Reviewing tape for new Raiders CB Shawntae Spencer was an interesting challenge.  First, Spencer didn't play much last season.  He went into the offseason training camp but was injured very quickly and by the time he healed he was down on the depth chart.

So, his 2011 tape was almost worthless, he played so infrequently.  I went back to 2010 tape to get a better idea of the player he could be.

Yesterday, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie spoke with the Bay Area media about his basic draft philosophies as we approach the 2012 NFL Draft.

There wasn't anything too amazing in the press conference but there were a couple of points that stood out.

Probably the most important is that he has little to no interest in trading up at the expense of future draft picks, especially high ones.  The practice, which Raiders fans were accustomed to under Al Davis' draft days, tends to not return as much value because the team must trade away a higher future pick for a lower pick at present.

McKenzie also said he isn't adverse to trading at any given time, depending on what the offer was.

He said that his draft philosophy is to take the best player available regardless of need unless there are a couple that are graded very close and then need comes into it.  He said that the mini-camp that starts April 17th will help the coaches decide where their needs truly are and that he will sit down with Allen and some of the other coaches to discuss that before the draft.

Finally, McKenzie said they will look at QB Terrelle Pryor as a possible backup, starting with the upcoming mini-camp, and will see if he is able to handle that role or if they need to bring in a veteran at the position.

Here is a link to a transcript of the conference.

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The Raiders signed former Colts LB Philip Wheeler during free agency to a one year contract.  As a new addition to the Raiders squad, I watched game tape of two games to get an idea of his strengths and weaknesses as a player.

Linebackers are harder to evaluate than many positions because they work as a unit more than most other positions.  The scheme also plays heavily into where a linebacker is supposed to lineup and what gap they are to hit.

Earlier this season, the Raiders signed former Rams LCB Ron Bartell to a one year $3 million contract. The reviews of Bartell were favorable on his time in St Louis but I wanted to get an idea for him myself.

I watched all the defensive snaps for two games, both in 2010 because he only played part of one game in 2011 before sustaining a fracture to one of the vertebrae in his neck.

The first game I watched was the Raiders/Rams game in week 2 of 2010. I chose this game because I know the Raiders players and know their strengths and weaknesses and can better gauge an opponent with that common frame of reference.

UPDATED: The deal is reportedly for two years and is worth up to $3 million.

According to multiple sources free agent defensive end Dave Tollefson has agreed, verbally, to sign with the Raiders.  He will provide depth on the line and also is a boost on Special Teams.

Tollefson was part of a bidding war today after visiting Green Bay, Oakland and Tennesse.  All three were vying for his services and he had an offer from the Giants, as well, where he's been for the last five years.

Oakland beat writer Jerry McDonald was busy talking to coaches and players yesterday for interviews and were able to put together a number of interesting articles that start to show what the 2012 Raiders team will look like.

First, Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times spoke to Dennis Allen.  There is a transcript here.

There isn't anything too amazing in there but it is interesting how many restrictions the team has at this time of year with the players.  The Raiders are allowed to have two hours worth of meetings per day and the only coaches that can be on the field with the players are strength/conditioning.

The NFL released a partial pre-season schedule yesterday.  The biggest news for the Raiders is that they will get a prime time game in week one.  The schedule, as released, is available for review here.

The Raiders schedule is as follows: