April 15, 2008
Oakland Raiders' uniforms, classic perfection
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Don't mess with tradition.
Tradition! The Oakland Raider uniforms are an iconic tradition that remain essentially unchanged since the days of the NFL-AFL merger. They have the perfect elegance of simplicity. They are instantly recognizable. The Silver numbers on black jerseys or black numbers on silver jerseys combined with the silver pants has been the livery of Raiders going in to battle on violent Sundays since the heyday of Raider ascendancy. Yet, there are some who feel a "modernization" is in order. My take, you can't improve on perfection.
The Raider jersey, despite its simplicity, is among the most recognizable uniforms in sports. It is consistent in all the highlight reels, regardless of the generation of players.
Two time Super Bowl Champion Jim Plunkett continued the tradition.
Changing the Raider uniform would be akin to Nike dropping the swoosh, Coca-Cola losing their red and white look with the stripe, or McDonalds dropping the golden arches. Other teams can tinker with their uniforms, because they don't have that recognition, or that classic perfection. They are not the Raiders.
The NFL has a horrid track record when it comes to "updating" the look of their uniforms. The Bengals most recent look belongs with a craptastic division II college team. The Chargers' new look is like something out of a bad sci-fi movie. The Bronco's redesign from 97 got rid of their Cal-Trans orange jersey's, but they have a logo that looks like a stylized Godfather-esque horsehead. The Bucs went from hideous to an Ohio-State knockoff, and the list goes on.
Generations of Raider quarterbacks have donned the classic jersey.
Don't mess with the best. The Raiders uniform is how it always should be. Classic Silver and Black, with no stylized computer generated junk to clutter it up.
Discussion
30 Comments on "Oakland Raiders' uniforms, classic perfection"
#1
Posted by Raider Uniform, Classic Perfection - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Board - Where the Raider Nation, April 15, 2008 4:28 PM
[...] Uniform, Classic Perfection Thoughts from the Dark Side | MVN - an Oakland Raiders blog ª Blog Archive ª Oakland Raiders’ ... __________________ "While there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a [...]
#2
Posted by draven, April 15, 2008 4:47 PM
Couldnt agree more. Gotta always remember the KISS rule - Keep It Simple Stupid
#4
Posted by Corey O, April 15, 2008 5:21 PM
"Yet, there are some who feel a “modernization” is in order."
What-the-feezy?? Who? Who could conceive such an abomination?
I knew this freakin' world was headed down the crapper when a couple of idioso's sat around their apartment, free-basing and conjured-up the so-called hit "SAW." I was like.... You have got to be ##@@* kidding me!
And now..... The "Silver & Black" is not good enough? Obsolete? The mere notion is straight-up MUTINY!!
But I know better. There is no way the fans let this happen. Just like we didn't let the "Senors" happen.
But if it did; I'd be pissed-off to the utmost of pisstivity (made-up). Literally, there is no telling what I would do. Whatever it would be; it wouldn't be idle.
Yaaaiiidddaahhhs!!!!
#5
Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders’ uniforms, classic perfection | The RaiderCast, April 15, 2008 6:04 PM
[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]
#6
Posted by pat, April 15, 2008 6:11 PM
Hell no we dont change that uniform. The Raiders uniform is a classic!!!
#8
Posted by Raider Blues, April 15, 2008 7:55 PM
The take on this is wonderful. Been a Raider fan all my life and completely agree with nearly everything. However, the part about it being a battle as if it were war some how is completely misleading. In Afghanistan and have been for the last 2 years and sports isn't war.
Just Win Baby!
#9
Posted by Fresh, April 15, 2008 9:22 PM
The Raiders have absolutely, bar none, the most original, impressive and coolest uniform and logo in all of professional sports. By the time summer comes every year, I crave to see the silver and black take the field. Don't ever change it.
#11
Posted by Raider Blues, April 15, 2008 10:42 PM
No Question About It! Even when we've sucked and all we have to look forward to is the draft the last several years at least we could say we had cool uniforms! Remember when we were winning all those years we didn't even think about the draft. In fact we screwed up draft after draft but we'd still win and suddenly it's as is we have to do everything right and get an easy schedule to win. Well, Rome wasn't built in a day. Go J Russ! You have the pieces around you and hopefully we add the second generation Long to the mix. If we do go McFadden it had better be because Coach Kif uses him as a spread out threat and actually does net us much higher scoring. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get back at the cheaters from the NE one day? Oh and #18.
