`WE'RE THE BULLIES' RAIDERS BRING NASTY IMAGE TO SUPER BOWL.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO - These are the NFL's outlaws and party animals. Famous for late hits and dirty tricks. Masters at intimidation. The most penalized team in the league.

These are the Raiders. Was there any doubt?

For decades, the Raiders have had a bad-boy image. From Lyle Alzado and Jack Tatum to John Matuszak and now Bill Romanowski and Sebastian Janikowski.

The perception of nastiness and shenanigans has followed the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII. It's not as pronounced as it was in the good old days, when Alzado once ripped an opponent's helmet off his head and used it as a weapon against him. Or when Matuszak was found dancing at a club in New Orleans in the wee hours of the morning days before Super Bowl XV.

Like it or not, it's woven into the fabric of the franchise. Offensive lineman Frank Middleton, for one, embraces it.

``We want the bad-boy image,'' Middleton said. ``We're the bullies on the block. That's all we want to do is bully people. ... And we've got a big stage on Sunday to show that we're the bullies.''

And even those who don't fit the mold - such as good guys Rich Gannon and Tim Brown - can't seem to help the team distance itself from that image.

``The Raiders have always had a bad-boy image,'' cornerback Charles Woodson said. ``But maybe not as much now. I don't care what (people) think about us as long as we win the Super Bowl.''

Maybe it's those black and silver uniforms that create a mischievous aura. Or their raucous fans, who have some San Diego bar owners shaking with fear of looters and riots. Fans built the `Black Hole' in Oakland, a crazy section in Network Associates Coliseum where women and children enter at their own risk.

Fans, decked in black face paint and spikes, are an extension of the team's image.

``I'm sure some people think it's a rowdy bunch, but you know what, it's hard-working guys,'' said John Parrella, a defensive tackle. ``Fans are passionate and so are players. Guys just want to win. I think that's why you see so many guys wanting to come here. The results are proven.''

That the Raiders have sustained the bad-boy aura for so long makes sense. After all, Al Davis has owned the team for 39 years.

Davis never has had a problem with that image. Raiders apparel is the hottest-selling merchandise in the NFL.

Receiver Marcus Knight believes the image is Davis' trademark.

``That's Al Davis,'' Knight said. ``That's what he wants. He wants the team to mirror Al Davis.''

Not everyone buys into it, though.

Former tight end Todd Christensen, who played on two winning Super Bowl teams with the Raiders, didn't care for it. In fact, he doesn't believe people viewed the Raiders in such a negative light.

``I never took it seriously,'' said Christensen, who will watch the game at his home in Utah. ``It was media-created. Fans embraced it. Players knew better.''

But Christensen admitted the stereotype existed to some degree, especially in the minds' of opposing players. And if the Raiders could capitalize on that, he was all for it.

``If it helps, then fine,'' Christensen said. ``That was always my attitude. If people thought you were cheating, you're getting an edge. Maybe they're thinking, `Are the Raiders that tough and mean-spirited? Are fans going to do this?'

``If it gives you some sort of psychological edge, it shows the weak-mindedness of opponents. You might as well use it. Al wants that. He never lets the facts get in the way of a good story.''

The Raiders remain the most penalized team in the NFL and are the second-most penalized team in the history of the NFL. Yet, the Raiders win despite themselves. Their top-ranked offense compensates for their mistakes. And their defense does just enough.

``We're not trying to hurt people. We just want to play hard,'' backup quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo said. ``I think we want to be known as a team that's tough, hits hard and plays hard.''

The Raiders have had a relatively mundane week leading up to Sunday's game at Qualcomm Stadium. But it wasn't without incident: The NFL fined the team $50,000 because many players either left early or skipped out on mandatory media sessions.

Oakland had to create some drama, right?

And, of course, the Raiders undoubtedly will save plenty for the game. After all, the self-proclaimed `most hated player in the NFL' - Romanowski - will be playing.

Romanowski was tagged with numerous fines as a player with the Denver Broncos and once spit in the face of San Francisco receiver J.J. Stokes on ``Monday Night Football.'' Janikowski has had several run-ins with the law.

``Who you are on the field is not who you are in life,'' said reserve Kenyon Coleman, a former UCLA lineman in his first year with the Raiders. ``On the field, this is a game of aggression and passion. You have to be a warrior out there. We're going to fight. We're going to do whatever it takes to win.''

In spite of the image, the franchise has known plenty of success. The Raiders, who have won three Super Bowls, won the AFC West for a third consecutive season, earned home-field advantage throughout the playoffs this season and are favored to beat Tampa Bay.

They might be the most despised team in the NFL. But they don't care.

``Honestly, the thing I've learned about the Raiders in my travels and time here is you either love them or you don't,'' offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy said. ``It's that cut and dry.''

SUPER BOWL XXXVII

Sunday, 3:25 p.m., Ch. 7

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Fred Biletnikoff, left, and Ken Stabler were mainstays on the Raiders' nastiest teams.

Associated Press

(2) SEBASTIEN JANIKOWSKI

(3) MARTIN GRAMATICA

(4) Ryan Nece of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a former UCLA player, is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the USC product who played in four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers.

Box:

OAKLAND vs.TAMPA BAY