Nov 10, 2002 5 min read

DENVER (AP) – Denver’s Mike and Steve Beuerlein have a common bond beyond their coach-player relationship. They both have a deep-rooted dislike for the Oakland Raiders. Shanahan became a “Raider hater” when was unceremoniously fired by owner Al Davis four games into the 1989 season. He’s spent the past eight years as head coach of the Denver Broncos devising ways to make the Raiders pay.

The seeds of Beuerlein’s disdain started a few hours after his first NFL start in 1988, when the Raiders traded for quarterback Jay Schroeder. He spent the next two seasons looking over his shoulder and bounced around to five teams before landing in Denver.

“We’ve both got a lot of stories, and every once in a while, when we share a beer in the offseason at a golf tournament, we’ll trade stories and reminisce a little bit,” Beuerlein said. “There’s plenty of stories, but they stay between Mike and I.”

One of the nastiest rivalries in the league resumes Monday night when the rested Broncos take on the struggling Raiders.

Late hits, questionable sportsmanship and rough play have always been a part of the series. And the dislike extends beyond the players.

Shanahan doesn’t hide his hatred for the Raiders and still disputes $250,000 he says Davis owes him from being fired 13 years ago.

Two seasons ago on a Monday night, fans in Denver pelted the Raiders with snowballs as they left the field following a Broncos victory. Eight fans were arrested, and Oakland players Charles Woodson and Lincoln Kennedy retaliated with snowballs and fists.

“Denver was the toughest place to play,” said John Madden, the former Raiders coach who will be in the booth for the 500th “Monday Night Football” game. “It was the only place when the buses rolled up (and) the fans booed us getting off. And then we had to dress in the locker room in the south stands, and the fans were stomping and banging over our heads.

“It was tougher before the game than playing the game.”

One of the chief instigators in recent years has been linebacker Bill Romanowski, although he’s switched allegiances to the Dark Side.

Romanowski, the heart and soul of a Denver defense that won two Super Bowls, opted for free agency after learning his role would be diminished. Several teams were interested in the fiery Romanowski, but he chose to sign with the hated silver and black. He didn’t leave behind many friends.

“Romo is a guy that was pretty much to himself,” Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe said. “I think that’s the way he wanted it. He didn’t want to get close to anyone, he didn’t want anyone to get close to him.”

Romanowski didn’t make the transition any easier in the preseason, when he predicted the Raiders would win the AFC West and criticized Shanahan’s training methods.

Romanowski’s tone has been more subdued this week, but it probably has more to do with Oakland’s recent struggles than any lack of confidence.

“I don’t have any hard feelings toward Mike Shanahan and what he had to do,” Romanowski said. “He had to make a decision for what he thought was best for the team. He gave me the option to stay and I decided that it was time for me to move on.”

The Raiders haven’t won since their bye week, dropping four straight after opening the season 4-0. It’s the fourth time in seven seasons Oakland has gone into a tailspin after a strong start.

The Raiders opened the 1995 season 8-2, but lost their final six games to miss the playoffs. In 1998, a 6-2 start was followed by a 2-6 finish and another year out of the postseason.

The Raiders clinched the AFC West title early last season with a 10-3 start, but dropped their last three games to lose out on a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Injuries have been part of the problem this season.

The Raiders already lost CB Phillip Buchanon and KR Terry Kirby for the season, and RB Charlie Garner (foot), Woodson (hamstring) and DT Tony Bryant (neck) are questionable against the Broncos.

“When you’re losing, nobody’s going to feel sorry for you in this business, we know that,” Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon said. “The expectations are very high around here … the only thing that is going to correct our situation is to go out and win a game and get back on the right track.”

It won’t be easy against the confident Broncos.

Denver (6-2) leads the AFC West and has beaten some of the best teams in the league to get there. The Broncos have won seven straight over the Raiders in Denver, including 23-17 last year on a Monday night, and are 12-2 against Oakland under Shanahan.

The Broncos also have had two weeks to prepare and aren’t about to take their rivals lightly.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re 0-8, they’re still the Raiders,” Denver quarterback Brian Griese said. “We’re going to do everything we can to beat them.”