Look, all of this talk about who should be our next Head Coach, who we should draft in the 2009 draft, should Henderson start over Harries, etc....these are all secondary issues to:

"Who should be our next G.M.?"

The Raiders front office and scouting directors have had a really horrid track record in both Free Agent signings and Draftees recently.  With few exceptions (McFadden, Asomugha, Russell, Schilens, Bush, Higgins) our failures in personel have been at the focal point of our demise these past 6 years.  I will concede the point that the draft is a crapshoot, meaning, you are more likely to "miss" on a player than "hit" on one.

The main issue we have had is in OVERPAYING for old/past-their-prime Free Agents.  Our most recent overpays have been well documented (Walker, Hall, Harris) and it is the front office that needs to take the blame here.

This is why we need a G.M.  We need a guy to come in that UNDERSTANDS how to structure a TEAM under the salary cap.  Look, with all due respect to Mr. Davis, his weakness for wanting to bleed the last remaining ounces of talent from older players is legendary.  His eye for this is not what it used to be.  Who in this league would have given Walker that contract?  NOBODY.  Mr. Davis should still have some input, but we NEED, desperately NEED a G.M.

So, who is on my list?

1.  Parcells - Love him or Hate him, Parcells is a roster creating wizard.  His track record in New York (2), New England, Dallas (despite Jerry's medaling), and now Miami, you can't deny this man's eye for "old" and "new" talent.  He has had a good relationship with Mr. Davis over the years, maybe that friendship will help Mr. Davis make that change and hire someone who that he knows.

2.  Pioli -  Yes, I despise the Patriots too, but similar to Parcells, you cannot deny the absolute mastery that the Patriots front office has displayed with free agent signings and their draft choices (at least from R1-3).  Have they missed at all on FA signings in the last 6 years?  I couldn't think of any.  Pioli and his minions could turn this ship around right quick. 

3.  Schottenheimer - Marty is a veteran of the AFL and NFL, this guy had our number for years as the head coach of KC and SD, so he knows the AFC West very, very well.  This guy is well respected around the league and has always gotten players to play for him, he's a natural leader.  His eye for talent and life as a head coach will pay dividends to whomever becomes the next Raiders coach.  Can Mr. Davis put his ego aside to pull the strings on this one?

Dark Horse Raider Nation Pick

4.  Madden/Gannon - This would be a two headed monster I believe.  Madden is getting up there in age, he doesn't like to travel, his family is growing up all around him and are based in the East Bay.  He might want to stay closer to home.  A position as Sr. Executive would be fitting.  We can't deny his football knowledge either.  Like him or not as an analyst, he KNOWS football, and he bleeds the Silver and Black.  Gannon would be the GM, the guy has the brains, savvy, and passion to succeed here.  Is it a big step for him? Maybe, but I have a feeling that Gannon is a fast learner.  If I were a betting man, I'd put money on him.

In the NFL, you window is short, EVERY YEAR.  With the salary cap, the competitive balance is always changing, we NEED a creative front office in order to get Raider Nation back on the map, EVERY YEAR.  We are too historied a franchise to wallow in 11+ loss seasons.  It's unacceptable.

We have some exciting players on our roster that should make us all feel very optimistic about what "could" be.  With the right GM, FIRST, a dynamic head coach and some roster reshuffling, we could turn this thing around quickly.  

Mr. Davis, it is up to YOU now to make the right choice.  Bring us a GM that can help you bring us back to relevance again.