If you haven't seen it ESPN is running a series on their website called Flash Points. Besides trying to pass the time during this lame lockout the point of this series is to pinpoint each franchise's defining moment. It is the search for the moment that has shaped the franchise more than any other for better or worse. With a franchise as storied, tulmutous and successful as the Raiders there are countless option. Bill Williamson, who put together the Raiders flash point, admits as much:

Honestly, I could have posted 10 options for this storied franchise.

But the ESPN writers were limited to four options plus the all inclusive other. Here is what Williamson narrowed it down to:

1. Arrival of Al Davis in '63

2. Super Bowl XI victory over Minnesota

3. Return to Oakland in '95

4. Trade of Jon Gruden to Tampa in '02

While the Raiders have had many options that would be most inferior franchises defining moments there is only one that makes sense for the Raiders: the arrival of Al Davis.

More than any other owner or single person Al Davis has defined his franchise. He has overseen everything from the colors of the uniform, to the players on the field, to the overall persona and image of the team.

So, what do you guys think? Can anything else reasonably be considered for the Raiders defining moment?

And, what I am even more interested in, is what do you think will be looked back upon as the next defining moment? This team is currently transitioning from its longest sustained period of ineptitude. When that transition is complete what will be considered the fulcrum point of the transition?

The trade for Richard Seymour? The hiring of Hue Jackson? The 2010 Draft? The release of JaMarcus Russell?