Going out of your way to take a shot at the Raiders is like making a John Bobbit joke. Or doing a Sarah Palin impression. Or saying “talk to the hand.”

It’s tired. It’s over done. And most people don’t even know why they do it. There is no need to go out of the way to kick a team when they’re down.

It’s not just the fans getting in on this. Somewhat bafflingly, the press takes as many shots at the team as the long suffering Raiders fanbase. While I don’t agree with it, I get a fan taking a shot at the Raiders, but despite the fact that the Raiders haven’t done anything to the press (other than maybe not historically indulging its entitled and inflated ego), despite the fact that every single fanbase has elements of idiocy and violence (more on that later), the press continues to act like the Raiders have killed somebody and deserve to rot in hell.

Where is the objectivity in the press? When did we allow them to wrap their bias into an editorial bastardization of reporting? If the Raiders have a QB core that stinks, write an article about why they stink. If there’s a logical, reasoned argument for why they are in a state of stinking, bring it.  The Associated Press did it.  It can’t be that hard.

The phrase “the same old Raiders” shows this bias and attachment to Oakland as a dysfunctional franchise, they see the Raiders as the criminals of the NFL, a outlaw franchise that plays in Oakland of all places. I can’t tell you how many articles I’ve seen in the last 18 months that use some derivation of that term. Say what you want about the Raiders, but don’t say that if you want me to believe you are a responsible journalist.

Mr. Davis has passed away. His son hired a new General Manager – first in team history. The team is rebuilding, ditching the bad attitudes and contracts. In fact, some of those bad contracts were ditched only months ago. This is not the same old Raiders. This new era in Oakland is in its infancy, and it remains to be seen what will come of it. Regardless of where it goes or where the press think its going to go, calling them the “same old Raiders” is an ignorant reference and is stereotyping the Raiders organization and its fans in a harsh and biased manner that no other team is subject to. If you are a reputable member of the press using that term, I’m calling you out.

For example, the Raiders recently fired their PR director, and the press cried, “Same old Raiders!”

Really? PR guy Zak Gilbert perpetuated the notion that Al Davis ruined the Raiders in his final years, and we’re surprised that the SON of Al Davis has a problem with this? This story was never officially corroborated, but assuming this is the case, how was anyone surprised? Find me the employer that’s cool with his head of PR feeding the press negative stories about his/her dad.  Or find me all the PR directors who have been fired without a single piece of speculation.

Want to tell me the Raiders have a history of poor decisions? Maybe they do. But who made those decisions? That’s correct. It’s Al Davis and he isn’t around anymore. See how that works? If you agree that they made bad decisions, then you agree that those decisions were made by a man who passed away years ago. So it can’t be (and isn’t) the “same old Raiders.”  If we’re just looking at the single incident, which is what a responsible member of the press would do, we see a really simple explanation for a really simple event. A guy lost his job because he disrespected the memory of his boss’s late father. Simple. (Note: I know that there was a segment of the press that believes this was a “signal” to Reggie McKenzie, but the majority of the coverage implied that the move was indicative of a lack of change within the organization.)

So what persists from the organization that the press loved to hate? Year to year, what about the Raiders makes the press so delight in knocking them down? It’s a new owner, with a first-time GM, without the old CFO, with a whole new set of players and personnel, with an almost totally different front office. What persists? The stadium? Does the press hate the stadium? (Yes, they really do hate the stadium. But that’s not the issue here.)

August 25, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Fans in the Black Hole cheer during action between the Oakland Raiders and the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Lions 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

What’s the one thing that persists? There’s the fans. Those minority fans. The ones with the darker skin.

We’ve all heard it a million times over. We’ve heard about how awful Raider fans are. We’ve heard about those fights you’ve seen at the stadium. We’ve heard plenty of asine references to thugs and gangs and freaks.

Tell yourself whatever you must to sleep easier, but if you think the Raiders are the only fanbase with this issue, you’re naive and mistaken. There are thugs and drunks and boneheads at every NFL game, behaving badly and compromising the fan experience.  If you think the Raiders have a significantly larger percentage of bad fans, your information is wrong. Or you brought a pre-existing bias to the argument. There is nothing you can point to that would support your theory. In fact, check out this report:

“Last season, the 49ers had 3415 incidents, including 23 felony arrests, 201 fights and 630 ejections from the stadium. Raiders, Broncos, Packers, Patriots and Cardinals fans had comparable, although slightly lower, crime figures at their respective home games.”

Yes, Oakland has a smaller attendance. That isn’t a difference maker and doesn’t change the fact that Oakland fans aren’t any different from other NFL fans. There’s a high incidence of thugs and drunks and boneheads everywhere.

The Oakland Raiders are an organization in transition, one that started from scratch when its patriarch passed away less than two years ago. They are an organization with a fanbase not unlike others in the league. If nothing persists from the organization that the press hated for the last 20+ years, what is left to hate about the team?  Is there some sinister spirit that haunts the Coliseum or the uniforms that turn the team into a deplorable group of men deserving of the vitriol coming from every major media outlet?

I challenge the press to explain this. I challenge the press to challenge my accusation that this happens. Many would deny that their dislike of the team affects their reporting. Prove it. Get a reputable professor of logic and/or journalism involved. Call my bluff.

I challenge the press to report on the Raiders – and ALL teams – objectively. Sure it might take a little more time and energy to think before you write, but its your job. Leave the editorializing to ESPN, leave the bias at home. Fans don’t get paid. You’re professionals. Act like it.

