Al Davis Still Has It

(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)

Al Davis has been the target of pretty much all the criticism about the Oakland Raiders.  When he goes after a big name free agent, drafts the guy he wants, or makes a trade like the one he pulled off on Sunday, everybody wants to say, "here we go again," or "he's lost it."  When Al pulls off a "move" I see an owner doing all he can to make his team a winner. 

Sure Al has missed on a few moves recently like D. Hall, Terd Sands, or Javon Walker(still has a chance), but he also has took a chance on Rod Woodson, Trace Armstrong, and Jerry Rice when everybody else said they were "washed up" and ended up being key parts of one of the elite teams in the NFL for a few seasons leading up to our last SB appearance. 

I know we've been terrible since our last SB run but Al Davis once again has his team headed in the right direction.  We have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.  McFadden and Bush are going to tear it up this year.  Jamarcus Russell came on very strong down the stretch last year and is going to pick up where he left off.  With guys like Heyward Bey, Schilens, Z. Miller, Murphy and Higgins, we can expect a lot of big plays from the passing game. 

Our offensive line is going to be way better with Mario Henderson as our starting LT.  He along with Gallery are going to form one of the best left sides in the league.  When Khalif Barnes returns he'll solidify the right side. 

Our defense is stacked with talent.  We have the best CB in the league.  Our other corner, Chris Johnson, is no push over either.  He played lights out when he replaced D. Hall last season.  We have two excellent LB's in Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard.  Tommy Kelly does his job drawing double teams on just about every play.  We have an excellent pass rushing specialist in DE Trevor Scott.  He led all rookies last year with five sacks playing a situational role.  Greg Ellis can get to the QB as good as Burgess did and is way better against the run.  We just picked up Richard Seymour who is going to make our defense a whole lot better. 

Our main concern going into the season was the run defense.  Seymour changes everything.  I'm not saying that he alone is going to fix our problems.  Everybody else still has to do their part but he makes their jobs easier.  Morrison, Howard, and Brown are going to reak havoc since they won't have to take on a lineman against the run.  Seymour and Kelly are going to occupy four blockers pretty much every play.  When they get matched up one on one they'll be in the backfield. 

He also is going to be a force against the pass.  He was very productive in the 3-4.  Now in the 4-3 he'll be lined up over a TE or wide of the tackle.  If you don't double him, he'll be in the QB's face every time.

So what I am trying to say to all the naysayers/haters is that Al Davis still has it and has put together a team that will win the AFC West this year.

RAIDERS4LIFE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

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