After the draft, the Raiders were active in reaching out to their favorite players that went undrafted and signing them to contracts to bring them into camp and show what they can do.  One of the most exciting prospects is Dominique Hamilton, a run stuffing DT from Missouri.  Listed at 6'5" and 305 lbs, Hamilton has the potential to be a force in the middle of the line.

His 2011 stats included 56 total tackles, 7 of which were tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks.

Interview:

Q: What is your home town/state?

Hamilton: I'm from all over the place because I grew up as a military brat. I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but I've been to Germany, Atlanta, Texas, and Missouri.  We currently live in New York, but right now I'm in Colorado though. I like to travel so it's no biggie for me.

Three days ago the Raiders signed free agent Ed Wang to a contract, the team announced. Wang was a 5th round draft pick out of Virginia Tech in 2010, by the Buffalo Bills. He played in 6 games in 2010 and was waived-injured in 2011 by the team.

He is listed as 6'5", 321 pounds.  He played LT at Virginia Tech.

You can follow him on Twitter @EWang77

Interview:

Q: What is your home town/state?

Wang: Ashburn, VA

Q: Did you root for a particular NFL team growing up? Who? Why?

Wang: I rooted for the Redskins growing up, naturally, because they were my hometown team.

Almost immediately after the draft, the Raiders signed a CB prospect Conroy Black, a 6'0" 182 prospect out of Utah.  Black played at Fullerton College in 2008 where he was a team captain and had 17 solo tackles, one INT returned for a TD and 3 pass breakups.

In 2009 he moved to Utah and had a redshirted year.  He played for the Utes in both 2010 and 2011 starting 13 of the 26 games in which he played.  He ended his time in Utah ammasing 58 total tackles, 1 sack and 5 interceptions in those two years.

He is on Twitter @MrPrimtime9

The Raiders recently signed undrafted free agent Kaelin Burnett from the University of Nevada.  Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has talked about wanting players who are versatile and head coach Dennis Allen has also talked about being "multiple."  Burnett played both as a linebacker and DE in his 3 years at Nevada, after transferring from Delta State.  He also played extensively on special teams.

Burnett is listed as being 6'4", 255 lbs.  His career stats at the University of Nevada include 93 tackles, 10 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.  He projects as a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB.  The Raiders will likely use some of both this season.

You can follow him on Twitter @WhoDAtBeezy.

On twitter - @AsherMathews - I have been struggling with both my love of the NFL and football in general and my disgust with the mental and physical long term injuries that are becoming more and more prevalent, it seems.

The questions that I posed were:

If, indeed, FB causes long term mental & physical issues, can we, in good conscience, support it? Is it fair to the plyrs?

If we do continue to support it, are we any better than, say, Romans who gloried over gladiators killing each other?

What would cause you to stop supporting FB as the rules are now? That is, if not changed, you would no longer be a fan.

If concussions do indeed cause long term Mental issues, is it fair to allow young men to risk their life simply for entertainment?


There were many good responses but it is difficult to discuss these issues and fully articulate thoughts in 140 characters.

So, please use this post as a forum to express your views in the comments:

TFDS has already posted a breakdown of what I saw of Greg Knapp's offense and playing calling.  Knapp has served the last two years as the QB coach of the Houston but before that served as the offensive coordinator in Seattle, his last year with that title.

You can read that breakdown here.

TFDS will be getting into some details on some of the plays that the Raiders may have in their playbook in subsequent posts.

Today we'll look at a play that Seattle ran against the Rams, week 1 of 2009.  It was run on Seattle's first possession.

AJ DeMello stops by to give TFDS some reports and real-ish insights into the kinds of players the Raiders got in the 2012 draft.

Tony Bergstrom, Utah  Round 3

 Strengths:
-Has experience in ZBS, can line up at tackle but will move inside
-He's an exceptional hand user, which helps feed his pancake addiction
-Will kick your butt in a staring contest
-Makes defensive tackles talk to the hand
-Very good footwork (used to shine shoes)
-Has an exceptional motor, can push people forward
-Allowed no sacking of the quarterback in 2010, so he can be a boss (making someone his b****)

Weaknesses
-Has short arms, but eats his vegetables
-Isn't spectacular in one particular area, (but) his name is Tony
-Sometimes struggles with speed, needs to overcome the habit
-A little tall for a guard, but people like the way he hooks
 
Bergstrom told the media, "If you come to my house, I'm usually sitting on a foam roller or something."
Obviously, this guy is crazy inside. He'll be an asset for Palmer up front.