When you think of the Raiders, you cannot do so without thinking of their iconic owner.  As the team builds for the future with a new owner, Mark Davis (son of Al Davis), you are left to wonder if the late owner’s son will live up to the words of his father.  Following in the footsteps of a legend can be daunting for any child, especially when you must try to live up to those lofty goals under the lights and scrutiny of todays society in America’s most popular sport.  The task seems almost insurmountable.

The story of the late Al Davis would make for a great Hollywood story all by itself.  Raiders fans are all too familiar with the story of his life.  For those that do not know his story, here is a summarized biography:

Davis’ first turn as a professional coach started with the then Los Angeles Chargers of the upstart AFL, as an offensive coach in 1960 under coach Sid Gillman.  In 1963, Al Davis became coach and owner of the lowly Raiders, and he built the team into a perennial winner for over four decades.  In his first year as coach, he took a team that had only won nine games in three years and led them to a 10-4 record.  That great turn around garnered him coach of the year accolades, but the legend of Al Davis was just beginning.  He would eventually become a trailblazer who left an indelible imprint in the sport we know today.  His many accomplishments include:

- First owner to hire minorities for all positions on the field, including, first African-American quarterback to be drafted in the first round (Eldridge Dickey, 1968, 25th overall)

- First owner to hire minorities as head coaches and as executives (Tom Flores, Art Shell, Amy Trask)

- Only person to give induction speeches for nine Hall of Fame players

- Only person in NFL history to serve as assistant coach, head coach, general manager, owner and commissioner of the league

Al Davis was many things to many people.  If you were fortunate enough to have him as a friend, you would never find someone  more loyal to you and he was always there for you in your time of need.  If you had the misfortune of being a perceived enemy, there was no greater nemesis to have in and around the football field.  Al loved his players and retained many of them for positions within the organization long after their playing days had gone.  Al’s coined term, “Once a Raider, always a Raider,” is still true to this today.  Willie Brown, Jim Plunkett, and Tom Flores all still have roles within the organization.

In his final years, Davis tried to recoup the success that had once been synonymous with his proud organization.  As much as he was responsible for building the team into a winner, he was also responsible for its current demise and current spell of losing football.  Draft picks that didn’t pan out, overpaying for veterans that had lost a step, and constant turnover at the head coaching position.  All of these things were Al’s valiant efforts to win the big one more time.

Even when Al Davis passed away on October 8, 2011, his legend continued to grow.  The Sunday after his passing, and with heavy hearts, the Raiders played the Houston Texans.  In this game, the Raiders were able to pull off a victory for their great owner with a last second interception in the end zone.  It is much publicized that on that last play, the Raiders were on the field with only ten men and were still able to win.  Raider fans will say that the eleventh player was their beloved owner willing his team to “Just Win Baby!”

Mark Davis, Al’s only son, assumed ownership of the Raiders after his father passed away.  When the news broke that the team would remain in the Davis family, pundits and those outside the organization skewered the decision based on the speculation that Mark did not have as much football acumen as his father.  Truth is, most people would never know as much as Al did.

A year and a half into his tenure, the legend of Mark Davis has yet to be written.  I do believe, though, that he is taking the steps to right the ship and bring glory back to what his father built.  For starters, the new Mr. Davis was not pretentious, and he knew that he was in over his head in the daily operations of a modern NFL team.  As such, he has surrounded himself with those who have knowledge about today’s football.  When he searched for his new GM, he sought out the opinions of  some of his father’s confidant’s, including legendary coach John Madden.  That search led to Reggie McKenzie.  McKenzie was the only person that Mark Davis interviewed, but he knew he wanted him to lead the team.

In order to build his legacy and leave his own mark on the league, Mr. Davis must do several things.  First and foremost, he must have his team start winning football games again.  With the financial side of the operations ready for the next year, this current team must re-establish that foundation of winning and erase the mindset of what has become bad play over the last ten years.  That seems to be happening.  Several players in this years mini-camp have noted that the mindset has changed, and it has become a team first attitude.  Secondly, the Raiders must have a new stadium.  Whether that means splitting the season with their bay area neighbors or finding their own place to call home, this is something that must occur.  Thirdly, the team must remain in Oakland.  Two of their Super Bowl victories happened before the team moved to LA, and true, die-hard, fans believe that home is the bay area.

