Raiders: Why Rebuilding Is The Best Option

December 2, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass the ball against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Browns defeated the Raiders 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

After consecutive disappointing seasons in a row rebuilding seems to be the most logical thing to do with this organization.

Patience is a virtue, and I know that’s incredibly frustrating to hear for Oakland’s dedicated fan base as the Raiders have struggled to build a solid team for a little over a decade now. Although with a bright football minded guy like Reggie McKenzie calling the shots for Oakland I truly believe this organization will make a turn around very soon.

Coming off a 4-12 season with numerous flaws in many areas general manager Reggie McKenzie does not have another choice but to rebuild. It would simply come down to stupidity and ignorance for a GM to not clean house and virtually start all over again, which McKenzie swiftly realized to do.

McKenzie is a man with a high IQ for the game of football and has already made some spectacular underrated signings for Oakland this off season. He has a great eye for talent, hence why Oakland brought him in after not having a GM for many years.

A day after losing three of the team’s most productive defenders from last year when Oakland released defensive back Michael Huff and lost free agent linebacker Philip Wheeler to Miami and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant to Cleveland, the Raiders started the much needed rebuilding process.

McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen seem to be looking for more productivity from the linebacker position and on the defensive line – two areas Oakland struggled most with throughout their atrocious season last year. They have signed three linebackers and three defensive linemen thus far: LB Nick Roach, LB Kevin Burnett, LB Kaluka Maiava, DT Vance Walker, DT Pat Sims, and DE Jason Hunter.

These are some good signings by McKenzie as all of those players have had solid careers and will hopefully be difference makers on the field next season. I already like the direction the organization is headed in under McKenzie and finally feel somewhat comfortable with what is going on.

I am certainly depressed about the losses of Michael Huff, Philip Wheeler, and Desmond Bryant as those were without a question three of our best defensive players. However the defense was not clicking and never seemed to come together. Oakland ranked 18th in total defense and 28th in scoring defense last year in coach Dennis Allen’s first season as the team’s head coach but showed signs of improvement late last year which led to the decision to bring back coordinator Jason Tarver for a second season.

We’ll see what continues to happen during this off season and free agency period. I am extremely excited to see what future moves McKenzie and Allen decide to make, and I believe in both of them to make the right ones.