Raiders fans don't want Deion

[Reaganaut]

http://www.modbee.com/sports/story/5697813p-6671014c.html

His 2000 season with Redskins clearly showed declining skills

December 24, 2002 Posted: 05:45:15 AM PST

By MARCOS BRETON

THE SACRAMENTO BEE

Deion Sanders a Raider? Bad idea. Very bad idea.

An idea that's about desperation and hype at the expense of reality.

An idea that could mean the return of a 35-year-old has-been who was once great but now is only loud.

I know, I know. That's all it takes in this day and age.

In the sporting world, you're granted false credibility if you can put two sentences together.

And "Neon" Deion -- with his toothy grin and his shuckster's charm -- exudes a ****y attitude on CBS' pregame shows.

But can he still cover wide receivers stride for stride and knock long receptions from their hands? Can he still take away large parts of a field and force opposing quarterbacks to throw away from him? Nope.

You watch. If the Raiders swallow their non-denials and pluck Sanders from retirement for their playoff run, the old Sanders mouth will open -- but only to suck wind.

The old Sanders legs will move, but only to chase younger men in futility.

Don't just take my word for it.

When Sanders retired after a ballyhooed yet fruitless 2000 season with the Washington Redskins, here is what the Washington Post printed: "But he was not the Sanders of old. Opponents threw passes toward him instead of toward second-year cornerback Champ Bailey, and Sanders stopped returning punts midway through the season."

Got that? Sanders' thrilling skills had already eroded 24 months ago in the final year of a 12-season career highlighted by seven Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl rings. How in the name of sanity can he be expected to trade his expensive suits for a silver and black uniform after two years gone? He can't, but apparently he will.

Though the Raiders spent Monday evading questions after Sanders bragged that his lawyer was flirting with Oakland, we know this: An evaded question by the Raiders' brain trust often means it is going to do something.

And the Redskins released Sanders on Monday - practically clearing the way for his return to another team.

"If Oakland is interested in us (releasing Sanders), we have no problem with it," a Redskins spokesman told the Associated Press.

Sounds as if the Raiders are getting a new cornerback for the playoffs -- and in reality, their defensive secondary is badly weakened by injuries.

Talented cover men Charles Woodson and Tory James have leg fractures -- so bad in Woodson's case that a painkilling shot wore off after five minutes.

So Sanders would become an expensive bandage.

But have you ever tried putting a bandage on a leg fracture? Raiders players shrugged at the thought of it.

"If he wanted to help us win a Super Bowl, sign him up," said linebacker Bill Romanowski.

Which basically means -- whatever.

Honestly, the Raiders are better served going with Terrance Shaw and Clarence Love, who filled in admirably against a corps of talented Denver Broncos receivers Sunday.

And the Raiders have better ways to focus their energy and resources now, on the brink of a legitimate Super Bowl run.

Signing Sanders would seem desperate -- as if they are advertising that it's Super Bowl or bust because the team could be $50 million over the salary cap next year and will have to rebuild or restructure.

The Raiders are probably right about the salary cap, which spares no one and is a greater threat than any opponent to the current run of three straight AFC West titles.

But now is now. And the whole Raiders defense rallied around subs Love and Shaw, producing an inspired win.

Why disrupt that genuine chemistry for manufactured flash and past glory that will not repeat itself? Why pick style over substance? Why not just win (with what you got), baby?