By Zack Cimini

Two years ago the Oakland Raiders were flying high with Rich Gannon and company on their way to a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. Al Davis knew that was their one shot at a super bowl opportunity. You can have as much talent in the world, but when age catches up to your team it?s game over. This year Tim Brown was cut, Jerry Rice traded, and Rich Gannon hurt for the season.

So an off year was expected for the Raiders this season, and it has been down played even more with the Chargers taking away attention. But Sunday night?s win over the Denver Broncos displayed how close they are to being right back in the thick of things next season. Al Davis has been around this league for a long time, and knows what he is doing.

He brought in Norv Turner who has been one of the most successful coaches at developing quarterbacks. His system can be difficult to learn and that was evident in Kerry Collin?s case. He has thrown for only eleven touchdowns and fourteen interceptions, which isn?t going to get it done in the NFL. Sunday though, he was composed in the pocket and looked like a Pro-Bowl quarterback. The reads and throws he was making were Peyton Manning like. The hole he dug himself in this year can only lead to him improving the rest of the season.

It helps that Collins has one of the best groups of wide receivers in the league. Jerry Porter was off to a slow start this year, but Sunday he murdered Champ Bailey for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Porter is in a contract year, and you can bet the Raiders and Al Davis will do everything in their power to resign him. If they can?t then just move up Ronald Curry and Doug Gabriel on the roster, because they are blossoming into future stars.

On the defensive side the Raiders have always struggled with penalties because of their rough style of play. Philip Buchanon and Charles Woodson have the ability to be lock down corners, and just need to stay focused on their man to man skills. With Ted Washington and Warren Sapp clogging up the middle it enables the Raiders linebackers to cause havoc. This unit is finally starting to gel just like the Raiders offense, and should only finish the season stronger.

That leaves one area where the Raiders are vulnerable. It?s the most important aspect of a winning team, and that is a solid running back. Tyrone Wheatley can?t do it anymore, and Justin Fargas and JR Redmond sure as hell aren?t going to cut it as starting running backs. So that leaves the door wide open for the true move that Al Davis wants to do.

Yes, that?s right the player that retired from football for no apparent reason in Ricky Williams. He has expressed great interest in playing for the silver and black, and the risk factor would be well worth it for the Raiders. Sure they could use their first round pick to get a running back, but why do that when they could get Williams for a second rounder or lower? It?s a match that is going to happen, and then make this Raiders team very dangerous. Denver and San Diego better jump on their opportunity this season.