Post by TheShadow on Nov 27, 2003 20:15:54 GMT -5
www.raiders.com
Q: Being selected into the Hall of Fame, what do you feel are the characteristics and requirements of doing so?
Jim Otto: You have to have talent. There is also a lot of politics involved and a lot of promoting of the player that's eligible. Cities from each team would nominate certain players, while news writers would be involved in writing biographies for those nominated. The writer of these cities would communicate as to who they've selected and would compare nominations. The player that has more nominations would then be promoted for the Hall of Fame selection throughout the country. Due to being in the Hall of Fame, I have been asked several times to promote and put a good word in for some players nominated.
Q: You played in professional football for 15 years. How did you accomplish this?
Jim Otto: Throughout my career, I worked hard to continue to stay a level above everyone else. Everyday I walked on to the field I was the best center. That's the way I wanted to be. I continued to play at that level with those expectations.
Q: Who were some of your favorite teammates?
Jim Otto: In 1960 when the Raiders started, I had five buddies. They were Don Manoukian, Wayne Hawkins, Carmen Cabally, Tom Flores, and Bob Dougherty. It seemed as though we all had the same ideas. We all wanted to play football. We also enjoyed the same type of lifestyle. I keep in touch with all of them at least a couple times a year. I speak to some almost on a weekly basis.
Q: Are there any Raiders you feel should be in the Hall of Fame?
Jim Otto: I think Ray Guy and John Madden for sure should be in the Hall of Fame and Cliff Branch should be as well. We have three tremendous tight ends in Christianson, Casper, and Chester.
Q: Can you recall your favorite game during your career?
Jim Otto: The first game I played. We played against the Dallas Texans. It was a very exciting time for me to play professional football, finally. Also the first time we beat the San Diego Chargers when Mr. Davis was our head coach was a memorable game for us. We were always beat so badly playing against them, and finally we started winning against them. Winning the championship to go in to Super Bowl II beating the Houston Oilers. Naturally beating the Oilers was very exciting for us, because now we could go against the Green Bay Packers.
Q: Are there any particular plays that you remember?
Jim Otto: The plays I remember are the plays I made a mistake. I was told in high school that the last game during your senior year stays with you forever, which is true. And as a true athlete, mistakes haunt you forever.
Q: What teams did you like playing against the most?
Jim Otto: I liked to play against all the teams in the National Football League or the American Football League, because they were always a challenge. I think the tougher the challenge the better.
Q: Being a part of the Raider's great history, do you feel that football gets tougher to win with each season?
Jim Otto: It's not that difficult to win. It's more difficult to win consistently and stay on top. The Raiders throughout history have always felt that way. Everyone wants to beat us. So you can never take a single game lightly.
Q: What are the skills necessary to remain consistent at winning?
Jim Otto: You have to stay one level above everyone else. You must also give mental and physical fitness priority. If the entire team can feel the same way about these things, you can consistently remain a winner.
Q: What are your impressions of the Raider fans both past and present?
Jim Otto: We have always had great and loyal fans in Oakland. We still do today. So many of the old fans may not be able to make it to the games anymore, but they are still around and very passionate.
Q: Can you compare the game playing today with your era?
Jim Otto: It depends on how you look at it. Economically, players make far more than what players made during my NFL experience. The NFL offensive blocking is played differently; they use their hands instead of their head and shoulders. The rules of the game have changed. There is hard hitting, but the hitting is not nearly as hard as it used to be. But now there are more concussions due to not being used to the hard hitting.
Q: How has professional football changed throughout the years?
Jim Otto: I think the officials and NFL owners are playing to the type of game that people want to see. They have worked very diligently to make it a game for fans to enjoy with the various types of scoring, rules, and plays. These changes have helped to score more points.
Q: What is your definition of being a Raider?
Jim Otto: I've been a Raider all my life. It means a lot to me. When I hear anything derogatory towards the Raiders, I am definitely hurt. I have seen the Raiders develop into what they are today. I have been a part of this development, so I am very proud of it. If something is said about the Raiders, I'm ready to go to war.
Q: Can you describe your experience in the Raiders Super Bowl victories?
Jim Otto: I was the business manager in the 1976 Super Bowl with our victory over the Vikings. I felt very a part of it as our offensive line was dominant in the game. I had worked with those linemen and Coach Spencer for so many years. I was proud to see it all put together. I also played in the 1967 Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers.
Q: What are you doing now?
Jim Otto: I work here at the Raiders. My position is basically what I make it. If I can help out in any way, I'll do it. Occasionally I look at film, give my opinion on a player, occasional coaching. I've been asked to speak on behalf of Mr. Davis at times, so I disagreeistance varies.
