Within those four years the Raiders have seen enough disappointment to make even the most loyal fans shake their heads.

  The Raiders lost Rich Gannon to retirement following the 2003 season, only to replace him with the disappointing duo of Kerry Collins and Aaron Brooks; both players are no longer with the team. Tim Brown and Jerry Rice have retired, leaving the productive Jerry Porter to stew in his own disgust with the team. In hopes of bringing some playmaking ability to the team, the Raiders traded for Randy Moss, who has failed to live up to anyone’s expectations and is in talks of being traded out of Oakland. Their offense was the worst in recent memory in 2006, and as far as the defense is concerned, it has been pathetic up until this past season, where their band of underrated talent came together and ranked a surprising third overall in total defense.

The Raiders are Davis' team, and if anyone knows what's best for the Raiders, he will know

  Raiders’ Owner Al Davis is a man who models the Raiders after himself and his idea of who should be lead the team is very strongly based on his liking in the player. He has historically favored players with unique talent that would make the average scout become wide-eyed with amazement. This habit that Davis exploits has gotten strong attention in this years draft, because with the first overall pick in the draft comes a decision of whether to take LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the rocket-armed gunner with raw talent and unquestionable upside, or Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the proven playmaker whose incredible statistical size and athletic ability has placed him atop the rest of the players in the draft.

  It would be a simple pick between the two players if the Raiders were missing only a franchise quarterback or a big play receiver alone, but coming into this year’s draft, they could use an upgrade at both positions. Davis has a strong trust in current starting quarterback Andrew Walter and has been in favor of him over skilled veterans the past two years of free agency, however, should Davis decide that he wants to allow Walter to progress as starter, he will be jeopardizing the season and the possible future of this franchise. This would push the Raiders toward selecting Russell with the first overall pick- if they didn’t already have a strong liking in Johnson.

  With Johnson heading their offensive attack, the Raiders would have a trio of receivers (Moss, Porter, Johnson) and a strong-armed quarterback in Walter. With this strength, the Raiders would have a strong upper hand over questionable pass defenses in their division. Johnson also would allow them to exercise the remainder of their picks in the draft to improve the offensive line, possibly add a defensive lineman or two, and take a mid-round quarterback who could learn Head Coach Lane Kiffin’s offense and eventually master it. By taking Russell, the Raiders would feel as if they must go out to improve his surroundings, leading to the team’s needs being overlooked for improvement in areas that may already be well-suited.

  So the day comes: Russell or Johnson? The franchise’s future will lie in this final decision. It is a matter of need against want, and typically needs are taken care of before wants, but what would keep a team from taking a need in favor of a want? With needs will come pressed decisions. With wants will come overlooked issues. With needs comes a stabilized environment. With wants comes a comfortable environment.

  The final decision will likely fall solely into Al Davis’ hands, and if that is the case, Davis will get what Davis wants. He wants Calvin Johnson.

 

Russell is physically unique, but is he determined enough to push his talents to their limit?

  Russell is a physically-unique quarterback who could take a team to success if given the right tools around him. His discipline is questioned because of his poor conditioning going into the NFL Combine, and with starting quarterback comes the leader of the team. If Russell cannot find it in himself to prepare the correct way for an audition, how is he going to fare in the NFL, having to prepare within 5 days for the next opponent? It appears that Russell’s biggest flaw may not be easily fixed if he goes to Oakland; a place that has traditionally harbored poor judgment in players. Davis cannot avoid this fact, and it may be just the thing that will push him over the edge and into picking Johnson.

 

  And now comes the moment of understanding; the moment we’ve been waiting for since before the Super Bowl. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell slowly but nervously walks across the Radio City Music Hall’s main stage, holding onto many thoughts at one time but not actually focusing in on one in specific. The lights detail every perceivable angle of his face, and the sound of cheers and crowd noise has grown from a faintly noticed buzz to an overwhelming hum. The moment he opens his mouth to announce the pick, the crowd’s noise has weakened to a loud whisper, and the Commissioner makes his first ever announcement for a team in the NFL Draft.

 

  “With the first pick in the two thousand and seven NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select-“

 

  As quiet as it may seem, the sounds of millions of NFL fans’ hearts around the world can be heard in the airwaves. Two words; one name; all it takes to relieve the intensity and revive the passion.

 

Johnson has broken free of the pack and is the Raiders' likely pick come draft day

  “Calvin Johnson, wide receiver-“

 

  An eruption, almost before the name was announced, of fans booing and cheering; the massive gathering of NFL’s most diehard fans expressing their feelings towards the pick, whether it be delight that the Raiders didn’t select their favorite player, or disgust that the Raiders took away their team’s future star.

 

  Goodell’s announcement of the player’s school representation is just heard over the ruckus.

 

  “Georgia Tech-“