Chiefs' Hali labels Raiders as 'dirty'

Calling the Oakland Raiders a "dirty" team is nothing new.

That label has been worn - sometimes proudly - since Jack Tatum played in Oakland and perhaps even before that.

But Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali dusted off the "dirty" card and played it against the Raiders in preparation for this week's game between the old AFC West rivals.

It’s a tradition,” Hali told the Kansas City Star. “The Raiders, they come in, they cheapshot, they hit you. I’m not saying (any) names. It is what it is. We’ve got to be ready to play and keep our composure, stayed poised and be able to get this win.”

The Raiders, says defensive lineman Richard Seymour, are actually trying to clean up their act under Dennis Allen, pointing out that penalties are down in Oakland this year.

“Any time you play the game, you should play with a chip on your shoulder,” Seymour said. “You should play with an attitude.

“But in terms of being dirty, going out to hurt guys, I don’t think I play that way or any of my teammates (play that way). I don’t stand for it. But we do play tough and physical. I do believe that’s the way the game is supposed to be played. I respect guys that play the same way.”

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Terry McCormick covers the Titans for TitanInsider.com