Silver and Black Report

By Victor Cotto, S&B Report Staff Columnist

Defensive end Greg Spires will compete for starting nod (Getty Images)

After losing Chris Clemons via free agency, the Oakland Raiders were left scrambling to find a replacement that could provide an adequate edge rush opposite Derrick Burgess.

This weekend, the Silver & Black came to terms with Greg Spires, an 11-year veteran that has 39.5 career sacks.

Since 2002, Spires has been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing in 89-contests, while posting career highs in sacks (8) and tackles (61) in 2004. The former third-round draft choice was part of the Super Bowl XXXVII winning Tampa Bay team that defeated the Raiders 48-21. He recorded a sack during that game, playing opposite Simeon Rice at right end, a role he held during most of his time in Tampa Bay at a starting capacity.

Last year, he only started 8-games as the Buccaneers decided to go with a youth movement along their defensive line. He eventually was cut in February due to the expected $4 million salary slated for 2008. In 2005, he restructured his original contract with Tampa Bay and signed an extension worth $17.1 million and that included bonuses worth an estimated $3 million.

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The versatile lineman has always been a steady presence on the edge versus the run. But Spires best campaigns were playing opposite great edge rushers, a scenario the Raiders hope to get when they pair him up with Burgess. The 33-year old can play along the interior, as Monte Kiffin, his defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay and father of Lane Kiffin, utilized his adaptability when needed.

A torn left calf muscle in October also hindered his productivity in 2007.

Kalimba Edwards and Jay Richardson are the other ends on board that Spires will have to compete with for the starting job. Richardson started 11-games for the Raiders last season during his rookie campaign, but by no means distinguished himself as a clear cut favorite for the job. Edwards is a veteran that has totaled 26-sacks in six seasons and is similar to Spires in terms of their style of play. Neither is an edge rushing menace, but can greatly benefit from the single coverage they will see due to the attention Burgess will attract at left end.

With Tommy Kelly in the interior now, the Raiders will hope to get an inside push as well, thus giving their right end more opportunities to make plays in the backfield in 2008.

Rookie defensive end Trevor Scott was a late round draft choice that the Raiders have high hopes for. But for him to have any chance of making the team, the former tight end may need to have a highly impressive camp and pre-season to unseat the veterans on the roster. Edwards and Spires are quality ends and when healthy, are capable starters in this league. Richardson showed he could provide solid depth in his rookie season. So unless there is a key injury to this line, expect the Raiders to go with the quartet of Edwards, Richardson, Burgess and Spires. Scott is too much of a project and may have to spend his grooming on the practice squad.

Be sure to check out Greg’s official website: http://www.gregspires.com