A Ray-Rey of Hope for the Oakland Raiders Defense?

"And with the No. 7 pick in the 2009 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders select...?"

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa—TIMEOUT, SLOW DOWN, AND RELAX!!! Let's just wait right there, hold on to your horses, back that bandwagon up a tiny bit and think about this for a second.

The last time the Oakland Raiders drafted out of this position their choice was Michael Huff, the safety from the University of Texas. Many feel it was a questionable pick—at the very least—with various positions that needed to be addressed at the time, and the fact they could have probably traded down a few slots and still got Huff if they had their hearts set on him.

Although I would not label Huff anyhere near a bust, he has not yet developed into the defensive playmaker the team thought the talented and athletic young man would be.

Hopefully the acquisition of a true professional like Gibril Wilson to mentor the defensive backfield, lead with his tremendous work ethic and smashmouth bring-it-every-play mentality, will help inspire all the young players to practice, and play, to their full potential. There were reports all season long of the fact that Michael Huff was like a shadow to Wilson on and off the practice field, and put a very real effort in trying to learn from the veterans leadership.

This leads me to present the following scenario for you to mull over and think about as to whether it would improve the Raiders lagging run defense, as well as the leadership and locker room mentality.

First let me say this: re-signing, or franchising, Asomugha, that should not even be a consideration or something that needs even two seconds of actual thought. Whatever it takes, however it takes, he HAS to be brought back—and hopefully with a long term contract. So I will be going on a premise that he will still be wearing Silver & Black.

Going with the idea we are young, solid, and improving in the defensive backfield; and with Derrick Burgess, Tommy Kelly, Gerrard Warren, Terdell Sands, and the emergence of Jay Richardson, it seems like there is the talent there for the defensive line to start to control the line of scrimmage.

Which brings me to what has been a problem area for what seems like many, many years for the Oakland Raiders defense: impact and dominant linebackers. 

It seems like many of the recent defenses who have been effective in controlling and affecting the outcome of the game—like Baltimore, Chicago, New England and Tampa Bay—have had a a core of linebackers who were the heart, soul, and motor for squad. The Giants defensive line was awesome in the Super Bowl, but remember what Antonio Pierce did from his linebacking position through the playoffs?

This is what came to my mind when I thought about what I would like to see the Raiders do to address the linebacking position for next year.

Ray Lewis is an unrestricted free agent available to sign next year. Oakland and Al Davis are know for throwing huge money at aging veterans with Lewis' resume to come to the Bay for a 2-4 year finale to their careers. This has worked out both positively and negatively for the organization through the years—and whenever it does work out, it normally means a visit to the Super Bowl.

The Raiders—and by that, I mean Al Davis—could offer Lewis enough money to entice him out here, while making it unfeasible for Baltimore or anyone else to sensibly match the offer. He has done it before for players of lesser caliber and lower credentials, and Lewis is the type of player Al will bend over backwards for. 

The leadership aspect and team attitude adjustment alone justifies the move, and I think if Ray Lewis were to consider leaving the Ravens, it would be to a team with the history, fan base, and young talent that the Raiders do. I think it would appeal to his mentality to come to Oakland and help restore the winning tradition the Raiders have always had until these past six seasons. 

That would put an exclamation point on his Hall of Fame career.

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