"100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know" Book Review
We interrupt our regularly scheduled moping to bring you
the following review of 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before
They Die (Triumph Books; $14.95), a new book by Paul Gutierrez with a foreword by Jim Plunkett.
Now, the literary canon of the Oakland Raiders contains no shortage of fast-fact books showcasing the lore of the Silver & Black. What makes this one different, however, is its currency. It’s unique because it’s not all about the storied glory days. Rather, it takes you nearly right up to the present day, steering the reader through the scorched earth of Shell II, Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable and Hue Jackson’s failed power grab. Heck, this book is so current that it even has chapters on Mark Davis, Terrelle Pryor and the Al Davis torch lighters.
Of course, many Raiders fans would like to forget the past 10 years, but they are now an indelible fact of our teams history, and since misery loves company, we might as well get used to it.
Sure, there is plenty of majesty and mystique detailed in this book (The Heidi Game! The Snake!), but those stories are increasingly showing their age. The freshest material is naturally the most morbid, but also entertaining in its own way. Remember when the players showed their support for Cable by chanting "Cable, Bumaye!” after he socked Randy Hanson? Remember when our offensive coordinator was hired away from his bed and breakfast operation in Idaho? Remember when…well, I won’t spoil it for you.
There’s also some fresh historical material as well. For example, did you know that Al Saunders was born in London, but grew up in Oakland and tried to sneak into a Raiders game at the old Frank Youell Field as a kid? There’s also good material on the characters who inhabit the Black Hole, as well as a recap of the Al Davis and Marcus Allen feud, not to mention a chapter on Ice Cube’s Straight Outta L.A. retrospective. Todd Marinovich, Ricky’s Sports Bar, The Ghost to The Post…It’s all in there.
In other words, while this book could be considered similar to other short-chapter, look-back titles such as Raiders Forever, The Good, Bad & The Ugly, and Stadium Stories: Oakland Raiders, it’s ultimately far more granular and sweeping in its scope, making it a unique entry into the Raiders canon.
The bottom line: 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is a rollicking tribute to the enduring mystique, recent follies and ultimate greatness of the Oakland Raiders, making it a perfect stocking stuffer for yourself and your fellow Raiders fans.
Check it out on Amazon.
Now, the literary canon of the Oakland Raiders contains no shortage of fast-fact books showcasing the lore of the Silver & Black. What makes this one different, however, is its currency. It’s unique because it’s not all about the storied glory days. Rather, it takes you nearly right up to the present day, steering the reader through the scorched earth of Shell II, Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable and Hue Jackson’s failed power grab. Heck, this book is so current that it even has chapters on Mark Davis, Terrelle Pryor and the Al Davis torch lighters.
Of course, many Raiders fans would like to forget the past 10 years, but they are now an indelible fact of our teams history, and since misery loves company, we might as well get used to it.
Sure, there is plenty of majesty and mystique detailed in this book (The Heidi Game! The Snake!), but those stories are increasingly showing their age. The freshest material is naturally the most morbid, but also entertaining in its own way. Remember when the players showed their support for Cable by chanting "Cable, Bumaye!” after he socked Randy Hanson? Remember when our offensive coordinator was hired away from his bed and breakfast operation in Idaho? Remember when…well, I won’t spoil it for you.
There’s also some fresh historical material as well. For example, did you know that Al Saunders was born in London, but grew up in Oakland and tried to sneak into a Raiders game at the old Frank Youell Field as a kid? There’s also good material on the characters who inhabit the Black Hole, as well as a recap of the Al Davis and Marcus Allen feud, not to mention a chapter on Ice Cube’s Straight Outta L.A. retrospective. Todd Marinovich, Ricky’s Sports Bar, The Ghost to The Post…It’s all in there.
In other words, while this book could be considered similar to other short-chapter, look-back titles such as Raiders Forever, The Good, Bad & The Ugly, and Stadium Stories: Oakland Raiders, it’s ultimately far more granular and sweeping in its scope, making it a unique entry into the Raiders canon.
The bottom line: 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is a rollicking tribute to the enduring mystique, recent follies and ultimate greatness of the Oakland Raiders, making it a perfect stocking stuffer for yourself and your fellow Raiders fans.
Check it out on Amazon.
posted by Raider Take at 8:14 AM
18 Comments:
That book should come with blank pages (chapter) at the end, because that's emblematic of the current situation.
Honestly, you could not make up the crazy stuff that's happened in Oakland over the past 13 years....
From PTF Power Rankings:
"32. Oakland Raiders (No. 32; 0-7): Somewhere, Dennis Allen, Hue Jackson, Tom Cable, Lane Kiffin, Art Shell, Norv Turner, and Bill Callahan are cackling."
Indeed. As they should be....
Who is more responsible for the continued woes of the Raiders? Jason Tarver? Or Greg Olson?
SCAR
The Raider Nation is hoping Carr is the solution at QB for the next 10 years...
SCAR
I will answer your question Raider Nate. Its Reggie who is most responsible for putting crap players on the field. Bill Walsh could not win with this team. When you turn over your d-line and db every year with old crappy vets you will not win.
Sandy
In minimal defense of what happened this year, some of the Raiders' under-performing FA vets might have looked half decent on paper. Not much solace in that since it's the GM's job to know who is and who isn't worth signing.
But give Dennis Allen some credit for having the sense (and the balls) to start Derek Carr over presumptive starter Matt Schaub. In his second year (2015) Carr should have an entire year as a starer under his belt... which could help speed up the rebuilding process.
Plus, there are a few young players besides Carr who could possibly become part of a foundation. Mack, Carrie, Sio Moore, Gabe Jackson, Rivera come to mind.
