Al Davis Not So Bad After All

Al Davis has been widely criticized for the alleged horrible job he’s done with franchise since Super Bowl run in 2002. I was among those critics at one time but “upon further review,” Al Davis hasn’t done so bad after all. I already touched on it in another article but I wanted go ahead and bring in a more in depth version to let you see just how much Davis has had to endure.

The city of New Orleans had “Katrina” and deserved this year’s Super Bowl victory more than any city in America. Here we are a few years later and New Orleans still is not the same. The Raider franchise in a football sense is recovering from a “Katrina” of their own. Actually it’s even worse. In the world of sports, aging and injuries are considered natural disasters and the Raiders had plenty of that at the same time. Then there were other sudden departures of great players that I consider to be self-imposed disasters.

If you look thought the history of the Oakland Raiders you can see that rebuilding is something that Davis is not used to. He has always been able to get a few players and get right back into contention. This time there were too many holes for a quick fix. His first attempt at rebuilding happens to be his job of a lifetime.

From 2002 to 2006, I believe Davis was in denial. He missed badly on most of his personnel choices because he refused to believe his team needed that much rebuilding. 2007 is when he realized he pretty much had an expansion team and started to rebuild. Outside of Jamarcus Russell, he has done a good job. Before we go over the drafts of the last few years, we should look at all the holes that needed filling at one time after the Super bowl loss.

We’ll start with the most important position in team sports; the Quarterback. Rich Gannon was an All-Pro in his last season and his neck injury sent the Raiders scrabbling for a replacement. Marques Tuiasasopo was already on the roster but just couldn’t hack it. As I have said before, the sudden injury of a star quarterback to an NFL team is the equivalent of the death of a King without an heir to the throne to his kingdom.

Then we go to important position that doesn’t play; the head coach. I still don’t understand the reason “Chucky” was allowed to leave town. Callahan was then brought to stand and watch the Raiders to the Super Bowl.  Then the man that should have been coaching the Raiders soundly beat him. Callahan was let go a year later leading to the worst coaching job in Raider history.

Art Shell’s firing must have been like the scene from New Jack City when the detective’s work failed to produce a single arrest. Mario Van Peebles’ part is played by Al Davis while Ice T’s part is played by art Shell. Al says, “The operation is over. I take a chance on you and you take a chance on a bed and breakfast owner.” I can’t call Kiffin a bad coach because he was in an already horrible position. He also happened to be right about a certain player that he didn’t want to coach.

Offensive line was a huge hole created by the departures of All-Pros Lincoln Kennedy (tackle) and Barrett Robbins (center). Frank Middleton was also a key departure as he was largely above average in both his size and play. Kennedy came to the end of a great career in 2002. Robbins denied himself such an ending by coming up missing in action the day of the Super bowl in early 2003. From there he ended up with problems that trumped any blocking assignment he ever had. Barry Sims stayed a few more years but no one could make up for the losses there.

The running back position was left behind by the lightning of Charlie Garner and the thunder of Tyrone Wheatly. While these two men truly produced on our cheated playoff run and Super bowl run, I can’t help but mention another man that I truly loved as a running back; Napoleon Kaufman. He retired so suddenly with a lot in the tank but the lord is more important. I just wish he could have been a Minister and played at the same time.

The wide out position was left behind two of the best that ever did it and a track star that turned himself into a serviceable down field threat. Jerry Rice (the greatest) and Tim Brown (right behind him) both had long, highly decorated careers but father time caught them and the speedy James Jett at the same time. Jerry Porter was left behind but he just didn’t do it for the Raiders. I guess that’s what happens when your skill set doesn’t make up for your attitude.

Switching to defense we’ll start with the line. Grady Jackson and Sam Adams were was a space eating defensive tackles but both landed elsewhere after brief stints. The departure I am very bothered by is the one of Darrell Russell. He started off as an absolute beast but off the field troubles took him away. Unfortunately, his off the field troubles took him away from more than just football. They took his life in 2004. RIP Darrell, this Russell I won’t forget. DE Reagan Upshaw was also a nice edge presence.

At linebacker, Bill Romanowski was nice but he was already old when the Raiders got him. The “heart and soul” of our defense was Greg Beikert. No one would mistake him for Ray Lewis but he was a leader and a steady presence in the middle. The Raiders definitely didn’t get run on like they have in recent years.

