Random Raiders Ramblings: Take a Pick, Go with It, It's the Offseason!

Ah, the groundhog is long gone, the pro bowl is officially over, and the chaos begins.

It must be the beginning of the offseason!

This is that happy time of the year when teams ditch the dead weight, contemplate who they'll watch at the combine, and plot to grab a good player either via free agency, or in the draft.

For Oakland, several storylines have been cooking, from the finishing touches on our coaching staff to the odds of us landing Anquan Boldin, here we go.

Just announced, is that the Raiders grabbed Jim Michalczik, an 18-year veteran of College Coaching, including the last seven with Cal. As slated, he'll become the Offensive Line Coach, who's primary task will be keeping Russell safe.

Easier said than done, he has to decide if he can do anything with the likes of Kwame Harris, Cooper Carlisle and Cornell Green. Since Harris has already been demoted, expect Jim to show him the door early.

Second rumor has us parting ways with Michael Huff, our talented but underperforming Strong Safety, who, at times looked lost. His stats this last year have shown him doing a calculated slide, and for a high pick in 2006(7th overall), he just hasn't panned out as expected. Considering how much better Gibril Wilson was, Huff should be seen elsewhere next year, if not unemployed.

The Anquan Boldin rumor, as it floats, only works if one thing happens. The Cards have to get fed up enough with his antics that they cut him loose or trade him. Sounds a lot like some guy named Ocho Cinco, doesn't it? Anyone remember him from this season?

The primary thing to note, is that we already have seen ego-driven players on our team before. Randy Moss was one, and Jerry Porter was another. Both have flown to greener pastures, but while Moss has thrived....Porter was a complete disaster for Jacksonville.

On Oakland's kinder, gentler Al Davis, this is a topic that is up in the air. Apparently he let Tom Cable play with the Legos when he assembled his coaching staff, so that might bode well.

It doesn't reassure anyone when it looks like the team is being assembled from the bottom to the top, but this is Al Davis you're talking about. Unorthodox is the key word here.

With the upcoming draft, two things stand out in my mind. One is how will Al handle Cable's opinion when the time comes? Will he let Tom have a say, or will Al be calling the shots from his walker? And secondly, will Al be looking to help the team, or go for the glory pick, someone flashy?

I'm still seeing Maclin when it's all said and done....but I know we'll need a Offensive Tackle badly....let's hope that Jim Michalczik can also talk some sense into Al before then.

Lastly, is the question fans in Oakland have been worried about. Do you think the Raiders will be staying in Oakland once their lease expires? To be honest, I don't know. Stadiums are expensive, and Al isn't exactly going to build the Al Davis Memorial Stadium for himself.

No, he'll get someone else to do it for him.

It's all a question of where, and when....or with who.