up, then I'll take it.  I also vote for American Idol, because well, at least then I can affect change in the direction of pop-culture.

I used to care, but things have changed.

When I was 13, I couldn't wait to vote for president.  I knew the Constitution by heart.  I was upset that I would miss the 2000 election by only a few months.  Nowadays, I don't really care about that or any election, even if I follow it simply because it's what I know.

Voting for government is like picking between butter and "I can't believe it's not butter."

It's like George Carlin used to say.  We have all kinds of choices, like 31 flavors of ice cream.  Yet, when it comes to voting on election day, we only have two choices. 

I suppose you could say we have the choice between vanilla ice cream and, "vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry" ice cream.

I may be jaded by the political process, but if you're not, then by all means you should get out to vote.

Enough with my spiel.

I wanted to advocate tailback Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders for the 2010 Pro Bowl roster.

The AFC has a crowded group of running-backs to choose from, such as Arian Foster of the Texans, Chris Johnson of the Titans, LaDainian Tomlinson of the Jets, Peyton Hillis of the Browns and Rashard Mendenhall of the Steelers.

I would not pick Jamaal Charles or Thomas Jones of the Chiefs, because both have had nearly equal time, and both benefit from the offensive line.

You can only choose three. Foster would be an obvious No. 1, but I'm conflicted by the fact that he runs in offense where almost any running back could succeed.  Johnson would be my second pick.

And here's where things get gray.

Darren McFadden: five games, 111.4 yards per game, six total touchdowns, 34 first downs, 750 yards running and receiving, seven plays of more than 20 yards, and one fumble.

LaDainian Tomlinson: six games, 81.7 yards per game, five total touchdowns, 32 first downs, 597 yards running and receiving, five plays of more than 20 yards, and one fumble.

Rashard Mendenhall: six games, 88.7 yards per game, five total touchdowns, 28 first downs, 580 yards running and receiving, four plays of more than 20 yards, and zero fumbles.

Peyton Hillis: seven games, 65.7 yards per game, six total touchdowns, 38 first downs, 653 total yards running and receiving, four plays of more than 20 yards, and three fumbles.

My immediate thoughts were that even though LT is flipping the bird at the critics that thought he was done (not me), he has a better offensive line with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, and Damien Woody.  Hillis also runs behind Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach.

Mendenhall basically carried the Steelers offense during the suspension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  At the same time, I think this is a different era for running backs.  A running back should be a dual threat.  I also consider that Mendenhall had the Pittsburgh defense to protect leads.

In the case of McFadden, he's been an explosive dual threat without consistency at quarterback or the offensive line that has been hampered by injuries. 

In that sense, I think McFadden has proved that between him and Mendenhall, McFadden is the better individual running back in 2010.

Begin Slideshow

The Raiders lost 9-17 and looked lethargic in doing so.

After the high-octane game with the Chargers a week earlier, the Raiders were once again unable to maintain that energy into the next game.  The Niners have been terrible in turnovers this season with minus-10.  Against the Raiders, the Niners were plus-two.

Surely, delusional 49er fans will tout this as proof of the Niners being the better team, when in truth, two down teams faced each other.  Just by circumstance, one team will usually win (barring a tie).

It seems to me that the Raiders took the Niners for granted.

Even though the Raiders were without Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback, who lit up the Niners in preseason after Jason Campbell had struggled before he was injured.

Campbell completed only eight passes against a defense that is not very good against the pass.  With Gradkowski, we've seen the Raiders move the ball in the passing game.

This may sound strange, but I really do think that a good quarterback in the NFL must be narcissistic on the field and humble off the field.  He has to think and act like the game is the most important thing in the universe.  The quarterback should actually believe that losing will be the end of the world as we know it.

Campbell doesn't act that way, but Gradkowski does.

That should not excuse a defense that forced three turnovers and blocked two punts against San Diego.  The Raiders also forced fumbles on special teams against Arizona.  Where was that same energy?

At this rate, the Raiders should consider trading Nnamdi Asomugha for a first-round pick in 2011, because the Raiders will need to get creative in order to acquire a top quarterback or offensive lineman, after trading their first-round pick for 2011.

