Somebody Save the Raiders from Themselves!

This morning when I was tearing several athletes, actors, and otherwise professionally employed people/corporations, I forgot a very important issue. The Oakland Raiders are at it again (and by “it” I mean horrible decisions”). Yesterday it was announced that Terrelle Pryor is switching from his jersey number of the past two seasons, #6, to the number he wore in college, #2. That’s just fine, except OH YEAH HE PLAYS FOR THE OAKLAND RAIDERS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BANNED THAT NUMBER FROM THEIR ROSTER YEARS AGO. Just to be clear, the guy who has done these things for Oakland:

is now taking on the number of the guy who did these things for Oakland:

Not good, my friends, not good at all.

This development is even more disappointing because it looked as if Oakland was about to start something special. A competent coach and front office combo, an able defense, and even a (hopefully) talented quarterback! Heck, Ray Guy was nominated for Hall of Fame induction this year! Ray Guy! The most overlooked player in the history of the world! It was all smooth sailing in the Black Hole. Until Pryor had to go and put on the #2 jersey. Last year when asked why he didn’t wear his college number, Pryor replied that “Coach (Hue Jackson) won’t let me. I don’t know why”. You don’t know why?! I’ve got a few reasons!

I really hope this unfortunate turn won’t have a negative effect on the Raiders this season, but they really dug deep to undo any good mojo they had halfway through the preseason. Now their only saving grace may be punter Chris Kluwe’s book Beautifully Unique Sparkle Ponies (a must-read) and the triumphant return-to-the-field by rookie corner D.J. Hayden, which you can read about here and witness tonight at 10 p.m. eastern when Oakland takes on Chicago under the hopeful eye of Raider Nation.