Oakland Raiders Free Agency, Reggie McKenzie, & The Oakland Packers
By Jordan Trask
Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks fans hold signs outside the Oakland Raiders tunnel during pre game introductions at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Fact of the Lecture at Hand..
Which brings us to the current state of our Oakland Raiders. This is the crossroads for some that can’t continue to handle the truth. The Green Bay Packers emulate an organization with mystic and tradition that fans love and players appreciate. The Oakland Raiders should be but they aren’t. Randall Cobb understood this when comparing and contrasting his decision. I’m not saying we’re not close, but he went with the odds, and you can’t blame him.
The players we’ve put on the field over the last 12 years haven’t understood the mystic we once possessed and it’s costing us consideration. This is what Reggie is trying to fix. This is why he has to make sure the players he chooses instead of begs for are committed to the excellence we desire.
Past players haven’t understood the passion of our fan base, The Only Nation. They can’t begin to understand the patience needed after watching another season-turned-mockery. Especially when other team’s bandwagon fans ram it down our throat. They don’t get it..
My point is, we can’t showcase anger and hatred towards our organization when they’re not willing to pour millions of dollars into a free agent that may burn us again. Remember how highly regarded Jamarcus Russell was? He was a “can’t-miss” prospect right? How many great players have come to Oakland and looked average?
DeAngelo Hall was on NFL Network the other day talking about his great career. It wasn’t so great in silver and black. Do we want more of those guys?
How did the Eagles fare a few years ago when they rallied some troops to Philly? The Eagle landed then never took off. Next thing you knew, Reid was in KC.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t go after Suh. I’m not saying that overpaying is a bad idea. But if we do, we have to understand that it has to be for the right guy. It has to be a player that wants to be a leader first and foremost – but they also have to be a guy that understands the mystic of our franchise. One that understands the commitment to excellence and the Raider way..