Oakland Raiders: Reggie McKenzie's Iron Reign of Terror Begins

The Oakland Raiders have a new leader in Reggie McKenzie, who reigns with an iron fist and indomitable will. McKenzie has brought a ruthlessness and ferocity with him to the Raiders franchise. These are qualities that have long been missing, or at the very least misguided. 

If you haven't already figured it out by now, I'm a huge fan.

If ever there was a perfect sign for success, McKenzie embodies the very logo on the side of the Raiders' helmets. 

His reign of terror began before he was even formally announced as the team's general manager. On January 9, 2012, a day before his announcement, McKenzie had already made it known that Hue Jackson was at risk of losing his job. Then, only two days later, the deed was done. 

I wrote a column on the move, saying that McKenzie had done what was necessary to assert his newfound authority as the unquestioned leader of the organization. I also said this: "My gut instinct is that firing Jackson is only the first of many surprises coming out of Oakland this offseason."

I wasn't wrong. 

McKenzie released Stanford Routt yesterday, which is in line with what he said after Dennis Allen was announced as the team's head coach: McKenzie had, by that time, gotten a good look at the Raiders roster and realized that there were many contracts that were "out of whack."

Routt won't be the last to be mercilessly cut loose by "Iron Fist" McKenzie.

Unfortunately, the last decade or so for the Raiders has been marked by terrible personnel decision after terrible personnel decision as Al Davis moved further and further from being able to make sound assessments. He was a great and proud man, and we all knew he'd never relinquish his own iron grip on the franchise he had built from nothing.

His legacy lives on in McKenzie. They may have different football philosophies, but McKenzie and Davis share something even more crucial: They both have the will to see their own unique vision become a reality. 

Like any good pirate, McKenzie isn't afraid to put his boot on someone's throat. It's going to be his way or the highway, and nobody will be able to hide from his watchful eye.

Things might not get better right away. 2012 has the potential to be a season filled with stormy seas for the Raiders, but who knows? Give the Raiders two or three years, however, and I guarantee you'll start to see the rewards of having a man in charge who has a clear vision for the long-term success of his franchise.

Batten down the hatches, maties! It's goin' to be a rough ride. 

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