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Since Reggie McKenzie first clocked in he’s been out to do things his way. Inside of one month on the job many of the pet projects, front office personnel and business practices of Al Davis were shown the exit. Quickly the rumors of Mark Davis’ desire to rid the franchise of his father’s finger prints began to spread.

Let’s got something very clear; No matter the true nature of how the Raiders will be run from here out it is an absolute impossibility to erase the Al Davis signature. Certainly his son knows this, that’s why he hired a man like McKenzie for the job instead of trying to fill his father’s shoes.

As for McKenzie, he’s just out to be his own man. There was some very necessary business to take care of in the wake of Al’s over spending and his scholarship program.

All that being said there is still plenty of Davis alive and well in McKenzie’s dealings.

This week revealed a lot of the Davis spirit still flourishing in Oakland like yesterday’s signing of Cal State Fullerton hoopster turned NFL tight end Andre Hardy. Some will see only another team following a trend. However this is a move ripped right from the Davis diary.

Just a few years ago Davis himself convinced a middle linebacker named Chris O’Neill that his future was as a tight end. Now O’Neill hasn’t exactly gone on to a stellar career but it does show the ever watchful eye of Davis at work in his desire to find and develop overlooked talent.

McKenzie might be following a recent trend but he’s keeping in step with ideals put in place by Davis long ago.

Another area in which McKenzie was clearly channeling Davis was when he was asked if the Oakland Raiders were at all interested in participating in HBO’s reality series Hard Knocks. McKenzie’s answer almost sounded like it came straight from Davis himself.

If you ask me, I say no. I like Raider business to stay Raider business.

Now there are some that believe Davis would have been open to having Hard Knocks come to the East Bay. But we all know that would have been on Al’s terms which likely would mean limited access.

McKenzie, like Davis, doesn’t feel the need to have his franchise exposed for the entire world to see. Keeping Raider business in house is the first law of the Davis Doctrine.

Now McKenzie has also spelled out a much different approach in the draft, one that does not place a high value on speed. But there will always be a place in football for bigger, stronger, faster athletes. That too is another lasting legacy of Davis that will forever be a part of the game.

Fact of the matter is McKenzie is handling his job with the poise of a true professional. He’s doing things his way with a slight wink towards Al Davis. After all, with everything Davis accomplished it is an impossible task to remove his footprints. To McKenzie’s credit he’s just trying to leave his own marks in the sand, occasionally standing in one of Davis’ when he needs solid ground. That’s about all you can ask of a man replacing a legend.

McFadden and the Raiders shouldn't need much motivation after being destroyed by the Saints last season.

On October 12^th, 2008, the New Orleans Saints beat the Oakland Raiders like a steel drum in Trinidad during carnival.

The Raiders struck first on a 24-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal. It would be the only time the scoreboard operator in the Superdome would have to touch the Raider point tally.

After 320 yards and three TD passes from Drew Brees, the Saints walked away with a 34-3 victory.

Tomorrow, the Saints come into Oakland for the third preseason game. The game might not count in the final standings, but rest assured that JaMarcus Russell hasn’t forgotten his team’s wretched performance in front of his family and friends last fall.

The third preseason game is the most important for all NFL players running with the first string. This is the game when the starting lineups will see their most field time of the preseason. Saturday is a chance for the Raiders to remind the Saints that they’re not the UFL team that came to Louisiana a year ago.

Tom Cable will no doubt use the embarrassing loss from last season to motivate his troops for the clash. For many players, this will also be their last chance to leave a lasting impression on the team as the first wave of cuts will roll through the NFL shortly after the third week of preseason football is completed.

Here is a rundown on a few of the things to watch for this Saturday.

Michael Huff will actually be starting against the Saints. Hiram Eugene is out and Huff might be getting his final chance to shake the “bust” label.

Jeff Garcia should see more action than he did in his Raider debut a week ago. Reports indicate that JaMarcus Russell will play the first half and possibly into the third quarter, leaving Garcia with the bulk of the second half to try and get a better feel for the offense.

Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy will be the starters at receiver for a second consecutive week. Javon Walker will finally get to show off that bionic knee of his as he’ll be running with the second team.

The Raiders’ defense gets a good test against a high powered New Orleans offense. The secondary will have to be sharp against Brees and company while the run defense gets a chance to right the many wrongs that occurred a week ago in San Francisco.

Michael Bush gets the start at running back this time around, thus completing the cycle of starting each of Oakland’s three talented runners. Based on performance alone in the games, Darren McFadden’s effort against Dallas has made the strongest case for getting the top spot on the depth chart.

Also of note is one Chris O’Neill who is reported to be re-joining the Raiders after having been cut some three weeks ago. O’Neill was originally signed as a tight end out of Bosie State but was converted to middle linebacker by Al Davis himself. No word on what position he’ll play but if he’s back at linebacker then that doesn’t bode well for the also newly re-signed Napoleon Harris.

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If you only read the headlines, it would appear that this offseason has been business as usual for the franchise perceived as the NFL’s most dysfunctional.

Therefore, I’m going to take you through some of the key moments of the 2009 Oakland Raider offseason and will attempt to explain the logic – or lack thereof – behind each move.

