Raiders immediate big free agent plans means 'cap jail' in 2013

It will take a few years to balance the checkbook. I still think we have a chance this year though, plus we should have more draft options next year.

I think at this point, I'd take Shianco and Benson because we currently don't have a proven TE and we need a good backup plan if McFadden goes down. Another LB wouldn't hurt either, but McClain, Curry, and Wheeler should be a solid bunch and Burris, Stupar, and Goethel should be decent depth if one were to get injured plus I think Kaelin Burnett might surprise them in camp.

I would have rather had Jackie Battle than Benson.....cheaper and a good 2-3 yard RB......but I guess that's moot now.:(

Personally, I think our $$ needs to go towards Defense anyway. I'm not concerned about our 'O'. Until I see them on the field, I still have my doubts about or LB's and DB's (except Branch, Huff & Mitchell of course).

We're in our 1st year of "rebuilding" and I think Reggie has done a good job of putting a decent team together that can "compete" for the division.

Money and coaching (mostly the political side) have been the issue. Al Davis severly overvalued a lot of players. I think if it wasn't for Al Davis, Jon Gruden would've stuck around longer. Plus Lane Kiffin might've done better, but once he left he still drew negative media attention. Tom Cable definatly would've done better. However, I also think that more quality coaches would've like to come coach us if it wasn't for Al Davis.

What was really bad was once Gruden left, our talent of the future slowly got away like Eric Barton, Rod Coleman, Grady Jackson and Matt Stinchcomb plus Career ending injuries to OL Mo Collins & DL Tony Bryant not to mention the drug trouble with All Pro DL Darrell Russell right before all this happened...Surprisingly (but not so suprisingly) he forced instant pro bowler Charles Woodson to stay until 2006 despite not making any Pro Bowls after Gruden left and since then has regained his All Pro Form.