It's Raiders vs. Gannon In What Amounts To An Unpopular Girl Catfight

It's one of those fights where even if you win, you're still a loser. But let's break down the hissy fit the Raiders are throwing over Rich Gannon.

Apparently Oakland has been feuding with their former QB for years. Who knew cared? So when they found out he was set to broadcast today's game, they went into full-on tantrum mode.

Rich Gannon is not welcome here," Raiders executive John Herrera said Friday when asked about the ban. "We told CBS we did not want him in our building, we did not want him to be part of our production meeting, and that's where it sits."

The Raiders also asked CBS to remove Gannon from Sunday's broadcast crew but the network declined. The team had previously asked CBS to remove Gannon from working their Nov. 30 game against the Chiefs last season to no avail.

Why all the hate? Apparently Gannon's been very critical of the organization since he went into broadcasting, calling the Raiders "dysfunctional." Apparently truth isn't a defense against slander in Alameda County.

Herrera quoted Gannon as saying in several interviews they should just "blow up the building and start over" in Oakland. Team officials took that as literally as they did figuratively, and told Gannon as much before last season's home game against the Chiefs.

"We think in a post 9/11 world, that's not a very proper thing to say," Herrera said. "It's uncalled for. He seems to be a guy who can't get over the fact that he played the worst Super Bowl game in the history of the game and he wants to blame everybody but himself.

"I guess it's our fault he threw five interceptions."

Burn! Despite that awesome line, and the hilarity of the SI cover above, CBS put their foot down and told the Raiders they're going to have to live with it. And with the inevitable 8-for-30 day from JaMarcus Russell, it'll be interesting to hear what Gannon has to say.

Gannon Not Welcome in Alameda [SF Chronicle]