Sunday night's season finale at home to the Chargers brought a few things into sharper focus here at the Pond.

1. JaMarcus Russell is raw, in some respects he's really raw, but the flashes of talent were there too, and after the worst possible start he had some good moments, notably that TD pass to Jerry Porter.While watching the first ( just win ) baby steps of Russell's career, it is obvious that the package that the coaches have designed for the big man is very limited, and couple with that the fact that his surrounding cast are very limited too, then it becomes intriguing as to what the 2008 Raiders offense will look like with JR having had a full pre-season under his belt, and a full playbook at his disposal.

2. That surrounding cast has to get a lot better this off season.We need some real impact players, some weapons for Russell, a WR that gives a bonafide deep threat is a must, the running back position needs sorting out, much of which will be dependant on Jusin Fargas' decision about where he will be next year.A couple more free agent linemen of the quality of Cooper Carlisle wouldn't go amiss either.

3. Phillip Rivers looks like a big girls blouse, he also acts like one.Following on from the previous weeks my dads bigger than your dad session with that other tart from Denver, Sunday saw Philip getting upset because the OAKLAND fans were cheering when he hit the turf under the frame of Tyler Brayton.What does he want the opposing fans to do? Watch the big screen nervously until brave soldier Philip gets up, then sportingly applaud him from the field?Philip dear, you were in OAKLAND in a Chargers jersey, on the floor.Only way that gets any better is if your arm breaks, get the picture?

4. I am rarely more nervous than when Johnnie Lee Higgins is stood looking skyward.

5. Important decisions need to be made on Defense.The line needs to be added to, we need something done at the safety position, Nnamdi needs to be signed asap.It was understandable that Lane Kiffin trusted the D going into the season, and equally understandable that he is disappointed by this years showing.It remains to be seen how much that disappointment reflects on Rob Ryan.

6. The change of direction and attitude within the OAKLAND RAIDERS organisation has started.The team played hard until the last game regardless of the fact that they came up short more often than not, indicative that the players have stayed "In", and judging by the crowd at the Coliseum the Nation is well and truly "In" too.

7. As the RAIDERS completed a 4-12 season last weekend, the New England Patriots completed a 16-0 one.That means that next season a storied franchise has every chance to continue it's rise back to winning ways, and one soul-less westworld commissioners pet will have only downhill to go in 2008.Good news, Happy New Year.