This season has been a huge disappointment, but quite entertaining to say the least. The Oakland Raiders again will have to look for tools to build our future. The team has shown several signs of improvement, but still have to spend the final weeks of the 2008 season to find an answer to what has occured time and time again. Our dysfunction and continued instability has made the Raiders the laughing stock of the NFL.

Where will the Raiders begin this offseason? That is a question we can start assessing in three weeks, as for now we still have a game on Sunday, and have to be in top form. My logic is that neither the fans nor players need their heads to be filled with what to do before next year. Sunday provides us with a chance to redeem our ego, against the team that stripped us of our dynasty.

In January of 2002, the officials robbed the Raiders, who had a team for the record books. Some still argue the fact, but even Tom Brady announced in the post game conference, that he too thought it was a fumble.

The results of the game were a tide that would change the ideals in the Raiders front office. We had a chance the next year to play in the Super Bowl, but had to play against the coach we had just traded after the "Tuck Rule." We were robbed of our dynasty, the fact is that we never would have fell this low, had the play been called correctly.

Sunday the Patriots will be in our house on a cold, wet, and dreary afternoon. As a member of the best fanbase in the NFL, I am calling for all Raider fans to make it a point that we will not allow the Patriots to continue on our legacy. Bring signs, make a lot of noise, Boo Randy Moss and Lamont Jordan anytime they touch the ball. Tell any Patriots fan you see that they are going to lose the division to the Dolphins. They're reign must be stopped, ans Sunday we have a chance to put them down. With a Dolphins win, and Partiots loss, the Patriots will almost certainly need a miracle to get in.

In our hopes the newly great looking Matt Cassell might not start, therefore the Patriots will be looking to Kevin O'Connell. That would be a great advantage because the Patsies are a paa first team. Leaving them with a run game, that has become weak. In the mix with the weather conditions, I see the Raiders having the better rushing attack.

Just for fun, we will be screaming F--- the Pats.

Let's go get'em Raiders.

So I was at the Colliseum Sunday, trying to enjoy the early workings of what was to become a great game, when my Sunday ended. I didn't see any points scored, let alone anything exciting before the moment stood before me. It made me miss a game I had been waiting on, to which I brought 12 people along with me to witness a change in the Raiders' ways.

It was during my hike down to the concession stand for the third time, to grab another Bud Light. At this point in time there was still 12:37 seconds in the first quarter, a moment I wish I could take back.

A Chiefs fan seemed to be a little out of control, as was I, and he shoved me as I was trying to make my way down the stairs. Instantly I flipped my switch and began rushing towards the maniac that tried to kill me, but then stopped, knowing that I would be kicked out of the stadium, and forced to miss this pivotal game.

No more than five minutes later, the E.M.T's that work at the stadium, were asking me questions about whether or not I was Diabetic. I was dumfounded as to what had just happened. The Medics were taking me into a room with no televisions, by wheelchair.

"Have you been drinking?" asked the young female who was part of the response team.

"Yeah a little bit," I responded briskly.

"Can you tell us what you were drinking," She asked in a collected calmness.

"Um.. I started the tailgate with about a half a bottle of hennessey, followed by a Coor's Light, then I had half a 32 oz Corona, and finished all of that with two tall Bud Lights," Immediately after I mentioned this she handed me a cold cup of water.

"I don't need anymore water, I need to see the game," I slurred, as I tossed the cup aside.

Within twenty minutes they had called security and asked them to take care of me, eventhough my brother and two friends were trying to assist me in getting back to my seats.

I was then Harrassed by an Officer, who told me to calm down and explain to him what was going on.

"I threw up on the ground, because I couldn't quite make it to the restroom," I explained as a dignified drunk.

"Well my understanding is that you are creating a scene everywhere you go," the Officer replied as if he had been told that by someone who is trustworthy.

"That sounds like hearsay to me sir," I stated, "I am trying to tell you I am fine, I just needed to get that gross taste out of my mouth, and everyone is treating me like I am dying."

"Well why don't you come with me," the Young Authority asked.

"The hell I will, I need to get back to the game, I am sorry for any misunderstanding but I am okay to go back to my seat."

That is when I was grabbed, and asked to leave. The game was still scoreless, and now I am furiated because, I was in a decent enough shape to watch the rest of the game.

"Do you want me to place you under arrest," Asked Officer Tippwell.

"No I would like to watch the game, just let me be," I snapped back, then I quickly turned to walk back to my seat.

Just then the Officer grabbed me by both arms and basically carried me out of the stadium, and forced me into the public atmosphere.

They told my Brother that they would let me go as long as he got me away from the stadium. So we were walking back to bart, but I had a few words for the cops that stripped me of my passion, and threw me out to make a point.

