Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis Clearing Cap Space, but Who Is He Targeting?

Al Davis has always done things his way.  His approach to the game is different, to say the least, than most other franchises.  Although a lot of people disagree with his ways, you can't forget that he does have three Super Bowl trophies and had his Raiders in position for a fourth in 2002. 

This offseason just started for the Raiders and Al Davis has already made some headlines.  The first was not picking up the option on Tom Cable.  Many believed he should have been retained but third place in a weak AFC West didn't cut it in Al Davis' eye. 

Yesterday news broke that the contract of Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha was voided for failing to reach incentives in his deal.  The Raider Nation was left scratching their heads at Al Davis' latest move.  Letting your best player walk isn't the best idea, right?

There is one thing that I've learned as a Raiders fan and that is Al Davis always has something up his sleeve.

By voiding the contract of Nnamdi Asomugha and letting free agent LG Robert Gallery walk, he has cleared up a lot of cap space to make a big move this year.  All there is left to figure out is who is Al Davis going after in free agency. 

Obviously if he doesn't re-sign Asomugha, we will need at least one proven corner to come in and take his spot.  Asomugha is the best but isn't the only top-tier CB available.  Champ Bailey, Jonathan Joseph, Brent Grimes and Carlos Rodgers are all solid CBs. 

Maybe signing one of these guys would play a part in the Raiders getting Nnamdi to come back.  He never really had a top flight CB on the other side of him.  You know he'd love to get paired up with Champ Bailey, forming arguably the best CB tandem the NFL has seen in years.

One thing the Raiders do need is a reliable go-to wide receiver.  Guys like Vincent Jackson, Sidney Rice, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes are available.  Any of these guys would go a long way to solidifying the passing game.  You know Jason Campbell would love to see one of these guys added to the roster. 

I'd like to see the Raiders make an offer to LB Chad Greenway.  He has become a force for the Vikings.  Rolando McClain and Kamerion Wimbley are starters heading into next season.  The other LB spot is up for grabs.  Thomas Howard, Quentin Groves and Trevor Scott all played the position but neither one is the answer.  Chad Greenway is a beast and would vastly improve our run defense.

Another thing we need to do for sure is upgrade the offensive line.  Falcons' RT Tyson Clabo will become a free agent.  He is the best available O-lineman available.  He is a beast of a run blocker and has done an excellent job keeping Matt Ryan on his feet.  He would be a big upgrade over Langston Walker.  Other tackles that would be worth signing are Jared Gaither and Doug Free.

The Raiders also need to upgrade the interior part of the O-line.  Saints' guard Carl Nicks is likely the best available interior lineman.  He is better than Gallery and Carlisle hands down.  Logan Mankins would also be a great addition.  He plays with a nasty attitude and the rest of the O-line could feed off him.  The Bucs' Davin Joseph and Falcons' Harvey Dahl are a couple other guards that are better than what we had last season.

The ultimate free agent this off season is going to be QB Mike Vick.  Could Al Davis possibly be clearing cap space to make a lucrative offer to Mike Vick?  Who knows?

One thing I know for sure is that Al Davis will be making some big moves this off season.  He has his own free agents to re-sign like Seymour, Miller, Bush, Wimbley, Huff and Asomugha.  Once he takes care of his own you can bet the house that Al Davis is going to make a big move this off season.

We just have to wait and see.