With the N.W.A. biopic “Straight Outta Compton” owning the summer box office this month, it’s yet another reminder of how ’90s nostalgia is “the thing” right now. It takes us back to when silver and black were the colors to wear.
“I’m from L.A. so I grew up a hard core Raider fan, it’s that whole bad boy image, they have the best uniforms in the league,” said Tony Gonzalez, the all time leading receiver in Pro Bowl history and NFL on CBS Analyst.
“It’s just cool, and if they go back to L.A. which they might, it might be even cooler.”
Gonzalez had 13 Pro Bowl seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, a major AFC West rival of the Oakland Raiders, so when he praises the Raiders in such a tremendous way, it really says something.
Tony Gonzalez, Analyst on “The NFL Today,” had a lot of great things to say about the Raiders at NFL Media Day. Not just regarding the the colors or the logo or the brand, but also the team as well. He really believes they could be building a very solid foundation for the future in Oakland.
“This is Peyton’s last year probably, the Chiefs probably have about a two year window, San Diego is still rebuilding their roster,” said Gonzalez.
“I think the Raiders, if they keep building, there’s no reason to think in these next couple of years that they won’t be back in the playoffs, it’s all cyclical. I think they’ll be pretty good here soon.”
Gonzalez believes that Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack could be of the league’s best linebackers this season, and might even be the league’s best overall linebacker by the end of next year.
“People just have that connection, like the Cowboys, it’s something we’ve grown up with, and passed down to our kids, and the name itself, the Raiders, the emblem and all that,” he continued.
Oakland hasn’t won the division or made the playoffs since 2002, so it’s been a very long time. Last year was 3-13, following 2013’s 4-12, but the previous two years saw 8-8 campaigns; so they’re not that far off. Of course, improving upon a running game ranked dead last is priority number towards fixing this team.
Here’s the podcast to the entire conversation with Tony Gonzalez below
Another pundit, in addition to Gonzalez, who’s intrigued by what the Raiders might have to offer in NFL AM hostess Erin Coscarelli.
“I was impressed with what I saw in Derek Carr, when he was at his best, but I think there was just way too much on his shoulders. What I’m most interested in finding out with the Raiders is seeing if Latavious Murray is for real,” said Coscarelli.
“We did see moments with him that were really impressive.”
Listen to whole Coscarelli Raiders season preview podcast at this link.
The legendary Jim Nantz also brought up Murray, and he’s another NFL broadcaster who is very excited to see what the Raiders have in store this season.
“They have built a nice foundation, with Khalil Mack on one side, Carr on the other and Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray, there’s a lot to like right now with what they’re doing there. I think Jack Del Rio was a good hire too. I’m as excited about seeing what they look like as I am any other team in the NFL,” said Nantz.
You can hear the entire podcast with Nantz at this link.
NFL on CBS, NFL Network Media Day Preview Series
-Tony Gonzalez very optimistic on Raiders prospects, loves uniform and colors
–John Fox is the best thing the Chicago Bears have going for them
-Erin Coscarelli Oakland Raiders Season Preview
-Erin Coscarelli Chicago Bears Season Preview
-Tony Gonzalez sees Khalil Mack becoming the NFL’s best Linebacker
-London Fletcher on the art of NFL punditry (coming Friday)
-Bart Scott sizes up the NFC North race (coming Thursday)
-Curtis Conway analyzes Bears off-season
–Jim Nantz sees Raiders returning to relevance soon
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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