No Safety

Yesterday's mildly shocking news of Gibril Wilson's release seems to remove any glimmer of success from last year's offseason spending spree. While not surprising given his huge salary numbers, modest impact on improving the run defense, and the Raiders' sudden need for a lot of cash and cap space, it is at least a little surprising for two reasons: Al singled him out as the one free agent acquisition to which Lane Kiffin did not contribute, and this leaves the Raiders almost completely bare at the critical safety position.

With mildly successful Wilson and Kalimba Edwards gone, Javon and Kwame must be next on the chopping block - or at least in line for restructuring. Kwame's release would reportedly clear up $7.2 million under the cap. A no brainer. Javon may be trickier. And what about Tommy Kelly? The home grown guy would typically be considered safe, but after Al went out of his way to declare Gibril his guy, one never knows.

So what happens at the safety position in 2009? Cable benched Huff for ineffectiveness at free safety, and now he's listed as a strong safety on Raiders.com. But other than his man-to-man skills against TEs, he was ineffective at SS. That leaves Hiram Eugene at FS, Rashad Baker, and Tyvon Branch the only other real safeties on the roster. Not terribly inspiring.

The good news: defensive backs coach Lionel Washington. He has a good reputation, and the hire got good press. But we'll see if he has the talent in place to be successful or if the Raiders need to make some moves to finally figure out that safety position.

Still Watching

Nnamdi is worth watching. I echo John's plea to Al Davis to Lock Him Up. Honestly, would we be any worse off cutting every single other player who could help us save cap money in order to keep him for life?

Chaz Schilens may also be worth watching after beating our old buddy Fabian on a deep post. But then some terrible play calling and execution blew a 2nd and goal from the 3 opportunity.

And then I was going to point out how good it is to see Thomas Howard showing some emotion after a big stop on a screen. Then the Raiders happened.

Gibril - not Kiffin's signing - blew a tackle and let Ray Rice steal a lot more yards from Willis McGahee en route to a first down on 3rd and 17. And now, the Raiders add to their laughingstock reel with a highlight sure to be played over and over and over and over this week - Joe Flacco beats Ricky Brown on a deep route. On a deep route.

At least McGahee's TD was called back for holding.

Wha? 6-0 Us After 1.

I don't know what's going on. Johnny Lee opened with a 68 yard kickoff return. Javon Walker caught two straight passes to open the game. The defense has two sacks, one by DeAngelo Hall.

Yes. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, with Gibril Wilson, a Safety, blitzing with him.

Lane Kiffin was right, they need to blitz.