I'm back and luckily Kwame Harris will not be

Lechler re-signed......check.

Chris Johnson re-signed......check.

Qualifying offers made to Ricky Brown, Jon Condo, Jon Alston and Hiram Eugene......check.

(The above 4 guys are huge for Special Teams.)

Kwame Harris cut......check. (FINALLY!!!!)

Griffith cut......check. (Which is ok, because the team has options with Oren O'Neal and Louis Rankin and both are cheaper than Griffith.)

Asomugha re-signed......check.

Let's discuss Nnamdi's deal for just a second. Three years at $15 million per year, with the first two years being fully guaranteed at $28.5 million and the third year possibly being fully guaranteed. That's a very hefty contract. Enormous for a DB. However, this is a smart signing by the Raiders and one that needed to happen. Even as a fan, I can be honest......it's not like players of Asomugha's caliber (at any position) are chomping at the bit to get out to Oakland to play. If we want talent, we have to pay for it. Nnamdi's currently the best corner in the league. The Raiders needed to keep him to show the league and their fans that they're not messing around when they tell them that the Raiders will be back.

Second, there was some grumblings about the Asomugha deal around the league. Owners and GMs saying that his deal is bad for the league and will be a stepping stone to destroying the league and on and on. Really. Since when did the other NFL owners become Socialists? The NFL is a league that runs on the river of money that pulls from the fans' wallets from coast to coast. The league is a cash cow. TV deals, advertising, merchandise contracts, marketing deals, etc; all in the name of money. I don't want to hear any team executive complaining about high priced contracts ruining the league. This is a league in which money greases the wheels that make it move. To hear an owner or GM complain about money is ludicrous. Those with the money win and those who spend wisely win.

Now that free agency is a few days in, the Raiders have been uncharacteristically quiet. I think after last year's free agency spending spree, I think Al has learned that you can't build teams through free agency. Building franchises is done through smart drafting, player and coach loyalty and winning. Free agency is a means to fill gaps, plug holes. This change in mindset when it comes to players and contracts, will be a great thing for the organization. Chris Johnson and Ricky Brown resigned because they wanted to be part of the team. It's time those guys, Asomugha, Russell, McFadden, Burgess, and the Linebacking core begin to lead this team as it should be led.

This is going to mean making the right move when it comes to Javon Walker. Cut him. I know the economic implications of the situation and that the team doesn't save that much money if they cut him. He's due a $5 million roster bonus on March 5th, though. He doesn't deserve that. He's been a cancer everywhere he's been in his career and 1.5 good seasons over a nine year career does not justify what he is making. This move needs to be made in the best interest of the team and organization.

If Al is worried about not having a veteran wide receiver, go get TJ Houshmandzadeh. I've seen him play a lot during his NFL career and he's a good receiver that wants to win. A good leader, a tough player and a receiver that can go over the middle and give Russell a big, sure-handed target, while Higgins stretches the field. If the money is right, there's no reason not to make a play for Houshmandzadeh. And, no......bringing back Jerry Porter is not the answer.

Sideline to sideline range

Michael Huff's sideline to sideline range may have been ok, but how about how he does on the other side of the white chalk? I'm just curious because that's where Michael Huff will be starting the game out on Sunday. The five game run with him as the Raiders' free safety has come to an end, for the time being. Hiram Eugene will start in his place.

It's about time some new blood got injected into the secondary. The way DeAngelo Hall has been covering this year, it won't hurt to have someone lively back there. Someone not afraid to lay the wood to someone. Someone that can help over the top of DeAngelo and still help out in the run game and tackle well in the open field.

In all honesty, regardless of the position, what's it hurt to shake things up a bit? What do we have to lose? Another game? We're not exactly battling for the league's best record, so let's put some guys on the hot seat, let's make people put forth the effort and earn their spots.

It also sounds like things will get shaken up at the wide receiver spot. Chaz Schilens is going to see the field more. It sounds like Javon Walker and Ronald Curry will still get the start, but Schilens will see significantly more playing time. Hopefully, this will inject some life in the passing game. Now, if Russell is throwing balls 10 rows deep into The Black Hole, it won't matter. But, again, what's it going to hurt?

At least the staff is trying things. They can see that the best we can do is run the ball 50 times a game and just stop the run on defense. Something has to give in the passing game and in the secondary. Let's hope these moves can help things along.

A few notes for Sunday:

- The game is sold out, so it will be on local TV in Oakland (for all you Bay Area members of Raider Nation)
- Derrick Burgess did not practice again with the triceps injury. He's listed as questionable for Sunday.
- Darren McFadden's toe is healing and the pain is subsiding. Hopefully his cutting ability will return and this should translate into more carries this Sunday.
- Ben Troupe did not practice with a foot injury (Guess we'll be waiting another week to see how that acquisition will pay off.)