Either that or bring back Jon Gruden to groom a quarterback and demote Tom Cable to assistant coach.

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After the last-minute loss by the Oakland Raiders to the Arizona Cardinals, 23-24, on Sunday, Raider fans are quick to pin the tail on the donkey, Sebastian Janikowski, because he missed a short field goal with four seconds remaining.

Believe me, Janikowski has caused me some fits over the years, which is one of the reasons I stress the importance of a clutch-kicker, and by extension, the reason that I think Adam Vinatieri was more important to the New England Patriots than Tom Brady.

If Brady had not had a clutch kicker, he would have been left out in the cold.

But I digress, as usual.

The real reason that the Raiders lost was red-zone offense.  In all, Sebastian Janikowski was 3-for-6 on field goals.  Usually (not always), a high number of field-goal attempts indicates the lack of a red-zone offense.

That was exactly the case yesterday afternoon. 

Janikowski connected on field goals of 22, 54, and 23 yards, which should tell you that the Raiders twice stalled offensively within five yards of the end zone.  He missed field goals of 41, 58, and 32.  He also whiffed on a tackle of LeRod Stephens-Howling on the opening kickoff, which resulted in the 102-yard touchdown.

The miss from 58 is forgivable, while the miss from 32 technically cost the game.  We could bash Janikowski for the touchdown on the kickoff, yet the Raiders paid back the Cardinals by recovering two fumbles on punts.

The goat does not represent the game.  The irony is, the blame truly lies in the successful field goals by Janikowski.  The last thing you want to see in a game is field goals made from under 23 yards (unless it is the go-ahead score at the end of the game), because that means the offense stalled at the 5-yard line or less.

Red-zone offense and costly penalties, such as the delay of game penalty on the goal line, is what cost the game for the Raiders.  In all, the Raiders allowed over 100 yards in penalties to the Cardinals, which is inexcusable.  Sometimes, slow and smart is better than fast and impulsive.

Trying to dump the blame on the kicker would not benefit the Raiders and where they need to be.  Rome wasn't built in day, and sometimes, a team climbing out of the dregs must first swallow a few bitter pills.

It is how that teams reacts after such a loss that will determine their future.  Do they take an honest look at themselves and what they can do, or do they look for a whipping boy?

Despite the patch-work offensive line, tailback Darren McFadden has shown Raider Nation the reason he was selected with the fourth-overall pick in 2008.  In three games, McFadden is third in the league with 345 rushing yards, behind only Arian Foster and Adrian Peterson.

We could nitpick about the competition that McFadden has faced, or we could realize that McFadden has been a workhorse behind a talented yet sketchy O-line.

Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has also provided some much needed piss and vinegar for a team that in previous years, looked like it was just going through the motions.  Gradkowski's stats thus far don't sparkle like Peyton Manning's, yet he still makes clutch plays, which is more qualitative than quantitative.

Second year wideout Louis Murphy provided some punch with five catches for 119 yards with a long of 70.

The much maligned wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey is also showing Raider Nation his big-play ability, even if he has been inconsistent.  Yet, that should be expected from a second year player.  Heyward-Bey had three catches for 49 yards with a long of 21. 

The big play presence of both also forced mistakes by Arizona's defense, which was penalized more than once for pass interference, one of which was in the end zone, after which the Raiders failed to capitalize on the golden opportunity by getting flagged for delay of game.

It was times like that, that I miss the presence of Zack Crockett.  I say that, because I want to see Michael Bush become a short-yardage runner like Crockett was.

All in all, yesterday was a bitter pill.  The last thing that Raider fans should do is hit the panic button. 

We're not Jets fans, ya know.

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For instance, one writer on B/R once wrote that interceptions in the real game are circumstantial because the Madden defender will intercept a pass that looked like it was over his hands.

By the same idea, the receivers often make catches that a real player would not make.

Yet, many know about the Madden curse of being the player on the cover. 

I caution against deriving too much from Madden, but I cannot deny the fact that Madden has become an integral part of the culture around the NFL.

