"For about 45 minutes of Saturday afternoon's minicamp practice in Alameda, Al Davis observed from the comfort of his golf cart.

He was briefly parked on the west sideline, then on the east. Well before the scrimmage ended, the Raiders owner had his driver take him back to the main building. He stood there for what seemed an eternity, gazing longingly at his life's work. He exhaled and turned away.

Davis had seen enough.

The Raiders cutting JaMarcus Russell on Thursday is the latest positive move in a decidedly encouraging offseason, especially since Davis swallowed not only some $39 million to the biggest draft bust in NFL history but some pride in admitting a mistake."