Why are the Raiders the most penalized?

[DomCasual]

Since it is Raiders week, and we don't have much Raider discussion happening, I am interested in everyone's thoughts on this.

One of the most interesting phenomena in football pertains to the Raiders and penalties. How can the Raiders end up getting penalized more than any other team, almost every year? This goes back decades, so it can't be chalked up to a coach or coaches. The way I see it, it can only be one of two explanations:

1) There is a bias against the Raiders. I am not just suggesting a league bias. It would also have to be individual bias by officials. Perhaps an official goes into a game, and subconsciously thinks, "Okay, this is the Raiders. I need to watch closely, because they will try and get away with stuff."

2) It's institutional. The constant with the organization is Al Davis. Does Al Davis go after players that are of lesser character or discipline? Who are recent examples? I know you can go back ten to twenty years ago and find players that were considered "bad boys" of the NFL, but who recently? Bill Romanowski comes to mind, but that is just one example.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this? Any Raiders fans want to chime in? It just amazes me because coaches will come from other teams that weren't penalized much, and their Raiders teams will still lead the league in penalties. Along those lines, coaches will leave the Raiders, who were at the top of the league in penalties while they were there, and their new teams won't be abnormally penalized.

[ludo21]

I hate the RAiders!!!!!! And i hope they get a ton of penalties this week!!! wOOOOOOOO!!!!





but its a great point and if i was a Raider fan id be pissed. I feel their pain at times such as the end of the SKins and Giants game, but a season after season pain of that would suck!!

btw, any stats or link you can find to support this?

[Bronx33]

It couldn't be the fact that they are Undisciplined is it?

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

It couldn't be the fact that they are Undisciplined is it?
ROFL! I think it is the whole "Beware of the bad boys" thing. You disgrace your body by wearing Silver and Black and the yellow hanky comes with it.

[Breck Bronc]

I think there are teams in pro and college football that generally get the worst of the officiating and teams that generally get the best of the officiating. Notre Dame will never have to worry about getting consitent bad calls against them, for instance.

[Raider Bill]

I read something about sports teams that wear black being penalized more often.


http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_n11_v22/ai_6723172

[DomCasual]

It couldn't be the fact that they are Undisciplined is it?
Yeah, but why are they undisciplined? How can they be undisciplined under Jon Gruden? Then under Bill Callahan? Then under Norv Turner? Many coaches over the years, but seemingly the same lack of discipline? How does that happen?

[Raider Bill]

This part was interesting, the Penguins swaped colors midstream and the penalties went up.


One explanation could be that certain teams deliberately recruit especially aggressive players and dress them in black to intimidate other teams. But the drastic change in the Penguins from the first 44 games of the 1979-80 season, when they wore blue uniforms, to the last 35 games, when they wore black, belies this explanation. With the same players, same ownership and same coach, the Penguins averaged 12 minutes per game in penalties after the switch, compared to 8 minutes before, a 50 percent increase.

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

I think there are teams in pro and college football that generally get the worst of the officiating and teams that generally get the best of the officiating. Notre Dame will never have to worry about getting consitent bad calls against them, for instance.
Oh I agree whole heartedly. Oakland has built this image, because they have generally taken players of less than admirable character, that they are the "dirtiest" team in the league. Because of that, they get the worst end of the officiating pendulum. Notre Dame is the antithesis of this, because they are still viewed as being the good "Catholic Boys" from the Jesuit University. Lord knows under Lou Holtz they weren't the "cleanest" team in college football. Great Post Breck

[DomCasual]

I read something about sports teams that wear black being penalized more often.


http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_n11_v22/ai_6723172
That's a great article. Nice find.

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

This part was interesting, the Penguins swaped colors midstream and the penalties went up.

Kind of like an SI article a few years back, stating that teams who wore Orange as their primary color, have a harder time winning championships. They used the Astros, Canucks, and Broncos as examples. The article went on to say that after the teams changed from Orange to another color, they were much more successful. I can see how wearing black as your primary color could increase the perception of being ominous or threatening. It has been perceived as the color of evil over the generations.

[Bronx33]

Yeah, but why are they undisciplined? How can they be undisciplined under Jon Gruden? Then under Bill Callahan? Then under Norv Turner? Many coaches over the years, but seemingly the same lack of discipline? How does that happen?

Seems to me i have watched stupid penalties by the raiders year in and year out, with some coaches it was worse but i don't think it's refs being bias.It's my opinion al davis is the root of the problem wanting his raiders to be bad boys and he still pushes that philosophy today.

[Raider Bill]

I'm not sure if there is anything to it, I was just throwing it out there.

[Crushaholic]

Kind of like an SI article a few years back, stating that teams who wore Orange as their primary color, have a harder time winning championships. They used the Astros, Canucks, and Broncos as examples. The article went on to say that after the teams changed from Orange to another color, they were much more successful.