"F--- the Oakland P.D."
"You oinks are all the same"

I guess in public you don't really have freedom of speech. Because the Bart police arrested me for using obscene Language in Public, due to complaints. Since when has it been illegal to say F--- the Police?

I was thrown into the drunk tank at the BART station to sober up. They told my brother that they would let me out in about four hours. Keep in mind this is at two o'clock in the afternoon. They for some reason transferred me to the Downtown Station at about three. At this point I was starting to get furious. The Alameda County Sheriff's had my hands chained to my Stomach, as well as my feet cuffed together. This scenario makes it impossible to use the phone in the cell because it was out of reach.

They brought me to the padded cell, because I was a "danger to myself," supposedly. Sometime around four-thirty, the Alcohol began to wear off, to my displeasure this is about the time I noticed both my hand-cuffs, and the cuffs around my ankles were way too tight. I tried to ask one of the Deputies if they could loosen the cuffs, after five walked by, and refused to even acknowledge that I was pleading for some courtesy, I began screaming, "Will someone please fuckin help me out here."

My feet started turning cold, so I kept screaming for some help. I then realized that my hand was swollen, and it felt like I had a fractured bone somewhere in this hand. So I began aking if the Nurse on staff could come see my hand. But still, the "Authority" just walked by smiling.

"Please, I am in an extreme amount of pain, will somebody please loosen these cuffs," I yelled, which definately echoed through the whole floor.

Finally a Deputy approached and asked why I was screaming, and I told him my hand seems to be broken, and I need these cuffs to be loosened.

"Quit crying about your hand, I am not calling the Nurse," exclaimed the guard.

This is where It all came to me, the only reason I was being treated this way was for what I said, probably the only reason I got arrested. Around five-thirty, they came and uncuffed me. My ankles hat cuts, and both wrists were quite significantly swollen. After I was finger printed and booked, they tossed me into a cell with people in it. They all looked at me like I was a Murderer.

"Don't come over here lil' Russell, we know your type," cried a man, who would later be identified as Jeffery, "We saw you walkin the mile lookin like Hannibal Lectre."

"Hey dawg, whats wrong with yo fo' head?" asked a youngster.

I reached up to touch my head, and there was a knot in my forehead about the size of a golfball. I remembered when I got to the drunk cell at BART, while I was hogtied I was tossed to the cement, and with nothing to catch my fall... SLAP!

Once the clock hit Midnight, Jeffery and I were starting to get upset, "When are we going to be released?" We would ask. They kept telling us the same bullshit, "I don't know!" with a smirk on their face. He was in serious pain because he had just got done with a spinal surgery, and for me, I was battered and bruised. So we both kept asking for the Nurse.

"Man these faggots just walk by as you are talkin to them, they be actin like we retarded an shit," raved Jeffery from the doorway.

"I know," I said, "and it is really starting to piss me off."

Around four-thirty in the morning, the Deputy that fingerprinted me came by to bring us our balogne sandwhich for breakfast.

"By any chance can you let us know how much longer we are going to be in here," begged Jeff.

"Well have you been fingerprinted and booked yet?" asked the officer.

"Yeah hella hours ago man."

"Well than you two should be in the release tank, why are you still in here."

At this point I was about to start a Riot, but the fact was I was almost out. The Deputy brought us both to the release tank, where we would await our dismissal. When my name was finally called, I was filled with joy, but was unable to smile. I walked out of the station at 6:30 A.M. after being detained for fifteen hours, for a drunk in Public Citation.

All I know is either the laws have changed, or there are to many God Damn Raider Haters who happen to wear a uniform.

One last time, "Fu-k the Oakland P.D.!"

The last few years the San Diego Chargers have owned the team donned the Silver and Black. Tonight may be a pointless game to some, but to us Raider fans, we need a sign. We would love a dominating performance, but I think the team just has to show us that we will be able to compete in our division in the years ahead.

Our team has faltered, but we need to remain optimistic. My reasoning is simple; JaMarcus Russell is starting to look like the quarterback we chose with the first overall selection, and Darren McFadden is not far behind. The Raiders were unfortunate to be plagued with key offensive and defensive losses to injuries. The Offense lost Fargas, and McFadden for four weeks each. Does anybody remeber the people saying, "We have Fargas, why do we need McFadden?" Maybe because Fargas has always been injury prone, and this season was no different.

So in our battle with our foe from Mexico tonight, I hope we can catch a glimpse of what we saw in the Denver game, the future. Nevermind what happened Sunday in Oakland, we are still capable of playing a role in the playoff picture, just not ours.

Will the San Diego Bolts turn it around, or will the Raiders finally prevail against the team that as of late, seems to disrespect us. I for one caan not sit around and wait for the Chargers to be bad again, I would rather see the Raiders rise again to the top, and become the force in the west.

