Wait Just a Minute—At Least Al Davis Tries

I've been reading a lot about how the Raiders will never turn the ship around with Al Davis as our Captain.  People say that he has lost his touch and that his first priority isn't making the Raiders a winner.

He may have given a few players (J.Walker, K.Harris, D.Hall) big contracts that they didn't really deserve but I look at it as at least he is trying.  People don't give him credit for bringing in guys like Derrick Burgess.

He had just 8.5 career sacks after three seasons in Philly.  Al took a chance on him and he has paid off with 38.5 sacks in four seasons.  Al has also gotten Pro Bowl seasons out of veterans like Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice, and Rod Woodson after nobody else wanted them. 

People say that he makes a lot of poor draft decisions.  Al has drafted defensive studs Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison at linebacker and CB Nnamdi Asomugha who is regarded as the best at his position. 

Al Davis took some heat for passing on DT Glenn Dorsey, DE/LB Vernon Gholston, and DT Sedrick Ellis in the draft for Darren McFadden.  We ended up drafting DE Trevor Scott in the fifth round who was first amongst rookies in sacks.

The Raiders also got production from second year WR Johnie Lee Higgins and rookie WR Chaz Schilens.  They both closed out the season strong with Higgins catching a TD in the final three games and Schilens doing the same in the final two.  Higgins was a third round pick and Schilens was a steal in the seventh round.  RB Michael Bush saw his draft stock plummet after a leg injury.  The fourth round pick proved he could produce in the season finale with 177 yards against the Bucs.

Another thing is the Lane Kiffin situation.  People said that Lane deserved more time to turn things around.  Bottom line is that he produced just five wins in 20 games.  Tom Cable, without an offseason to prepare, managed to produce four wins in 12 games.  Kiffin obviously wasn't dedicated to the Raiders so he had to go.  It was the right decision. 

All I am trying to say is that he isn't going to be right on every decision he makes.  At least he tries.  At least we don't have an owner who is greedy and doesn't spend on available free agents. 

Al Davis has the Raiders very "close" right now.  Three more wins and we would have made the playoffs with a second year rookie QB.  Just be patient Raider Nation.  The days of the Raiders being winners again are closer than you might think.

Here's to the Raiders winning the AFC West in 2009!