CB DeAngelo Hall’s short career as an Oakland Raider is over.

After managing to survive only eight regular season games in the Bay Area, Hall was released from the organization Wednesday morning. Yet as shocking as this cost-cutting move seems to the media, it does not appear to be as stunning to either the Raiders or Hall.

The former pro-bowl cornerback is one of many who have played way under Oakland’s expectations, especially when considering the team basically backing dump trucks full of cash onto the front lawns of numerous free agents. Hall’s deal in the offseason was a seven-year; $70 million contract to become a Raider, joining a team that was 4-12 only a season ago.

The theory behind this player-team agreement gone wrong was that Hall would be the perfect corner to complement Pro Bowler Nmandi Asomugha to improve a defense that was OK in 2007. Along with safeties Michael Huff and Gibril Wilson, was there any reason not to think this might have been the best secondary in the league?

While their pass defense is only ranked 19th in the league, the unit as a whole has been miserable everywhere else. Head coach Lane Kiffin couldn’t meet the ridiculous standards set by management (how could anybody?), so now he’s gone and replaced with an unproven interim coach, who’s barely had one close game in four weeks.

Yet finally, it appears owner Al Davis may have woken from his coma sometime this week, releasing Hall and realizing that throwing money at the franchise’s problems may not be the best remedy.

The list of players Oakland gave insanely rich contracts to before this season may make some Raiders fans want to search for the nearest tall building:

WR Javon Walker, who hasn’t been the same receiver since injuring himself while still with the Packers, now sports a six-year, $55 million contract ($16 million guaranteed). However, word is, that like Hall, Walker will be handed a pink slip from Davis sometime this week.

QB JaMarcus Russell, who didn’t play a game his entire rookie season, still collected on his six-year, $68 million deal ($31.5 million guaranteed). This year as a starter, he’s really earned his money; with a passer rating of 73.0.

Yet the worst move of all has to be forking over the dough to DE Tommy Kelly, who is signed up for seven years and $50.5 million ($18 million guaranteed; the largest contract ever for a defensive end). His best career number we could find: 14.5 sacks in FIVE years. The Raiders sure can pick ‘em.

And while a giant contract may not be a long-term disappointment for rookie RB Darren McFadden, the Raiders are constantly reminded of bitter disappointments to most of their high-paid players. Anyone remember how well Warren Sapp, Robert Gallery or Daunte Culpepper turned out?

It’s clear that free agency, at least recently, does not work in Oakland. There is no chemistry on the field, in the locker room or even in the front office. Even in an awful AFC West division where Denver still holds on to first place despite losses in three of its last four, the Raiders seem hopelessly lost in a season of despair.

A change needs to come not only in the locker room, but high above the field in the owner’s suite. That crusty old man with the sunglasses, greasy hair and the blanket wrapped around his legs needs to do what’s best for his team. The reins need to be turned over to someone with youth and enthusiasm; someone who will rebuild the franchise in time instead of trying to buy the Lombardi Trophy in one season.

So the winner this week: DeAngelo Hall, and not the Raiders for clearing cap space. Hall will definitely sign with another team for less money and maybe even have a chance at the playoffs this year. Oakland won’t even sniff second place for another two or three seasons.

In the long term perspective, the Raiders do have some talent in many of their young players. In a couple seasons, with more pieces of the puzzle added through the draft and free agency (smart free agency), Oakland will again be competitive.