KANSAS CITY -- It was a four-year plan that, when it was instituted back in 2012, really had nothing to do with Jack Del Rio. Maybe that's why it seems like the Oakland Raiders are a year ahead of schedule.
The way owner Mark Davis and general manager Reggie McKenzie plotted things out, the first two years in the wake of Al Davis' death would be a "deconstruction" of the Raiders, with McKenzie tearing the roster apart and starting anew while dealing with many "out of whack" contracts.
Then the next two years would be the reconstruction, making Oakland a desirable destination for free agents along with McKenzie unearthing jewels in undrafted rookies and hitting pay dirt in the draft.