We had the best secondary in the league back then. Rod Woodson was probably the best all-around DB in NFL history. He had a long career and was an All-Pro in his last year with the Raiders. Charles Woodson is still one of the best cover corners in the league. Woodson’s battles with turf toe are why Mr. Davis couldn’t bring himself to sign him to another contract. Eric Allen was another outstanding corner but his long, illustrious career had to end sometime.

With all these key losses, the Raiders had what resembled an expansion team moving forward. All they had that would remain until now is our great punter, Shane Lechler and our big-footed kicker, Sebastian Janikowski. While it’s obvious that everyone from those days wouldn’t be around now anyway, losing all those players at virtually the same time isn’t easily fixed. It especially isn’t easily fixed since the Raiders have missed much more than they have connected on draft picks and free agents for five years after. The Raiders have only a hand full of players drafted from 2002 to 2006 that are currently set to make big contributions to the Raiders this year.

Langston Walker was taken in the second round in 2002. Things looked promising for him but he chose to chase the money to Buffalo. The Raiders extremely dysfunctional coaching staff had to have also had something to do with it as well. Walker is now back home in Oakland. After a doing a good job of filling in at left guard last year for an injured Robert Gallery, Walker is reportedly “looking good” in mini camp. All indications to this point are that he will start right tackle this year.

Another pick still working for the Raiders is Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha was moved to corner after playing safety in college. He had his struggles making the transition in the beginning. He has since then become the best football player with the Oakland raiders. He’s a perennial Pro Bowler and many call him the best corner in the game.

Robert Gallery is another player that has gone through a position change. However, he has gone through more than that. He was drafted as a left tackle in the first round of the 2004 draft. He was hearing the whispers of “bust” in the black hole but has become a Pro Bowl caliber guard since.

Michael Huff has also gone through his share of position changes. He came out of the University of Texas as a free safety with the coverage skills and ball skills that would make him an outstanding corner as well. He was neither in his first four years. For whatever the reason, he played strong safety in the box his first two years. He was moved to free safety in his third year but he seemed a little confused in 2008. Huff looked well adjusted last year picking off three passes.

With such a small amount of draft picks panning out from 2002 to 2007, there is no wonder why the Raiders have the worse record in the league since 2002. Mr. Davis actually started to do a better job since 2007 except for 1 man. That man was Jamarcus Russell; the “NFL’s biggest bust.” The main thing Davis has done is find late round gems. Late round gems are important because they often make up for current and recent early round failures.

Davis is enamored with big, rocket-armed quarterbacks so Russell was his man with the first pick in the 2007 draft. The one thing that Russell didn’t have was a work ethic. This led to continued double digit loss seasons then blackouts of home games for the most loyal fans in the world in 2009.

Zach Miller was a great pick in the second round. He has become one of the best tight ends in the game. He finished last season with 66 catches for 805 and 3 TDs. He did this with Russell starting most of the season and on the 31^st ranked offense in the league. I can’t help but think of what he would do in a good offense with a decent player at the quarterback position.

Michael Bush was a late round gem of 2007. The fourth round pick will be the “thunder” portion of the Raider backfield. He was the only back on the team that averaged more than four yards per carry (4.8) despite the offensive line not playing well last year.

2008 first round pick Darren McFadden is going to be the lightning portion of our backfield. McFadden is a great open field runner with blazing speed and good hands out of the backfield. However, he needs an o-line to give him creases to run through. That way, he can use his attributes and possibly stay healthy.

Strong safety Tyvone Branch is a 2008 late round gem! At 6’0 205 lbs, the fourth round pick a much better fit in the box than Michael Huff. He was second on the team in tackles last year. He is good in coverage as well with his blazing speed.

DE\OLB Trevor Scott is another 2008 late round draft gem. He tied for the team lead with 5 sacks in his first year without starting a single game. He gradually made is way into the starting line up at outside linebacker last year and rewarded the Raiders by almost doubling his sacks with 7; also tying for the team lead. He also upgraded the run defense.

The Raiders struck again in the seventh round of the 2008 draft Chaz Schilens looks every bit the part of a late round diamond. At 6’4 he has the size to go along with blazing speed, hands and route running. He showed promise as a rookie when Russell could get him the ball. Last year his injury might have been the part of Russell’s downfall.

