There’s Nothing Like Monday Night Football!
The Raider Nation Speaks Out #2

By Barbara Mason
Raiderdrive.com/Bay Area Sports Drive

(Click photo thumbnails to views as larger images)

Monday night football in and of itself has a magic element. If it just so happens that your team’s season opener occurs on Monday night, you have a special time for fans and players.  This year, the Oakland Raiders start their 2009 season against the rival, powerhouse San Diego Chargers.  This will be the first time that fans will be seeing #92 Richard Seymour in an Oakland Raider uniform and the hopes are that he will spark the defense with not only his skill but also his experience.

Bay Area Sports once again had a great time talking with Raider fans who came out for Monday night’s game with renewed hope.  It’s been a long haul for these loyal fans and they would love to finally see a win over San Diego.

Arthur and Juan traveled over the hill from Pleasanton for the game having been Raider fans ever since they can remember.  Predictions were the name of the game; predictions that were realistic, although it was easy to see that hope ran rampant with all of these fans.  “I’m hoping for an 8-8.  That’s a positive note for the Raiders right now but I just want to see JaMarcus,” said Arthur.  “What I want to see today is for Seymour (Richard) to do well and to prove to the fans and his players that he is here to play with the Raiders,” he said.  He feels that a lot of players come here when they hit rock bottom and then leave and become MVP’s.  “It seems to be a trend with the Raiders,” said Arthur.

Lentz and friends were the next group that I spoke with.  They came all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada for a pre-game tailgate before the game.  “I’m hoping for a split, he said as far as Oakland’s season record. “I love JaMarcus Russell, I could never pull against him’ said Lentz.  As far as the acquisition of Richard Seymour, the consensus seems to be positive as far as his skill and experience, but some of the fans felt that he really does not want to be here in Oakland.  Lentz felt differently.  “I think he’s great.  I go to Hawaii every year with the players and he’s there every year.  If you’re in Hawaii, that means that you’re on the top of your game, he said.  “I would think that he could bring some positive influence from New England to the Raider players.  He could say, look, I’ve got three rings and this is what it takes.”

Head chef, Marcus from Fremont was here with friends getting ready for the game.  In his heart, he hopes for a 10-6 finish.  On a more realistic note, he felt that 4-12 was in the Raiders future.  He is really looking forward to seeing Richard Seymour play tonight.  “It will improve the defense for sure,” he said.  Marcus feels that Seymour wants to be here.  “He (Seymour) said that he has been a Raider fan since he was young so I believe he wants to be here,” said Marcus.

Jolene was happy to chat with Raiderdrive.com, here with her friends, all of them from Oakland.  She felt that the team would have a better year than the last one.  “Let’s go with sixty-forty, meaning about 60 percent,” she said.  That would make it about a 9-7, rather positive.  “We’re going to win tonight”, Jolene went on to say. “We’ve lost too many times to San Diego and tonight’s our night, she said.  She has mixed feelings about Richard Seymour coming to the Raiders.  “I’m sorry it took him so long to come, but I’m glad he’s here.”

Ernie and friends came to Oakland to escape the Fresno heat and to root on their team.  As far as any prediction record-wise, Ernie hopes for a playoff berth.  Now that’s about as positive as one can get.  Good for him!  He is hoping to see Seymour out on the field in the game.  “I hope they play him tonight, I heard that they are so we can see what he is worth.”  He felt that it sounded like Seymour

didn’t really want to be here in Oakland.  “He’ll get onboard,” said Ernie optimistically.  “Everyone wants to be on a winning team. 

So there you have it from the Raider Nation.  Tonight it all begins once again and hopes are high for a much improved season.  All the world will be watching because it is of course, Monday Night Football.