May 20, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn (15) and offensive coordinator Greg Olson (right) at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When the Oakland Raiders hired Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp last year, Raider Nation was worried.  We had all observed the debacle that is Greg Knapp’s Offense in the past.  We were hoping that his time with the Houston Texans had given him a better feel for running a productive offense.  However, it didn’t pan out, and it made our once productive running game look like a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean.  Thankfully, Greg Knapp was released and there’s a new Sheriff in town.  Enter in newly appointed Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson.

What would his philosophy be, and how was he going to use Darren McFadden?  This was the burning question on my mind.  I feel he is answering my questions.  With the passing of Mini-Camps and the lull before Training Camp, I have learned a great deal about Greg Olson’s philosophy.  He has made it clear to Raider Nation and the football world what his intentions for this offense are.  Is it a new idea or scheme?

No, Olson is implementing an old and new idea that has had great success past and present:  “Build an offense around the players that you have.”  What is this scheme you ask?  Raider Nation can remember a time when this scheme was put to work for the Oakland Raiders.

Head Coach Jon Gruden had taken a fledgling offense of the late 90’s and had grown it into a powerhouse.  In 2000, utilizing the skill-sets of players like Rich Gannon, Tyrone Wheatley, Tim Brown, Zack Crockett, Rickey Dudley, and James Jett, he built and offense that carried our team to the AFC Championship.  In 2001, Gruden added Jerry Rice and Charlie Garner to again win the AFC West Division.  Even when Gruden was released, newly appointed Head Coach Bill Callahan inherited the team and took it to a Super Bowl.  This was all due to the building blocks that Jon Gruden had in place.

Currently, Greg Olson is breathing new life into the offensive playbook by building the skill-sets of the players that already exist.  He is not forcing players into a strict scheme and expecting them to perform.  This is the new Oakland Raiders.  This is the team that will prevail in 2013 and for years to come.  The football world can underestimate us all they want, because we live for being the underdog.

If you don’t believe what I am saying, read the words from Greg Olson in a recent interview; “So, I’ve been exposed to a number of different systems.  If there’s one think that I’ve learned, you’d better adapt to the players you have on your team.  You’d better not pigeon-hole yourself, as in, ‘This is my system and this is what we’re going to do,’ because that personnel may not match that system,” Olson said.  Upon completion of OTA’s and Mandatory Mini-Camp, Olson talked about Matt Flynn and Tyler Wilson.  He said, “We’re not sitting here claiming we have Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, or Tom Brady.  We never made that statement or claim, but we’ve got guys we feel are very capable of running an NFL team and an NFL offense.  They both possess different types of skills, so we’ll try to play to their strengths until someone separates themselves.” 

May 11, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen watches players stretch during rookie minicamp at the Raiders team headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Head Coach Dennis Allen is thrilled with the players that Oakland has on the team.  He believes that with the right system in place, it is a group they can build on and bring long-term success.  Quarterback Flynn loves the playbook Olson has put together so far. He believes the team is feeling more comfortable with the change and training camp will only help in that process.

Only time will tell as to the outcome of the 2013 season.  I for one am excited to see what this revamped, restructured, and gutted team is capable of.

Apr 23, 2013; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie speaks at press conference at the Raiders team headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It seems everyday there is another member of the Raiders organization doing the media circuit in an ongoing mission to silence the large amount of doubters and critics towards the team going into training camp. The biggest victims in this ongoing saga of Raiders doomsday prophecies are the quarterbacks.

The quarterbacks Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Greg Olsen have at their disposal have been ripped to part by the media so far this offseason. To be fair the Raiders four quarterbacks have a combined three NFL starts Matt Flynn (2 starts), Terrelle Pryor (1 start), and two rookies, Tyler Wilson and undrafted free agent Matt McGloin (who was actually the subject of positive reviews from camp). You can see where the media sees an easy target and not many are giving faith, even in Matt Flynn who is just one year off of being a coveted free agent in the media’s minds.

That terrible first day of Minicamp turned what was already an easy target into a full blown disaster. People at the camp said it was the worst day of practice by NFL quarterbacks ever (Well, besides for Jets practice everyday) and although things improved in the following two days, there is no impressing at minicamp with no pass rush, there is only making things look bad.

Reggie McKenzie says those people who are calling for an abysmal year for the Raiders passing attack are wrong, questioning their credentials as evaluators of talent.

“I don’t know about those great evaluators that were out there in the media but in my eyes they had a pretty good off-season, pretty good OTA’s, and they had some really good days,” McKenzie told Bay Area radio station, 95.7 The Game. “Everyone has a bad day, but as far as the development of Flynn, the development of Pryor, the development of Wilson, all these guys, they have gotten a ton better from day one to when they left last week.

McKenzie said the Raiders are working individually with each quarterback, trying to key in on their weaknesses to make them complete passers while focusing on highlighting their talents. “I like what the offensive coaches are doing with Pryor and they try to implement his plan. The way they’re throwing everything at Flynn and the rookie to try to see if he can pick it up… they all can throw the football and Pryor’s definitely working on his mechanics. So, it’s encouraging to see what this staff is doing with these guys and I’m kind of anxious to see them in training camp and how preseason rolls along.

“As far as the beat writers’ evaluations, I really don’t pay a whole lot of attention to that. Sorry about that, beat writers. If you were really good I’d probably get you in one of these scouting jobs.”

It could all be trying to sell snake oil to Raider Nation to keep people coming out to the Coliseum, but for now Reggie McKenzie is sticking to his guns and calling out the media. Can you even blame him?