There have been a lot of numbers thrown around for the Raiders cap situation. This post will try to compile information together for as clear a walkthrough as possible.

First, no one knows the exact number for the 2012 salary cap. According to PFT, the official number will be announced to the teams this next Monday. However, the number is expected to be approximately the same as the 2011 cap number, around $120 million.

A couple of weeks ago, it was disclosed that the Raiders had contracts above $145 Million - $145,774,984 to be exact at that time, according to CSN.

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

2011 Starters:
Initially: Jason Campbell
Week 9+: Carson Palmer

Offseason Moves so far: none

On the Roster:
Carson Palmer
Terrelle Pryor

The Raiders traded for LB Aaron Curry last year for a 7th rounder and even though Hue has moved on he'll be happy to know that that pick has not gone to waste.  The Raiders inherited Curry's high dollar contract from the Seahawks and he was in a restructure or be cut situation.  It appears that he's chosen restructure.  Curry announced on his Twitter account that he restructured his contract because he was "born a Christfilled Raider."  He added he wanted to be "living proof that God is a Raiders fan."

The Raiders continue to adjust the "out of whack" contracts that GM Reggie McKenzie referred to earlier this offseason.  Today, the Raiders cut CB Chris Johnson and FS and special teams standout Hiram Eugene, saving approximately $6 million against the salary cap.  Johnson was once in contention to be a starter at CB but struggled all of last year even in a backup role.  This may partially have been due to a recurring injury.  Eugene was expected to be a backup safety and a gunner on special teams but hurt his hip in preseason and missed the entire year.  Both cuts were expected.  It's possible that either could return to the team at a lower amount but that seems unlikely at this point.  If memory serves, the Raiders currently have only three CBs on the roster at this time - second year players DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa and recently signed Brandon Underwood.

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

2011 starters:
Defensive End: Lamarr Houston, Matt Shaugnessy
Defensive Tackle: Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly

Offseason Moves so far: none

On the Roster:
Defensive Tackle
Richard Seymour
Tommy Kelly
John Henderson

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