[Sylvanfan]

Years ago the Ravens got into the same situation. They still had good players on defence that they kept around until they dug themselves out of it, but they also ended up switching coaches. But the Ray Lewis, Ed Reed combo wasn't that old at the time.

I see teams like the Chargers and Saints who both have older QB's and really won't be sniffing a championship for at least 2 more years. Asset wise...moving your QB for a Herschel Walker return would make sense. But it's a hard sell to a fan base when the one guy who gives you a chance, get's sent out of town, particularly guys like Brees and Rivers who are well entrenched in those communities.

In the case of the Raiders, Reggie MacKenzie wasn't really starting with much in terms of talent, so it was an easier decision to take his medicine and set things up for today. The new CBA has also helped out as the high draft picks aren't quite as destructive on teams as they used to be when they don't work out. To McKenzie's credit though, he has drafted pretty well, and now has a team that looks like they will turn it around. In a way it's a lesson of what the Oilers could become if Chiarelli does in fact know what he's doing. When you get that many good picks you should eventually assemble some talent, and the Raiders have done that in the last 3 drafts.