OAKLAND — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was in Oakland on Thursday to participate in a roundtable discussion with three local football legends — John Madden, Howie Long and Ronnie Lott — and one notable old foe in former Broncos quarterback and current club executive vice president John Elway.
About 150 fortunate fans were able to ask questions of the panel, arranged to honor the 50th anniversary of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. All four of the men joining Goodell on the floor of Oracle Arena are in the Hall.
After the fan forum, Goodell spent a little time with local media. The main topic of conversation, not surprisingly, was the Raiders' quest for a new stadium. O.co Coliseum is one of the most decrepit facilities in the NFL. The Raiders have examined a couple of potential sites for a new stadium in the East Bay.
Asked about the facility the 49ers are building in Santa Clara, Goodell again expressed his eagerness to see NFL teams share stadiums, but said it is ultimately up to those teams to work out the deals. The commissioner also held out hope for a new stadium in Oakland, noting that conditions have improved since his last visit to a Raiders game in October of 2010.
"I think the first thing is we now have a new collective bargaining agreement since we spoke, and I think that collective bargaining agreement in and of itself will be helpful because it does a great job of making sure the economics are balanced among all 32 teams, and of course the players," Goodell said. "And we also have got a new stadium funding mechanism in there that the league can provide up to $200 million of financing to a new stadium project."
Goodell later added that the NFL's having awarded construction money to the 49ers would not preclude a similar gift to the Raiders.
"Yes, we would do that," he said. "That's not something that's prohibited in the policy. We wouldn't look at that as double dipping. We'd look at that as getting stages built in the community, and we want to continue to do that."
Of course, there is no guarantee the Raiders' future will be in the Bay Area. They are among the teams rumored to be on the short list for a move to Los Angeles, should their former home — they played in L.A. from 1982 through 1994 — get a new stadium.
Where does the league stand on that project?
"Basically where we've been," Goodell said. "Unfortunately, we're still looking to make sure we have a stadium solution. It all comes down to a stadium solution. And if we can find the right kind of stadium solution, we'll work on a team at that point."
NO PRYOR ENGAGEMENT
Terrelle Pryor was active for the second straight game, but did not make it onto the field. The athletic second-year quarterback still has not played for the Raiders, despite fans eagerness to see him.
"We've had a package in for Terrelle in both games," coach Dennis Allen said. "But ... we had 47 plays in the game tonight, so the situation didn't play out. Terrelle, I believe, will continue to be on our active game-day roster, and we'll continue to carry a package of plays for him."
HALFTIME OF FAME
Keeping to the theme of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 50th anniversary, the Raiders welcomed most of their enshrinees for Thursday's game.
At halftime, the team announced each of the visiting legends. Wearing their yellow Hall of Fame jackets, each took the field to stand next to his bronze bust. The roll call included Madden, Long, Lott, Jim Otto, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, Art Shell, Ted Hendricks, Mike Haynes, Dave Casper, James Lofton, and Rod Woodson.
Three widows were there to represent their husbands: Carole Davis, wife of late Raiders owner Al Davis; Betty Blanda, wife of George Blanda; and Terri Upshaw, wife of Gene Upshaw. Unable to attend were Marcus Allen, Jerry Rice, Bob Brown and Eric Dickerson.
BRIEFLY
A fan fell from the third deck at O.co Coliseum during the game and survived, though he was listed in serious condition afterward. His name was not released.
CB Michael Huff left the game with a wrist injury and did not return.
First-year WR Rod Streater had his first 100-yard game, with an even 100 on four receptions.
The Raiders mounted a 10-play, 90-yard scoring drive in the second quarter that lasted 6:33, their longest possession this season.
Mike Mitchell recorded the first sack by Oakland defensive back this season.
The Broncos' eight-game winning streak is their longest within a season since 1998.
Denver LB Von Miller forced his sixth fumble of 2012, tying the franchise single-season record.
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