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The Raiders signed a pile of new undrafted free agents. They include DL Derrick Gray (Texas Southern), TE Darrell Strong (Pittsburgh), QB Brian X. White (Portland State), LB Ronnie Pentz (San Diego) and DL Greyson Gunheim (Washington). None are likely to make the final roster, but if we're lucky, one will be good enough to make our practice squad.
Kiffin was on SIRIUS today discussing the team. It was a promising interview. He pointed out that McFadden was their guy from day 1 and if he wasn't there when they picked that they had a couple contingency trades in place to move back in the draft. Further, he went into how McFadden would be used in our offense. Like Reggie Bush, McFadden will be split out and used as a receiver at times. Unlike Bush, McFadden's primary job will be as a running back, carrying the ball. Lane was a bit critical on how the Saints used Reggie, suggesting they stunted his growth as a true running back.
As the interview continued, Lane touched on the receivers. He said that Drew Carter is going to be a big player for the team. At 6-4, he is a large threat. Both Drew and Jevon Walker have been in town working out all spring. Kiffing pointed out that Walker is extremely quick and will be a dynamic element on our offense.
Overall, the interview was positive and I was left with the impression that the Raiders will be a sleeper this season. They have an easy schedule and will surprise most teams through the first half of the season. Both sides of the ball have improved significantly.
David White, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports the Oakland Raiders have contacted free-agent QB Trent Dilfer (49ers) about possibly becoming the team's backup quarterback. Here's to hoping if we get him, that we don't actually need to play him. 
Rumors are starting to surface that suggest Stewart Schweigert will be released as early as this week. In my opinion, that would be a mistake. Even if you hate the guy, he is good depth at safety and special teams.
Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports the Oakland Raiders signed undrafted free-agent FB Matt Hahn (Penn State) Tuesday, April 29. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 6-0, 236lb fullback hales from Penn State. He is more of a RB then a FB and will likely be cut before too long. He ran ~4.5, 40 yard dash, so he is fast for his weight.
Darren McFadden is a unique runner. He is a tall guy, but he runs thin. This means that he can slip between defenders, through small holes, and presents a profile that is smaller than one would expect. His straight line speed and vision are superior, when combined with his "slim" profile, allow him to burst through the line as soon as a hole opens. When watching film on this guy, you see this over and over. He has the ball and then after one cut, seems to sing-shot through the line between defenders and into the secondary. Other runners in this draft who were drafted high are plodders, are wide and don't display the vision McFadden does. This is of course what makes them prototypical 3-down backs and the argument that the haters use when trashing McFadden.
The knock on McFadden is that he runs upright and doesn't take on the tackler like a 6-1 RB. Well, that is part of what makes him special. He isn't a prototypical RB who pounds the ball up the middle of the line. That isn't what made him successful. His vision and ability to slip through the line are what gave him a chance to display the elite speed. You don't see this out of guys who are "hammers" at the RB position. With the Raiders zone blocking scheme, he should find similar cracks in the defense to slip through. He is in a perfect situation to succeed.
Michael Silver, of Yahoo! Sports, reports retired DL Warren Sapp endorsed the selection of Arkansas RB Darren McFadden by the Oakland Raiders. "I love Darren McFadden to the Raiders," Sapp said Monday, April 28. "I think it's a perfect fit… I understand that (coach) Lane Kiffin and (offensive coordinator) Greg Knapp are supposed to be these guys who make their living by throwing the ball," Sapp added. "But our offense is made for downhill guys. And this kid will make that offense go." If any one knows how McFadden will fit into the Kiffin offense, it's Sapp. He practiced against them every day and clearly had an idea of what the offensive unit wanted to do. My guess is that we hear a lot from Sapp over the next few months as he begins his career as a color commentator. He's a real crack up and should be a great addition to any crew.
John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Oakland Raiders are back under the salary cap after releasing RB Dominic Rhodes Monday, April 28. The team took a $1.093,750 cap hit when they traded CB Fabian Washington Sunday, April 27, putting them over the salary cap. Rhodes had a $1.75 million salary, enough to put the Raiders back under the salary cap. We're going to need to cut Jordan in order to sign our rookies. We may also need to extend Nnamdi (oh please!) so we don't take such a hit this year.
Retired DT Warren Sapp says that LaMont Jordan "is like the worst offseason running back I've ever been around." This doesn't sound good for Jordan. He's already overpaid for being a backup RB on our squad. If he isn't busting his hump to get into football shape right now, he won't be around for long.