That said, IMO, McKenzie has made enough whiffs to deserve being replaced. I barely credit McKenzie with drafting Mack or Carr... both no brainers at their respective selections. It's players like DJ Hayden, Matt Flynn and Matt Schaub that have McKenzie's stamp.
NY I hear ya and its not that the list of mistakes is long which it is don't forget Woodle, Briesel, Watson, Allen etc etc.
Its the lack of progress, in putting in place a foundation. A news set of DBs every year etc.
You name 5 guys who will potentially still be starters on the Raiders in 3 years one of which, Rivera is a stretch. Mack seems like the only for sure pro bowler among them.
Sorry three years 4 or 5 building blocks and one potential star. That is not a recipe for the playoffs this decade or even a 500 record
Let's talk draft its more exciting that the Raiders. I would like to see them grab either Leonard Williams DT USC or Amari Cooper WR Bama.
Regards
Sandy
Sandy,
I disagree that Mack seem like the only for sure pro bowler. Derek Carr and Sio Moore also fit that bill.
I think Malcolm Brown (DT, Texas) is going to be better than Williams out of college.
Not sold on another young WR that won't be able to learn how to separate themselves from defenders because they are not around talented veteran WRs. We need a solid veteran #1 to teach Andre Holmes, Rod Streater, Brice Butler, and other young WRs on our roster. Another young WR out of college is just going to add to the epidemic of our talented WRs not being able to get separation.
Nate
Have you watched Cooper play? He is going to be a great pro, no one can cover him in the SEC which is the best conference in college ball and it aint close. Look at Sammy Watkins tearing it up. Cooper will do the same.
Besides if the Raiders are going to break the bank in FA they need to spend the $$$ on a CB or DE
As far as Malcom Brown he is okay but not a top ten pick by any stretch of the imagination, more likely late first round. Your Texas bias is showing.
I sure hope your right about Carr he seems competitive and consistently decent but its a big jump from there to Andrew Luck. Let's see what happens in time its only 7 games so its hard to project either way except to say he has played well enough to deserve a continued chance at being the long term starter.
Moore is a solid starter but not a star there are way to many players at LB even in the AFC west who make way more impact plays.
I know you are from Texas who is your college team is it the long horns?
Regards
Sandy
I am from Los Angeles area originally, I moved to Austin in 2001, not a Longhorns fan. My college team is USC. With that said what I like about Malcolm is his play on and off the field. The dude is even keel. Married, with a new born, his focus is on his responsibilities, where it needs to be. He is one of the most coachable and likeable guys you will meet.
There are few players I like out of UT, but Malcolm Brown is one of them, because he's a hard worker that continues to improve. He reminds me a lot of Darryl Russell when he came out of USC to the Raiders. Though I agree that we probably need to spend the $$ on CBs and D-Lineman in Free Agency, instead of the draft. I'm not sold on Reggie doing that though.
I think if Carr had WR weapons like Andrew Luck, he would be throwing up numbers like Andrew Luck. The difference? Luck has WRs who consistently catch the ball, Carr is lucky if his WRs catch the ball 50% of the time.
I've watched Cooper play, and I agree he's done some amazing work. My problem is that most college WRs are not going to make a significant impact their first year. I mean, Calvin Johnson had an above average Roy Williams his rookie year. Randy Moss had the above average Cris Carter his rookie year. Jerry Rice and Tim Brown were trying to help an unteachable Jerry Porter become a star WR but couldn't.
Now we have talented young WRs with potential, but they need a solid star veteran WR to help them get over the edge and become better, and I'm sorry, James Jones is not that guy. I would be okay with drafting Cooper, but we would still need a veteran star WR. A solid veteran WR will help show our WRs how to get separation from the DBs, which is something our receiving group has had a problem with for at least 7 years. No separation causes inconsistency in receptions.
Moore is solid, but again, he's young, and he's gone from Middle to now Weak-side, so he is learning a new position this season. But he is still flying all over the field making plays. He does have a tendency of over-pursuing, but that is a young player mistake. I think he will improve.
Just my thoughts. Who's your college team?
Nate
Thanks for your detailed response. I agree with your logic they need a veteran wr it is one of those positions in the nfl where you need veteran leadership and mentoring.
I also agree with your characterization of Moore that he seems to have the speed and athletic ability to play at a high level. Let's see if he develops the instincts.
I am originally from Michigan so I have some allegiance to the Spartans but I now live in Florida went to UM (miami) for college so I like the canes as well though they are painful to watch.
Mostly I just enjoy the excitement of college ball which I find more entertaining than pro these days. Living in the south I get all the SEC games and the quality of play is superb though I also enjoy the Big 12 and PAc 12.
I would like to see the Raiders trade down with someone who wants Mariotta and pick up a guy like Oakman from Baylor and then maybe a WR late in round 1
Have a great weekend
Sandy
We probably all agree WR has been the longest-standing most neglected position on the team. Have we even pursued a #1 WR since Brown Rice left/retired?
Apparently, we keep waiting for our 7th round picks and undrafted free agents to become #1s.
Maybe we're still waiting for Jerry Porter to develop.
NY I like the way your thinking maybe bringing back Jerry Porter and perhaps James Jett then there would be a little excitement
If they could win in Seattle and I know I am dreaming that would be worth winning only one game this year
Sandy
The Seahawks game is a lopsided longshot at best, but remember how we played them in preseason. Maybe there's hope.
If we can win today that would be tremendous. But will it mean we've witnessed improvement? ... on a team loaded with one-year contracts, aging vets, free agents and lame duck coaches?
Wiz is a FA in 2015. Will he be labeled a "top priority" then end up playing for another team next year?
Enjoy the game.
Go Raiders!
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