Marques Tuiasosopo is returning to Oakland after spending a year with the Jets, giving the Raiders the veteran QB backup they were looking for to help JaMarcus Russell. Tuiasosopo signed a contract Thursday to return to the team that drafted him in 2001, as reported by the Associated Press.

The Raiders released safety Stuart Schweigert on Tuesday, cutting ties with a former starter who lost his job late last season, as reported by the Associated Press. The Raiders also released linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, signed as a free agent earlier this offseason.

Oakland Coach Lane Kiffin began calling JaMarcus Russell 'Big Boy' last season. ?It was funny to me,? Russell said Thursday. ?But most of my family, like my grandmother, she kind of took it hard. But at the same time I think it?s all fun and jokes, just a reason to get myself better and just keep myself in shape.? Russell said that he weighed 269 pounds and looked thinner than he did a year ago as the Raiders began their off-season workouts and that he wanted to lost five or six more pounds before the season. ?I think it shows his commitment to the team and to the players; they see that,? Lane Kiffin said. ?They notice his body being different. He?s got great energy about himself, and he looks really good. He?s moving around great and making plays on the run. I know it just creates a good feeling around the locker room as well.?

Javon Walker and Drew Carter received most of the work with JaMarcus Russell and the first team at wide receiver since Ronald Curry is away. Walker said his injury problems last season occurred because he came back too soon from arthroscopic knee surgery and that he is healthy now. As for playing with Russell, Walker compared it to his early years in Green Bay when the quarterback was Brett Favre. ?He has a good arm. I?ve been fortunate enough in my career to play with a quarterback who had a strong arm, and that?s something I developed into, catching a fast ball,? Walker said. ?He?s one of those guys that has that ball. The more and more we work together, the better that we?re going to be.?

The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs appear interested in the services of recently-released wide receiver Koren Robinson, according to The NFL Network. The Packers tried to trade Robinson before they released him over the weekend, and both the Raiders and Chiefs showed interest in the pass-catcher.

The Oakland Raiders have reportedly agreed to terms with defensive end Greg Spires, according to ESPN.com. Spires played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Lane Kiffin will be looking to use him as a replacement for Chris Clemons, who bolted to Philadelphia via free agency. He was released by Tampa Bay earlier this season in a cap-cutting move.