Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) looks into the backfield of the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie McKenzie has a strategy in building a franchise. It is one he was brought into at Green Bay. The theory of building a team through young players acquired in the draft. If your hoping to see McKenzie sign three or four big name studs in free agency, you should move to Miami and get a Mike Wallace jersey because its not happening. Even when McKenzie has the cap space next off season he has made it clear how this team will be built. Resulting in the Raiders searching for free agent gems at the bottom of the barrel. Of course the bottom of the barrel can be home to ex pro bowlers with something to prove. Not always a bad thing.

Mike Jenkins will join Tracy Porter in the depleted secondary of Oakland. The former Cowboy became a 2009 pro bowler, but as of late he hasn’t played up to par. Reggie McKenzie’s signing will be just as much of a gamble as the signings of Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell. These players will need to pan out for McKenzie if there are any hopes of going .500.

A pretty dim outlook for the season and yet a cruel reality. McKenzie’s gambles are like floaties on a fat kid, they wont keep the team afloat for long but they’ll have to do. McKenzie is also rolling his dice on Andre Carter, who despite his age impressed on Oakland’s complacent defensive line last season. With any luck he will be a positive role model for a future rookie pass rusher. Ending on a positive note, at least we are moving forward.

The Raiders have finally put Rolando McClain on waivers. Character issues and a work ethic only Jamarcus Russell would envy has put the linebacker out of a job.

McClain started his Raider career with an impressive preseason (Check out the slam!). That was about it. All that followed was disappointment and losses. The 23 year old McClain missed three games last season after verbally fighting with head coach Dennis Allen. The end result of McClain’s time as a Raider has been all but over since. It is a relief to know that the headache that is Rolando McClain has finally been dealt with.

On a positive note this move also opens an opportunity for Miles Burris to step up and become a leader on the defense. Burris turned heads last season and with a year under his belt, the youngster has no where to go but up.

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (left) sits on the bench near Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Leinart (right foreground) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

As of April 1, 2013 Carson Palmer is still an Oakland Raider. Of course that wont be true for long. Palmer’s high opinion of himself combined with Reggie McKenzie’s infatuation for former Green Bay Packers has landed Matt Flynn in Oakland. On paper the Raider’s 2012 quarterback didn’t seem too shabby. Palmer certainly proved a valuable commodity to acquire in a fantasy football league throwing over 4000 yards. However, the former Heisman trophy winner choked in the clutch like he was trying out for the Dallas Cowboys.

In comes Matt Flynn. A six year vet with just two starts under his belt. Albeit impressive starts, but even the aged egotistical Carson Palmer had more then two good games. Hell, Kerry Collins, Aaron Brooks, and Daunte Culpepper had more then two good games. Flynn is currently coming off a year in which he lost a starting job to a rookie quarterback out of Wisconsin. Not exactly franchise quarterback material. With Matt Leinart left on the depth chart as a sad and cruel joke it leaves only one other option at quarterback.

The fan favorite Terrell Pryor is viewed by most NFL experts as being at best a mediocre starter who is not yet ready to be given the reigns. In my mind it seems like if a quarterback is not ready after three years of riding the pine then he will never be ready. Yet there are still those who believe Pryor can be the next RG3 or Cam Newton. With the Flynn gamble in full effect the Pryor experiment is sure to get a chance. Bottom line, Dennis Allen will have more then just defensive concerns by the time the season rolls around.

As another NFL draft quickly approaches it seems as if the Raiders are still hunting for the successor of Rich Gannon, and the answer to the question that is the playoffs. It is my hope that the ever faithful Raider Nation wont have to suffer through another season of misery and defeat. Honestly the signing of Matt Flynn makes this Raider loyalist about as nervous as Mel Gibson at Temple. Although, the hope that Al Davis had something special planned for Terrell Pryor reminds me that anything is possible in the NFL.