RealClearSports: Al Davis: Great, Devious, Imperious

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

He believed in white suits -- double-knit -- and lawsuits. In late-night phone calls and early-morning training camp cutdowns. In loyalty and intimidation and, as he made clear, more than anything, Al Davis believed in winning.

Davis died Saturday at 82 in Oakland, Calif., a surprise, although he had been ailing. Al seemed if not immortal then indefatigable, a lone individual refusing to bend or buckle, clinging to his ways and even to life itself.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

RealClearSports: Ailing Al Davis Still Calling Shots

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND — You asked if Al Davis still was calling the shots for the Oakland Raiders? Now you know. Terrelle Pryor is your answer, even if he never becomes the answer to the team's future quarterback questions.

Who cares if Terrelle's a disappointment — the word 'bust' is reserved for JaMarcus Russell — when Pryor gets you to the top of the USA Today sports section as he did Tuesday.



Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

RealClearSports: Raiders Playing It by the (E-mail) Letters

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Jason Campbell is the quarterback the Washington Redskins traded to the Oakland Raiders so he wouldn't sit on the bench behind Donovan McNabb, who has been told to sit on the bench behind Rex Grossman, who was unwanted by the Chicago Bears even though he helped them get to a Super Bowl.

You still with us? Is McNabb still with the Skins? Campbell very much still is with the Raiders, who with two games left in the season still are in the chase for the playoffs.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: New year, new message for Raiders

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

NAPA — Slogans they got. You’re familiar with “Commitment to Excellence,” the words if not the results. Now the Raiders are presenting players T-shirts that in effect sneer at the derision the team unfortunately has earned in recent years.

“The Affirmation, Champions,” one motto begins, on the front and then switches to the back. “We are going to win the AFC West and then after the Super Bowl.” My, my.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Madden vouches for Davis' legacy

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Two things were evident on an evening of sweet nostalgia: That Al Davis wasn’t in the room, and that John Madden was.

“You can’t write the history of sports in the Bay Area without the name Al Davis,” Madden said. “Al Davis belongs here. He’s a Hall of Famer.”

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company