Musings and Mutterings:

I've been able to slice and dice defenses with the Raiders by effectively using audibles, despite the fact that Madden rates the Raiders at a platy 71 overall. 

I do so much so that Darrius Heyward-Bey once caught 230 yards and two touchdowns, while Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy, and Zach Miller have always been money, so long as the pass protection holds up.

And I'm not talking about just lousy teams like the Browns and Rams.  I'm talking the big boys like the Steelers, Cowboys, and Saints.  One of my favorites is to audible to a deep pass and then audible back to a running play and hand the ball to Darren McFadden.  Effective use of the audibles can mislead the coverage, and thus create gaping holes.

If using audibles can cause misdirection and confusion by the defense, I can only imagine what you could do if you knew the defensive play in advance.

This lead to a leap of intuition. 

Since I have been able to deceive the A.I. of the game, I remembered that every Super Bowl winner has been predicted by the Madden game when the two teams are pitted against each other...except once. 

Can you guess which one?

That's right, folks.  The 2001 New England Patriots that were outed for stealing signals in 2007.  The Patriots of 2001 are the only team to win the Super Bowl, after losing the Madden match-up before the game.

Gee, I wonder why?

If we are to believe the fanboys at ESPN, everyone cheats and that stealing signals doesn't matter, anyway.  Which begs the question, if it doesn't matter, why would everyone do it? 

I have, of course, written repeatedly that it does not make sense to believe that the Patriots would steal signals on the road against Pittsburgh and St. Louis in January of 2002, but would not do so at home against the Oakland Raiders in the same postseason.

The same people, however, will be more than happy to label the Raiders as cheaters, even though the Raiders *technically* never broke the rules, while the Patriots did officially break the rules.  Maybe we should have Madden decide the "real" outcome of the 1980 AFC Championship game in a "rematch" between the Raiders and Chargers.

But, I digress.

All that I have really learnt from Madden is that the Raiders need Schilens to be healthy and that Darren McFadden can torch defenses that don't commit to the gaps, but even that might be saying too much.

However, I do find it quite amusing that a game named after Raiders Hall of Fame coach John Madden could in fact suggest and prove the importance of cheating by stealing signals.

How I love irony!

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The recent cut of rookie safety Stevie Brown is the only move I've truly hated this off-season.

At the expense of true depth at tight end and fullback, the Raiders cut tight end Tony Stewart and recently cut John Owens, as well as, the very promising blocker Manase Tonga.

Instead, the Raiders have retained linebacker Sam Williams, safety Hiram Eugene, rookie cornerback Jeremy Ware and an extra wideout.

Musings and Mutterings:
Al Davis could not resist the speed of Johnnie Lee Higgins, Yamon Figurs, and Nick Miller and thus decided to axe a tight end.

Perhaps maybe, the Raiders will use a wideout as a tight end.

Marcel Reece however could see time as a third tight end after he lit up the highlight reels in preseason with some big catches.  Reece has made big catches going back to his days with the Washington Huskies.

That however would mean that the Raiders will require subbing, whereas, a blocker like Tonga would have simplified the formations and substitutions.

Al Davis though, likes some fluidity to the formations, because when executed properly, it can "psych out" the defense. I know that this is "Madden-think," but I've been able to slice and dice good teams on Madden 11 with the Raiders by effectively calling audibles.

Rock Cartwright could also see time as a third tight end.

Cartwright has a rapport with Jason Campbell in picking up the blitz, so I surmise that the Raiders expect Cartwright to be more active as a blocker and want to see what he can do before committing to Tonga as a starter.

Whatever the reason may be, the Raiders need their blockers to step up in the running game to keep Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, not only healthy but also productive.

Not enamored by the depth of the o-line. A veteran like Justin Hartwig would be nice insurance at center if, heaven forbid, rookie Jared Veldheer is sidelined. Samson Satele is a backup guard, at best.  Signing Hartwig would also free-up Satele as a third tight end, or other blocker.

I'm still not convinced by the starting five on the line however.  The Raiders are still in need of an anchor on the line. 

Without a top pick in 2011, the Raiders should consider another last minute move (like the acquisition of Richard Seymour in 2009) by adding another offensive lineman.  Center Kevin Mawae is a free agent while guard Logan Mankins and tackle Jared Gaither could be acquired by trade.

