The Raiders have released S Stuart Schweigert, CB Duane Starks and DE/OLB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila.  Schweigert was the only one of these players that was a Raider last season.  He played in 15 games (10 starts) for the Raiders last season and he made 69 tackles, defensed 4 passes and intercepted 2.  He played in 63 games (42 starts) in his career with the Raiders and he made 315 tackles, defensed 18 passes and intercepted 4 passes.  This is a sign of progress as Schweigert definately had limitations as to what he could do on the field.

The Raiders have brought back Marques Tuiasosopo after he sat the 2007 season on the Jets’ bench.  Tuiasosopo has played in 11 games in his NFL career (all with the Raiders) and he has completed 48 of 88 passes (54.5%) for 550 yards with 2 TD passes and 7 interceptions (48.0 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 15 times for 68 yards (4.5 ypc).  If Tuiasosopo makes it to the field in a real game for the Raiders they are in very deep trouble as he just isn’t very good.

The Raiders have signed 26-year old WR Drew Carter.  Carter has a lot of upside as he can flat out fly down the field.  Carter played in 16 games last season with the Panthers and he made 38 catches for 517 yards (13.6 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Carter has now played in 33 games in his NFL career and he has caught 71 passes for 977 yards (13.8 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  Carter has also carried the ball 2 times for 18 yards (9.0 ypc) in his career.  Carter has the speed to make a difference in the vertical passing attack which has always been a hallmark of the Raiders’ offense.

The Raiders have signed free agent 34-year old free agent Greg Spires.  Spires played in 10 games with the Bucs last season and he made 26 tackles, defensed 1 pass and had 2 sacks.  Spires has now played in 147 games in his NFL career and he has made 339 tackles, defensed 17 passes, has 39.5 sacks and he has forced 11 fumbles.  This was a nice depth signing for the Raiders.