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Can you remember when the Raiders were without a real deep threat? On multiple occasions the Raiders had a roster filled with receivers who could only run in a straight line? The Raiders also had their fair share of divas at the position. Remember when Oakland's pass offense revolved around dump offs and check downs? Remember when it seemed Justin Fargas was the only reliable weapon the Raiders had? Do you remember all the years Zach Miller led the Raiders in receptions and receiving yardage? Do you remember feeling the entire Raiders team squawk after Miller signed with Seattle? I am sure you remember the excitement in the media when the Raiders announced that Kevin Boss had picked Oakland over his other suitors. All the articles stated, “Well, he is a better blocker," and Al Davis let a pro bowl tight end slip away. The Raiders were blasted for letting Miller go to Seattle and accused of taking Miller's talent for granted. Kevin Boss has yet to play a snap and the Raider...

Michael Huff tweeted he was having breakfast with Michael Bush this morning in Napa. A short time later the Raiders announced Bush had re-signed. Bush ends his quasi-holdout and reports to camp. The Raiders need the body as Darren McFadden broke his orbital bone and Rookie Taiwan Jones is nursing a hamstring injury. Michael Bennett also has a "nick" leaving Rock Cartwright to pick up the slack. Bush should practice today for the first time in 2011 with the recently signed Kevin Boss. The Raiders also signed receiver Chad Jackson. He's another camp body with kick return skills.

Panic arose with the loss of Zach Miller, lest we forget from the ashes many times a Phoenix arises. Kevin Boss got his first opportunity after the departure of all-pro tight end Jeremy Shockey from New York. Bringing in Boss was a sound business decision at less than half the cost of Miller. The Boss signing aside, let's look at the current roster:   Brandon Myers The third-year player has looked poor in camp, but still may have been the default starter had Boss not been aquired. His lack of consistency puts him on the roster bubble. Myers is a reasonable in-line blocker, but he has lapses in passing game.   David Ausberry Potentially Marcel Reece 2.0 at the tight end position. Converted from wide receiver his senior season at USC. He is literally still growing into the position and needs to add bulk. He continues to turn  heads in camp with his speed (4.52) and fluidity. The departure of Miller may afford him a roster spot due to his receiving skills.   Richard Gordon R...

Adam Schefter reports the Raiders agreed to terms with tight end Kevin Boss on a four-year, $16 million contract. The contract includes $8 million in guarantees. Zach Miller will make about twice as much and the production of each will likely be very comparable. Kevin Boss is a better seam threat than Miller and a slightly better blocker. He isn't quite the receiver Miller is, but he will be provided with greater opportunity in Oakland than he was in New York. If the Raiders offensive line also improves, the Raiders wouldn't have to bring in a sixth offensive lineman to run block. This creates doubt in the mind of the defense, particularly in the red zone, because Boss is a capable receiver. Boss is the type of tight end Al Davis values. A tall, big-bodied red zone threat who is a good blocker. This was a match from the very beginning. The Raiders receivers will still have to make up the difference between Miller and Boss as a receiver, but not as much as you might think. Easil...

Adam Caplan reports, Stanford Routt has restructed his deal with the Raiders for much needed cap relief. Richard Seymour also restructured and he could save the Raiders as much as $11 million against the cap. The Raiders knew all along how they were going to get under the cap or they would have been cutting players left and right. The question now is if the Raiders can create enough room to sign Kevin Boss. Darren McFadden is missing from practice and could be restructuring as well.

Although the Oakland Raiders operated a run first offense in 2010 with Darren McFadden rushing for over 1100 yards and coming in third in the NFL with 5.2 yards per carry, it is imperative that the Raiders help Jason Campbell in 2011. The Raiders have to get Campbell a reliable target at tight end. Zach Miller was targeted 14 more times than any other receiver on the team in 2010. The 92 balls he thrown his way made him the 10 th most targeted tight end in the NFL. He's now a Seahawk. Adding Kevin Boss is a no brainer. Although Boss had 25 less catches than Miller last year, he had just 150 yards less than Miller. He averaged nearly 4 yards more per catch than Miller. He may not be a better receiver, but he is a more proven blocker and is the best available tight end left in free agency. By adding a veteran wide out, the Raiders passing game could improve enough to make the loss in tight end production and afterthought. Boss is just 27 and has a lot of miles left on his body. He c...