Just Win Baby!
#12
Posted by Hard Dawg, April 15, 2008 10:56 PM
Raider Blues... Relax. I've been a Marine for 23 years (as of last Wednesday) and I've been to Desert Storm/ Desert Shield (Iraq), Noble Anvil (Macedonia), Allied Force (Kosovo) OIF (Iraq), and OEF (Philippines). When fans talk about "war" in relation to football (or any other sport for that matter), it's a figure of speech and not to be taken literally. There is nothing wrong with referring to what the Raiders do on Sundays as "battle" because there are many different types of battle. One of the biggest problems in the U.S. today is that so many people get "offended" because they think they are special which has ultimately led political correctness being the norm and candor being the exception. There are many ways to serve this country; you and I simply chose to serve as a Marine, sailor, soldier, or airman. But then again, now that I think about it I've been a Raider fan since I was a kid (I'm 43 now) and remain a fan despite the Silver and Black's shameful record over the last 4 years... Maybe I am special...
#13
Posted by RayderDiego, April 16, 2008 12:48 AM
I FEEL YOU 100% HARD DAWG! AND WE ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I DID SOME EZ TIME FOR USN B4 STORM. LIFE IS A BATTLE....IN AFGANISTAN...AND ALL OVER..RAIDER BLUES.
WE LOVE YOU TOO. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
I BATTLE THESE BOLT HEADS IN SUNNY DIEGO ALL THE TIME!
THERE IS ONLY ONE UNIFORM. I CAN'T SEE A CHANGE
RAIDER4LIFE!
#14
Posted by H, April 16, 2008 4:37 AM
Imagine how Kenny Stabler would feel. Alabama is still using the same uniform design (also one of simplistic elegance).
Change for the sake of change is not necessarily a good thing. The Seahags change their uniforms and man are they ugly.
It's generally a marketing ploy to get fans to go out and buy the new merchandise. Something the Raiders do not have a problem with.
#15
Posted by Rebel2124, April 16, 2008 4:38 AM
Well guys, I'm a bit of an artist and I recently sat down and drew up a random player in a slightly adjusted uniform and I'm telling ya, you guys would like it. Don't knock it until you try it. I do agree however, the unis shouldn't be messed with too much, the changes were very slight. I thickened the stripe on the pants. I put a small Raider shield on the stripe near the hip. On the jersey, I moved the numbers from the sleeve onto the shoulder. I put the Raider shield on the sleeve and that's it. Can you picture it?
#16
Posted by Apachejock, April 16, 2008 4:45 AM
If it ain't broke don't fix it! I agree totally with your comments on the Raider uniform - but think the Broncos and Bucs did improve theirs - the broncos improved theirs twice because their original was truly a Sucky Mr. Ed original. Like you said others can tinker and seek improvement/change because they don't have the perfect combination as do the Raiders. The Silver and Black, nothing even SOUNDS as good!
Being a Vet myself, I agree with Hard dawg, but do think that some of the athletes play on the whole "Go to War" thing like they are real warriors when most of them would piss their pants in a real Firefight. That being said, deepest respect for Pat Tillman and the others like Rocky Blier who did actually experience combat. The NFL and other sports used to count a lot more combat vets in their ranks, but since the draft ended, not so much. That's what makes what Pat Tillman did all the more special. Every war has casualties as a result of the "Fog of War" (Fratricide), I just wish Pat had not gone out that way, because now it is very unlikely a Sports Star will ever again choose to serve unless they come through a Service Academy like Roger Staubach, Chad Henning, David Robinson, Napolean McCallum etc... OK, off the soap Box!
#17
Posted by H, April 16, 2008 4:54 AM
Hard Dawg and Raider Blues,
As an old Paratrooper (I'm at least a full generation removed from you guys), the analogy of battle fits. And, it's just that. An analogy, not an exact comparison.
Football is the closest thing you will find in sports to a military campaign. I even judge players based on whether I would want them in a foxhole with me. Moss - NO, Fargas - Yes. Even though foxholes haven't been utilized in battle to any real extent since Korea.
#18
Posted by Jehu, April 16, 2008 5:17 AM
Black pants with a silver stripe for the home unis, c'mon you gotta like it! Not all the time however, just a slight change from the norm to keep things interesting. I can picture it Rebel2124, I've never been one for changing our unis, but that doesn't sound so bad actually.
