Oakland Raiders: Al Davis Still Calls the Shots on Draft Day

You were formerly the co-offensive coordinator of the most dominant college team in the country, and headed that teams scouting and recuiting efforts to bring in the best high school players in the country. You know college players!

 Now, you work for someone twice your age, says you have the authority to make decisions, and then when you make one that he doesn't agree with, overrules you and asks you to forfeit a $4million salary. You think your knowledge of the game matters, but it doesn't to the boss.  Welcome to the life that is 32 year old Lane Kiffin - current head coach of the Oakland Raiders. His headache is as big as the culmulative headaches of the entire Oakland Fan Base.

Your team holds the 4th pick in the upcoming draft, and recently spend about a billion dollars signing (or re-signing) a ton of free agents to add some quality players, and I use the word "quality" very very loosely.  Javon Walker & Tommy Kely coming off season ending injuries got cash thrown their way.  Super Bowl Champ Wilson was signed to shore up the secondary, and this year's 2nd round pick was offered up for a headcase, Hall, who can't seem to fit in with any coach. Thanks Al!

 The NFL Draft is merely 1 week away, so where do you turn?  You need a strong pass rushing end - Chris Long might be available.  You need a D tackle - Glenn Dorsey might drop down.  You need O-linemen, but Jake Long looks like he might go #1 to Miami, but there is Brandon Albert who the Chiefs are IN LOVE WITH and pick just behind you at #5, so Uncle Al may just do the unthinkable and take him just to shove it up KC's butt.  You don't need a RB, but looks like the best skill position player in this draft, McFadden, might just fall into your lap. 

DMac might be a nice addition to pair with JaMarcus, or having Howie's son to carry the new Raider torch would be a dream come true.  Don't bet on any of this happening.  If you know Al Davis, you have got to know to expect the unexpected. This is how he will further infuriate the Raider Nation and Coach Kiffin in the process. Here is how the Draft weekend will unfold for the Raiders:

He tries to initiate a trade for the fourth overall pick to the Cinccinati Bengals for Chad Johnson and their 2nd round pick.  They pass.

Rather than selecting DMac who ran a 4.33 40 at the combine, Al turn his attention to the fastest player at the combine, RB Chris Johnson from East Carolina who ran the 40 in a blazing 4.24 sec.  Al falls in love with speed, and he has a ton of it.  Al saw Johnson run over the Boise St. Broncos in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve and has bee enamoured with him ever since.  Al says : "Speed Kills!"  Over on the NFL Network, former Raider exec Mike Lombardi says "I knew that's who he was going to pick!"

Draft Sunday, news reports that Lane Kiffin has agreed to sign his resignation letter saying he'd rather give up $4million than spend another day in Oakland. 

Later in the day, with the 4th round, Al selects 5-11 180lbs WR Donnie Avery out of Houston who by the way, ran a 4.29 40 yard dash.  NFL Networks Lombardi says "See, I told you!"

Monday morning, Raiders announce the appointment of James Lofton as head coach of the Oakland Raiders! Mr. Loftton, welcome back to the Silver & Black!