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If Al Davis were around there is no doubt former Florida Gator turned U.S. Olympic track athlete Jeff Demps would have been in Silver and Black. At least he would have been if Davis beat Bill Belichick to the punch.

An ESPN report claims that the Pats will announce the signing of Demps today. The one-time running back passed on entering the NFL draft in order to pursue his endeavors on the track. The move was certainly the right one to make for Demps.

The former SEC champion won a silver medal in London as part of the U.S. 4X100 relay team. Though he didn’t qualify in any of the open events, Demps’ future on the track is bright. However his desire to play football is obviously strong enough that he’s willing to put that future on hiatus for a shot at the NFL.

This is yet another move Belichick has openly borrowed from the Book of Davis. The man many proclaim as the best coach in the game makes no secrets about the influence Davis has had on his football philosophy. What’s more Davis than getting the fastest athletes on the planet on an NFL roster?

Truth be told, this is a move of no major consequence from a football standpoint. Demps was an average runner at best and will likely be a special teams contributor for Belichick. That’s if he makes the cut of course. Demps stands to have a much more fruitful and lucrative career on the track than he does in the NFL.

Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

I’ve already gone on the record saying the Oakland Raiders will win the AFC West if Darren McFadden can remain healthy in 2012. Not exactly a bold proclamation considering how weak the West has been and that my not-so-bold claim has an if/then contingency.

So I’m going to take this one step further with another somewhat bolder yet none the less conditional claim.

If the Oakland Raiders can get their defense up to middle of the road standing in the NFL hierarchy then they’ll be true title contenders.

Don’t look now but Dennis Allen could be building his version of the New Orleans Saints West. On paper there are some similarities the current Raiders share with the previous World Champion Saints.

In our version of the New Oakland Saints we’re going to swap out Drew Brees for Darren McFadden as our focal point of the offense. While the position of running back isn’t as influential on the outcome of a game as quarterback there is no doubt Run DMC is capable of taking a game over in crucial moments. But Carson Palmer is no Kyle Boller and when he’s on his game CP3 is still among the best throwers in the game.

But we’re not here to talk about Oakland’s explosive offense. By now the league knows all too well what this offense at full strength can be.

What we’re focusing on is getting the Raider D back up to championship level.

Now in years past having a championship defense meant being dominant. That’s not the case anymore. Not in a pass happy league with rules tailored to the offense. Just look at the sad excuse of a defense Bill Belichick dragged into the Super Bowl last year. Better year look no further than the opportunistic D the Saints rode into Lombarditown.

New Orleans didn’t have a great secondary nor did they have a dominating group of linebackers. What they had was a bend-but-don’t-break approach that featured defensive playmakers. You could move the ball on the Saints with ease but mistakes were severely punished.

The Raiders can be the same type of team.

The strength of Oakland’s defense is the D-line, without question. Though that unit hasn’t always played up to par it’s an athletic, versatile and mean collection of talent capable of pressuring passers into careless mistakes.

Beyond the line it’s going to be up to Jason Tarver to scheme his defense into becoming more opportune. Tyvon Branch is the lone standout in the secondary and the linebackers are very much a question mark.

That’s where this nice and neat idea gets a reality check. We’re not exactly sure what to expect of the defense. Coming off of another awful season Oakland’s defensive performance has got to improve. Even with a new offense being installed you’d still expect Run DMC and company to kill it every Sunday. That alone can carry this team to the top of the AFC West.

Getting deep into the playoffs will require a much more of the defense. Not a drastic improvement, mind you. Just enough of an upswing that the offense won’t be required to constantly go point-for-point with the opposition.

It’s not a bold prediction by any means but it’s one that could definitely come to fruition if the Raiders are up to the task of becoming an improved defensive team.

Noah K. Murray/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Every year at this time the football world starts looking to the future. College teams begin their spring practices while pro teams evaluate the newest crop of talent. Inevitably the football starved media races at the chance to talk up all things draft related so eager to get their fix that they grade draft classes before a single game has been played.

Common sense tells you that nothing is ever decided at the moment of acquisition. It’s not like buying a lottery ticket automatically means you spent your money wisely. Only the right combination of ping pong balls justifies that purchase. Same goes for the NFL draft. Simply selecting the consensus best player doesn’t mean your team hit the Tom Brady sweepstakes.

So while the rest of the football galaxy eagerly anticipates the upcoming draft we’re going to look back at the Oakland Raiders class of 2008 to see how the silver and black fared. Incidentally the Raiders were limited to only 5 picks back in ’08 just as they are for 2012. Biggest difference then was that Oakland owned a first round pick, 4^th overall in fact.

