All Al Wants For Christmas…

By MikeBullock  |   Monday, December 21, 2009  |  Comments( 2 )

Oakland Raiders
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
The one present Al Davis wants more than anything is his fourth Lombardi trophy to showcase at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway. In the event that can’t happen, Al will settle for a win against his most hated rivals, the Denver Broncos. And that’s exactly what the team got him this year, as the Raiders stole another last minute win by defeating the Broncos 20-19.

This victory, however tastes far sweeter to Davis for two reasons. Firstly, the obvious, the win was over Denver and seriously cramped their playoff hopes, dropping the Broncos to 8-6, just one game ahead of the mob of AFC playoff hopefuls that include the reigning champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the team with last year’s best regular season record, the Tennessee Titans.

Secondly, having the win come off the fingertips of JaMarcus Russell, you can bet your bottom dollar Davis feels vindicated in signing the bloated young signal caller to an even more overinflated contract. With two victories against Denver, Russell must look like the second coming of Darryl Lamonica in Davis’s eyes right about now.

Unfortunately for Raider Nation, that means it’ll be even harder to shake Russell out of the Oakland tree.

However, this is Christmas week, time for celebrations, peace on Earth and goodwill towards men. So, instead of dwelling on the future of a franchise seemingly stuck with a draft bust of epic proportions, let’s examine what the Raiders have to build on going into the final games of the season.

Michael Bush once again proved if given the opportunity, and some half way decent blocking, he can be a star caliber back in this league. Having stolen Bush in the fourth round of the 2007 draft, then placing him on the PUP list for all of his first season with the team, pundits thought Oakland took a big gamble with the young runningback. Once Bush did hit the field, in 2008, he exploded in week seventeen against the Tamp Bay Buccaneers for 177 yards and two scores. Trying to duplicate that effort yesterday, Bush raced for 133 yards and one score against Denver. If Cable, or whoever replaces him, can get that offensive line working properly, Bush can and will be dangerous week in and week out.

Another bright spot for Oakland is the young receivers that are trying to shine despite little or no help from Russell. Rookie wide receivers seldom have much of an impact in the NFL, but no one explained that to Louis Murphy who has 440 yards and four scores, including two key catches to clinch wins this year. When healthy, second year wide out Chaz Schilens has proven to be a playmaker as well. If speedster Darrius Heyward Bey can learn to catch and Johnnie Lee Higgins can continue to develop, the Raiders may very well have a lethal receiving corps next year for the first time since Tim Brown and Jerry Rice shared the field with Jerry Porter.

Regardless of the current 5-9 record, in a league where Monday is a “what have you done for me lately” day, the Oakland Raiders can head off to celebrate Christmas, knowing they gave their owner one of the few things he wants and needs, all the while taking it from a hated division rival.

And, for one brief moment, there was peace and rejoicing in Oaktown.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report