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Moss
joins Raiders, delights Davis and fans
Jesse
Munoz
Al Davis has done it again. His legendary
"commitment to excellence" and
famous "just win baby" attitude
have combined for another touchdown for
the Oakland Raiders.
I'm
sure you've heard by now. It is finally
official, Randy Moss is the newest member
of the Raider Nation.
After
he is introduced to the legions of Raiders
fans across the world and has a chance to
fully immerse himself in the pride and tradition
that is the very essence of the Raiders
organization, I have no doubts that Moss
will fit right in.
I
make that assumption with the utmost confidence,
not just because I am a Raiders fan, but
because Moss fits the mold of what Davis
wants a Raider to be.
A
true Raider is the type of player who doesn't
mind going against authority, isn't afraid
to speak his mind and won't care if he is
hated as long as they are winning.
This
is the part of the Raiders tradition that
players have been building for over 40 years,
and Moss is only going to embellish it.
Forget
all the nonsense that surrounded Moss this
past season. Forget about him pretending
to moon the fans in Green Bay. Forget the
fact that he got a head start to the locker
room during a losing effort to the Redskins.
Don't even mention 2002's incident with
the parking enforcement officer. And let's
not get started with the numerous NFL fines
he has incurred since coming to the league
in 1998.
I
tell you to forget these things because
Davis certainly has. What he remembers about
Moss is his 90 touchdowns over the last
seven seasons.
As
much as you may hate him or the Raiders,
Davis doesn't really care. In fact, just
like his famed motto suggests, all Davis
cares about is winning.
By
adding the man who is arguably the game's
best receiver and most dangerous deep threat,
the Raiders now have a significantly improved
chance of doing just that—going deep.
For
Davis, all that other stuff isn't a concern.
He doesn't pay attention when scouts say
players are past their prime or when general
managers complain about the struggles of
dealing with problematic superstars.
To
Davis none of it matters, just as long as
you are ready to lace 'em up on Sunday,
don the silver and black with pride and
are dedicated to winning.
Look
at Davis' track record. There have been
perceived problematic or over the hill players
on the Raiders' roster for several decades
now.
Most
recently, the Raiders gave extended life
to the careers of Jerry Rice, Rich Gannon,
Rod Woodson and Eric Allen, just to name
a few.
They
have also warmly embraced players with unwanted
baggage like Bill Romanowski, Barrett Robbins
and Sebastian Janikowski.
Just
last year Davis brought in the outspoken
and ever controversial Warren Sapp. Equally
known around the league as a perennial Pro
Bowler and someone who speaks his mind,
scouts thought he might have lost a step.
But that did not deter the aggressive Raiders
owner.
Davis
simply called Sapp's agent and refused to
hang up until the former Buccaneer was a
Raider.
As
if a locker room filled with Moss, Sapp
and the equally outspoken Charles Woodson
is not going to be enough fun, there is
consistent talk about star running back
Ricky Williams.
If
or when Williams decides to stop his career
from literally going up in smoke, he too
would likely seek refuge within the Raider
Nation.
In
fact, almost every time there is a problematic
or controversial player talked about around
the league, the first thing that comes to
mind is "he could end up a Raider."
That
is the image that has been built, and that
is the image that both players and fans
flock to and thrive upon.
I
wouldn't be surprised if Oakland spent that
late seventh-round draft pick, obtained
via the midseason trade of Rice, to draft
the troubled Ohio State Buckeye star Maurice
Clarett.
But
no matter who ends up carrying the ball
for the Raiders this season, fans know who
is going to be catching it. Moss is now
the undisputed star of the team.
No
longer will he have to compete with former
teammate and high-profile quarterback Dante
Culpepper for the headlines.
He
will now have a low-key quarterback in Kerry
Collins, who is known for his ability to
throw the long ball, and he will also line
up alongside another good young receiver—the
newly resigned Jerry Porter. In other words,
the future looks bright for Oakland.
What
will the crowd do the first time Moss dives
into the Black Hole after scoring a touchdown?
How many silver and black Moss jerseys do
you think the Raiders are going to sell
next season? Will he be the spark that will
finally lift the Raiders out of their two-season
Super Bowl hangover?
Only
time will tell. But for now, Randy Moss
has an opportunity to go down as one of
the best receivers of all time, establish
himself among the Raider greats, prove his
critics wrong, show the world that Davis
was right, and restore the franchise back
to greatness.
I
for one cannot wait until he does.
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