From The Tooz to Lyle Alzado to Otis Sistrunk, these were guys who did more heavy lifting in barrooms than on the practice field, yet showed up, week after week, ready to play or, at the very least, wreak havoc on some over-matched opponent.

It wasn't always pretty, thus the Raider motto: "Just win, baby." But, it was hard-nosed football at its competitive best.

Hung over or not, Kenny Stabler could still run an offense. So could Jim Plunkett. And, you simply did not tempt the defensive backs who liked nothing more than to take your head off. Just ask Lynn Swann.

Those were great days when the Oakland-Denver rivalry was a nasty affair.

Not last night, however. Now when the Raiders get a penalty it's not for knocking the quarterback into yesterday, it's for jumping offsides. Instead of pass interference, that resulted in a receiver coming up from the ground, spitting out turf, it's for delay of game.

It's going to be a long, long season for this bunch of football misfits.

But, hey, there's always hope.

If they keep up at this pace, they'll get a shot at some good new talent in next year's draft.

Maybe they ought to see if Mike Tyson can play football.

How's that for fantasy football?