What's Wrong With The Raiders?

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

                                   Everything, that's what.

How long must a team take to rebuild? Two years, four, six?

The Oakland Raiders have become the futility franchise.

They have one above average kicker, a very effective overused punter and the best cornerback in the game. Aside from that they are a collection of players who would have a hard time making most teams practice squads. Let's take a close look shall we? Robert Gallery is a pretty good guard who came by way of tackle. Mario Henderson is still too inexperienced to call an accomplished lineman. Aside from the aforementioned, the Raiders have a bunch of injury-prone penalties waiting to happen. If the offensive line could pass block, Jamarcus Russel would have time to complete passes which would then open up the running game and the music goes round and round.

Throwing to two rookies can't help. This isn't pro football, it's the world's longest learning experience. If we could just fast forward three years it might be interesting to see a DHB who is a game breaker and not a 4.2 forty decoy, a Louis Murphy who has learned to fight for a catch and a Schilens who leads the league in receptions, regardless of who is throwing to him.

Can first rounder McFadden not miss games with hangnails, shaving cuts and lint in his pockets? Will Michael Bush become the great runner he shows only occasional signs of being? Will Justin Fargas keep trying to knock 300 pound linemen over? Zach Miller epitomizes two's company, three's a crowd because being the only credible receiver he is always bracketed.

Now for an in depth look at the defense. It's horrible. Ok, Nnamdi is probably the best cornerback in the game. Beyond that the talent level ranges from sub-par to dismal.

Richard Seymour has played two good games. Unfortunately, he's appeared in 7. Greg Ellis obviously has not been the run stopper the Raiders so desperately needed. Gerard Warren has been porous and inconsistent at best and Tommy Kelly should simply write a refund check to Al Davis. The linebackers are undersized and under tough. The balance of the secondary is extremely forgettable.

The D has rookies who should be getting playing time given its sorry state but they are apparently being baby sat for. Watch and learn? Learn what. How to flail as a ballcarrier runs past you?

Quarterback. It's entirely possible that Jamarcus Russel will be one of those late learners who blossom into intelligent, skillful QB's. 

Nah. Pocket presence can't be taught. If it could quarterback coach Hackett would have drilled it into Russel a half dozen fumbles ago. He lacks confidence and  leadership qualities, is confused and panics easily. He has the annoying habit of throwing to the other team. He has the accuracy of a blunderbuss.

This team is the failed engineering of its owner. Mr. Davis has -

a) drafted poorly

b) overridden his coaches/ written game plans

c) hired both to many and underqualified coaches

d) let the best one, John Gruden get away.

Mr. Davis has turned his team into a comedic parody of a football team.

The Oakland Raiders will remain a failure until such time that new management takes the reigns, brings in a GM (please Mr. Holmgren) who has complete control of day to day football activities. Whoever this GM (Holmgren) is he should hire the best coach available which should be anyone named Cowher or Gruden.

Once done, the Oakland Raiders will need two or three seasons to evaluate personnel, clean house, draft and trade for quality players who will change the poisoned culture surrounding the present team and bring quality football back to Oakland.

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