Exploring Options

By MikeBullock  |   Monday, January 11, 2010  |  Comments( 5 )

Oakland Raiders
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The fastest way for the Oakland Raiders to turn around the worst losing streak in franchise history would be to, in the words of Rich Gannon “blow up the building and start over.” This isn’t a hyperbolic slathering of disingenuous words, nor a comment brought to bear by Raider Haters. When applying an intelligent examination of the franchise’s issues, one can only conclude that there is far more wrong with the Raiders than right and scrapping the whole thing for a fresh start would be vastly easier, and far more effective than slapping together some patchwork façade while praying dutifully that wins will magically fall into Oakland’s lap.

Al Davis, who rightfully earned his honored place in professional football history, has proven year after year he is no longer capable of getting the job done. Davis’ desire isn’t lacking, nor is his willingness to spend money. So, the only reasonable conclusion one can arrive at proves Davis is no longer the man for the job. In a “what have you done for me lately” league, where “lately” translates into seven consecutive losing seasons, it’s obvious Davis cannot right this ship.

The Raider front office, more an extension of the owner’s bizarre, misplaced machismo than a functioning business intelligently designed to put a powerhouse football team on the field, needs to head out the door before Davis. While most NFL franchise office’s focus on scouting, player development and other things necessary to achieve the ultimate goal, the Raider front office seems solely focused on ensuring Davis feels he is constantly surrounded by lapdogs.

Current (for now) head coach Tom Cable has managed to make lemons out of lemonade. Unfortunately, the odds of him ever ranking in the top 25 of NFL head coaching excellence are slim. Just as with Joe Bugle in the 90s, Cable is a great offensive line coach, possibly one of the best ever, who never should have ascended past that stage. While teaching big men to step, slide and jam with unbridled ferocity is necessary for success, knowing how to call plays, devise game strategies and motivate star players is even more so in the big picture of being a successful head coach.

The Raiders undoubtedly have some quality players on the roster, but none of them are irreplaceable. In fact, since the games are ultimately decided on the field, it stands to reason that they are as much to blame as Davis, Cable and anyone else involved. Asomugha, Lechler, Morrison and others may be team leaders, but they’ve consistently failed to lead their team anywhere worth going for the last seven seasons.

So, with nothing ultimately worth keeping at the risk of losing forevermore, Gannon was spot on with his assertion the entire franchise should be swept off the table so a new one could be built in its place. Just as you wouldn’t stop the demolition on an old stadium before building a new one because the relic has a neat jumbotron, you shouldn’t spare anything in Oakland.

However, it’s more than obvious the new owners will have to pry the franchise from Davis’ cold fingers. If the team is in chaos now, imagine what will come when the ownership group battles it out for the team’s destiny after Davis passes on.

So, what are the options now? For one thing, bring in someone to help run the organization who has a clue. Somewhere in New York, a seedy night club is missing its head bouncer and sending John Herrera back there makes far more sense than retaining him at the cost of bringing in someone who understands the business of football. Or, if Davis has to keep him around, put him in charge of the Davis family motor pool. I’m sure changing oil is more in tune with Herrera’s skill set than performing the duties of an NFL executive.

After that, bring in a solid assistant head coach who can shoulder some of Cable’s burden, allowing Cable to focus on what he’s good at, which isn’t play calling, strategizing or motivating lazy quarterbacks. Then, bring in a play calling offensive coordinator who can take advantage of the three headed monster in the back field and, if he’s re-signed, help Gradkowski continue what he started in ’09.

Bring in a defensive coordinator who understands that without the basics, the rest is useless. If a defensive team as a whole cannot tackle, they should give their collective paychecks back. If a defensive coordinator cannot figure out this is a problem, and correct it, he doesn’t deserve the title of “coach”. Teach the players what they’re doing wrong, then build from there. That’s the job.

Go out and spend whatever it takes to bring in marquee talent on both lines. Every great Raider team had a great offensive line and most had a great defensive one as well. From Art Shell and Jim Otto, to Barrett Robbins and Lincoln Kennedy, the Raiders proved again and again you win with great linemen. I will go to my grave sticking with the argument that Robbins lost the Superbowl for Oakland seven years ago, but without him, they never would have gotten there. When Robert Gallery is your best offensive lineman and Tommy Kelly your best defensive tackle, hoping for the playoffs is downright childish.

Suspend Jamarcus Russell for conduct detrimental to the team. Putting him on the bench doesn’t seem to work, so try hitting him in the wallet. Even if it doesn’t motivate him, it will save a few dollars Oakland can spend on a pro bowl left tackle.

Stop wasting money on free agent has beens and high ranked rookie never weres. If the only way to lure in free agents is by paying them twice what any other franchise is offering, then blow the place up and start over. Prove to the players that Oakland is once again a place to come win. Trade away the high ranked draft picks before you pick them. Oakland can easily draft two great linemen for the price of one overpaid wide out or defensive back.

It will take the perfect storm for the dysfunctional Oakland organization to pull all this off, but fans have to have some glimmer of hope, don’t they?
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CommentsComments: 5  |  Sign Up  View all comments
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No.1
B1-Raider		02:54 PM
01/11/2010
Mike, the best article yet. You're right, What have you done lately. The better teams out there are the ones with a true front...
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No.2
bigsnow81		04:17 PM
01/11/2010
Something needs to change. Big Russ needs to come into camp at below 250 lbs. Then his fat azz needs to sit on the bench for a...
No.3
Big Tex		07:40 PM
01/12/2010
bigsnow81, it will cost almost $10 million to keep JaMarcus next year. It will cost about $3 million to send him packing....
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