OAKLAND – The Raiders have their quarterback of the future in the transcendent-yet-green JaMarcus Russell.
They are stacked at running back with a 1,000-yard runner in Justin Fargas, an explosive hybrid in Darren McFadden and an intriguing bruiser in Michael Bush.
Oakland even has a dependable tight end in Zach Miller.
Offensively, the Raiders are full of potential, which, to keep it real and paraphrase Bum Phillips, simply means you ain't worth squat … yet.
Still, the Raiders are missing one important ingredient in the skill positions – a game-breaking receiver.
Saturday night, he was at McAfee Coliseum, albeit on the east sideline with the visiting Arizona Cardinals.
Disgruntled Anquan Boldin, a two-time Pro Bowler who hit the media circuit hard this week trying to get traded, is a perfect Raider, with his flair for the dramatic, gaudy résumé, self-imposed baggage and hefty chip on his shoulder.
What, you say the Cardinals vow to not deal their volatile pass catcher, no matter how loud he squawks? They're going to take Cincinnati's approach to the diva-ish Chad Johnson and tell Boldin to shut up and play? Not to get all Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase on you, but everybody has a price.
The question is, are the Raiders willing to pay? Given the boatloads of cash Al Davis doled out to Tommy Kelly, DeAngelo Hall, Gibril Wilson and Javon Walker, yes they are, even as Boldin has three years remaining on his four-year, $22.75-million deal.
They must be willing to pay, even though Walker was inked to be that game-breaking receiver.
Thing is, Walker has been a favorite target – not of footballs thrown his way but verbal slings and arrows – of coach Lane Kiffin.
Walker, who already has endured two knee surgeries, no doubt also has some psychological issues to deal with after his Las Vegas misadventure just before training camp. He was found unconscious and beaten on the street after a night of partying.
Is it any wonder that Walker hasn't blossomed into the face of the nondescript Raiders receiving corps? In the embarrassing 24-0 loss to Arizona, Walker showed some semblance of being that top-flight pass catcher Oakland hoped he'd be with his first four receptions as a Raider for 60 yards, including a 27-yard pickup down the middle of the field from Russell late in the second quarter.
"I know what type of player I am out there," Walker said. "When I'm in a zone, I know I can't be stopped."
Boldin, meanwhile, joined Walker in getting off the preseason schneid, catching three passes for 54 yards, including a 25-yard reception at the start of the third quarter.
When happy – and isn't this always the case with receivers, the biggest headcases on a team? – Boldin, who reached 400 receptions faster than any other player in league history, can turn a game. In five seasons, he has 413 catches for 5,458 yards with 29 touchdowns.
"If I'm not going to be treated fairly, if my hard work and loyalty isn't going to be rewarded," Boldin said, "then let me go somewhere where it's going to be rewarded."
Still think Oakland shouldn't offer a handful of top draft picks for Boldin? The Raiders need depth, and you find that in the later rounds and in free agency.
Still clinging to the notion that Arizona will not deal Boldin? Then it's up to Davis, who has a little Don Corleone in him, to make the Cardinals an offer they can't refuse.
Oakland Raiders - Perturbed Boldin would fit Raiders - sacbee.com
