Raiders Al Davis needs to bring in fresh blood

October 27, 11:07 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Al Davis is one of the great football men of the history of the NFL. His accomplishments in both the AFL and then the NFL define a legacy that will stand the test of time. Under his leadership, the Raiders rose from an afterthought in a second class league to three championships and one of the winningest teams in all of sports. However, the Raiders have fallen on sustained hard times and there is only one person who has been consistent through the down years and that is Al Davis.

(AP Photo/ Paul Sakuma)

Davis has run the Raiders in his autocratic manner since he was was brought in as part owner and general manager in 1966, following his stint as commissioner of the American Football League. He cemented his power 1972 when he conned fellow partner Ed McGah into amending the ownership agreement to make him unquestioned "President of the General Partners" for life. This move forced out original partner Wayne Valley, and left no power in the Raiders' front office that could balance him out.

For many years this worked well. However, the game of football has evolved in the 47 years that Davis has been involved with the Raiders. His views on building a team have not, however.

There are numerous examples throughout sports history where someone has kept going beyond their prime, and that is where Davis is dragging down the Raiders. There is no shame in admitting that it is time to step down and let the next generation take over.

Muhammad Ali had no business stepping into the ring with Larry Holmes for their fight on October 2, 1980. Ali was a shell of his former self, and could not hold his own against the younger fighter. Davis is a lot like Ali in this manner. Both of them are towering figures in their respective sports. Davis his hanging on to what worked once upon a time, and doesn't see that the league has changed around him. Ali could not see that his skills had declined to the point where he would be dominated by Holmes.

It is obvious that Davis's fingerprints are all over the Raiders problems with the draft. It was common knowledge throughout football experts that JaMarcus Russell was going to be a project. However, Davis could not see past the athletic ability and strong arm. Even with Russell's struggles, Davis continues to defend him with examples of quarterbacks from the past. Darren McFadden and Darrius Heyward-Bey were both taken based on their speed and not on their football abilities.

What worked for football in 1976 is not going to work in 2009. The game has changed and evolved. Al Davis's methods and schemes have not. The Raiders only sustained success since their 1995 return to Oakland was the Jon Gruden-Rich Gannon era. During this time, the Raiders moved away from their philosophy of a strong armed quarterback and vertical offense. They also had a coach who instilled discipline and accountability instead of just talking about it. That was a team that dominated.

It is time for Davis to bring in the football guy he was speaking about during the firing of Lane Kiffin and let him run the show. It is time for the Raiders to step into the 21st century.

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You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.