Tom Cable, Al Davis: What the Draft Will Tell Us

A lot has been said this offseason that has given both friend and foe reasons to hate us, but as well make us wonder about the future.

For starters, many thought we would lose Shane Lechler or Asomugha. Then they were offended when not only were both retained but the Raiders paid enough money for Aso, they upset the natural order of free agency.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Nothing.

No big-name free-agency moves, no massive spending spree, no high-risk potentials out there.

Most of the news was made by either contracts being reworked, numbers pushed around or dead weight being cut loose.

It also had a number of people wondering, was Al Davis still alive, or did he simply die, and the Raiders are operating without his interference?

To this date, as a Raider fan you have to wonder. Last offseason, for example, was about as opposite as this one could possibly be. Kiffin was constantly at odds with Al, Al simply went out and brought in free agents at will, and Kiffin....well, Kiffin seemed to think the only way things would improve for him was losing.

Now, in this offseason, there's barely a pulse out of Oakland. News floats around about Denver, Buffalo, New York, even Chicago...but Oakland's turned into a sleeping giant.

I think the true question of how this offseason will go, will depend on how this first round pick will go.

Some think that Al already has his five on speed dial, just waiting to see who gets picked. Cable, meanwhile is going over the stats, knows where the holes are to fix, and which positions need help now, rather than later.

Will Al trust his latest coach, in the era of good feelings to make the right choice, or will he snatch it away, mutter something about "you're not old enough to play with this matter", and then make his pick?

We will know soon enough, Raider Nation.