Hue Jackson confirmed free agent tight end Kevin Boss is working out with the Raiders today. The Raiders unexpectedly lost Zach Miller to the Seattle Seahawks and need to plug the huge hole Miller leaves. There is mutual interest and that is always a recipe for a marriage.

The Raiders signed free agent linebacker Darryl Blackstock. Blackstock is a self-proclaimed "RAIDER FAN 4 LIFE." Blackstock is 28 and previously played for the Bengals and Cardinals. He spent the 2010 season with the Florida Tuskers of the UFL and Raiders defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan. Blackstock was drafted in 2005 at the end of the third round by the Arizona Cardinals. Blackstock instantly becomes a fan favorite, partially because he is a Raiders fan and partially because his name is Blackstock. He'll have a tough time making the roster, but the fans will love him along the way. Follow him on Twitter: @MrDBlackstock  

According to a tweet by J.I. Halsell , Michael Huff received a contract worth $8 million per season over four years. Update: Jerry McDonald reports more detail: $12 milion is in the form of guarantees. $7.315 million signing bonus, $685,000 base salary in 2011, $4 million base salary 2012-2014. The 2012 base salary is guaranteed. Eric Weddle received five years, $40 million with $19 million in guarantees. It's not completely out of line with expectations, but the slow market for Huff's services insinuated his deal would be more affordable. Not the case. Huff will now have to prove 2010 was not a fluke and he really is an all-pro safety.

The Raiders announced the signings of offensive lineman Stephon Heyer, Justin Smiley and Seth Wand. Justin Smiley was in for a visit and Stephon Heyer announced on his Facebook he signed with the team this morning. Wand last played in the UFL. The Raiders seems content adding lower level talent in hopes of fielding a decent offensive line. Not a great approach.  Proven options like Brian Waters and Sean Locklear remain free agents.

ESPN's John Clayton reports Zach Miller has agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks. Adam Schefter confirms the contract is for five years and $34 million with $17 million in guarantees. That's nearly $7 million per season of which about 3.4 million will be guaranteed. Al Davis simply couldn't match the Seahawks offer. Davis rolled the dice letting a tight end hit free agency and he lost, but as Alex Miglio of Dolphinsblog.com explains, Miller is not as valuable as he seems. So don't panic. Kevin Boss has already shown interest in the Raiders and the Raiders can mitigate the loss in a variety of ways. The receivers growth is a big part, they can also use Richard Gordon as a blocking tight end and David Ausberry or Brandon Myers as receiving options. A piece together Zach Miller approach. It's a huge blow to the offense, but  the development of Marcel Reece and addition of Taiwan Jones may mitigate some of the offensive loss as well. It's a business and the Ra...

According to reports, the Raiders have signed offensive tackle Stephon Heyer. Heyer has started 33 games with the Redskins and played in 49. He was originally an undrafted free agent. The Raiders recognize their need on the offensive line, but thus far haven't added any big names. Bryant McKinnie was cut and the Raiders could kick his tires. Sean Locklear and Brian Waters remain the best available players.

Kamerion Wimbley's cap figure is now more manageable. He agrees on a five-year, $48 million deal which includes $29 million in guarantees. The signing was brought about somewhat urgently by Zach Miller's visit to Seattle and former coach Tom Cable. With Wimbley signed, the Raiders should have enough flexibly to sway Miller and bring in an offensive lineman. If Miller chooses to sign in Seattle, the Raiders could bring in Kevin Boss. If the Raiders are serious about fixing the offensive line, they should return the favor and sign Sean Locklear. Another option would be longtime divisional foe Brian Waters. Lofa Tatupu is in for a visit. He's a good player with injury problems. It's difficult to figure out how he would fit in the Raiders 4-3 defense and may foreshadow the Raiders usage of the 3-4 more this season. Tatupu, like Gaither, will need to check out medically. He also has a planned visit to Washington, which wouldn't mean much if the Raiders wanted to extend ...

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Michael Huff agreed to terms with the Raiders. Was Tyvon Branch not a fit at free safety or was it Michael Mitchell not ready to be the starter on the strong side? The Raiders 2010 secondary remains intact less Nnamdi Asomugha. The Raiders went 1-1 without Asomugha in 2010. The secondary should continue to be strong in 2011 with the additions of rookies Demarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa at cornerback. Huff's versatility is perhaps his best trait as he can also help out at cornerback when needed. Next up, Zach Miller, but he must wait for Kamerion Wimbley to sign his long-term extension.