Raiders Draft of 2008

Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas – 1^st round, 4^th overall

Career Stats: 45 games played, 2627 rushing yards, 4.8 yards-per-carry, 20 total TDs

Analysis: We all know the book on McFadden. When healthy he’s among the best playmakers in the league. His size, speed, agility, strength and aggressive running style make him one of the most unique talents in the league. At no fault of his own, the injury bug has robbed the Raiders of getting more from McFadden. Four years in, he’s got just one 1,000 yard season and has missed 20 games. There is still time for Run DMC to right the ship but with all running backs the ticking clock gets louder each year.

McFadden Draft Grade: B+

If he can stay healthy, this grade shoots up to an A++. But relative to where McFadden was drafted and how uncertain his future is, those moments of brilliance are the only thing that keeps this grade in the B area. Another rush of injuries will unfairly drop this grade lower.

Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut – 4^th round, 100^thoverall

Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Career Stats: 56 games played, 347 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 INTs

Analysis: Another Al Davis dandy. Most only saw another stopwatch hero being picked by the Raiders. Davis saw a versatile DB that would eventually develop into one of the league’s best run stoppers at strong safety. Branch embodies everything you’d expect of a Raider. He’s a hard worker that plays every Sunday likes it’s his last. Hard to believe the Raiders nailed this pick after sitting on their hands for three rounds after taking McFadden 4^thoverall.

Branch Draft Grade: A

Anytime a guy picked 100^th overall earns the franchise tag four years later you know your scouts and coaches have done a great job. Of course all the credit really goes to Branch who hung in there with the Raiders while the figured out where he fit in best. Turns out his speed and hitting talent translated perfectly to the strong safety position. After dealing with injury as a rookie, Branch hasn’t missed a game, starting every time Oakland has taken the field the last three years. The Raiders should be so lucky to land another talent like this with one of their mid-round picks in 2012.

Arman Shields, WR, Richmond – 4^th round, 125^th overall

Career Stats: None

Analysis: The draft is a gamble, we know this and Shields proves it. He was another Davis special, a receiver with size and speed that might have been a bit of a reach in the 4^th round. Shields never appeared in an NFL game and many saw that coming. He missed all but one game at Richmond in 2007 due to a knee injury and suffered the same injury again in the NFL. This was a risky roll of the dice that came up snake eyes.

Shields Draft Grade: F

This is one of those unfortunate stories of the NFL. Next time there is labor stoppage and everyone starts whining about how great a life the player shave keep in mind the story of Shields. He might not have ever become an All-Pro but his career was over before it started at no fault of his own.

Trevor Scott, DE, Buffalo – 6^th round, 169^th overall

Career Stats: 58 games played, 16 starts, 77 tackles, 13.5 sacks

Analysis: You’re not going to see very many Trevor Scott jerseys sold at your local mall but as far as 6^th round picks go this was a great selection. Scott led all rookies in sacks and was a valuable, versatile defender for the Raiders in his first four years as a pro. A knee really turned the tide for Scott who had emerged as a starter. He’s now a member of the Patriots. His knee might not permit Scott to be starter again but you get the feeling Bill Belichick will find some way to get the best out of Scott.

Scott Draft Grade: B

Finding a quality pro that has a chance to have a career in the NFL in the 6^th round is rare. Again, Oakland nailed this pick after sitting out the entire 5^th round, waiting for their chance to jump on Scott. Scott’s grade should be an A considering his draft stock relative to his production but that knee injury is tough to ignore. Before it he had a real role as a Raider. Now he’s venturing into journeyman territory.

Chaz Schilens, WR, San Diego State – 7^th round, 226^th overall

Career Stats: 43 career games, 19 starts, 72 receptions, 902 yards, 12.5 yards per catch, 7 TDs

Analysis: Usually you’re happy if you land a player in the 7^thround that can make the practice squad. At one point, Schilens was the best receiver on Oakland’s roster. Here’s how good Chaz Schilens was: he actually made JaMarcus

Russell look like an NFL quarterback. Another size/speed guy that fit the Davis profile but this one could run routes and attacks the ball. Of course, like McFadden, you can’t talk about Schilens without mentioning his injury issues. It’s always been a case of what could have been. Now he’s in New York where the Jets will try to get all that Schilens has to offer.

Schilens Draft Grade: B-

At best Schilens might be a solid #3 receiver in the NFL. But for a 7^th round pick that’s almost like making the Hall of Fame. Of course, considering Buffalo’s Stevi

e Johnson was selected two picks before Schilens it could be this was just a great year for receivers. Pierre Garcon went in the 6^th round in ’08 as well.

2008 Raiders Draft Grade: B+

The jury is still out on this class largely because of McFadden’s health. There is no reason why Oakland shouldn’t have an easy A for this class. Aside from the Shields pick in round 4, each of Oakland’s picks panned out. Branch is on the verge of making a Pro Bowl appearance and McFadden is an MVP candidate when he’s top of his game. Scott and Schilens were great late round picks that could still blossom in the next phases of their career. The scouting department really earned their checks with this class.