The Raider Nation Speaks Out vs. Lions

"Ask the Fans"

 9/10/07 By Barbara Mason Raiderdrive.com/Bay Area Sports

Photos by Doug Farrell-Rdrive-BASD "Director Photographer".

(Click Photos to view as a larger image)

It’s a new season and a fresh new start for the Oakland Raiders. The first and most obvious change is seen along the sidelines. A new commander-in-chief now paces up and down the field, in the person of Coach Lane Kiffin. The next major change is at the position of quarterback. The Raider Nation, as always, had a lot to say about their team, the new season and of course how the team will fare this year. The Raider Nation is everywhere, throughout the United States and well beyond.

Raider die-hard DeMary Mitchell (Photo right) came all the way from Detroit for this opener. He has been an ardent fan since he was 7 years old. He had a definite opinion as to who should be starting at quarterback. “I like Duante Culpepper,” he said. When asked about the new head coach, Kiffin, the jury is still out for DeMary. “I don’t really know a lot about him. He is unproven.” Despite the great year that the Raider defense had last year, he still feels there is room for improvement. “They are hurting in linebackers. When you look at what happened in the Super Bowl that they went to, it was linebacking.” He feels that the offense is rebuilding and on their way. “It is young,” he said in reference to the offense. “Russell is the quarterback. Reality is this: the Raiders drafted him. Let your agent negotiate and get into camp and learn everything you can learn. The reality is that you are making a transition to the next, and college football is not professional football.”

Parked on his own little piece of real estate, Raider Nation icon, the Violator (Photo Left), had some opinions of his own. “I’ve been ready since the last game ended,” he said. He had no definite ideas as to who should be starting at quarterback. “We want the best guy starting. I won’t answer the controversy, but in a perfect world the best guy would be here starting. But we love them all. We are starting anew and looking forward.” While he is happy with the fact that the players at this point have a lot of respect for their new coach, he hopes that it will continue to play out as the season progresses. “I hope they [the players] don’t jump ship when it gets rough, because respect is the only thing we’ve got. Your word and respect.” He is stepping out on a limb and predicting that the team will go 9-7 this year.

 Carol (Photo left) made the trek from Dana Point in Orange County for the game. She likes the Raider defense and thinks that the offense will be greatly improved. As to the acquisition of the new head coach, Lane Kiffin, Carol is also in favor. “I like him, he is going to do real good. The players love him, so I think he is going to do well.” She feels that the Raiders have a chance to be at the top of the heap when the dust finally settles on the season.

 George and son Rudy (Photo right) were having a great time hanging out in the Black Hole, watching the team warm up prior to the game. “We’ll see what this season brings on. I hope it is better than last year. I think we picked up some good people offensively and defensively, so let it play.” It doesn’t matter who quarterbacks this year as long as he can play, according to George. “Whatever we’ve got now, we’ve got to work with it. Let’s not worry about the people who are not there and just let these guys play the game.” He feels that the team has a strong offense and defense, and can play with anyone in the NFL. “At the end of the season, we play the two teams that were in the Super Bowl, but I think we can handle it. I think that Coach Lane is going to open up the game. He plays more of the old Raider’s style. He comes from USC, a high-scoring team, so it’s going to be a lot better.” No predictions for George. He just wants to take it one game at a time.

Despite the loss against the Lions, the Raiders had one heck of a second half up until the final four minutes. As Coach Lane Kiffin had said after the game, winning today’s game will not ruin the season nor will losing. There is a long way to go and Oakland definitely showed what it could do; they just have to do it for four quarters.

Raiderdrive is once gain kicking off the 2007 season with "Ask the Fans" Raider Nation Speaks Out! Every home game we will interview the Raider Nation (The 12th Man) along with photos. If it were not for the 12th Man, there would be no NFL! Next home game look out for Raiderdrive-BASD. You could be next.

A special thanks to the Raider Nation, Barbara Mason and Doug Farrell for making this story possible