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:

The Raiders have reportedly scheduled a pre-draft workout with OT Steven Baker.  TFDS' Guest Contributor Tyler Dickson has prepared this scouting report on the productive but relatively unknown Baker.  For more of his thoughts on players, as we lead up to the 2012 NFL Draft, on Twitter @Raiderdraftnik

STEVEN BAKER
Offensive Tackle
6'8", 310 lbs
Rocky Mount (Northern Nash HS)

Scouting Report: Size, strength, quickness and mobility consistently complimented a development rate which culminated with a starting and leadership role at the tackle position during senior campaign. 

UPDATED 4/16/2012: 7th round added!

This article is the work of Seth Murphy, who follows college FB and is a Raiders fan.  These are his projections for all seven rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.

You can follow him on Twitter @SethMurhpy4991 to find out what he thinks about players leading up to the draft later this month.

Look below the Rounds to see who the Raiders may look at as Undrafted Free agent Prospects.

Also, below the UDFA propects, peruse an updated tracker of which players each team is projected to take.

The Raiders had a tryout with former Giants free agent DE Dave Tollefson, today.  He was once a player on the Raiders practic squad before signing with the Giants active roster in 2007, becoming a member of their formidable defensive line rotation and a sometimes starter when injuries demanded.

If he signs with the Raiders he will fill much the same role - a backup and situational player who can also start.  He is also able to contribute on Special Teams.

Here are some quick hits about the first team organized activity, yesterday.  The team met at their headquarters, playbooks were distributed and the players met each other.

Wheeler talks about being recruited

Also, Philip Wheeler spoke on a media conference call and said that he partially chose Oakland due to the coaching staff and schemes and partially due to the fans.

TFDS has already talked a bit about the fans roll in bringing Wheeler to Oakland here.  He said that he gained about 2,000 followers from his Oakland visit which helped him make the decision to choose the Raiders, adding, "it showed me how big of a football city this is and how much they paid attention to football instead of going somewhere else. Indianapolis, it was pretty good football city, but the fans, they didn't' get more involved in media, and just showing us how much they care about the game. I always wanted to play in a big football for a legendary team, something like that and that kind of helped me choose Oakland."

Wheeler also said that he had known DC Jason Tarver because he met him when he was transitioning from college to the NFL and he felt comfortable with Tarver.  He said the Raiders will be playing a blitzing scheme and mixing in multiple looks, many of which feature the linebacker and some of which will allow him to blitz which he never did in the Colts' schemes.

2012 Raiders-Specific mock draft, by @raiderdraftnik

This article is the work of Tyler Dickson, who is an avid follower of college football and a Raiders fan.  You can follow him on Twitter @raiderdraftnik for his thoughts on players as we lead up to the draft.

This is a Raider-Specific mock draft but for a 3 round mock draft from Tyler that shows the players selected before the Raiders get to their first pick, click here.