The battle to replace Chris Clemons on the right side of the Oakland defensive line got another combatant Tuesday when the team signed Greg Spires.  Spires, late of the Buccaneers, will compete with Kalimba Edwards, Jay Richardson and rookie Trevor Scott to provide pass rushing balance for Derrick Burgess.

Spires missed six games in 2007 with a calf injury and has amassed 39.5 career sacks during his decade in the NFL.  He started every game he played for the Bucs until last season, including their Super Bowl victory against his new employers.  No financial terms have been disclosed but it’s safe to say that he won’t be making Gibril Wilson money.

To make room for Spires on the roster, the Raider released Duane Starks. Starks, once the 10th pick in the draft, was signed a month ago and this makes three straight years that the team’s had him and released him.  Since he’s only played in three games over that time, I assume it’s his lovely singing voice as opposed to his ability as a corner that keeps him in Al Davis’s thoughts.