The Raiders took the field for the first time in 2011. Missing were key free agents Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Michael Huff and restricted free agents Michael Bush and Marcel Reece. Missing also were the slow tempo learning-intensive practices deployed by Hue Jackson's predecessor Tom Cable. Training Camp Report Hue Jackson is taking a different approach. Jackson's practice was high tempo and he wants it even faster. With practices shortened an an abbreviated offseason, Jackson must install the playbook in significantly less time. Higher tempo means more learning in less amount of time. It's simple, the Raiders should have high tempo practices to get as much done as possible before the season. Stefen Wisniewski probably had the most interesting media session when he mentioned the new playbook. He mentioned how the Raiders are going to use a lot of misdirection and motion to utilize the Raiders excellent offensive speed. It's something worth keeping your eye on. -...

Raiders have other needs, but repairing the offensive line is by far the biggest. Jared Gaither comes with considerable risk/reward. Gaither spent time with Hue Jackson and Al Saunders. The two coaches know what kind of player Gaither is when he is healthy. He just hasn't been healthy. There are basically three qualities every free agent will be judged upon: age, skill level, and injury risk/history. When it comes free agents, most come with deficiencies in one area. Even Nnamdi Asomugha could be said to have one. Teams will compare these deficiencies against their peers and needs and determine their value as a free agent. For the most part you can break down all but the top free agents like this: 1. Young, good, injury prone 2. Young, average, healthy 3. Old, good, injury prone 4. Old, average, healthy 5. All players less than average. That's about all that is available when it comes to players in free agency. Sure, there are exceptions. The top free agents usually don't f...

The Raiders are in contract negotiations with offensive tackle Jared Gaither according to Jason La Canfora. According to Adam Schefter, the Raiders are fighting with the 49ers for the services of free safety Dashon Goldson. The two players are the biggest free agents tied to the Raiders thus far. In the case of Gaither, he would fill a huge need along the offensive line. Goldson would replace Michael Huff and is a clear sign the Raiders are content to move on without him.

Undrafted Free Agents Signed: Mason Brodine, DE - Nebraska-Kearney Chris Francis, ILB - Baylor Ben Iamaak, C - Iowa State Derrick Jones, WR - California (PA) Ben Gbadyu, OLB, Penn State Alan Pelc, OG, North Carolina Sterling Moore, CB - Southern Methodist Eddie McGee, WR/QB - Illinois James McCluskey, FB - Boston College Lou Eliades, OL - Penn State Zac Etheridge, S - Auburn Jordan La Secla, QB - San Jose State Steven Goulet. WR - Ohio Jamie Cumbie, DT - Clemson Veteran Free Agents Signed: Jarvis Moss, DE/LB Jon Condo, LS Draft picks signed: Taiwan Jones - Signing Bonus $405,000 DeMarcus Van Dyke David Ausberry - Signing Bonus $45,900 Denarius Moore - Signing Bonus $190,500

The NFL and NFLPA agreed to a labor deal today, meaning there will be football in 2011 and no regular or preseason games will be missed. Training camp will begin Wednesday. Camp and free agency will be simultaneous and abbreviated. Zach Miller will be the Raiders top priority in free agency. With the Raiders sitting roughly $5 million over the proposed new salary cap this could be harder than previously believed. Based on the new rules, teams would be able to use a one-time veteran exemption up to $3 million and can also borrower $3 million against the 2012 salary cap. The details aren't fully known on how this all works yet. Any cap savings that can be saved by releasing players would likely happen on the first day of the new league year to clear room for Miller and hopefully a veteran offensive guard. That could be as early as this afternoon. The Raiders manage the cap in such a way that they never have a problem landing a big free agent. However, the Raiders often find themselve...

Per Adam Caplann,  Michael Bush is almost certain to return to the Raiders in 2011. Michael Bush spent his entire first season on the non-football injury list  and he wouldn't have accrued the four seasons necessary to become a free agent. This conflicts with Jerry McDonald's report that his first season would count and he would become a free agent if the new rules allow players with four seasons to become free agents. I trust Jerry McDonald, but I have heard if the rules remained the same under the new collective bargaining agreement he would not become a free agent. There is also the possiblity this provision could be changed in the new labor deal.