Antonio Brown

I am a life-long Oakland Raiders fan. They have been my favorite team since I was a child. I have watched them win and I have watched them lose. Each year, I am hopeful that the additions to the team will lead us to the playoffs and beyond. For the last few years, my hopes and dreams have led to nothing but disappointment.

This year we got Antonio Brown (and Richie Incognito). I nevr wanted him on the tema. If he was so good, why did the Steelers let him go and therefore, why do we want to hire their cast aways? (I know why Richie Incognito was let go but I do not know why we want to hire him either.) Early on, it seemed that things could be good. But, true to recent Raider’s form, disappointments started to emerge. There was the helmet issue, the frost-bite on his foot, missing practice, and the fight(s) with his General Manager. He was a distraction that was unwanted. At what point does his behavior detract from his ability to help the team win? I am not sure why we waited until he asked for his release to let him go. Make a statement and let him go (let R. I. go too) when he starts to veer away from your expectations of behavior. Learn to hire those people who align with the phrase “Commitment to Excellence”. This phrase used to be the Raider’s core value. With this phrase, you might be able to start saying your other mantra “Just Win Baby.”

Every day is an Interview… stop being afraid to lose by hiring people with bad team character. Getting Antonio Brown was nothing short of a desperate act by a team that is afraid to lose. Instead, aspire to win. Define the right character, hold everyone to that level or higher, and commit to being excellent every day in everything that you do. Go Raiders.