Raiders release S Schweigert, LB Gbaja-Biamila By JOSH DUBOW, AP Sports Writer May 20, 7:10 pm EDT
Buzz Up PrintRelated Video McFadden interview McFadden interview
More NFL Videos ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)—The Oakland Raiders released safety Stuart Schweigert on Tuesday, cutting ties with a former starter who lost his job late last season.
Schweigert, a third-round pick out of Purdue in 2004, became the starter at free safety midway through his second season in Oakland and started 37 consecutive games before being replaced last season.
Schweigert lost his job to Hiram Eugene when he was forced to miss a game with an injured calf and then played as a backup in the final five contests of the season.
Schweigert struggled at times last season as a run-stopper and the Raiders set out to improve their tackling at safety this offseason by signing Gibril Wilson from the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
Wilson lined up mostly as a strong safety during last week’s practice open to the media, with former first-round pick Michael Huff shifting to his more natural position of free safety. That left little room for Schweigert, who missed the open practice with a leg injury.
Schweigert had 215 tackles and four interceptions in 63 games with the Raiders. He also had 20 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Sounds like he would be an upgrade over Fox, who is now are only experienced backup safety.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
