Silver and Black Report

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the signing of free agent linebacker Jon Alston yesterday.

He spent 3 campaigns with the Oakland Raiders after being selected in the 3^rd round of the 2006 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Alston, 26, is mainly a back-up, but his contributions on special teams is what made him attractive for the Buccaneers and the New York Jets, who had the four year pro in for a visit on Thursday.

The Silver & Black did not tender Alston, making him an unrestricted free agent and giving him the opportunity to sign elsewhere.

Alston had 23-tackles last season and had four starts, but concussions derailed his campaign and he wound up on injured reserve.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.