Oakland Raiders: Why Al Davis Is Outsmarting All Of Us

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In the 2010 NFL season, the Oakland Raiders and their fans saw a glimmer of hope.

They had reached a .500 record for the first time in eight years.

In 2011, the Raiders are playoff-bound, right?

No. Not so fast.

Oakland's enigmatic owner, Mr. Al Davis, fired Tom Cable, the Raiders' Head Coach in 2010. Cable had the support of the players, fans and coaching staff.

Furthermore, half of the players will be free agents in 2011.

Plus, they're disgruntled at the fact Cable has been fired.

Houston, we have a problem.

But really, don't underestimate Al Davis. He's a genius: a maverick, the single most iconic figure in Pro Sports.

He has something, something, up that sleeve of his.

But what?

Well, he's fooling all of us. The joke's on you, ESPN and Chiefs' fans.

A Bleacher Report colleague of mine recently wrote a compelling article making the excellent point that whatever happens this year, Al Davis wins.

He read my mind.

Here, my friends, is why Al Davis has the Raiders on the right track in 2011.

Hue Jackson Will Be The Head Coach: The Players Saw This One Coming

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To be an offensive coordinator, you have to have some type of background in coaching an offense.

To be a good offensive coordinator, you have to know your stuff.

That was the difference between Hue Jackson and Tom Cable.

During the 2009 season, when Cable called plays for the Silver and Black, the offense was abysmal, and somehow managed to rank 31st in the National Football League.

In 2010, Hue Jackson was brought in as Offensive Coordinator for the Raiders. The improvement was seen immediately. Oakland improved to the 10th-best offense in the league, and that was with a horrible offensive line.

Now, with Cable out, Jackson is the expected replacement. He's known for his fire, leadership, and knowing his X's and O's.

Cable was a good coach, but he was a motivational guy, not so good when given a chalkboard.

The players aren't as shocked as you'd think. Most, including Jason Campbell, even insinuated that Hue Jackson will be better for the Raiders.

Al Davis saves money (he'd have to pay $5 million to retain Tom Cable) and gets a good coach.

Could Rob Ryan Return To The Silver and Black? (Update: Ryan To Dallas)

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Ah, the Ryans.

A fiery coaching family, Rob, Rex, and Buddy all have coached in the NFL. Rex has recently made headlines as the Jets Head Coach, and goes as far as guaranteeing wins.

Rob, the former Raiders' defensive coordinator, is no different. He's just as energetic as his brother, if not more.

Word is he's getting close to a deal with Dallas, but a dark-horse candidate is the Raiders. Reportedly, there is a strong mutual interest between Oakland and Rob.

Al Davis is none too happy with current D-Coordinator John Marshall, whose defense gave up points at the worst times this season.

I could see key defensive free agents staying if Ryan is hired. Nnamdi Asomugha was a huge fan of him when he was in Oakland, and he coached up Kamerion Wimbley in Cleveland.

I'm in favor of keeping John Marshall, but Al Davis could grab Ryan...along with some very important defenders on the Raiders.

 

Grim note: Asomugha could sign with Cowboys if Ryan goes there.

Al Davis: Saving Money For Himself

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The title is self-explanatory. With an impending lockout that would cancel football for 2011, there won't be any free agents.

Thus, Al Davis gets to keep his money.

Along with the rights to first dibs on his free agents in 2012.

Al Davis: Saving Money For Big-Name Free Agents

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Jared Gaither, Logan Mankins, Haioli Ngata, Vincent Jackson, Michael Vick and Champ Bailey will all be available in 2011, along with others.

If a CBA agreement was to happen, then Al Davis could let some "key" free agents walk, and sign some of the bigger names.

Michael Huff and Robert Gallery are both free agents who failed to live up to their monster contracts, although both have come on as of late.

The Raiders really need to upgrade their offensive line, and with Gaither and Mankins available, the money Al Davis is saving will prove invaluable.

Michael Huff Has Replacements

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In 2009, when the Raiders drafted an unknown safety by the name of Mike Mitchell in the second round, most experts, fans, and players were shaking their heads out of confusion (and dismay for some Raider fans).

However, it was later reported that the Chicago Bears planned on taking the 6'1, 220 pound rookie just a few spots later.

Still, many criticized the Raiders for the selection.

Mitchell has proved very valuable on both Special Teams and Defense.

Now, he gets his chance to start with Michael Huff out of the picture. Al Davis saves money by trading a first-round starter for a second-round starter.

I'd like if we retained Huff, but Oakland can't retain everyone (or can they?).

Also, rookie Stevie Brown has showed great potential.

Asomugha Won't Get That Huge Contract He Had...Except For In Oakland

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In 2009, Nnamdi Asomugha signed a record-breaking contract for two years, $28 million, with a third-year option that pays him the average salary of the five highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

However, Nnamdi didn't meet certain incentives in his contract, due to an ankle injury and barely being targeted by opposing quarterbacks.

The clause in the contract now makes Nnamdi a free agent.

Asomugha won't find that type of money anywhere else, and with light at the end of the tunnel, he could be willing to sign for a little bit less due to lack of interceptions.

Nnamdi becoming a free agent might actually benefit the Oakland Raiders.

In Closing....

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In closing, the Raiders have a plethora of free agents and obviously need to retain most of them.

However, I think Al Davis has outsmarted us all (specifically the media), and will save money plus improve the Raiders.

Tell me what you guys think and "Like' the article.

Thanks, and Go Raiders!