What If: Al Davis Got It Right?

   In 2007, the Oakland Raiders picked Jamarcus Russell. The following year they went with dynamic player Darren Mcfadden, and this year they picked two players that had people scratching their heads. Darrius Heyward-Bey and Michael Mitchell, both were taken with other players in their positions that were rated higher than them still on the board.

   Its a good thing for players like Tom Brady, Terrell Owens, and James Harrison that stars are made on the field and not by what Mel Kiper Jr says or any other pre draft expert. Heyward-Bey and Mitchell both have a chip on their shoulders, its a good thing another highly criticized player that was drafted too high is on their team to give them support, Nnamdi Asomugha.

   Last season Al Davis went on a spending spree, and it did not work out very well for him. Needless to say, I think there was a valuable lesson learned. This offseason he has done a lot of things different. He kept Tom Cable as the head coach, Cable is an offensive line coach, which was a weakness for the Raiders last season, but I think keeping Cable was the right thing to do.

   So lets think here . . . he found a coach that is all about the team concept. He now has a young core of players that are all under 24 years old that make up his skill positions on offense. His defense is full of talent, so what if Al Davis got it right? Well you might see this happen in the next 5 years . . .

2009 - The Raiders have improved greatly from last season, they are in every game, they Finish with a 9-7 record and take advantage of the Chargers slow start, they win the AFC West. They go 5-1 within the division, and go 4-6 outside of the division. Jamarcus Russell develops into a better QB, doesn't have great numbers, but takes care of the ball. Mcfadden becomes the star of the team, with Michael Bush becoming the work horse. The Raiders send 5 players to the probowl. They lose in the first round to the Ravens.

2010 -  The Raiders now have confidence and more experience, they finish up the season 10-6, once again enough to win the AFC West.  Heyward-Bey develops into the deep threat in his 2nd year. Now the Raiders Offense because the Silver & Black Attack that Al Davis always dreamed of. They Advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs only to lose to the Patriots.

2011 - The Raiders finish with a league best 13-3 Record, they have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. They make it to the Super Bowl with their explosive offense and beat the Falcons 34-31.

2012 - The Defending Super Bowl Champions Oakland Raiders are dealing with too many contract disputes and lose a couple key players. Their Move to Los Angeles is in the works. They finish 11-5, and lose in a controversial game against the Jets in the AFC Championship, the game causes the NFL to make up a new rule called the "Oops my bad" Rule. The play was Sanchez throwing the ball to Tommy Kelly, the refs are confused as they are not sure what to make of situation, they review the play and say that Throwing the ball to the opposing team is a mistake and should not count against you.

2013 - The Raiders win a tight race with the Broncos, as the Broncos find their head coach, Bill Cowher. After suffering 5 losing seasons under 2 other coaches the Broncos find their way to a wild card. The Raiders continue to win games, and make it to their 2nd superbowl in 3 years. They beat the Bears 27-14, and become the champions in their last season in Oakland and Al Davis's last year as the owner.

As a Raider fan, all I can say is What if?