Raider Perspectives: It Can't Get Any Worse in Oakland, Can It?

For those who have read my articles in the past, you know that I usually try to look at things with a glass-half-full perspective. It's good for the blood pressure, good for morale and the Raider Nation seems to enjoy having some hope to look forward to.

What does the other side of the table look like, has been a question thrown around, a lot, recently with the demotion of JaMarcus Russell.

Well, yes, things could be a whole lot worse for the Raiders, in many different ways.

For one, every offseason, Al Davis goes out and tries to find players to fill in the gaps when free agents or disgruntled players leave.

Granted, if Al is causing the gaps, at least he is filling them in. Can you imagine what our defense would be like if Greg Ellis and Richard Seymour had declined to join the Raiders?

In a word, possibly we would be without three wins.

Another degree to look at, what if we never drafted Nnamdi Asomugha? We decided to go in another direction and picked up say, Drayton Florence? There goes a threat we have on on half of the playing field.

How about if the Raiders had elected to not sign Jim Plunkett, or decided that instead of going with Jim, they stuck Marc Wilson out in his rookie season? Another logistic nightmare for sure, but I doubt there would have been a Super Bowl victory.

What if the Raiders declined to draft Howie Long, taken a shot on some guy named Lyle Alzado, or thought that John Matuszak was too wild to coach?

Our past, and present could have been radically altered, with a few different selections.

How about the present and future Raiders?

Well, for one aspect, do we want to see another Raider coach? The team has replaced several coaches in the last eight years...do we want to spin the door again and hope it fixes the existing problems?

In all honesty, dropping in another coach only delays fixing the problems. It would be akin to having a painter start a project, fire him or her, and have another painter come in. The end result, is a mess that no one wants to see.

As for the current team the Raiders have, something does have to be done regarding JaMarcus Russell. The team has to decide on either leaving him on the bench, or setting him on the street to be picked up.

The worst possible thing? Starting him again. I would rather have Charlie Frye start.

Now for a topic i'm sure you'll all love, Al Davis.

What could possibly be worse than Al Davis and his management of the club?

How about having no Oakland Raiders? Imagine if Al Davis got fed up by the lack of production, or an inevitable demise, he dies and his son decides to sell the team off.

The new owner, wishing to separate himself from the former ownership, familiarity and customs...moves the team, and changes the name.

Then, you could say that IS the worst it could get.

You could say things could get better in Oakland, I would agree to that statement.

But trust me, it could also be a lot worse, both for and with the Raiders right now.