To the Editors:

OK, who in the world is Mark Miller and what qualifies him to offer commentary and prediction on the NFL?

If he had spent two decades as a defensive lineman and ended up in the Hall of Fame like Howie Long of the Oakland Raiders passed for 19,000 yards like Kenny Stabler of the Oakland Raiders, and Hall of Fame, punted more than 44,000 yards like Ray Guy of the Oakland Raiders, or made 39 interceptions like Willie Brown and Lester Hayes each did, who are both Oakland Raiders and in the Hall of Fame...do you see a pattern emerging here...then maybe, just maybe, we could take the “Guru” self-description seriously.

Setting aside the accuracy of Mark’s very first prediction, that Kansas City would go 17-0 (oops, sorry Dick Vermeil!), his remarks on the Oakland Raiders are misinformed and deeply offensive to the Raider Nation.

First off, the reference to the team’s arthritis is ageist and I’m sure there is some College policy against ageism. (How else would faculty survive here?)

Second, the Raiders remain the winningest team in football even if winningest is not a real word.

Third, they kicked Minnesota’s butt last Sunday and I and the other 65,000 Oakland fans in the stands saw what “pride and poise” and “commitment to excellence” mean.

A third-string quarterback, a cadre of young receivers including O.J. Santiago (ain’t it great to be able to cheer for an O.J. again?) backup running backs and a battered defensive line shut down Culpepper and Moss.

So, a little respect, please. If you can’t say anything nice, it’s better not to say anything at all.

Chris Howell
Professor of Politics
Ohio Ambassador from
the Raider Nation