Q: Being selected into the Hall of Fame, what do you feel are the characteristics and requirements of doing so?
Jim Otto: You have to have talent. There is also a lot of politics involved and a lot of promoting of the player that's eligible. Cities from each team would nominate certain players, while news writers would be involved in writing biographies for those nominated. The writer of these cities would communicate as to who they've selected and would compare nominations. The player that has more nominations would then be promoted for the Hall of Fame selection throughout the country. Due to being in the Hall of Fame, I have been asked several times to promote and put a good word in for some players nominated.
Q: You played in professional football for 15 years. How did you accomplish this?
Jim Otto: Throughout my career, I worked hard to continue to stay a level above everyone else. Everyday I walked on to the field I was the best center. That's the way I wanted to be. I continued to play at that level with those expectations.
Q: Who were some of your favorite teammates?
Jim Otto: In 1960 when the Raiders started, I had five buddies. They were Don Manoukian, Wayne Hawkins, Carmen Cabally, Tom Flores, and Bob Dougherty. It seemed as though we all had the same ideas. We all wanted to play football. We also enjoyed the same type of lifestyle. I keep in touch with all of them at least a couple times a year. I speak to some almost on a weekly basis.
Q: Are there any Raiders you feel should be in the Hall of Fame?
Jim Otto: I think Ray Guy and John Madden for sure should be in the Hall of Fame and Cliff Branch should be as well. We have three tremendous tight ends in Christianson, Casper, and Chester.
Q: Can you recall your favorite game during your career?
Jim Otto: The first game I played. We played against the Dallas Texans. It was a very exciting time for me to play professional football, finally. Also the first time we beat the San Diego Chargers when Mr. Davis was our head coach was a memorable game for us. We were always beat so badly playing against them, and finally we started winning against them. Winning the championship to go in to Super Bowl II beating the Houston Oilers. Naturally beating the Oilers was very exciting for us, because now we could go against the Green Bay Packers.
Q: Are there any particular plays that you remember?
Jim Otto: The plays I remember are the plays I made a mistake. I was told in high school that the last game during your senior year stays with you forever, which is true. And as a true athlete, mistakes haunt you forever.
Q: What teams did you like playing against the most?
Jim Otto: I liked to play against all the teams in the National Football League or the American Football League, because they were always a challenge. I think the tougher the challenge the better.
Q: Being a part of the Raider's great history, do you feel that football gets tougher to win with each season?
Jim Otto: It's not that difficult to win. It's more difficult to win consistently and stay on top. The Raiders throughout history have always felt that way. Everyone wants to beat us. So you can never take a single game lightly.
Q: What are the skills necessary to remain consistent at winning?
Jim Otto: You have to stay one level above everyone else. You must also give mental and physical fitness priority. If the entire team can feel the same way about these things, you can consistently remain a winner.
Q: What are your impressions of the Raider fans both past and present?
Jim Otto: We have always had great and loyal fans in Oakland. We still do today. So many of the old fans may not be able to make it to the games anymore, but they are still around and very passionate.
Q: Can you compare the game playing today with your era?
Jim Otto: It depends on how you look at it. Economically, players make far more than what players made during my NFL experience. The NFL offensive blocking is played differently; they use their hands instead of their head and shoulders. The rules of the game have changed. There is hard hitting, but the hitting is not nearly as hard as it used to be. But now there are more concussions due to not being used to the hard hitting.
Q: How has professional football changed throughout the years?
Jim Otto: I think the officials and NFL owners are playing to the type of game that people want to see. They have worked very diligently to make it a game for fans to enjoy with the various types of scoring, rules, and plays. These changes have helped to score more points.
Q: What is your definition of being a Raider?
Jim Otto: I've been a Raider all my life. It means a lot to me. When I hear anything derogatory towards the Raiders, I am definitely hurt. I have seen the Raiders develop into what they are today. I have been a part of this development, so I am very proud of it. If something is said about the Raiders, I'm ready to go to war.
Q: Can you describe your experience in the Raiders Super Bowl victories?
Jim Otto: I was the business manager in the 1976 Super Bowl with our victory over the Vikings. I felt very a part of it as our offensive line was dominant in the game. I had worked with those linemen and Coach Spencer for so many years. I was proud to see it all put together. I also played in the 1967 Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers.
Q: What are you doing now?
Jim Otto: I work here at the Raiders. My position is basically what I make it. If I can help out in any way, I'll do it. Occasionally I look at film, give my opinion on a player, occasional coaching. I've been asked to speak on behalf of Mr. Davis at times, so I disagreeistance varies.