I like the return of Scott to defensive end.  He could wreak havoc as a utility rusher..

I thought Ware would be the odd-rookie-out. Ware has some great intangibles, such as speed (4.3 in the 40), man-coverage experience, "hunger" for the play, and tackling behind the line and in the open field. I would have kept Brown on the roster though, and relegated Ware to the practice squad.

Don't blame Mike Mitchell for the snub of Brown, because Eugene is the real reason for it.

I would have kept Brown and told him to learn cornerback (Eugene's ability to play corner is likely what saved his job). Brown just has a passion for the game and a knack for finding the ball.  Nevertheless, Al Davis likely preferred Ware's speed to Brown's nose for the ball.

I really hope that the Raiders reverse this decision. If the Second Coming of Marquez Pope known as Hiram Eugene hacks it up early on, I would expect that Brown could see some pro-time this season.

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Don't worry Pat fans (aka, Patsies), I'm not here to rip the Patriots again.

I would however like to discuss the broader issue of cheating in professional sports, and cite as an example the use of stickum by the Oakland Raiders.

Amongst other famous plays (or infamous, depending on how you look at it), stickum serves as an indelible image of the Raiders attitude of doing anything to win.

If you ask me, the primary reason why people have labeled the Raiders as cheaters is because of stickum, even though the substance was not banned at the time it was used by the Raiders. 

In every article I have read about the Raiders and the question of cheating, nothing other than stickum (pads, hits, etc) has amounted to anything unique to the Raiders.

Cheating is in the Eye of the Beholder (and Those who Make the Rules)

As economist John Maynard Keynes once said, "Worldly wisdom teaches that it is better for the reputation to fail conventionally than to succeed unconventionally." 

Because if you succeed unconventionally, people will think that you were just lucky, or perhaps a "cheater." 

Al Davis and the Raiders intentionally instilled paranoia in their opponents, which has in turn created an irrational perception of the Raiders that has spurned invalid accusations of cheating.

Often because, Davis and the Raiders would invert the narratives by the sheer act of winning.

Throughout much of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the modus operandi of Raiders owner Al Davis was to get under the skin of his opponents in order to disrupt their confidence in their schemes and plans.

As former coach Herm Edwards once said of the Raiders, "When they came to town, they acted like they wanted to burn the whole village down."

So great was the paranoid inculcated by Davis and the Raiders than an opponent once had the ball checked for helium after a punt by Raiders great Ray Guy, because the punt had an uncannily long hangtime.

Bill Currie of KDKA in Pittsburgh once claimed that, "the public perception of Mr. Al Davis paints the man as avaricious creep, having no ethic, and also who is a heretic, who has possibly with Satanic help, publicly expressed doubt as to the divine origin of all the words uttered by Mr. Pete Rozelle."

Here's the ironic truth.

How is it cheating if it does not break the rules, and you make it absolutely clear as to what you're doing? 

Yet, the opponents would follow their same old programming and would get burned for it, until of course, the league changed the rule to protect those players from their own inhibitions.

At the same time, rules historically have been made to systematically cheat others.  One could say that the Jim Crow laws of the South cheated black people from opportunity, self-esteem, justice, and legacies, amongst other things.

To use a contemporary example from pop culture to illustrate this point, the show Psych on the USA Network (I'm aware of the fact that the character Shawn Spencer often wears Chargers gear) has a theme song that goes as follows :

In between the lines / There's a lot of obscurity / I'm not inclined to resign to maturity / If it's all right, then you're all wrong / why bounce around to the same downed song? / You'd rather run when you can't crawl

I know, you know that / I'm not telling the truth / I know you know they / just don't have any proof / embrace the deception, learn how to bend / your worst inhibitions / they will psych you out in the end

I know, you know; I know, you know (x3).

Stick it to the Man

Every sport has had athletes use something that gave them an advantage whether it was a football player, or Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry and his use of Vaseline to alter the ball.

After the 1980 NFL season, the league officially banned stickum with what is now known as the Lester Hayes rule, in what would be another rule made to negate the increasing dominance of cornerbacks.