Two of the best in the NFL

Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler cash in - Amazingly enough, when Albert Haynesworth inked a deal worth $100 million it caused less of a stir than Asomugha’s three year deal worth a reported $45 million and Lechler’s annual salary of $4 million for his punting services. While most will argue that Al Davis overpaid, keep in mind that these are the two best players at their respective positions. Sure, the Raiders could have easily lost 72 games in six years without the help of Nnamdi and Shane. It is just good business to let the rest of your roster know that the boss takes care of those who remain professional no matter the circumstances. Plus, after giving bloated deals to DeAngelo Hall, Javon Walker and Gibril Wilson, Al owed it to Raider Nation to place his chips on a proven commodity instead of again risking his portfolio on a Bernie Madoff inspired hunch.

Cutting Gibril Wilson – This was the first shockwave that reverberated through Raider Nation in 2009. Wilson was given a six year deal worth $39 million yet only made it through one season. He survived on Raider Island longer than MeAngelo but his public criticism of the franchise and his inability to be any kind of a factor defending the pass made him expendable. Yes, the ’08 season began in turmoil but it ended with a renewed belief in Raider football thanks to Tom Cable. Wilson didn’t appear to be on board with the new regime and was thus allowed to go freely to Miami where he is sure to be torched by Randy Moss at least twice this year. Dolphin fans enjoy!

Re-signing Isaiah Ekejiuba – He is listed as a linebacker but he’s a special teams player by trade. Ekejiuba’s deal is worth $5.4 million with a fifth of it being paid up front via his signing bonus. Is it crazy to give a special teams contributor a three year deal? From the outside many would think so. Behind the iron curtain in Oakland though, it is a solid move. Again, this is about rewarding those who lay it on the line and have a professional demeanor. This has been sadly missed in the East Bay for more than half a decade now. Yes, it is sad to have to rebuild your team on basic football principles. Just keep in mind that this is all about baby steps.

Russell has Garcia over his shoulder

Cable keeps it competitive – Tom Cable is not a fan of scholarships. He wants his players to earn their keep by holding their feet to the flame with each practice. Thus, Khalif Barnes was brought it to push Mario Henderson. Jeff Garcia returned to the Bay to breath down the neck of JaMarcus Russell. Michael Bush was not traded so that Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas wouldn’t get complacent and Michael Mitchell was drafted to give Michael Huff one last chance to prove his worth (more on Mitchell later).  The headline is the supposed position battle ensuing between Russell and Garcia but the fact is that Garcia’s job is to try and take snaps away from Russell. This is not to say he was acquired to replace Russell. Instead, Garcia is in town to push JaMarcus through the door that is keeping him out of the NFL Quarterback club.

The draft heard round the world – According to Cris Carter, Darrius Heyward-Bey “can’t catch the ball”. According to Chris Berman, Michael Mitchell was not even listed in his NFL Draft program. According to Tom Cable, Heyward-Bey is a perfect fit for the Raider system and Michel Mitchell resembles “Jack Tatum and Ronnie Lott“. Lost in the laughing and finger pointing is the fact that both are hungry, humble and hard working. Heyward-Bey’s potential is unquestioned and Mitchell’s hard hitting is an attempt to return to the Raider Way of football. Both are rolls of the dice. Both are unproven. Both have massive chips on their shoulders. The Raiders did miss out on the chance to address other needs in the draft. However, if this bet pays off, it will be a bold move to once again reestablish the Raiders as NFL mavericks. Should these two go bust, it will be yet another year of drafting in the top 10. This has the potential to be a make or break moment for Tom Cable’s tenure.

Lorenzo Neal’s in the house – Who doesn’t love this move? He’s got every quality Tom Cable and his staff has attempted to fill the locker room with and he’s the best blocking fullback in the history of the game. Since Al Davis is staying the course in attempting to resurrect the Raiders ways of old, Neal is the best acquisition this offseason.

Converting a tight end and waiving a defensive end – From the bizarre news department comes the stories of a tight end turned middle linebacker, a rookie who was waived before ever putting pads on and the release of a fan favorite who never even played single game. Frantz Jospeh was an undrafted free agent middle linebacker from Florida Atlantic with a heart warming story. Raider Nation was pulling for him to make the roster and become the feel good story of the Raider Rebirth. Instead, he was released before training camp and the Raiders opted to convert another UFA, Chris O’Neill, from tight end to middle linebacker. Then there was the news that the organization opted to part ways with 6^th round selection Stryker Sulak before training camp began. Attempting to explain the logic in this whole scenario is daunting but it doesn’t seem to be as aimless as many assume. To begin, the Raiders still have to trim the roster down to in order to open camp. This is war and there will be collateral damage. Not giving Sulak a chance to compete in pads is a harsh move but his only hope was moving to linebacker. Many believe he is better suited to stand up in a 3-4. With the addition of Greg Ellis, the inability to trade Derrick Burgess and a few other defensive ends on the roster, Sulak was just squeezed out. As for O’Neill, well we’re going to have to wait and see if the former Boise State Bronco can transition to his new position.

Many question the methods. Most have already chalked up another 5 wins for the Raiders in 2009. If there is any method behind this madness it is the stubborn attempt to reconstruct the Raider Way. While it might not be the best formula, it is a blueprint none the less. With the way the past six years have gone, devising a plan – no matter how it is viewed – is a step in the right direction.

Now, it is time to live up to the adage that defines the Oakland Raiders.

Just win baby!

Otherwise, all of the above is simply the ramblings of a myopic fan who roots for a mislead organization.

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