That seems to be theme around the Raider organization these days.

One day after effectively putting Kirk Morrison on the trading block, Adam Schefter has stated that he expects both Justin Fargas and Gerard Warren to be released.

Warren never lived up to his draft status after being selected third overall by the Cleveland Browns in the ’01 draft. His best asset was rushing the passer yet like most defensive linemen in Oakland in recent years he struggled against the run.

Fargas has been the only consistent offensive producer for the Silver and Black over the last four seasons including his 1,000-yard effort back in ’07. With the emergence of Michael Bush and the arrival of Darren McFadden, it was a given that Young Hugg was on borrowed time in the East Bay.

If true then there is also the obligatory element of the bizarre involved since this is the franchise ESPN loves to hate.

Both Fargas and Zach Miller are set to receive the Commitment to Excellence Award next weekend. For Fargas, it marks the third consecutive year he’s been bestowed with the honor.

Hey, it’s a business, I get that.

Fargas has represented the Silver and Black with pride every Sunday. He’s a hard worker who Lane Kiffin once referred to as the “heartbeat of the offense”. Always willing to accept whatever role the multiple coaching regimes he’s played for assigned him, Fargas has defined professionalism and exemplified excellence.

While his production has diminished each year since he surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau, his locker room presence will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace.

Hopefully this is one rumor that is rooted more in speculation than fact.

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Cable has got to make adjustments now.

Yes, I fully realize that this is just the preseason. But if what you’ve seen from the Oakland Raiders, specifically the defense, over the course of the first three exhibition games doesn’t alarm you in some way shape or form then you must be from the George W. Bush school of reading the warning signs of a dwindling economy.

Even in victory over the Cowboys, the first team defense couldn’t stop the run. In a one point loss to the 49ers, the defense allowed 275 yards on the ground to the second, third and scout team running backs. Most recently, the first team defense couldn’t stop anything the Saints did.

Not all is lost. This team still plays in the AFC Worst and there is reason to be optimistic. The good news is that the Chiefs are already hitting the panic button now that Scott Mitchell Matt Cassel is injured. The Broncos got abused by Jay Cutler and the Bears, making one wonder just how much worse off the Donkey defense is than Oakland’s. The bad news is that the Silver and Black are still in a six year drought against San Diego.

With all that being said, here are 5 quick fixes Tom Cable can implement immediately to keep the Raiders in the hunt for the AFC West crown.

5. Bench Cornell Green – How he still has a starting job is amazing. Green is a penalty machine who couldn’t pick up a blitz if he found it at the bottom of a Krispy Kreme box. Khalif Barnes might have been unwilling to play right tackle, but when he returns from injury Cable should leave him no choice. Either play on the right side of the line or stay home.

4. Start Desmond Bryant – Is it a bad sign that your best defensive tackle is an undrafted free agent who was second team All-Ivy League at Harvard? Not if he’s the only guy on the line who goes all out on every snap it’s not. I don’t care how much money Tommy Kelly is making. Gerard Warren was a bust when Cleveland let him go five years ago. No more scholarships. Play the best players. Period!

3. Trevor Scott is not an every down player – He led all rookies in sacks last season. Good for Trevor. But all that proves is he can rush the passer. Against the run, Scott disappears like LeBron James after being eliminated from the playoffs. Start Bryant at defensive tackle, move Kelly to the end and utilize Scott on passing downs only. Scott is like that car sitting in a redneck’s front yard; he can’t get off blocks.

2. Electroshock therapy for JaMarcus Russell – To be fair, Russell has played some great ball in the preseason. He’s made a few errant throws, but has looked confident in the pocket and is getting better and better each day. The problem is he still holds onto the rock too long. Attaching a few electrodes to that WMD on his right shoulder will learn him to get the ball out in three seconds or less. Quick decisions, confident throws, being aware of the pressure; these are the keys to quarterback supremacy.

1. Give Darren McFadden the rock all day everyday – I hate to sound like a broken record with this but I don’t care how you do it, Cable. It doesn’t matter who bitches at you on the sideline because they’re not getting their touches. Run-DMC is poised to pop every time he gets his hands on the pill. He’s as big a homerun threat as any name you’ll find in the BALCO client rolodex. Get him involved early and often. Trust me, once he gets going, the whole playbook opens up. Just one word of advice: if Cornell Green is in the game, don’t run McFadden to the right side of the field.

