In an expected move, the Raiders have announced that quarterback Carson Palmer has restructured his contract with the team.  Interestingly, they announced the move via Twitter a sign the times have changed.

According to PFT, the team could create as much as $7.71 million in cap space if he dropped to the league minimum and converted the rest into a signing bonus.  It's also possible that Palmer took less money.  Terms have not been announced.

2012 Free Agency begins next Tuesday, March 13th at 4pm.  The second in a series of looks at positions the Raiders may target.

2011 starters:
Strong side, Kamerion Wimbley
Middle: Rolando McClain
Weak Side: Quentin Groves initially, Aaron Curry after trade

Offseason Moves so far: none

The Raiders reportedly cut $11.82 million against the salary cap by restructuring the contracts of both Richard Seymour and Michael Huff.  Seymour's restructuring is no surprise as he was a lock to make the team already with the team allowing a deadline to pass earlier this season that fully guaranteed his contract for the year.  Huff was considered a prime candidate to either restructure or be cut.  His restructuring means that he's definitely in the Raiders' plans this year.  Huff's position is yet to be set by the current staff.  He could either slide into FS, where he's played since being drafted in 2006.  The previous administration had plans to move him to cornerback but new coach Dennis Allen has not weighed in on which position he sees him playing in his defense.

You can read about the details of the restructuring here.

2012 Free Agency begins next Tuesday, March 13th at 4pm.  The first in a series of looks at positions the Raiders may target.

2011 starters: Stanford Routt and varied

Offseason Moves so far:
cut Stanford Routt
signed Brandon Underwood

Although the Raiders announced they were going to place the franchise tag on safety Tyvon Branch late last week, the official paperwork didn't go through until yesterday afternoon, shortly before the 4 PM deadline.

It capped off a wild day in which more than half the league franchised someone on their team that otherwise would have gone to Unrestricted Free Agency.

What's more exciting: NFL Free Agency or the NFL Draft? I'd say Free Agency this year, because it's got some REAL big hooters on it.
 
With no draft picks on day one, free agency may be where the most change comes for the Raiders. There's a lot of free agents, so there's a good chance to upgrade that lackluster defense.


The Raiders D has been under performing like an impotent man who promises his wife love, only to slide off the bed, and knock himself out on the nightstand. That's what the Raiders defense has been known to do...hurt themselves.

In the 2000's, the Colts became a perennial playoff team because of their explosive offense.  Clearly, much of that had to do with Peyton being who he is.  But as we've seen in more recent years, a good QB cannot do it alone.  He needs explosive players around him to be able to catch the balls he throws and carry the ball as well.  And in that decade much of the Colts' success came with Manning, Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James – affectionately known as the Triplets.

Moving into the 2012 season, the Raiders are looking at a trio that could be their own version of the Triplets if they can reach their considerable potential.  Each of the three has the skills and explosion to be able to be among the best at their position but each has their own question marks as well.