Can and Will Al Davis Change His Ways?

Uncle Al, your house is a mess.

For years, your cherished team was considered one of the finest teams to play on the gridiron. Teams feared playing the Raiders for their ability to punish teams either by a dominating defense or an overpowering offensive tandem, rushing and the long bomb.

Now seasons are spent by fans watching a mere shell of the team trying to play out the games. In the last six years, the fans have had to endure inept coaches, questionable drafts, and even the mockery of the media.

Al has and always will be Al. He knows what is right or wrong for this team. He tried to believe the hype, thinking that Robert Gallery was the right choice, only to have it blow up in his face. He thought returning to the old guard would help—Art Shell was a disaster. He thought going to a younger coach would be the solution, instead his selection was determined to leave the team early, and when he couldn't, he was determined to destroy the number one pick of the draft, teaching a mobile quarterback to act like a tree.

Now the one supporting fact that has kept the Raiders functioning and vital is starting to turn its back. The Raider Nation that has stood with the Raiders through good times and bad is starting to fracture.

While it is not in black and white, the message is starting to be more clear: the fans want something tangible in change, not just a simple switching of coaches, not the annual free agency pickups. They want the pain to end.

No more double-digit losses.

No more free agents who looked good five years ago but won't fit into the team system.

No more defenses that are simple copycat patterns, but actual defensive plans that work.

Right now as it stands, Al has a near monopoly of control. He hires, fires, directs, and depending on who you ask, calls the plays. About the only thing he doesn't control, is the ability to print money.

Even then, Al is still comfortable to a point.

As mentioned in the media, there are rumors of him looking to sell 10 percent of the club. The most likely method for this is a cash injection for the offseason, so the Raiders can continue to pay players that will be free agents in the offseason. The dropping ticket sales haven't worried Al as much as it was expected that sales would be down.

But a billboard?

You have to admit, it is a wonder if Al will even pay it any mind. Or if he does, will it send the wrong message?

Al Davis may say those fans have a good idea; maybe I need someone that knows this game in its modern form better than I do.

Maybe Al Davis would say, "Heck with the fans. They don't know what it takes to run this team—only I do!"

And maybe the absolute worst idea will come to Al Davis.

He'll pick up his happy team, find another city, and move it out.

Al Davis, fix the team. With or without help, it's been a long six years.