Five very simple solutions that might not equate to another Lombardi in Al’s trophy case, but it will prevent suffering anymore 45-7 embarrassments.

The time is now, Coach Cable. Barbeque or mildew?

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Al Davis has shown us that he still has a sharp eye for talent by unearthing gems such as Michael Bush (4^th round, 2007), Justin Fargas (3^rd round, 2003), Mario Henderson (3^rd round, 2007), Johnnie Lee Higgins (3^rd round, 2007) and Kirk Morrison (3^rd round, 2005).

However, we’re still waiting on Robert Gallery, JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden to become the cornerstones of the franchise and lead the Raider Rebirth.

Immediate position needs:

OT – Gallery seems to have finally found a place where he is comfortable after being moved from tackle to guard last season and Mario Henderson looked very good when taking over at left tackle late in the season. Kwame Harris appears to be another free agent signing gone bad and the only way I can explain Cornell Green still starting at right tackle is that he must have some pretty nasty photos of Al Davis. You can be sure that getting a tackle with the #7 pick in the draft will be a serious consideration.

C - Jake Grove has voided his contract and will test the free agent market leaving the Raiders with an immediate need to address the loss of a starter on the O-line. Grove has showed some real talent but has also missed his share of games due to injury over the years.

WR – The Raider receiving core was a mess last season. Javon Walker was given a contract worth $50 million, had to be talked out of retirement and then went out and caught only 15 balls before going on IR. Drew Carter was a free agent signing who never made it to the regular season after sustaining a serious knee injury. Ron Curry should have been the top target for Russell but never emerged as the reliable receiver we had hope he’d become and his Raider days appear over. Johnnie Lee Higgins, who led all Raider wide outs with 22 grabs, and Chaz Schilens both showed a lot of promise late in the year. Schilens could be another gem. The former San Diego State Aztec was a 7^th round pick who stands 6’4″ and can run like the wind.  Al’s glowing review of Higgins and Schilens combined with Zach Miller’s emergence as a future Pro Bowler at tight end could mean that the Raiders will be staying the course at receiver.

DT – The Raider run defense was nonexistent last season ranking 31^st in the NFL. It goes without saying that stopping the run starts up front with the big guys. Terdell Sands put his fist to the face of Shane Lechler and might now be putting his walking shoes on to hit the pavement. Gerard Warren has never become the dominant defensive force in the league that he looked like in college. There is a very definite chance that this could be a need addressed in the first round. We’ll know more after the combine.

OLB – Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are the fastest linebacker duo in the NFL and are capable of being dominant if given some help from the D-line. Morrison’s coverage skills could be batter suited to move him to the outside position instead of in the middle, but rest assured that the Raiders will need to get a new linebacker one way or another to be added to the Morrison and Howard combo.

Concerns going forward:

CB – The Nnamdi Asomugha saga has been the topic of national debate with every team in the league licking their chops at the thought of a shut down corner hitting the free agent market. The smart money is on Nnamdi getting the franchise tag for 2009, but beyond that, his Raider future is very much up in the air.

S – Michael Huff has just not  lived up to the expectations that have come with being a top 10 draft pick. He is an amazing athlete but has been unable to grasp all the responsibilities of being the last line of defense in the NFL. He could be a better fit as a nickel corner, but his future is in doubt amid reports he will be given his out right release. Tyvon Branch was another great find in the 4^th round last year and were it not for injures, his rookie season had the looks of being a breakout. Branch was a corner at Connecticut, but he played some safety last year and could be the opening day starter alongside Gibril Wilson.

P – It is not often that you would address the need for a punter in the draft, but the possibility of losing Shane Lechler is looming larger with each passing day. Lechler is, statistically, the best punter in the history of pro football. His scuffle with Terdell Sands has become the best reason for the speculation of his possible exodus.

DE – Derrick Burgess has been saddled with injuries the past two seasons. It was not long ago he was the most dangerous pass rusher in the league but now is showing the wear and tear of 9 seasons in the NFL.

All in all, this young Raider team is not that far away from being much more competitive. The end of the 2008 season showed a lot of what is possible and the ever changing face of the AFC West has even sparked some hope of a return to the playoffs. One thing is clear, the 2009 draft is crucial to this team’s future. I hope that Al Davis is paying close attention to every detail in Indianapolis this week.