One of my thoughts about this team seem to stay on the conservative side, but thats what our young team cannot afford to be, conservative. The young offensive and defensive corps has to make a stand and say we can do this. There is no doubt in my mind that the Raiders are one of the most talented teams in the League, now they need to go get it.

As for the play calling, it has been dicey, but thats what we want to see as fans. Mr. Cable, please go after the Chargers tonight, by any means do not hold anything back. Air it out, let McFadden take a few snaps, run some trick plays, but most importantly let the youngsters on the field redeem the joy of playing football.

Rob Ryan, tonight we need constant pressure on Phillip Rivers, make him dance. Bring everything you got, because we would rather win tonights game, more than anyother game left on the schedule.

Let's go get'em!

This is where it all gets interesting. Week 13, the Oakland Raiders have a home matchup against their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. Up to this point, the season has looked dim, but this week is a must win for the Oakland Raiders.

My reasoning for this is that the Raiders are still mathematically in the hunt for the AFC West title. After the win against the Broncos, we have tied their division Record at 2-2. The Raiders need a lot of help from other teams, but our chances are better than glim. The Broncos will have to face the red-hot Jets, who do not show signs of slowing down. So if the Raiders can get a win at home this week, and hope Brett Favre can keep the train rolling, that leaves Oakland only two games behind.

The Chargers will play a big part in our quest for the glory, but that all plays into effect next week, and in week 17. So I will leave the skepticism to be followed up on a week by week basis.

The whole idea that Tom Cable instilled in this young team was brilliant. By Tom asking the players to do what they have to do in order to leave each game 1-0. The games that you have already played are just notes to use in preperation for next week. It has allowed our young team to erase the mental errors that they seem to keep as baggage, that could become a burden.

If by any chance the Raiders come out of week 13 victorious, it will make the rest of the regular season a real treat for the three teams in the West that are still in contention.

When the season was just getting started, the Raider Nation was in full force to deter the haters that always seem to find us, whether we are in a parking Lot, or at our homes. These "Haters," like to just try and get between our skin, always saying how the Broncos, or Chargers are always better than us. Right now, yes, but not by much.

The biggest Hater of them all is Mike Shannahan. Is he still that wounded over a decision Al Davis made back in the 1989 season? He has made it a personal rivalry, and wants to stick it to Al every chance he gets. In week one however, he already had the game in hand, late in the game, but was still airing it all over the field. Shanahan, along with the help from his young Quarterback, flat-out embarrassed the Raiders defense, which was supposed to be a strong point on the team.

This Sunday will be a test of will among the Young players. Hopefully we will see the same type of defense that shut down Jake Delhomme. We need the same approach this week against the Young and Savvy Jay Cutler. Rob Ryan must understand that the way Cutler beat us last time, was simply the fact that we gave him all day to watch the play develop. If the Raiders can bring constant pressure, this game will not be out of reach coming down the stretch.

On the Offensive side of the ball, we could use some help. Whether the help is from the wind, or the gods, we need offensive Touchdowns. JaMarcus Russell is expected to start, and Darren McFadden should be close to 100% by now. This game could come down to field position, so we need to at least get a few first downs. The Broncos' defense is worse than that of the Raiders, so we will need at least 17 points to even be contending in this one.

Whatever the outcome of the game ends up as, I want to at least see a team on the field that could have a final drive to win in Denver. What a boost that would be for our young players.

All the players have their hands on the light switch, but who is going to be the one to flip the switch to enlighten the team.

At the beginning of the 2008 Season, the Raiders, and there fans were filled with a glimpse of hope, that they would soon return to the glory days. At 2-8, nothing could be further from reality, right?

I understand they are not atop of the weak AFC West, as they could be. But for some reason, the way they have been losing should still give us fans the real meaning of hope. We have gained the ability to stay in ballgames. It is odd that we can compete with the good teams in the league, but sometimes, can't seem to edge them out at the end.

The game at home against Carolina, got the fans upset and they started to leave early. The thing I didn't understand was why. Aside from the fumble at the beginning of the game, we actually dominated that game. I am starting to believe that the Oakland Raiders are allergic to the end-zone. That is simply the only thing holding us back from being a 6-4 Wilcard team.

Whatever the case may be, we have seen a lot of bright spots this season. Our run defense, isn't dead last, our QB is actually getting better as we go along, and our WR's are starting to play.

I know its a reach, but if we can get three staright division wins, and get back to 5-7, we couls somehow be back in the hunt for the division. Regardless if we can turn this season around, I can definately see it changing in the near future. All we need is to learn ho to cross the finish line. Even that is too much to ask this young team, so for all of us who come to Oakland trenched in Silver and Black, at least croos the Goal-line.