Raiders among NFL’s all-time worst
The 2009 Oakland Raiders should be ranked with some of the worst NFL teams ever. The 1980 Saints (1-15), the 1976 Buccaneers (0-14) and the ’08 Lions (0-16) came to mind when I was watching the Raiders get a thrashing from the Jets last week. It is so embarrassing to be a Raider fan right now. Oakland has been bad for seven years straight now, which is very uncharacteristic of a once very proud and successful franchise. So what needs to be done? Well, it’s easy to blame Al Davis. He “is” the Raiders. Hated by many in the NFL, and respected by some, Davis is the archetypal maverick of the league. I admire that “take what we want” style that drew me to the Raiders when I was a kid. But has this approach lost its effectiveness? I think so. In 2006, Oakland drafted a safety (Michael Huff) over quarterback Matt Leinart. In 2007, Davis picked JaMarcus Russell over offensive tackle Joe Thomas and running back Adrian Peterson. Both picks are very bad decisions.
» Full StoryPSU deserves flag for parking plan
Like more than a few Penn State fanatics, I pay what probably most sane people would consider way too much money — hundreds of dollars per game — for reserved parking in close proximity to Beaver Stadium on football Saturdays.
» Full StoryTreat Bowden with more dignity
This is in response to Cory Giger’s column about Florida State coach Bobby Bowden.
We live in Florida and have a son who is a senior at Florida State. We feel that Bobby Bowden needs defended from a very shallow reporter.
Sunday Sports Mailbag Oct. 11
Why are the Steelers losing and struggling?
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Quit linking Ferentz to other jobs
For the last seven years, ESPN and every other media outlet in the country has been trying to tell everyone that Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz should be the next head coach for the (insert the name of the crummiest NFL teams here) next fall.
» Full StorySteelers don't belong on pedestal
After the Steelers lost to the Bears last Sunday, many of my co-workers began saying, “Well, we still have six [Super Bowls].”
This seems to be the trend anytime someone is critical of the Steelers, or if the Steelers lose.
Sunday Sports MailBag Poll
Should teams with below .500 records be allowed to compete in the playoffs in high school football?


