The Raiders need to find a new slogan. Long gone are the days of "Commitment To Excellence", and now are the days of "Dysfunctional Family". Where do we begin? Let's start with the most recent event that has come to light.

News reports recently came out that Raiders head coach Tom Cable punched defensive assistant Randy Hanson, after Hanson allegedly used vulgar language towards defensive coordinator John Marshall. Since the initial report, Cable has come out and said that he did not punch Hanson, that he simply flipped Hanson out of his chair, causing him to break a facial bone in his cheek.

Anyone see anything wrong with this picture?????

Okay, first off, let me say this. I know training camp is well under way. I know coaches are just as fired up as the players. And I know that emotions can be at an all time high. And maybe if this happened to another team, we would look at it, talk about, and then move on. But it didn't. It happened to the Oakland Raiders.

Now, we all know that Al Davis is a character, to say the least. But at one point, the Raiders were one of the NFL's elite franchises. Maybe it's old age, but as time goes by, the Raiders got weirder and more dysfunctional. Since 2002, the Raiders have done the following:

-They have had a record of 24-72, one of the worst records in the league during that span.

-They traded head coach Jon Gruden, who took the team to the playoffs in consecutive years, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who eventually beat the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, by a blowout score of 48-21

-Davis had an awful divorce with head coach Lane Kiffin, even calling Kiffin a liar. Who could forget that press conference. Like to see it?? Here it goes



-They have had 5 head coaching changes, including Kiffin, Bill Callahan and Art Shell

-Davis signed CB Nnamdi Asomugha to a $45.3 million, three-year contract, that's more than most starting QB's currently make.

-Considered a high 2nd round pick, Davis drafted former Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey with the 7th overall pick, drafting him over more proven receives such as Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin

The Raiders have made some strides in improving the team. This offseason, they signed free agent QB Jeff Garcia, to compete with JaMarcus Russell for the starting position. And with a healthy Darren McFadden, Oakland could have one of the most talented backfields, with McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas.


Unless something changes, the Raiders will continue to be labeled one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NFL. They definitely have talent to make them competitive, but the consistency starts with the ownership. In order for the Raiders to be a force again, Davis needs to rely on more than just speed in terms of drafting players and signing free agents. Second, bringing in a great coaching staff will help with the development of the young players. Now, I'm not saying Cable isn't it, but this recent situation doesn't help his case, either. Being stable at the coaching position is crucial to a good organization. And finally, hire some consultants and actually LISTEN to their ideas and what they have to say. Al Davis has to allow people to assist him in running a first class organization. All of the successful organizations such as New England, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis all have people who have duties in making the team better.

Raiders fans are more than ready to get back to the days of "Just Win Baby". If Davis doesn't right this ship soon.... well, let's just say, this situation won't be pretty.