In 1980, Hayes would earn the honors of NFL Defensive Player of the Year, as the Raiders went on to upset all predictions and narratives by defeating the favored San Diego Chargers of Don Coryell and Dan Fouts in the conference title game and defeating the favored Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl that year.

I know, you know; I know, you know.

A few years earlier, the league also enacted the Mel Blount rule, now known as, "illegal use of the hands."

The league presumably made the rule in the interest of creating a level playing field, because Blount dominated at cornerback for the Steel Curtain defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Such changes in the rules had been incremented throughout the years, with the ban of clotheslining the receiver as another notable change.

Though Hayes would often draw minor penalties in order to intimidate receivers, his use of stickum was not illegal. 

In fact, fellow Raiders such as running back Mark van Eeghen and receiver Fred Biletnikoff had used the substance before him.  In fact, Biletnikoff introduced the substance to Hayes when Hayes was a rookie.

It seems quite simple to me that stickum did not constitute cheating, because the use of it was technically legal, and that the substance was by no means deceptive, especially in the case of Hayes because he was blatantly covered in it, but also because stickum had been used for years prior.

Biletnikoff's indelible legacy on football has been emblazoned in the Pro Football of Fame, but also with the Biletnikoff Award for the best college receiver.

It's all about intimidation

Intimidation of some form is all part of the winning attitude, whether you are a football player or a car racer like Dale "The Intimidator" Earnhardt.  Some football teams hit harder; other teams pass more or run up the score.

I have often voiced by disdain for the philosophy of running up the score, because the same defenders of it will hypocritically gripe about vicious hits and the safety of players. 

Yet, both philosophies are about intimidation.  One example being that of the San Diego offense under coach Don Coryell and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts. 

I don't care for it (running up scores) because it results in one-sided games that are dreadful to watch.  I'd rather watch the grass grow. 

More importantly, if an offense is unwilling to show restraint, then why should a defender show restraint when he has the chance to hit the passer, runner, or receiver?

I know, you know; I know you know.

Jacked Up

The Raiders were certainly known for their vicious hits.

Articles will often cite such hits by the Raiders as evidence that suggests that they were uniquely dirty, to which I call nonsense and hypocrisy. 

Steelers fans will often cite as dirty, a hit made by Raiders safety George Atkinson against Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann.

Another favorite amongst Raider Haters is the hit laid out by safety Jack Tatum against Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley, because the hit paralyzed Stingley.

Tatum moreover is often cited as the reason why the NFL has made changes to prevent vicious hits and tackling.

Tatum once said notoriously, "I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault," yet Tatum has also said, "I always wanted to hit someone hard, and if they got hurt, that was part of the game. But you always wanted them to be OK."

The ridiculous double-standard is clear, because such a legacy has often been used to exclude Tatum from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

I know, you know; I know, you know.

Yet, Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert of the Steelers is officially, "noted for vicious tackling" in the website biography for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, or as Lambert said in his words:

"I am very aggressive and very physical. On the field I guess I am just plain mean," or, "I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play," and, "Yes, I get satisfaction out of hitting a guy and seeing him lie there for a while."

As Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway once described Lambert after Lambert knocked Elway out of his first game, "He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."

Elway made the factors of fear clear, as being the visceral image of Lambert as toothless and slobbering.

I will go out on a limb and surmise that the image of Tatum as a black man with an Afro who played in Oakland evoked an image of angry black men akin to the Black Panthers (founded in Oakland).

Thus, I submit to you crybaby Steelers fans and Raider Haters alike: STFU.

It's that simple.

The Curious Case of Art Powell

Speaking of legacies...

I will be the first to tell you that I'm not a fan of the Keynesian economics used by the Obama administration.  Even so, it seems that these days our country has been going backwards in race relations.

One of the stories about the Raiders that has long stuck in my mind.  That is the story of wide receiver Art Powell.

He led the Raiders and league in receiving yards and touchdowns during the first winning season (1963), which was also his first year with the team after being sold by the New York Titans (now the Jets).  It was also the first year coached by Al Davis. 

