Hello friends.
Hello Oakland Raiders fans.
It’s very difficult to interview CBS’ Jim Nantz and only use the print/online version of the discussion. You know and love his voice, so when you converse with him, not providing audio and/or video is to do a great disservice to your readers. This week we caught up with part of the NFL on CBS’ lead announce team, and we discussed a whole host of Raiders topics.
Nantz, who lives in the Bay Area, articulates what the Oakland Raiders tradition of excellence means to the NFL. He describes the passion of their fan base, who have stayed loyal despite some really rough times.
“They have just created a fan base that’s been very loyal to them over the years, to be a part of it is to make a little bit of a statement (that says) I’m with the Raiders,” said Nantz.
“They have stayed passionate through some very lean years, imagine once they get this thing corrected, which I believe they’re on the precipice of doing, what’s going to be like.”
That’s right, Nantz believes that Raider Nation will finally see the first green shoots of growth in 2015.
“They look like they’re ready to break through and become relevant again said Nantz. (GM) Reggie (McKenzie) has had a couple strong drafts in a row,” Nantz said.
“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.”
Here’s the Jim Nantz podcast below, Raiders talk begins around the 4:30 mark.
Hey, as Jim Nantz pointed out, I was indeed wearing silver and black to the event. I didn’t do it consciously out of any fandom; I just like the outfit and colors I picked out. Maybe 2015 is the year we see the Raiders start to turn around. They have a long ways to go, being dead last in the NFL last season in total offense, rushing offense and in points allowed on defense.
However, it’s happened for the Chicago Cubs this season; and you can’t help but draw parallels. Especially given that the NFL is a league much more prone to quick turnarounds than Major League Baseball.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/636241472736632832
NFL on CBS, NFL Network Media Day Preview Series
-Tony Gonzalez very optimistic on Raiders prospects, uniform (coming Sunday)
–John Fox is the best thing the Chicago Bears have going for them
-Deion Sanders on participation trophies (coming Monday)
-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 Tuesday)
-Curtis Conway analyzes Bears off-season
-The annual Jay Cutler consensus thought piece
–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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