The most hotly sought after player that the Raiders signed in free agency wasn't starting RG Mike Brisiel, starting LB Philip Wheeler or former starting CBs Ron Bartell or Shawntae Spencer, it was former Giants backup DE Dave Tollefson.  When the Raiders signed him to a 2 year contract there were reportedly offers or interest from other teams as well including the Giants, where he had played since 2007, Titans, Packes and Seahawks.

Naturally with such interest in the 29 year former 7th round pick, I was interested to see what made him such a desirable commodity.

First of all, it's clear that Tollefson is versatile.  While he played RDE, mostly, he also bounced in to right DT on obvious passing downs and played a handful of snaps at LDE and LDT as well.  Reportedly he also can play LB but I never saw him do this - when he was in the game, he always lined up on the line.

There have been numerous discussions, some partially stoked by a question asked Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie.  Here's the link to the article and here is the question and response given by McKenzie:

Q: What are the chances of your trading into the first or second round?
A: "You know what, there's always ways of trading up, trading into, trading back. It's just a matter of what you're willing to give up, or what do you want to receive out of the deal. So, if a team comes to ask for something huge, just to offer me if I want to get into the first round but I got to give them my first born, that's not going to happen."

McKenzie didn't say that he wanted to trade up but, prudently, didn't rule it out either.

However, a look at the trade ammo indicates that it's pretty unlikely.

According to al.com, Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain has settled a lawsuit from 2008 alleging that he hit a student twice with his car.  According to the story, the plaintiff in this incident was seeking punitive damages of at least $75,000.00 as well as medical bills and likely also general damages.

To explain a complicated process as simply as possible, there are three types of awards in cases - medical bills, general damages - which include things like pain and suffering or a claim that marital relations suffered due to the injury, and punitive damages - which is basically an additional amount on top of the other monies paid as punishment because the defendant's actions were so egregious.

The Raiders announced that they signed veteran WR Duke Calhoun to the team and he has already appeared with the team by participating in the voluntary mini-camp earlier this week.

Calhoun was an undrafted free agent in 2010 but still managed to make the active roster for the Giants.  He played in 9 games, sustained an injury and was put on injured reserve.  He came to an injury settlement with the team last preseason and was released.  He did not sign on with any team last year - it's likely he was still recovering from the injury which was listed as a hamstring injury.

Per a variety of different reports, the Raiders have visited a number of prospective draftees in the weeks led up to the draft, either as part of a group workout or by bringing the prospects in to Alameda.

Here are some of the known prospects, alphabetically, and a link to more information for each:

TFDS has already done tape evaluations of Ron Bartell, Philip Wheeler and Shawtae Spencer, as part of an effort to review the talent that the Raiders have signed this offseason.

Each of the aforementioned players signed one year contracts which means that none of them may be back in 2013.  One player that will be back was the most targeted player the Raiders signed, RG Mike Brisiel.  The Raiders signed him to a 5 year, $20 million contract.

Brisiel played in 13 games in 2011 and started all 13 at RG for the Texans.  I looked at 3 different games for Brisiel from 2011 to get an idea of his strengths and weaknesses.  The three games were week 5 against the Raiders, week 6 against the Ravens and week 7 against the Titans.

The NFL announced the entire regular season schedule today.  While the Raiders 2012 opponents and which would be home or away have been known for some time, the schedule is the first chance for fans to find out the order of the games and also which games would be televised in prime time and where the bye week falls.

Here is a link to the Raiders schedule.

Of note, the Raiders opening game is the second game on a Monday Night Football Double header on ESPN on Sep 10th against San Diego at the Black Hole.

The team has their bye in week 5.  Only two teams - the Colts and the Steelers - are earlier in the season on week 4.

Every year there is much (too much) analysis about which games the teams are likely to win or lose.  This is an exercise in futility as teams change so much from year to year and injuries take their toll.

The Raiders, like every team that has aspirations of the Lombardi trophy, will need to stop worrying about the schedule and start worrying about executing regardless of the challenges in front of them.  Now that they know their first challenge, the Chargers, they can begin their quest for a 4th Super Bowl win.

For more Raiders news and analysis throughout the day, follow me on Twitter @AsherMathews