Raiders released another veteran DT Warren

With the determination to save money and clear room for young players, the Oakland Raiders continued dumping veteran players and this time it was nine-year veteran defensive tackle Gerard Warren who was released following running back Justin Fargas, defensive end Greg Ellis and wide receiver Javon Walker.

Putting on Raiders jersey before the start of the 2007 season in the first trade between the Raiders and the Denver Broncos since the trade of defensive back Willie Brown in 1967, Warren failed to help the Raiders end run of losing. During his tenure, the Raiders had the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing 153.7 yards rushing per game and a league-worst 71 touchdowns on the ground. Warren totally had 77 solo tackles and 10 sacks in 44 games with the Raiders.

Without Warren, the Raiders still have multiple choices in starting defensive tackle. Undrafted free agent Desmond Bryant has shown signs of potential as a rookie, Tommy Kelly is the only other DT under contract, but defensive end Richard Seymour just can be moved to the position at any time.

Penalty continues after Raiders lost to Browns

Last Sunday’s 9-23 loss to the Cleveland Browns was really a big shame to the Oakland Raiders. Not only because of the loss, but also because of the penalties they received during the game, no wonder they did not sell out their season finale in time to avoid black out.

Three Raiders players have been fined by the league they together will have to pay $40,000 for wrong deeds on field. Tight end Tony Steward has to play $25,000 for “making intentional physical contact with a game official”, and defensive end Richard Seymour and cornerback Stanford Routt both were fined for hitting players in Browns jerseys after play was over. Seymour’s amount is $10,000 and Routt’s is $5,000.

Because of their behavior on field, both Stewart and Routt were ejected from the game during the game. And the three guys’ behavior together caused the Raiders to be penalized 13 times for 126 yards overall in the game.

Raiders QB Frye will start against his former team

The Oakland Raiders quarterback Charlie Frye has been cleared to play after sustaining a concussion during the game against the Denver Broncos last week and will start Sunday’s game against his former team, the Cleveland Browns, ruling out JaMarcus Russell’s chance to re-gain his starting job.

Frye was injured after being hit by a linebacker wearing Broncos jersey in the fourth quarter of the Raiders’ 20-19 win. Russell replaced him and directed a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes. Even before he was cleared by team doctors, Coach Tom Cable had been unwilling to consider Russell to be the starter. Now as he wished, Frye will be able to start again after the team signed quarterback Jeff Otis to their practice squad.

But it still remains uncertain who will be the starter for the final game as Bruce Gradkowski, who was starting ahead of Frye before tearing the medial collateral ligaments in both of his knees, is expected to return to practice later this week and still has the chance to play against the Browns.

LB Greenwood found job in the Raiders

While Jon alston was out for foot injury and Isaiah Ekejiuba was slowed by shoulder injury, the Oakland Raiders made an announcement on Sunday that they have signed linebacker Morlon Greenwood to add depth at linebacker. Meanwhile, the team also released defensive end Derrick Gray.

Befor he was authorized to put on raiders jersey, Greenwood was playing for the Houston Texans, who released him in February. He started 10 games and finished with 31 solo tackles for the Texans last season, a decreased production in decreased playing time comparing to his performance in previous seasons.

In the Raiders, backup quarterback Jeff Garcia has missed two days of practice for personal issues. He also had a calf injury, which has prevented him from practicing for two weeks. However, he was expected to be back by Monday and return to practice as the team's No. 2 quarterback. Receiver Javon Walker will possiblely be taken off the physically unable to perform list after Saturday’s game against San Francisco Chargers.