Sources from both sides indicated Cable was interested in bringing in Barnes and making him the Raiders left tackle, believing Barnes had the athletic skill to convert to the Raiders zone blocking system.

Barnes also came recommended by Keith Gilbertson, his coach in college at Washington and a Cable confidant.

However, when it appeared Barnes would come aboard, negotiations slowed and then ground to a halt, with Barnes taking a visit to Tampa Bay.

Barnes had behaviorial issues in Jacksonville, including a DUI, another driving offense, and a game which he didn't start because of being late for meetings.

That probably didn't bother Davis as much as Barnes' being responsible for 7.5 sacks, and nine penalties, stats too reminiscent of the departed Kwame Harris. Harris was also pushed by Cable last year and it was the coach's biggest mistake in terms of personnel.

--Running back Justin Fargas' commitment went beyond excellence. He showed a commitment to the financial well being of his team with regard to the salary cap.

Fargas, along with left guard Robert Gallery, restructured his contract to help the Raiders remain safely under the $127 million league figure after the monster contracts signed by Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler.

Although figures were not known, Fargas cut his cap figure of $5.29 million cap figure and solidified his status on the roster.

There had been some speculation he could be in trouble, given the Raiders tandem of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, combined with Fargas' history of injury.

--It wasn't a huge loss, but the Raiders lost a key contributor to their success toward the end of the season when safety Rashad Baker signed a one-year free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Baker's playing time was increased in the second half of the season when the Raiders de-emphasized Michael Huff, who not only lost his starting job at free safety but also sat in many of the Raiders other defensive packages.

Baker had three interceptions, tying Chris Johnson and the departed DeAngelo Hall for the team lead.

In the season finale, a 31-24 win over Tampa Bay, Baker dropped Warrick Dunn for a 1-yard loss at the 10-yard line on a short completion which helped force the Bucs to settle for a field goal, and had an interception on a deep pass which led to the Raiders final drive and a field goal to put the game away.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Baker's interception helped put the Eagles in the playoffs as a wild card team.

--With the economic downturn combined with struggles on the field, the Raiders did not increase ticket prices for the 2009 seasons.

Some plans were available for as low as $260.

Since taking over their own ticket sales, the Raiders have been blacked out six times in 24 regular-season home games. Contrast that from 1995 through 2005, when tickets were sold by the now-defunct Oakland Football Marketing Association.

Under an agreement reached upon the club's return that Davis once referred to as "diabolical," there were 59 blackouts in 88 games.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "What needs to change for us is we need more guys like Nnamdi and Justin, who play the game the way it is supposed to be played. They play all out all the time and they play hard. They live their lives the way they're supposed to _ with honor," -- Raiders coach Tom Cable at the Commitment to Excellence award banquet honoring Nnamdi Asomugha and Justin Fargas.