Raiders want you to like Heyward-Bust

Jun 13, 2010, 4:00 PM UTC

I get some seriously strange press releases at times. For a long time, the oddest one was for a crap exhibit at a local zoo – get the scoop on poop!

Of course, the only thing that could top it is something from the Oakland Raiders. After the jump is text from a release sent out by the Raiders touting Darrius Heyward-Bey. The seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft managed to have a good game's worth of production spread across a whole season.

For $23 million guaranteed, the Raiders got themselves nine catches and 124 yards receiving. But that’s apparently enough to garner praise from Raiderland. Eat your heart out Louis Murphy.

Also fairly amazing about this press release is that the team lumps great receivers like Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff with the likes of Jerry Rice and Randy Moss, who did nothing positive for their legacy while player for the Raiders.

Oh Al Davis, I love you.

Raiders Owner Al Davis has always said that the Raiders have had the greatest players, greatest coaches, played in the greatest games and participated in the greatest plays in the history of professional football. The Raiders have been dominant in terms of winning. The greatest wide receivers in professional football have passed through the portals of the Oakland Raiders or have been coached by Davis.

Lance Alworth
Willie Gault
Art Powell
Andre Rison
Warren Wells
Bob Chandler
Fred Biletnikoff
Jerry Rice
Cliff Branch
Tim Brown
James Lofton
Randy Moss

Now Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Raiders’ top pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, is prepping to join that select group.

Heyward-Bey has enjoyed a workmanlike offseason where he has put in time and energy to prepare for his second NFL campaign, when many of those whose names mentioned blossomed in professional football competition.

"I’m just working on my game, using this opportunity to get better, to work with my quarterbacks and my teammates," Heyward-Bey said recently. "Just going out, just playing my game. That’s all I’m doing right now. And I’m using each practice to reach my goals."