Oakland claims they are building a team for the future. Thus, the start of Darrius Heyward-Bey over Javon Walker, as well as the start of Todd Watkins over Javon Walker.

They want Darren McFadden to be their guy, except there is this one thing that erks they Raider Nation; Michael Bush is better.

Why is Justin “one yard at a time” Fargas even getting the ball at this point?

There was a point in Sunday’s game where Michael Bush had eight carries for 30 yards and a touchdown, and Justin Fargas had six carries for eight yards.

Here’s a thought, Michael Bush perhaps should’ve had 14 carries for 53 yards instead of giving Fargas the ball at all.

Not for nothing, but the Raiders are undefeated when Bush has 100 yards on the ground.

At this point, I think it is ok to call Justin Fargas dead weight. So, it is time to trim the fat.

And that is not the only fat that needs to be trimmed. Nearly 80percent of voters in a recent poll through bleacherreport.com said they would like to see some sort of combination on the offensive line that involves Kalif Barnes.

Kalif is a free agent left tackle from Jacksonville who started nearly every game in four years with the Jags. He was the protector of the quarterbacks blindside during his time in Florida.

Now Raider Nation would like to see him on the opposite side of the ball. Bottom line, Cornell Green is not cutting it. The guy has more holding penalties and false starts in his short Oakland career than Joan and Melissa Rivers have face lifts.

Also, if you claim to be rebuilding for the future, and your season has started 1-4, isn’t it time to leave in Samson Satele and relieve Cooper Carlisle?

Satele is not the center you thought he would be, but he could still be a good guard. Most people will remember what happened when Robert Gallery moved to guard. Maybe Samson has the same luck.

I don’t want to bad mouth Carlisle; he has been a solid player for the Raiders. However, he is not the permanent answer at right guard. We have a 24-year-old QB, a 22-year-old HB, a 26 year old fullback, two 22-year-old wide receivers, a 23-year-old tight end, a 24-year-old left tackle, a 29-year-old left guard, a 26-year-old center, a 32-year-old right guard, and a 33-year-old right tackle.

Two of these things are not like the others. Two of these things are not like the other ones. Meanwhile, Satele and Barnes are 24 and 27 respectively.

Oakland’s starting front line from this point onward should consist of the following: LT Mario Henderson, LG Robert Gallery, C Chris Morris, RG Samson Satele, and RT Kalif Barnes.

These five guys have the potential, and they are the future. Carlisle and Green have got to get their walking papers; and the sooner the better. Oakland needs to give the new offensive line time to gel before the start of next season.

Another piece of dead weight exists in the secondary. Stanford Routt has been being “Routted” by the every wide receiver he has faced this season, including in the preseason.

Michael Huff is a great coverage man. He has three interceptions this year, and he has tremendous upside.

Mike Mitchell is a second round pick who was coveted by Cleveland, and Chicago nearly claimed him two spots after Oakland drafted him in the 2009 draft.

Here is what needs to happen. Tyvon Branch is a great strong safety who has been doing more than his share to help on defense. Mike Mitchell should be the starting free safety from here on out. He needs to get some playing time at his starting position next season.

Michael Huff needs to move to cornerback. He needs to be the nickel cover man for Oakland. He is no good against the run, but is great in man-to-man and zone coverage. He is not a natural safety, but he will make a heck of an NFL cornerback.

Stanford Routt should be the fourth cornerback for the remainder of this season, and then he can be dumped as dead weight.

Hirum Eugene, who is currently splitting time with Michael Huff at the free safety position, can back-up nearly every position in the secondary. He is very valuable not only for that reason, but also as a special team’s ace.

If you are committed to building your team for the future and you start the season 1-4, than it is time to trim the fat, and start some fresh young talent whom you expect to be the future Oakland Raiders.

Let’s see where we really need help, instead of seeing the same old situation. Let’s see how much talent a team that averages 25-year-old starters at every position has to offer in this league.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 20:08 and is filed under Most Recommended, News Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.