Before then, Powell had paired with Hall of Fame receiver Don Maynard to form the first tandem of receivers to each surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

To my knowledge, Powell has never been accused of cheating.  He was however known for his work ethic and leadership.  Yet, I would submit to you that the legacy of Powell has been cheated.

Lore has it that Powell's interracial marriage is what inspired Davis' trail-blazing philosophies towards minority hiring of players and other employees, and even the Raiders colors of Silver and Black.

Powell also had a polarizing image after he and teammates Clem Daniels, Bo Roberson, and Fred Williamson refused to participate in a preseason game against the New York Jets, because of segregated seating at Mobile's Ladd Stadium.

Biletnikoff meanwhile, led the Raiders in receiving yards only three times in 14 seasons.  Teammates often surpassed Biletnikoff in yards and receiving touchdowns, such as receivers Powell, Warren Wells, and Cliff Branch.

Even in his day, Biletnikoff was slow and undersized yet famous for his, "sure-handed catches" that he often made with one hand, or his performance in Super Bowl XI for which he earned the honor of Super Bowl MVP.

I don't know why Powell has been excluded from the Hall of Fame.

Career wise, Powell surpasses Biletnikoff in receiving touchdowns with 81 against Biletnikoff's total of 76, while Powell's 8,046 receiving yards and 479 receptions are comparable to Biletnikoff's totals of 8,974 receiving yards and 589 receptions. 

It should be noted however that Biletnikoff played in 190 games with 131 starts, while Powell played in 117 games and no starts.

Powell's percentage of receptions for touchdowns at 16.8% still ranks as one of the highest in the history of pro football.

I know, that you know; I know, that you know.

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I have spent the better part of a year criticizing anything and everything about Mariotti's employer, ESPN, because Mariotti remained employed with the network.  Though I have noticed a significant decline in his appearances on Around The Horn, Mariotti should have been fired.

In one article, I challenged Mariotti to a fight on ESPN (which I would still do).

Regardless of anything else, the reason for the article's abhorrence is that Mariotti proudly stated that he reports gossip about the Raiders, thus admitting that he as a so-called journalist is grossly biased.  Why should I believe the Raiders are his only exception?

Some of my attacks on ESPN whiffed, such as the time that I wrote, "Why ESPN Should Have its License to Broadcast Revoked," because ESPN is not required to have a license to broadcast.  Nevertheless, the underlying intent of the of the article was to say that ESPN should not be on TV, when it seemingly had no regard for the integrity of truth, because ESPN was willing to report incendiary gossip.

He Proved it to Me

Mariotti wrote that Raiders coach Tom Cable should be suspended by Commissioner Goodell because Randy Hanson accused Cable of assault.  Mariotti called Goodell the "crown price" (no joke).

Mariotti also stated that Raiders owner Al Davis should, "vanish," because Mariotti saw the accusations as merely another piece of a narrative.

Mariotti also described Raider fans as "rowdies" and "crazies" that are, "terrorizing the enemy."

Mariotti also advocated the selection of Tim Tebow, not on the grounds of talent, but moral character.  He also attacked the blogger Jerrod Morris for his honest mistake in speculating whether Raul Ibanez had used steroids.  Meanwhile, Mariotti has advocated for what I believe have been draconian suspensions of NFL players, because Mariotti believed that the NFL needed to be cleansed of, "thuggery."

Glory Days

Since Mariotti's days at the Chicago Sun-Times, he has been known for heated confrontations with co-workers. 

After Mariotti resigned in 2008 (after footing the Times with the bill for his trip to the Beijing Olympics), Mariotti went on local television to mock his former colleagues, because of financial trouble at the Sun-Times.  As a result, Roger Ebert of the Sun-Times criticized Mariotti in a column entitled, "Jay The Rat."

Now, I'd love to cackle here (and I have a few times), especially since Mariotti wrote "Somewhere, Al Davis is cackling " and that he leaves his bunker to persecute the media.  But then I remember that domestic violence is no laughing matter (but oblivious hypocrisy is).

Though I have used this article to highlight why I believe that I was right and ahead of the time, I must finish by imploring to pray for the victim.

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