#19
Posted by Tony from the North, April 16, 2008 5:42 AM
It is a classic in every sense of the word....
When you think of tradition going hand-in-hand with Championships.....these are the professional teams that come to mind:
New York Yankees (Al's inspiration), Montreal Canadians, Detroit Red Wings,Boston Celtics, and the Oakland Raiders.
Very little has changed to the post-WWII uniforms or logos of these teams...it's also about pride.
Why do teams change? Well, merchandise is a big part of it....but don't you think it's about the lack of a solid tradition???
SILVER & BLACK 4EVER!!!!!!!
#20
Posted by Aaron, April 16, 2008 7:21 AM
The home uniforms are the best uniforms in all of sports, don't change a thing. However, I wouldn't mind seeing us switch the silver pants to black pants for our road uni's. I love the Road Jersey more than anything, I'm sporting the Jammy #2 Road jersey right now. But think of the white and silver jersey with black pants, that would be tight.
#21
Posted by CJ Legend 334, April 16, 2008 8:06 AM
Don't change the sweet silver and black attack.
There have been teams trying to mimic our black for years so why change (Ex:Lions black jersey, Atlanta Falcons, Panthers Silver helemts) No we can't change man, we are to cold in that black.
#22
Posted by LDizzle, April 16, 2008 10:04 AM
ALL of the greatest and most tradition rich teams keep their looks. Al Davis is a Yankee fan and that is why the uniforms will certainly not change at least while he is around. And I hope they never change.
#23
Posted by inonewordraider, April 16, 2008 10:37 AM
The Raiders tradition is one of toughness and the Raiders have and will continue to have the meanest looking uniform around. Others try to emmulate (Atlanta, Baltimore, Tampa Bay) but we have the great tradition which amongst other things includes rebellious players and a hard working blue collar fan base to back the look.
#24
Posted by v ville r8r, April 16, 2008 5:05 PM
keep the color scheme maybe add the shield to the pants ....no dont touch it. i coach pop warner and face the vallejo raiders yearly they have the patch an the pants and it looks like they got them at a costume shop, its crappy
#25
Posted by MartinTheMerciless, April 16, 2008 10:10 PM
A lot of teams went to dark jerseys because the silver on black is intimidating. I don't like the road jerseys though. They look white. I'd like a darker, greyish Jersey.
#26
Posted by Semaj, April 17, 2008 4:30 AM
Never change the unis, that would be crazy, however, I wouldn't mind seeing some variations. I'd be ok with a switch for a game at home and a game away. Black pants with a silver stripe at home sounds cool. Maybe even white pants on the road for a game. I wouldn't mind seeing a stripe down the side of the jersey something like what the Bengals have. But I say again, just for a game here or there.
#27
Posted by Rebel2124, April 17, 2008 5:39 AM
I'd like to pose a question on a different subject. The question is, how much control do you give the head coach?
This question always seems to be under fire in Oakland. If the owner picks all the assitant coaches and all the players can the head coach really be blamed if the team isn't successful? Is it just me or is this what has gone on in Oakland for a while? Al seems to buy all the ingridients for the pizza and when the pizza doesn't taste good he cooks the cook. I believe the head coach has to be given plenty power to make decisions with the staff and players. That way, when you fire a man for doing a poor job he isn't just the scapegoat for the poor decisions you've made. Please respond, thanks.
Defense wins championships
#28
Posted by mgral, April 17, 2008 8:58 AM
No need to mess with it if it not "BROKEN" if you know what i mean.
R.N.F.L..
#29
Posted by raiders 12to81, April 17, 2008 2:28 PM
never give in to the black pants fad. the saints would say we were copying their look (which looks terrible). I agreee with the comments about other teams copying the raiders' black - let's not appear to do the same. tradition is what the raiders are all about - now let's get back to the tradition of winning! AND stay in Oakland!!!!!!! who cares about a new stadium in LA!
#30
Posted by Rebel2124, April 18, 2008 4:39 AM
raiders 12to8, you are right! Stay in Oakland! We really could use a new stadium though. We're near the bottom as far as capacity and suites and you have to rake in the dough to stay competitive with the rest of the league. Our team deserves the best, its time for something state of the art.
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