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Scott Davis Hears Fans Questioning the Sincerity Of Oakland Raiders Owner Mark Davis

10/30/2015

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by Scott Davis - Raider Football

The NFL is done. Done that is with the public hearings, or proceedings, or town hall meetings, or whatever you might call them specific to the issue of a few NFL teams making moves to another city. Last night the public events came to a conclusion culminating in little to no palpable results for fans in Oakland California. Recently the final “public hearings” were also completed in San Diego and St. Louis. Fans of all teams were given the opportunity to plead their cases and publicly verbalize their loyalty, in front of league officials, hoping to somehow influence the powers that be to come to their senses so the teams can remain where they currently are. One such clan of league insider executives made a showing at the Paramount Theater in Oakland California to hear (not necessarily “listen to”) avid Raiders fans who made sure their voices were at least heard.


​ The Oakland proceedings were however quite different from the events in the other two cities in that Raider's owner Mark Davis was the only NFL owner to attend and face the fans. Turns out it was a good move in one sense. He actually positioned himself alongside the fans rather than in opposition to them. For his effort he got a emotionally charged ovation for the approximate 400 fans in attendance directly after he got on stage to welcome them. He also gave a brief spiel that included the following:

 “We need help from the community as well to get something that our fans and the NFL can be proud of. We don’t have that right now,” Davis said. He added: “We’ve been trying for at least the past six years, every day, hundreds of hours, people in this organization trying to get something done.”

​


Some saw the speech from Davis as another example of pandering, a false façade of words, and nothing more than cow towing to the fan base. Other critics are more specific and are convinced his words are really code for "give us the public money to build a stadium on taxpayer dollars instead of using my own money to complete the effort". In the end it may be a murky mix of both but who knows for sure. The bottom line is that St Louis and San Diego have gone to the extreme to give the teams the public money to stay put. Oakland on the other hand has given very little by way of promising any public money to keep the Raiders in Oakland.
Regardless of the business side of it the fans were praising Mark Davis for making the effort to be at the meetings and mingling among the fans. Davis answered fans questions and even hugged one in particular. He certainly connected with the “believers” even though many naysayers feel it was just another PR rouse to engender more self-serving support from the fans. So is Davis a warrior on behalf of the Raider Nation or is he merely masterful at playing the sympathetic figures in the ongoing saga? walking the line between politics and public sentiment is a no doubt a double edged sword. Unfortunately the public is more and more often left on the shorter sharper side of that sword.

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Scott Davis Senses The Possibility Of A New Player In The Oakland Raider Stadium Development Plans

10/16/2015

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by Scott Davis

Are the Raiders actively in talks with a new developer partner for there long time public plans to either rebuild a new stadium ground up in Oakland or in another geographic location such as Los Angeles? The last developer de jour, Floyd Kephart, is now apparently no longer in the mix and both sides of the once possible partnership have parted ways. The word is there is a new face in town quite possibly seeking some form of involvement in a future development partnership with the Raiders. This most recent developer entering into the ongoing saga is apparently taking some early public steps indicating interest in an Oakland Stadium project.
The builder is development firm SunCal based in Southern California. It is common knowledge they have likely been advising the Raider Organization in some capacity since early spring 2015. SunCal was present more recently at a meeting with Oakland City officials. This was confirmed by Scott McKibben, executive director of the joint Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority.
It is said the meeting was an open healthy exchange concerning the issues facing the massive undertaking of building a new Raider Stadium which has been a long standing matter. The topic at hand is what to do about the very wide $400 million funding gap required if any stadium development is to ever take place in the City of Oakland.
The details of the meeting are being kept under wraps at this juncture with no one from any side is willing to engage in a deeper discussion regarding the particulars. No juicy comments from the Raider team officials or the SunCal crew or McKibben who is being fairly tight lipped. Oakland’s Mayor Scaaf isn't saying much publicly either but sources are being quoted as saying the Mayor isn’t a big advocate of SunCal who have seemingly opposing views on what is the best use for the property surrounding the O. Coliseum. and again the city seems to be doubling down on the notion that Oakland will not be using taxpayer funds to cover any cost discrepancies  respective to a new development project.
It’s worth noting that the Raider record isn’t doing the negotiations any favors either. Winning makes for great leverage so that’s pretty much a moot point thus far.
One thing does seems clear, the SunCal people have long been interested in working with the Raiders. Especially now that the once exclusive negotiating agreement with Kephart is no mas. if actions are any indication SunCal certainly has shown a ramp up in interest.
Lots will have to happen in the next few months specific to the Raiders intentions so the best leverage may be time itself. It will soon be the moment of truth for all involved with certain deadlines tied to 2016 forcing a decision as to the teams intent to stay or move elsewhere.
The sense from many is that the City of Oakland wasted years of valuable time on loser projects all while its popular sports franchises are seriously pondering a mass exodus of the city. Egos, quest for control, short term vision and lack of qualification have a way of steering bureaucratic government entities away from success and the greater good. It's too bad
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Scott Davis poses question: Does Oakland Raider Head Coach Del Rio Know the Denver Broncos?

