Another problem child joins the Raiders
Thank you, Al Davis. I was really having a tough time deciding
what to write about this week, until you came through in a big way
for me by signing Jeff George
– the washed up 38-year-old quarterback with the arm of John
Elway, the mobility of Drew Bledsoe and the mental capacity of
Terrell Owens.
Sounds like a great combination. I wonder how long it will be
before the fighting on the sidelines and the disruptions in the
locker room start?
Another problem child joins the Raiders
Thank you, Al Davis. I was really having a tough time deciding what to write about this week, until you came through in a big way for me by signing Jeff George – the washed up 38-year-old quarterback with the arm of John Elway, the mobility of Drew Bledsoe and the mental capacity of Terrell Owens.
Sounds like a great combination. I wonder how long it will be before the fighting on the sidelines and the disruptions in the locker room start?
Hardcore Raider fans will probably welcome the move that brought back a guy who had spent the last five seasons in retirement because no one would give him a chance. But the Raider organization is notorious for these types of deals. Why? Because Al will take a chance on anyone who can throw down range. You say bomb or Hail Mary pass and Al breaks out the checkbook.
I can see it now. All that has to happen is for George to hookup with his former teammate Randy Moss just one time on a deep touchdown pass and, presto, instant quarterback controversy.
Obviously, Al and company thought that having a veteran backup who knows the system would be a huge asset in the event that Aaron Brooks goes down. This wouldn’t be a bad thing if Brooks’ skills weren’t sketchy at best and George was the type of player who could sit on the sidelines quietly.
But give Al some credit. The last time old No. 3 was wearing a silver-and-black uniform he played pretty well. In 1997, the gunslinger, who was a first-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 1990, racked up 3,917 passing yards and had 29 touchdown tosses.
The only problem is that was 10 seasons ago. That’s a long, long, time ago in a galaxy far, far away in NFL years.
Yet despite the baggage and obvious concerns every other team in the league would have about Mr. George, head coach Art Shell said that he was impressed after watching him workout.
“He looks good. He did a very good job of throwing the ball. He still has that zip, he still has that quick release and he was very impressive. He has the talent and I’m looking forward to working with him. He still has a passion to play the game.”
All this tells me is that Shell will have no more say than any other previous Raiders’ coach. It’s clear that a 77-year-old man is still calling all of the shots. And after reading what George said about the opportunity to come back to Oakland on the team’s Web site his words sounded like Al was throwing his voice.
“I’m really excited to be back. I’m just very thankful that this organization believed in me and allowed me another opportunity, because I don’t know where I would be without them. I felt good out there. I felt like I really hadn’t missed a beat. Once you’re a part of this family, you remain a family and I have felt that even though I wasn’t here, I really felt like part of the Raider family. I knew from the get go, that if I was going to get back in the league there was only one team that I wanted to be a part of.”
Makes you wonder if the team slogan should change from a Commitment to Excellence to a Commitment to Yesteryear.
Hey Mike Nolan, if you’re reading this, why not give Steve Young a call, and while you’re at it, give Ronnie Lott a jingle too.
