McKenzie stays busy, adds more to the roster

Originally published on SBReport.net on April 10, 2013

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has been busy over the last couple of days, signing numerous players to help replenish a roster devastated by departures.

Former Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings is the latest to apparently reach an agreement with the Raiders front office, tweeting to his followers on Wednesday ""@RashadJennings: Its official! I'll be rocking that Black and Silver this yr."

Jennings spent his first three seasons in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars after coming out of Liberty University. Jennings showed explosiveness his first two seasons in the league but struggled last season when he got the opportunity to prove his ability when Maurice Jones-Drew went down with a foot injury.

Jennings started six games in place of Jones-Drew but averaged just 2.8 yards per carry and was benched because of his ineffectiveness.

New offensive coordinator Greg Olson spent last season as the quarterbacks coach for the Jaguars.

But Jennings wasn't the only free agent to tweet that he was heading to the Raiders today. Free agent safety Reggie Smith also tweeted an Instagram picture of himself signing a contract with the Oakland Raiders.

Smith has been primarily a strong safety, a position that could use some depth with the departure of Mike Mitchell. Ironically, Smith was in camp with the Carolina Panthers last season (the team Mitchell departed for) after spending his first four seasons with the San Francisco 49er's. Smith was drafted in the third round out of Oklahoma University. In 45 games played, Smith has tallied 64 tackles and seven passes defensed.

McKenzie was also able to re-sign two of his players from last season: veteran defensive end Andre Carter and cornerback Joselio Hanson.

Hanson joined the squad last season and appeared in all 16 games, while starting five. His career totals include six interceptions, 51 passes defensed, 3½ sacks and one forced fumble since entering the NFL as a non-drafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2004.

Carter is entering his 13th season and originally joined the Raiders during the season last year after rehabbing from surgery.

Playing in 12 games for the Silver & Black in 2012, Carter tallied posted 28 tackles (18 solo), 2½ sacks and one forced fumble.