A week from free agency, Oakland has three more tasks

The have already done their fair share of work this offseason in terms of prepping themselves for the upcoming free agency period, which begins a week from today.Eight days ago, they locked their leading rusher 6 Sanchez Purple AFL50th jersey
from 2007, Justin Fargas, into a three-year deal. This week, they used their franchise tag to retain their best defensive player, 26-year-old cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Also, in late January, the team re-signed linebacker Sam Williams to a one-year deal; he will provide some depth along the defensive front.For Oakland, that leaves 10 players remaining who will become unrestricted free agents one week from now. According to my count, Oakland can get away with signing just three.Goodbye ...Tyler Brayton: Finally, the time has come. Brayton recently voided the final year of his rookie contract, officially making him an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 29. The last time the 280-pound defensive end tallied a sack was Oct. 30, 2005. Have fun elsewhere.Daunte Culpepper: This is a no-brainer. Culpepper can't stay healthy, performed poorly in 2007 and isn't ready to be a full-time backup in Oakland. He's gone.Cornell Green: Green missed the final six games of the '07 season before suffering a foot injury in Week 10. Before the injury, Green was a slightly below-average performer up front, committing eight penalties and allowing seven sacks. He's not worth bringing back next season.Jeremy Newberry: Newberry certainly helped to shore up an ailing line last season, allowing only two sacks in 14 starts at center. However, he'll be turning 32 years old next month and is no stranger to injuries. With youngsters such as Chris Morris, 24, and Jake Grove, 27, behind him, Oakland can afford to let the veteran go.Jerry Porter: Easy enough. Porter has already stated that he wants to "move on" from Oakland, so let him do that. For some reason, though, I envision him performing phenomenally elsewhere.Chris Johnson: Johnson had just 13 tackles last season, and the Raiders currently have 11 defensive backs on their roster. This a journeyman who can travel elsewhere.Tim Dwight: Dwight did a great job last season when the Raiders called on him to fill in at wide receiver for the final six games, making two touchdown grabs. However, the 32-year-old Dwight will simply be taking time from youngsters such as Johnnie Lee Higgins, Johnathan Holland and whomever the Raiders draft this coming April.Welcome back ...Chris Clemons: Oakland can't let the little-known Clemons slip away. The 26-year-old defensive end led the team with eight sacks last season. In his lone two starts, he recorded three tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble.Tommy Kelly: With 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
Warren Sapp's retirement, Kelly's service in Oakland will be needed in 2008 more than ever. Before suffering a Week 8 injury last season, Kelly had recorded 30 tackles and a sack as a defensive end; however, at an equal 300 pounds, he also has the ability to play in Sapp's DT spot.Josh McCown: McCown is the backup quarterback. Whether you like how the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder plays or not, you have to agree that his attitude is exactly what the Raiders need at this point. McCown is more than willing to play either ahead of or behind the 22-year-old JaMarcus Russell, and keep his attitude in check while doing so.