Once upon a time, the Raiders drafted last. Despite the handicap, the team always brought in and retained talented football players. This uncanny skill, to both recognize football talent in passed-over college players and to recycle seemingly exhausted veterans, amazed the league. Oakland thrived doing this for 30+ years and this was considered to be Al Davis' special genius. But what would you say now passes for scouting? What do you think of our trade (defict) over nearly a decade of decline? What criteria now determines who is chosen to wear the Silver & Black? ... Statistics and professional and vulgar opinion polls! A player's statistics and generic athletic prowess - 40-yard speed, throwing distance, size, strength - bench press and squat totals - have deceived leadership. When will the decision makers awaken and realize that a true football player is first and foremost a warrior, with the heart of a gladiator? I don't think much of the science of psychology but I know that certain personality types are better suited for football. Our guardians became blind to that important truth to such an extent that if Raider management were to begin wearing helmets, as umpires might next year, theirs should have one modification (to the greatest logo of all) theirs should have patches over both eyes.