Oakland Raiders: Darrius Heyward Bey, the Time to Shine Is Now

The Monday night showdown was a great game for the Oakland Raiders. They ran the ball well, played hard-nosed defense and played with the high emotion a team needs to beat a divisional opponent.

The biggest flaw, however, was the passing game. There was only one bright spot: Darrius Heyward Bey.

We all know the story that is Darrius Heyward Bey. The fast Maryland Terrapin blew up his NFL combine and was the first wide receiver taken in the 2009 NFL Draft because of it. Al Davis saw unteachable speed and reached out to get it.

Because of that decision by the Oakland Raiders to pass on who many believed was the best receiver in the draft, Michael Crabtree, Heyward Bey would be remembered for only one thing: "The guy Al Davis reached on."

So far, Heyward Bey has done nothing to prove Al Davis right, and DHB is running out of time to do so. If he is going to make a statement, it needs to happen now.

On Monday Night Football, Heyward Bey racked up four receptions for 44 yards. Nothing mind-boggling about that, but considering that quarterback Jason Campbell only threw for 150 pass yards, it is reassuring that DHB was responsible for almost a third of that production.

DHB's stats may have not have been great, but you have to be impressed with how he came up with them. His catches were clean, he showed physicality in breaking tackles and, most importantly, they came in the clutch.

During the game, when the Raiders were on their own 1-yard line, Campbell led Heyward Bey out of bounds, when clearly DHB had almost two steps on his defender. If Campbell hit that pass, that would have been a 60-yard completion, if not a 99-yard touchdown.

Then I know I wouldn't be the only one writing this article.

Heyward Bey looked like the Raiders' best weapon on Monday night, as strange as it may seem.

Is it really that strange, though?

Many believe that fellow 2009 draft pick Louis Murphy and 2010 fourth-round pick Jacoby Ford are the Raiders' best two receivers on the roster. In terms of production, that is true.

But I have said this before, and I will continue to have this opinion. When I compare DHB to Ford and Murphy, there is nothing I see that makes me believe that DHB cannot catch up or compete with these guys.

If Ford's biggest asset is speed, it's not like he would wipe the floor with DHB in a race, and if DHB's biggest problem is his hands, it's not like Murphy has hands of glue. Ford may be the more dynamic receiver, because you can do so many unconventional things with him, that defenses just are not ready for. Murphy so far is the most productive, but his numbers still don't scream No.1 receiver, despite his 1000-yard season pace in 2010 before his injury.

However, Murphy and Ford have something DHB does not yet have: memorable moments.

Heyward Bey needs big moments, the way Murphy did against the Steelers and how Ford did versus the Chiefs. Again, if Campbell was on the money, what bigger moment is a 99-yard touchdown on Monday Night Football?

The question is, how bad does DHB want it?

The last time we had that question, it was about a selfish quarterback. But I am not questioning DHB's work ethic to a guy who seemed allergic to hard work. We all know DHB has been a hard worker since being drafted.

But does Heyward Bey have the hunger to be this team's No.1 receiver, or is he just trying to prove he belongs in the NFL? There is a difference.

The battle for the No. 1 receiver on this team is wide open. Even if DHB is not the favorite to win that spot, he has just as much an opportunity as any other receiver, and this team is hungry for one.

Not only is the the team hungry for one, so is this fan base.

If you are an "ol'skool" Raiders fan, you were used to the likes of Fred Biletnikoff, who is in the Hall of Fame, and you saw that transition to the likes of Cliff Branch in the 80s. Then in the late 80s and throughout the 90s, we saw Tim Brown, who also should be in the Hall of Fame.

So I understand if it seems strange that a Raiders team that is on the rise does not have a receiver that commands No.1 attention. But the fact is, any receiver at this point can compete for that spot, and it should not shock anyone if that guy is Darrius Heyward Bey.

The time is now. The Raiders need DHB now more than ever. With Ford and Murphy nursing injuries, DHB is headed into Week 2 as the Raiders' top dog. He needs to prove Monday night was no fluke, because in Week 3 he will face the best corner in the league in Darrelle Revis.

Heyward Bey has a lot of work to do, but he can do it. Let's not give up on him quite yet.