JaMarcus Russell to Chaz Schilens: A Match in Raider Heaven

Year in and year out, we hear Raiders owner Al Davis get criticized for his offensive philosophy. A trademark of the Oakland Raiders has been, "Don't take what the defense gives you; take what you want." The deep ball has always been Davis' preference for attacking defenses.

Ever since Al Davis took over the Raiders, he took pride in having premier athletes to execute his offensive philosophy. Whether it was Ken Stabler to Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Plunkett to Cliff Branch, or even Rich Gannon to Tim Brown, the deep ball has always been incorporated in the Raiders offense.

From the late '90s to the early millennium, you couldn't turn on SportsCenter without seeing highlights of Daunte Culpepper to Randy Moss. They had all of America buzzing during their time together, including the Oakland Raiders.

In 2005 Davis traded a first round pick for Randy Moss. Unfortunately, the magic Moss showed in Minnesota did not appear in Oakland. Moss lacked a strong-armed quarterback to get him the ball consistently, though Andrew Walter showed a valiant effort in 2006.

In 2007 the Raiders selected that rocket-armed quarterback with the first overall pick—yet Moss was traded for a fourth round pick in that same draft. Ever since the Raiders organization has been looking for that receiver to compliment JaMarcus Russell's big arm.

Coming into 2009 the Oakland Raiders have an assortment of young receivers who are trying to prove their worth to the coaching staff.

Johnnie Lee Higgins has shown great promise as a wide receiver. Every time I saw him play, I wondered why the Raiders wouldn't use him the way New England Patriots use Wes Welker or even Jabar Gaffney. With Higgins' yard after catch skills, he is the prototypical third down threat that can turn moving the chains into six points.

In 2009 the Raiders spent their first round pick on WR Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey's 40 time is what immediately jumps off the page. Because of his speed he has been compared to Randy Moss, yet because of his questionable hands he has had ties to Troy Williamson (Heyward-Bey's hands are better than you think).

When I see Darrius Heyward-Bey, I see a young Torry Holt. Holt was definitely the Rams' deep threat in their "Greatest Show on Turf" offense. However, I fear Heyward-Bey doesn't have the veteran leadership at his position the way Holt had Isaac Bruce.

The Moss to Russell's Culpepper is seventh round pick Chaz Schilens. He matches Moss' measurables almost to a tee. At 6'4" and with 4.38 speed (Moss may be slightly faster), Schilens has impressed during mini-camp. Reports say that not only does Schilens look like the best receiver in OTAs, but there is nobody in his league at this point.

I remember the Raiders playing the Ravens in week eight; Russell launched a 60-yard missile that was brought in by Schilens over former Raiders cornerback Fabian Washington. I said to myself, "Wow! Al Davis must be smiling harder than Michael Jackson at a little league game."

With a year under his belt, I expect Schilens to not quite have a Pro Bowl year, but definitely scare some defenses—and maybe even give Brandon Marshall a run for his money as the best wide receiver in the AFC West.