The Playbook: What is Plan B?

The Playbook Commentary:

What is Plan B? Does a professional athlete place as much mental and physical energy in creating a Plan B, JUST IN CASE, things don't go as planned? More times than not, they don't. And, that is a shame. Because in life, nothing is guaranteed. And, you are as hot and good until tomorrow's new kid comes along. I am curious to see what happens with Schweigert and Biamila and others like them. Even if they get picked up by another team, they and all players should not place all their future eggs in that one uncertain basket. They should have options...because at the end of the day, no one should be more concerned with their future on any level more than themselves.

The question is, "What is your game plan for life?" The answer is, "The Playbook©: Mentoring Initiative can help you create it."

Coming Soon!


Raiders release S Schweigert, LB Gbaja-Biamila
Associated Press

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- 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.

The Raiders also released linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, signed as a free agent earlier this offseason.

The Raiders began their second week of offseason practices Tuesday in a session closed to the media. It was the first time running back Darren McFadden and quarterback JaMarcus Russell got to work together.

McFadden, the No. 4 overall pick in last month's draft, was not allowed at last week's practices because he is a rookie. Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in 2007, was not at the rookie minicamp the previous week.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

ESPN - Raiders release S Schweigert, LB Gbaja-Biamila - NFL