Mykle VanHausen

Quietly the Raiders released former 1st round draft pick Derrick Gibson and Linebacker hopeful and Grant Irons.

Gibson was taken 28th over all in the 2001 draft in Oaklands continued attempts to shore a position in need for quite some time.

Needless to say, Gibson, the 6'2, 215 lb. Safety out of Florida State never panned out.

In 7 sub stellar seasons with the Silver and Black Gibson compiled 194 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and a recovery.

Hardly the dynamic play they'd hoped from a 1st rounder.

Writing was on the wall for Gibson this off-season when newly aquired Atlanta Fullback Justin Griffith joined his former Falcon team mates Gregg Knapp and Tom Cable and was assigned Gibson's #36.

Few Raider faithful are sad to see Gibson go the way of his equally unproductive counter parts Phillip Buchanon (himself a former #1 pick by the Raiders 17th overall the next year in the 02 draft.)who was traded to Houston in 2005 and now resides with former Raider coach John Gruden in Tampa Bay.

And to an extent, good riddance was bade Corner back Charles Woodsen, taken 4th overall by Oakland in the 98 draft, who went on to become another high draft secondary pick dissapointment in Oakland as well.

Woodsen did make 15 picks over his 9 tumutuous years with the Raiders and produced over 450 tackles, but was injured too often, was vocally displeased and eventually ended his contentious tour in Silver and Black under a dark cloud.

Woodsen's career high 8 picks in Green Bay after being aquired from Oakland last season, provided proof positive to many he was a negative, divisive influence who slacked during the last 4 or 5years with the Raiders.

The biggest addition by subtraction by the Raiders is not the recent ditching of Randy Moss this off season to the AFC rival Patriots, but the dismissal of nearly all of the former 06' Art Shell regime.

Shell's consortium gave away 72 sacks and barely generated double digit TD's for the entire season, leading the Raiders to a history tying worst record of 2-14.

The staggering failure of Oakland's abysmal offense last year will be lain directly at the feet of Shell and his choice of offensive coordinator "Idaho" Tom Walsh should the Raiders prove competitive with essentially the same players, but with a new coaching staff and a different scheme.
Refusing to look back, the Raiders continue to make leaps into the future with a young and productive defense including a talented and deep secondary 1st in the league in 07'.

Add a comparably young Head Coach with the where with all to utilize new Offensive Coordinator Gregg Knapp and blocking guru Tom Cable and there may be hope for positive change in the Black Hole.
With the announcement of Grant and more importantly Gibson's departure, the Raiders have nearly completed the neccessary task of addition by subtraction.