Antonio Brown to the Raiders: A Match Meant to Be

The American Football League was made for Al Davis, because it gave him a shot at sticking it to the NFL.

And when the two leagues merged, he took the opportunity to stick it to them even more.

At the height of his powers, Davis was the anti-owner owner, and the Raiders thrived under his policy of recruiting what the button-downs considered renegades.

OG also gave his defense marching orders that could just possibly be the coolest quote in NFL history:

 

The Silver & Black sorta lost their way in his later years and under his kid's reign.

But maybe their turning a corner.

Their trading for Antonio Brown is in keeping with their glory days.

 

Brown got a volunteer spokesman in Kansas City Chiefs' OT Jeff Allen, who put his move down to the realities of the business side for an NFL player:

Actually, dude's just the latest disruptor.

David Irving did his bit, too, and his decision definitely wasn't for financial gain.

 

That's one way of putting it.

Urban legend has it that during the week of Super Bow XV in New Orleans, Dick Vermeil's disciplined Philadelphia Eagles got meal money while Tom Flores' collection of misfits and castoffs -- the first wild card team to make the big game -- got bail money.

And the Raiders struck a blow for free spirits everywhere by shellacking Philly, 27-10, in accordance with the Gospel of Al.

 

Irving's retirement, Brown's getting the trade he demanded, and a veritable plethora of concussion stats are the tip of the iceberg for what's coming in the next collective bargaining negotiation set for 2020.

The players are spoiling for a fight, and the owners know it.

So, while the Raiders may be returning to what worked for them in the past -- including sticking it to anyone standing in their way -- the clamor for change in the NFL's ways is only growing louder.