10/9/2015

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by Scott Davis Los Angeles Raiders 
This coming weekend finds the Oakland Raiders (2-2) meeting up with long time rivals, the undefeated Denver Broncos (4-0), at O.Co Coliseum Sunday afternoon. There are two tidbits worth mentioning right way. Oakland’s head coach Jack Del Rio is familiar with the Broncos as he was a part of that organization as a defensive coordinator before becoming the Oakland Raider top dog this season. The second is that Denver has beaten the Raiders in their last 8 match-ups. This makes for good football.
 
Denver has been a formidable opponent especially since Peyton Manning's came on board.
That being said this year could prove to be a different story. This is not the same Raider  organization that has fielded teams over the past couple years against Manning and crew. Del Rio is at the helm, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper are on the field and continuing to improve and providing the Oakland offense with some solid weapons. The Raider defense is talented and ready for a big breakout with Khalil Mack and Smith. They must be sure to bring the pressure to Manning who isn’t necessarily on his a-game especially with the new offense style that seems to be challenging him to say the least.

There are some notable points worth taking a look at on the Broncos Side…
 
The Broncos are ranked 2nd in the NFL on defense and a lot of that has to do with Aqib Talib. Yes the Raiders offense is vastly improved with the addition of Amari Cooper but Talib has shown he has what is takes to cause fits for talented wide receivers. His physical press coverage erased the likes of Calvin Johnson and Jeremy Maclin in the early part of this 2105 season. It will be a good match-up to see Talib bringing the pressure to Cooper and visa versa.  We may however see the talented veteran giving a bit of schooling to the top rated rookie.
Manning knows defenses well and can pick them apart where there is the slightest opening. to be sure the Raiders have make significant progress on the defensive side. But Owen Daniels and Virgil Green are likely be able to get open and that's when you can look for Manning to capitalize on the Raiders slower linebackers. Other teams have gone after the Raiders with the same successful approach all season so the question is can the Raiders make the adjustments and fill those holes on defense.
 
Derek Carr needs to be aware of the Broncos and their pass attach this week. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware are veterans with solid record against opposing teams. Add the likes of Shane Ray who pulled down his first sack in last week’s gams and add Derek Wolfe who is back from his suspension. The new combinations are an advantage for Denver giving defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' a myriad of options in his play calling.
 
On the Raider side Latavius Murray had a rough game against the Bears last week so he needs to shake it off and get back to form. He's a real threat to opposing defenses and assuming he can fins his a-game he can keep Denver honest and put a crimp in their blitz plans. He simply needs to keep both hands on the ball as the Broncos have seen film of Murray's two fumbles last week and will be looking to take advantage.
For Carr, he must know Miller and Ware will be coming at him off the edges so make sure to have Helu Jr. in position to take the hot throws when Carr is pressured.
The Raiders are a bit banged up in their defensive backfield and Manning has definitely seen the tape so… the pass rush for the Raiders needs to come strong early and often and set the tone. Otherwise Manning will be throwing a slew of long balls and may have a field day if he gets his rhythm going. Khalil Mack and crew must be present from the start. 

Scott Davis writes sveral blogs on sports, charity and business
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    Scott Davis is a retired Oakland Raider and writes several blogs and produces several social content sites

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