Silver and Black Report

The Raiders, who had to pare 22 players from the roster by today’s deadline, made the following moves to get to the NFL-mandated 53-man roster limit, according to Inside Bay Area’s Jerry McDonald (UPDATE: the Raiders confirmed the transactions an hour or so later):

• Placed on injured reserve: WR Arman Shields (D4b-08).
• Waived: OL Jesse Boone, DB Darrick Brown, DL Derrick Gray, DE Greyson Gunheim, WR Johnathan Holland, FB Luke Lawton, S Nate Lyles, WR Chris McFoy, P Glenn Pakulak, RB/KR Louis Rankin, FB/TE Marcel Reese, OG Brandon Rodd, CB Nick Sanchez, LB Shane Simmons, TE Darrell Strong, S Marviel Underwood, CB/KR Michael Waddell and TE Chris Wagner.
• Released: SS/OLB Adam Archuleta, RB Adimchinobe Echemandu and DT Josh Shaw.

Read more…

Today, the Raiders got one step closer to tomorrow’s 75-man roster limit, making a series of moves, including some expected, some surprising and some in-between.

The expected:

Wide receiver Drew Carter and fullback Oren O’Neal, both out for the season after suffering knee injuries in this weekend’s preseason game, were placed on injured reserve.

The surprising:

Special teams ace Jarrod Cooper was released, amid reports the popular safety intends to retire.

The in-between:

Veteran defensive end Greg Spires, like Carter a free agent signed this off-season, and linebacker Grant “Game Ready” Irons, attempting to make a comeback from back troubles, were waived.

Cornerback John Bowie, forever known for being drafted with the “Randy Moss pick” in 2007, was placed on injured reserve, his knee injury rendering him unable to go. Like Carter and O’Neal, Bowie’s season is over.

The additions:

The Raiders claimed fullback Luke Lawton, last of the Philadelphia Eagles, off waivers to replace O’Neal. They also signed defensive back Marviel Underwood.

The transactions leave the Raiders with 76 players on the roster (80 minus six plus two), meaning one more player must be cut to reach the limit tomorrow, and more if other players are added.

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

It doesn’t seem that long ago that an oft-injured, undrafted former college star dazzled Raider fans in preseason 1999, when Scott Dreisbach won a spot on the roster despite a broken leg.

Last night, the Raiders rolled the dice on another oft-injured former college quarterback, signing Nebraska’s Sam Keller, who tried out at the rookie minicamp earlier this year.

Keller, who was not signed after the May session, had failed to win a contract in a tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after April’s draft, and signed a three-year deal with the Arena Football League’s Los Angeles Avengers on May 30.

To make room for Keller on the roster, the Raiders cut fifth-string quarterback Erik Meyer, a free agent signed this offseason.

Read more…

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

The Raiders exchanged a couple of first-year players who are likely just camp bodies, waiving sixth-string quarterback Brian White, a rookie free agent out of Portland State, and signing fullback/tight end Tony Jackson.

Jackson, who played his college ball at Iowa, was on the Raiders’ practice squad for a few weeks during Art Shell’s second tenure in 2006.

Read more…

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

As some of you who have followed my work over at Raiderfans.net know, a few years ago, I started something called the Raiders Research Project, which has been an ongoing — albeit sporadic — effort to create a one-stop-shopping site for Raiders information.

Well, I’m pleased to announce that, with Bob Carr’s permission and encouragement, I’m moving the project here, to Silver & Black Report.

This may be a slow, painful process, but watch the “Pages” list to the right for updates.

The first Project, the “Unofficial Raiderfans.net roster,” is already here.

Now, I’m pleased to announce the arrival of the third Project, the NFL Europe allocation list. It’s the first spring without developmental football in several years, but as I think you’ll be able to see from the Project, the Raiders aren’t really going to miss it.

Enjoy! And watch for the rest of the projects, and new ones, coming soon to S&B Report!

Oakland Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin

By Eric Strauss, S&B Report Staff Columnist

As Lane Kiffin embarks on his second season as Raiders head coach — with the dubious distinction of being the first coach to survive a 12-loss year under owner Al Davis — he is not only trying to save his job, he is trying to avoid moving one step closer to some ignoble history. Read more…

Silver & Black Report has updated its 2008 Oakland Raiders team roster.

Hit the link above to check out the updated version, now with stats, coaches and more!