You have to throw the Buccaneers in there, as well. At one time, they had the ugliest uniforms AND a horrible team...

[Tombstone RJ]

You have to throw the Buccaneers in there, as well. At one time, they had the ugliest uniforms AND a horrible team...

Love those unis, but not as much as the Broncos old pilon orange Broncos unis...:Broncos:

[Tombstone RJ]

Kind of like an SI article a few years back, stating that teams who wore Orange as their primary color, have a harder time winning championships. They used the Astros, Canucks, and Broncos as examples. The article went on to say that after the teams changed from Orange to another color, they were much more successful. I can see how wearing black as your primary color could increase the perception of being ominous or threatening. It has been perceived as the color of evil over the generations.

And that sir, is the precise reason the Broncos should wear their orange jerseys in the playoffs. Lets abolish this false belief in Orange being UNLUCKY!:pray:

[Ugly Duck]

Oakland also gets penalized way more in away games than at home. Its generally the same for other teams, but exaggerated in Oakland's case. Another interesting item is the number of bizarre calls that go against Oakland at turning points of the game. No matter who the coach is, no matter the mix of players, no matter what decade, we get plenty of press after the game on the weird calls. Happens to all teams, but just happens more often to us. Whatever the reason, thats just the way it is, and most of the fanz scream and yell but essentially take it in stride. We expect it, and it makes for exciting times every season. It don't do no good to blame the refs, we should be able to win anyway.

[DomCasual]

Oakland also gets penalized way more in away games than at home. Its generally the same for other teams, but exaggerated in Oakland's case. Another interesting item is the number of bizarre calls that go against Oakland at turning points of the game. No matter who the coach is, no matter the mix of players, no matter what decade, we get plenty of press after the game on the weird calls. Happens to all teams, but just happens more often to us. Whatever the reason, thats just the way it is, and most of the fanz scream and yell but essentially take it in stride. We expect it, and it makes for exciting times every season. It don't do no good to blame the refs, we should be able to win anyway.
Dude, did you know that fans is spelled with an s?

Just saying.

[Atlas]

Dude, did you know that fans is spelled with an s?

Just saying.

He was being cool.

The Faiders used to get penalties because they thought they were nasty and mean, this was going on in the late 80's when they weren't even good. Now they do it because they are STUPID!!!!!!!!

http://www2.theraiderssuck.com:8085/funny_uploads/flagz.JPG

[sirhcyennek81]

going to go out on a limb here...they are the most penalized team...because they commit the most penalties...

[DomCasual]

going to go out on a limb here...they are the most penalized team...because they commit the most penalties...
You didn't read the original post, did you?

[Garcia Bronco]

Since it is Raiders week, and we don't have much Raider discussion happening, I am interested in everyone's thoughts on this.

One of the most interesting phenomena in football pertains to the Raiders and penalties. How can the Raiders end up getting penalized more than any other team, almost every year? This goes back decades, so it can't be chalked up to a coach or coaches. The way I see it, it can only be one of two explanations:

1) There is a bias against the Raiders. I am not just suggesting a league bias. It would also have to be individual bias by officials. Perhaps an official goes into a game, and subconsciously thinks, "Okay, this is the Raiders. I need to watch closely, because they will try and get away with stuff."

2) It's institutional. The constant with the organization is Al Davis. Does Al Davis go after players that are of lesser character or discipline? Who are recent examples? I know you can go back ten to twenty years ago and find players that were considered "bad boys" of the NFL, but who recently? Bill Romanowski comes to mind, but that is just one example.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this? Any Raiders fans want to chime in? It just amazes me because coaches will come from other teams that weren't penalized much, and their Raiders teams will still lead the league in penalties. Along those lines, coaches will leave the Raiders, who were at the top of the league in penalties while they were there, and their new teams won't be abnormally penalized.


Because they wear black uniforms. Archival data shows that teams that wear black are more likely to get penalties and are view as more intimadating. We studied this in research methods in college.

[Garcia Bronco]

I read something about sports teams that wear black being penalized more often.


http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_n11_v22/ai_6723172


and there you go.

[NaptownChief]

"It's institutional. The constant with the organization is Al Davis. Does Al Davis go after players that are of lesser character or discipline?"


Without question...Everyone knows he has long been the guy to give 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances to guys with talent but have lacked the discipline to put it all together previously...That same lack of discipline is exactly why they can't bring discipline and control to the field.

[Smiling Assassin27]

It's because they're bad people...

[Old Dude]

It's because they are dirty stinking cheaters and always have been and always will be.

[Rock Chalk]

Why are the Raiders the most penalized?
Lack of discipline.