'Smooth, Smart, Playmaker'

One of the things that made Al Davis so successful as an owner/general manager/coach was his ability to find hidden gems in other teams’ trash.

Players who were considered castoffs or deemed no longer productive found new life under Davis’ watch, a theme that played out constantly for the Raiders over the years.

While Reggie McKenzie has had his share of hits and misses in free agency during his time as the team’s general manager, the decision to bring in linebacker NaVorro Bowman after he was cut by the San Francisco 49ers was a move that would have definitely had Davis’ approval.

In his short time since signing a one-year deal with Oakland, Bowman has given life to a line backing unit that has woefully underachieved the past several seasons and added experience and spirit to a defense that has struggled to find any sort of rhythm.

Call it an early Christmas present for a team desperately in need of one.

“He’s smooth, he’s smart, he’s a playmaker,” Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. “He brings a calmness to the huddle that we haven’t seen. I think it was a positive influence for the young players to see about mastering, about the studies habits, about taking working home, doing extra work and then the results.”

They also see what Bowman is doing on the field.