Are You Feeling Minty Fresh?

I am.

Here we are on the eve of our first contest heading into the 2012 season. I have faith in our team's leadership, but still don't know what to expect from the team itself. It certainly feels different. It certainly feels minty fresh.

Now it's up to the Michael Huffs of the world to pipe down and step up and jam a can full of Altoids down the eager throat of the Raider Nation.

It's also time for the denizens of Raider Take to turn the corner as well. Here's the new (ie: original) mantra for all of us here for the duration of the season:

• Football takes, please
• Check the personal stuff at the door
• It's okay to criticize the Raiders, always has been, always will be
• It's okay to prop the Raiders, always has been, always will be
• All opinions aren't equal; if you express an opinion that isn't grounded in logic or observable fact, you can expect to hear about it; don't take it personally, just step up your game
• Before commenting, ask yourself: would I say this to someone's face in public? If not, that's a red flag.

Too often, in the comments section, we are talking about each other, creating an endless and tiresome loop of meaningless "gotcha" games.

It's a new era. Embrace it and enjoy it. This should be fun. If you're not having fun here, that's okay. It's not for everyone. If you're miserable here, seek fun elsewhere. Life is too short.

Remember when you watched football as a kid? If you've lost that feeling, try to find it again. I'm speaking to myself as much as I'm speaking to you.

A lot of cool things start with the letter "F": fall, football, fun, family, friendship, fairness, faith, fidelity, forgiveness...If you want to drop F-bombs, try one of those. 

Are you feeling minty fresh?