Fans See Raiders Getting on Track Against Houston

By Barbara Mason 11-04-07
Raiderdrive.com/Bay Area Sports Drive

They come from far and wide to watch their Oakland Raiders, even from out of state, as evidenced by the first group I ran into as I wandered the stadium.  Becky and Melissa came all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah, to enjoy today’s game under blue skies and unseasonably warm weather.  “We have to go to the bars to watch the games because they never show them on local TV,” said Becky.  “We get the Broncos, the Niners, and the big teams like the Colts and the Eagles,” she said.  In the mad scramble for these two to get out of town and travel to the game, they were unaware that Josh McCown was even playing today.  “I think the future does look brighter.  We need some young legs and something to pump up the team,” she added.  Melissa thought that the team might as well put JaMarcus Russell in and see what he can do.  “The way the season is going right now, we might as well put him in and give him a try, give him some experience and get him going,” she said.

Long time fans Gavin and his dad Rick came from Reno, Nevada, for today’s game.  “I wasn’t too happy with Culpepper throwing interceptions at the end of the game for two games in a row,” said Rick when asked about the change in quarterback position for the game today.  “We are going the right way,” he said.  “We’ll be better next year.”  He wouldn’t mind seeing quarterback JaMarcus Russell getting some time towards the end of the year, if the team is still struggling.

Fontana, California, is the home of Hyman and Connie, who came to the stadium early to enjoy the pregame warm-ups and the gorgeous sunny day.  Both of them are happy with the change at quarterback, although they are positive that Russell will be playing before the end of the season. But they are going to think positive, they both agreed.  “Every year is always a new year,” said Hyman.  “The offense still stretches a little bit, struggling.  For the Raiders, it’s always something new and changing and trying to get better,” he said.

Freddie and Xavier, from Sacramento, are looking forward to seeing Josh McCown back on the field.  “I think a change of pace is needed.  The offense has been struggling the past few weeks, so it’s time to put the original back in and see if he can spark something,” said Freddie.  He does feel that much of the issue with Culpepper started with the offensive front line.  “I think the front line was tested big time the last three times with better defenses than they played against the first four games.  Today, hopefully, we will be able to get back into a rhythm.  It’s not going to get any easier,” he said.  “Last year, I think the team would have given up by now.  I think it’s different this year.”  He attributes the scarcity of fans in the parking lot has more to do with the opponent than it does with the Raiders performance of late.  “I guarantee you if the opponent was Indianapolis or Chicago, the parking lot would have been packed.”

Southern California Kaz was on hand for the game with friends from Alameda and Carson.  The talk is still buzzing around JaMarcus Russell, whom Kaz would love to see play.  “I know that’s not going to happen,” he said with resignation.  He did say that the decision regarding starting Russell would have a lot to do with the win column.  “You’ve got to give him a little more bench time,” he said.  The change at quarterback did not surprise him, although he didn’t blame all of it on Culpepper.  “It’s been a bit of the O-line's fault.  It’s been the Achilles heel for the Raiders the past couple of years.  His prediction was 28-10 with the Raiders coming out on top.

Corona, California, is the hometown of another early group in the stadium for the game.  Jimmy, Jeff, Katie, and Jeremy were enjoying a cold one when I joined them for a little Raider talk.  “Hopefully, McCown will spark some offense. The front line has to start carrying its load.  It’s everybody as a whole,” said Jimmy, concerning Raider offense.  “Everybody has to do their part, and right now it’s not clicking,” he said as he mentioned Gallery and Sims in particular.  He looks forward to the day when JaMarcus Russell finally takes the field.  “They say he makes the football look like a baseball in his hand.”  Jimmy feels as if the Raiders are making strides to get back to the winning tradition that the team is used to.

Thanks to all the wonderful Raider fans who made this story possible and for their continued support of their Oakland Raiders.