If and when Mark Davis does this, his legacy will be intact.  Will it be as mythical as that of his father’s?  Who knows, but those are big shoes to fill considering todays NFL.  I would say, though, that as a father, I would not want my son to follow in my footsteps.  I would hope that my son would make his own path in life and cultivate his own story.  I believe that Mark Davis is doing exactly that.  Making his own story and writing his own legend.  Not as a separate story from his iconic father’s, but as an addition to what makes the Raiders great.  As Mark said recently in a Mercury News interview,  ”The Raiders will be great again. Write it down. The Raiders will be great again.”

Richard Mackson-US PRESSWIRE

I don’t get NFL Network. Thanks to being in that most perfect storm of Time Warner’s Adelphia acquisition and the on-going feud with the league I only see NFL Network at the gym and sports bars. However after today I’m glad that I don’t get the league’s propaganda station at home.

Normally NFL Films is among the most professional, creative and respectful producers of programming. But after today that too is something I’m changing my stance on.

As I said, I don’t get NFL Network so I’m basing this on USA Today’s report of the new NFL Films program that ranks the top 10 Heisman winners to play pro ball.

Now you can dispute the rankings. That’s natural and expected anytime there’s a top 10 of any kind. What you can’t argue against is a Hall of Fame career. Unless, of course, you’re so willing to attract attention that you’ll overlook football greatness for the ratings bonanza of Tebowmania.

On the NFL Films list they’ve got Timmy Tebow, the current backup to Mark Sanchez, ranked 7^th ahead of Canton members Marcus Allen and Earl Campbell.

But it doesn’t stop there. Cam Newton, he of one year in the game, is ranked 10^th leaving a man like Tim Brown completely off the list. Not to mention a former Heisman winner who just so happened to win two Super Bowls…some guy named Jim Plunkett.

Now I fully realize this is just for entertainment and means absolutely nothing. Problem is NFL Films has always taken the mature approach to sports programming. Just the name alone says it all. Shooting sports programming on film in this day and age is unheard of yet it speaks to their continued dedication to preserving the art.

All that being said, to rank both Tebow and Newton ahead of anybody that has accomplished as much as Allen, Campbell and Brown is just insulting. Tebow’s got one playoff win, I’m pretty sure Allen’s record setting Super Bowl performance trumps that not to mention his HOF credentials. Newton had one record setting rookie season. Brown had one record setting career. If Tebow is on this list cause he’s a “winner” then kiss Plunkett’s rings and tell me how they taste.

What am I missing?

In the big picture it means nothing. But what it does illustrate is just how far standards have fallen. Once upon a time a list like this would have come from some deranged fan that would have been belittled on local sports talk radio. Now, it’s a primetime program made by people who know better yet see only ratings. Look, they’ve got me talking about it and I won’t even see the program. I’ll also never subscribe to NFL Network as well. So if their goal was to gain new consumers they’ve failed with at least one person.

Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

No surprise at all that Jason Campbell and the Raiders officially parted ways. Once Carson Palmer was acquired the writing was on the wall. What is a surprise is where Campbell chose to take his talents. The man Al Davis once compared to Jim Plunkett is headed to Chicago where he’ll carry a clipboard behind Jay Cutler.

Campbell could have easily found work elsewhere in a situation that might have provided an opportunity to be a starter. Behind Cutler his only chance to play will come via injury. Of course that isn’t too much of a longshot given the former Bronco’s recent history. Then again, maybe Campbell just wants to be on a team in contention.

Any team looking for an open audition at quarterback isn’t one that is going to be making much noise come January of 2013.

For Campbell this is yet another stop on an otherwise unfortunate career. Once upon a time he was a first round pick out of Auburn pegged to be the QB of the future in Washington DC. That situation never provided any stability for JC and once the Redskins turned the page by signing Donovan McNabb it was Oakland who came calling.

Known for his leadership qualities, tireless work ethic and arm strength, Campbell was the breath of fresh air Mr. Davis needed to end the disaster that was JaMarcus Russell. With Campbell under center the Raiders returned to the top of the NFL in offensive production. His first year in Oakland saw the Raiders end a hideous string of losing season as the silver and black finished with a respectable .500 record.

Campbell’s second year in the Bay saw him get was off to the best start of his career before disaster struck. A broken collar bone ended his season then the panicked trade for Palmer claimed his job. Injury in a contract year usually spells uncertainty during the offseason. Luckily Campbell’s resected enough around the league that a team like Chicago would gladly welcome him given their lackluster backups to Cutler.

You can’t help but root for a guy like Campbell. He’s a pro’s pro that never complains, always shows up ready to go to work and was precisely what the Raiders needed before things began to spiral completely out of control. Having signed a one-year deal with the Bears, Campbell will likely be back on market again next year where a better opportunity might present itself. Here’s hoping the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL gets his due one of these days.