This Rivalry Loses Nothing With Distance

One more day until the start of the Raider season. One more day until Raiders-49ers.

This has never been a normal rivalry, because of the teams’ proximity when they shared the Bay Area. It wasn’t then, and it isn’t now.

“I’d love to just be on the sidelines and then run out and hit some 49er,” former Raider linebacker Phil Villapiano, now a marine-shipping salesman in New Jersey, told the San Jose Mercury News. “I hate the 49ers, the players and their fans. Their fans stunk.”

Countered linebacker Ken Norton, who will be making his San Francisco debut: “Now, I know what you’ve been told about the Raiders, and most of it is true. They’re not the cleanest group, and they’ve got some guys who cut block, chop block, leg whip, push you after the play and hit you in the back. And you know something? I can’t wait to see them.”

Add Norton: The opposition was obviously on his mind during a “Life as a 49er” first-person story for the Mercury News.

“I’ll be honest: I think so much of that Dallas game I’ve circled Nov. 13 on my calendar,” the UCLA product said of facing the Cowboys, his former team, for the first time. “I understand that there are key games before that, but if we take care of business by the time we get to the Dallas game, that’ll be one of the biggest games out there. And one other thing: I don’t really care what Jimmy Johnson says anymore.”

Trivia time: What is significant about Nov. 20, 1965, in Laker history?

Dangerous wishes: A brochure for the Northeast Louisiana football team proclaims: “The Big Time is Here!” Yeah, too often.

The Indians, a powerhouse in NCAA Division I-AA for nearly a decade, move into I-A with a schedule rated as the toughest in the nation by the Sporting News, starting with a 48-13 loss to No. 8 Colorado on Saturday, Auburn next Saturday and then Georgia. After the three top-25 opponents, they will play Wyoming, Brigham Young and Kentucky, all of which went to bowl games last season.

“Ever since I got here,” linebacker Damon Poage said, “we felt like we could play with the big guys. Now, we’ve got a chance to prove it.”

Isn’t innocence wonderful?

“Our players are excited,” Northeast Louisiana Coach Ed Zaunbrecher said, “but I’m not sure if they know what they’re getting into.”

Never healthy Pervis: The Boston Celtics last month signed Pervis Ellison, who has had chronic knee problems, to a six-year contract reportedly worth more than $12 million.

But the Celtics say he is a long way from 100% healthy.

“If he isn’t (ready by early November), that’s OK,” Executive Vice President M.L. Carr told the Boston Globe. “I purposely told (trainer) Ed Lacerte I’m not looking for a sprint. I want Pervis to finish the marathon. If that means a December start, then we’ll live with that.”

Trivia answer: It is the last time Chick Hearn missed a game. His streak is at 2,692 consecutive regular-season and playoff broadcasts.

Quotebook: Boxing promoter Bob Arum, commenting on recent bouts featuring fighters in their 30s and 40s: “Boxing’s almost a substitute for Social Security.”