Casting Call for a Movie Regarding Al Davis' Life

Whether you loved him or hated him, you cannot deny the impact that Al Davis had on the NFL for almost all of the past half-century.

His death on Saturday was another chapter closed in the long legacy of the NFL.

From his time as coach and then owner of the Raiders and his feud with then-NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, there has not been a more controversial and eclectic owner and visionary in NFL circles.

Not Jerry Jones in Dallas, not Joe Robbie in Miami not even the Bidwells in Arizona or the Browns in Cincinnati.

And when Davis decided that he would buck the system and move his team to Los Angeles in 1982, it just proved that he did not give a damn what people thought or who stood in his way, because he thought he was bigger than the league, the sport and the business.

If there is to be a movie about this great, yes, he was great in terms of success and his vision, there are many people who could play his part and there are many who could play the parts of players and personnel who helped define him in NFL circles.

Al Davis: Christopher Walken

He was the first person to jump into my head when thinking of this movie.

Walken is quirky, unconventional and a little off his rocker at times. We have seen this in the movies he has played in such as Pulp Fiction, Out of Time, Catch Me If You Can and No Vacancy.

Davis was not always perceived to be a "level-headed" man. Walken is infamous for playing the roles of men in movies who have a screw or two loose.

Gene Upshaw: Delroy Lindo

A serious face for a serious part.

The late Gene Upshaw was a mainstay on the Raiders offensive line in the 1970s and 80s.

He was a Hall of Famer and one of the Greatest Raiders of All Time.

Art Shell: Anthony Anderson

He used to be all about the comedy, but since his Law and Order days, this could be a breakout part for him.

Art Shell was the first African-American head coach hired in the modern era and was a mainstay on the Raiders offensive line with the likes of Gene Upshaw and Dave Dalby.

If Anderson can fit into the role of an older character, then this would be an ideal part for him.

Fred Biletnikoff: Ashton Kutcher

We needed to give this movie some infusion of youth.

Kutcher, if he can play the serious role, can do that.

As an All-American at FSU and then an All-Pro talent in the NFL, few receivers could play the game in the 1970s like Fred Biletnikoff.

Jack Tatum: Samuel L. Jackson

Tatum was one of the meanest players ever to strap on a helmet in the NFL. And with this role, you need someone equally as tough and BAD.

Enter Samuel L. Jackson.

His role in Pulp Fiction is enough to convince anyone he can fill this part.

Pete Rozelle: Gene Hackman

You always have to have the wizened leader or aged man who makes sense of it all.

Gene Hackman is your man.

Pete Rozelle ushered in the NFL/AFL merger with the likes of Davis, Lamar Hunt and Weeb Eubank.

Hackman is money and would be a great addition to this role and this movie.

Tom Flores: Jimmy Smits

He went from LA Law to NYPD Blue to the West Wing to Star Wars.

Smits can handle this role.

Tom Flores was the first Latino head coach in the NFL, a title that is important and one Smits would not take lightly in defining this role.

John Madden: John Goodman

He would have to work on his accent, but he is the right man for the part.

Goodman played in "The Babe" and has been an ornery sort in other on-screen roles.

Another sports movie would do his career well and possibly lead to a revival from the days when he was Roseanne's husband.

John Madden would be proud. BOOM!

Jim Plunkett: Lou Diamond Phillips

Al Davis gave him a chance to play after he was originally drafted by the Patriots.

All he did was deliver.

Lou Diamond Phillips is a sleeper pic. A lean, older veteran who could fill in nicely.

Hopefully, he throws a tight spiral.

Marcus Allen: Blair Underwood

Allen was the franchise and then had a falling-out with management and finished his career in Kansas City.

Allen was very candid in his remarks over the years of how he thought Davis tried to ruin his career before he moved on from Los Angeles.

Blair Underwood looks the part and should fill the role nicely. He has been on television in LA Law and other shows. It will be interesting to see how he fills a Hall of Famer's shoes.