2009 Has yet to be completely figured out, as first round receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was not often available with injuries. However, he did struggle with drops when he did play. Not many receivers are first year sensations anyway.

The jury is also still out on second round pick Mike Mitchell. He made skeletons rattle in college so Davis had to have him as his throw back to Jack Tatum.  He never had a chance last year as he battled injuries from the beginning.

Third round pick Matt Shaughnessy showed good signs his first year as he had 4 sacks in only two starts. I’m looking for his numbers and playing time to go up in the ensuing years. The fact that they didn’t use a high draft pick on a pass rusher in the draft tells us what they think of Shaughnessy. Moving Scott to outside linebacker speaks volumes as well.  

The      Raiders have struck again with a late round sensation. Louis Murphy was a fourth round pick that ended up being the Raiders most productive wide out. He can catch, runs good routes, and is a deep threat as well. Should Heyward-Bey be a bust, Murphy will continue to make up for him.

2010 looks like the best draft the Raiders have had from top to bottom in years. There were no reaches and needs were met in this draft. A home run was hit in the 1^st round with selection of Rolando McClain. At 6’3 and 255 lbs., McClain is the physical instinctive middle linebacker the Raiders need to help fix their porous run defense. Having played in the S.E.C. and under a pro style defensive coordinator, McClain’s transition will be seamless with his impact being immediate.

Former Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston was taken in the second round to further sure up their run defense. He was a disruptive force in college. The early reports are that Houston will be moved to defensive end but he will improve their run defense either way.

The 6’8 315 lb. Veldeer was a small school gem. Offensive tackle didn’t allow a single solitary sack in his four years at Hillsdale University. Some would say,“ That was division 2 football.” However, he tested in the top 5 of every combine category. He also handled the best college pass rushers well in All-Star games. 4 years without allowing a sack is awesome regardless of collegiate level.

The 6’7 315 lb Bruce Campbell is a height weight and speed freak. This led many to believe the Raiders would reach for him in the first round. Davis resisted and his patience paid off as the sculpted lineman was still there for the taking in the fourth round. Cable will look to see what he can do at guard instead of tackle this year.

These draft picks along with the acquisitions of Walker, and Barnes should solidify the Raiders o-line. This will finally allow the skill position players they’ve drafted over the years to shine. Holes will open this year.

The 2011 draft has already started for the Raiders with Richard Seymour as their first pick (trade). He has and will continue to make a bigger impact than anyone they could possibly draft in 2011. Seymour got right off the plane from Boston last year and had two sacks in his Raider debut but stats will not be his biggest impact on Raiders. He is providing the veteran leadership that the Raiders have seldom had since their last Super Bowl run. His three Super Bowl rings gave him instant credibility in showing the younger Raider d-lineman how it’s done. His work ethic alone will help change the culture in the locker room.

The 2012 fourth round pick for the Raiders is Jason Campbell. He makes up for the 2007 QB draft mistake the Raiders made in more ways than one. Campbell upgrades the position and is exactly where Russell should be now. Campbell has been in a dysfunctional organization with high head coach and offensive coordinator turnover just like Russell. He still managed to improve each year. Last year, Campbell’s supporting cast was worse than Russell’s. He still completed 64.5% of passes for 3,618 yards with 20 tds. and 15 ints. His QB rating of 86 nearly doubled Russell’s rating of 48. Any Raider fan would take those numbers over what they’ve been watching in recent years.

We actually have a great coaching staff this year. Davis has been regularly scorned for not letting head coaches hire their own staff but this staff is awesome with some great additions. Hue Jackson is an outstanding offensive coordinator that developed Joe Flacco and turned the Baltimore Ravens offense into a good one. The fact that he will take over play calling duties means the Cable can now focus on what got he is best at.

He will turn his attention back to the offensive line and the new additions will benefit. Mike Waufle is an outstanding d-line coach that is known the most for his work with the dominant d-line the New York Giants had during their Super Bowl run in 2007. Our issues at the line of scrimmage should be resolved now.

Al Davis is known for getting the biggest, strongest, fastest, most athletic players. This year is no exception. The coaching staff is now in place to point these athletes in the right direction. The veteran leadership is also there. For those that wished for Davis’ death, it won’t happen until we win again. That’s who he is.

 

To Al: That was a lot to come back from. You stayed the coarse and now you have us right where we want to be. Good job Al. Thank you.