Kiffin seeks more troops

NAPA — The Raiders signed veteran safety Adam Archuleta on Monday morning. It's conceivable that two weeks or so from now people might forget that Archuleta even passed through Raiders training camp. Then again, he could channel his youth, find the Raiders defensive system to his liking and develop into an integral part of their team. None of that matters to Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. For now, he just wants to see more of an effort by Raiders managing general partner Al Davis to bring in additional players to help offset injuries and spur competition. "It's been a situation that, unfortunately, we haven't brought guys in," Kiffin said. "I control what I can control. We come out every day and get our guys as good as we can. I'm pleased with the top of our roster, but we need to add to the bottom of our roster. We need more competition." Signing Archuleta is a start. However, he is only the second player signed by the Raiders since camp began July 24 — they signed Aaron Elling on Friday as a short-term fill-in for injured kicker Sebastian Janikowski. By this time last year, the Raiders had made 18 roster moves. Of those, only quarterback Daunte Culpepper made the opening-day roster. They later traded for defensive tackle Gerard Warren before the regular season started and made him a starter after two games. This year, Kiffin and his staff have been left to make do, for the most part, with the 80 players who reported to camp. Offensive lineman Mark Wilson sustained a broken right leg early in camp and was released Saturday in the only roster subtraction until safety Greg Wesley was jettisoned to make room for Archuleta. Mounting injuries and the new rule that permits only 80 players have left the Raiders short-handed at certain positions. "It's crazy," safety Hiram Eugene said. "With a lot of guys down, we've got to take a lot of reps." That benefits fringe players such as Eugene. However, it doesn't do much for Kiffin when it comes times to striking a balance between keeping his top-line players fresh and making sure they get ample practice against proven players. For instance, the Raiders were without their top three defensive tackles at one practice. Another time, starting wide receivers Javon Walker and Ronald Curry were out for the same practice. On Monday, the Raiders were without three cornerbacks. "It's hard," Kiffin said. "You don't get many one-on-ones, so our receivers end up going (against no defender). "... It's a situation we've been in now for a while. It is what it is." Davis, who wasn't available for comment Monday, certainly didn't stand pat during the offseason. He signed off on the free-agent acquisitions of wide receivers Walker and Drew Carter, left offensive tackle Kwame Harris, strong safety Gibril Wilson and defensive end Kalimba Edwards and traded for cornerback DeAngelo Hall. Every one of those players is expected to start or play significant roles this season. Davis also re-signed core players such as defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, running back Justin Fargas, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and outside linebacker Sam Williams. Fine and dandy, Kiffin says, but the formulation of a roster is an ongoing process, one that doesn't begin and end during the offseason. "I hope so," Kiffin said, when asked if he expects more roster moves. "There are a number of things we need to look at. We need to improve our depth and our competition on this roster."