Oakland Raider fans have to be asking themselves, is Al Davis, at the age of 78, completely delusional?
In his long career, he has accomplished many great things, including three Super Bowl titles, five conference championships, and a plethora of division crowns. However, in the past few years, the Raiders’ organization has been drastically spiraling downward.
They lost 15 consecutive games in the AFC West. That means they didn't win a division game during the entire 2005 and 2006 seasons and into 2007. If you thought things couldn't get any worse than 15 consecutive losses and a 2-14 record in ’06, they just went and spent $105 million on two players who don't even rank in the Top 10 of their respected positions.
First, there is the incredible signing of Tommy Kelly for $50.5 million.
The only certain thing about Kelly is his alma mater, Mississippi State. The only good thing about that is he's a SEC boy. At the age of 29, I feel he still has potential, but if you’re investing millions into a player who has yet to prove himself. Why not go for a guy a couple years younger or someone who has already proved himself.
Then, the team went out and spent $55 million on wide receiver Javon Walker.
Walker, like Kelly, is about to turn 30 next season and has problems with staying healthy. Last season, Walker was on pace to have a great season with the Denver Broncos, but due to a hamstring injury, was sidelined for multiple weeks and ended up with a marginal season.
Before Denver, Walker started in Green Bay where he couldn't stay healthy and missed an entire season with a broken leg.
So is Al Davis going delusional? Maybe!
I think they have no choice but to improve on the last two seasons (combined record of 6-26).
Hopefully, with the addition of JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders have a chance to win more than a couple games, but I still think they finish the season under .500.
On the bright side of things, the Raiders’ defense added to an already outstanding secondary. Gibril Wilson, 26, who has already proved himself by winning a Super Bowl Championship last year with the New York Giants, was signed in February, but secondaries won't win you championships.
I see dark days again for the Oakland Raiders or should I say hazier days.
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
First of all, the Raiders did not just go and spend a bunch of money on Michael Bush, as stated in the opening paragraph. He was drafted and signed LAST YEAR! Second, Tommy Kelly is 27, not 29. Third, the amount of errors in grammar and punctuation are ridiculous, even for an amateur blog (yes, I know it's unedited, but still.) Finally, absolutely no new ideas or bits of information were gained from reading this. Please, take a little time to check your spelling and punctation and do a little more research.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Dude you're all over the place here and you're not saying anything. I guess Michael Bush did a phenomenal job of getting healthy, healing from the broken leg suffered in college, learning and preparing himself for the 2008 season that he received a $50 million contract. A huge haul for a 4th round pick (no.100 overall) in 2007. Like the comment above me states you need to do a little more research before you write a story. You've got myself and everyone asking the question; what was that?
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Trevor Usken about 1 year ago
awesome
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
But the main thing you are overlookig is the fact that most of the deals are essentially 3 year deals. If TK is still around at that point, he will restructure. Javon won't last 3 more years. So, in essence, these deals are much shorter and for much lass than is being reported. The guaranteed money is there, but you can bet money that that the contracts are back loaded.
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Keith Sellars about 1 year ago
Offseason decisions have long been a source of wonder where the Raiders are concerned. They sign bad quarterback, then draft good ones and don't let them play. Tuiasasopo and Walter have gotten the royal shaft from the Raiders. Despite being good at what they do, they aren't allowed to do it. Tui left, and I imagine Walter will to when his contract is up.
Tim Brown left, Jerry Porter left... You can't ask for 2 better recievers and all they wanted was a fair chance to play.
Don't even get me started on the Raiders trading 2 excellent players for Randy Moss, then not utilizing Moss, then trading the guy to New England for a single draft pick in the FOURTH round. I mean, for the love of God!?!
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bob knob about 1 year ago
Raiders fans just can't come to the conclusion that they suck, and they suck better than any other team in the NFL. They sign risky free agents and re-sigh unproven players and complain about other people's grammar as a way of trying to defend their team. Raiders came out with some good talent from last years draft, but the mistakes they've made in the years before and recently will haunt them for the next few years. So... have fun at the bottom of the barrel in the NFL AGAIN Raiders fans with your reportedly 300 lbs. QB. Oh yeah, also Al Davis needs a new grill. DAMN!!!
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