The Oakland Raiders have begun contract talks with linebacker Kamerion Wimbley hoping to restructure his deal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Raiders have informed safety Tyvon Branch he will be hit with the franchise tag, according to a league source.

The Raiders will cut linebacker Kamerion Wimbley if he does not restructure his deal, a team source said Thursday.

Could Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne team up with another squad? It’s a definite possibility.

Matt Cassel’s job in Kansas City might not be safe with the team announcing that they would like a QB competition for next season.

Bill Romanowski, four-time Super Bowl winner, is pounding a smoothie as we begin our conversation. The former linebacker has a few things to say about preparing for the biggest game of the season.

The Raiders have a new GM and head coach, but they’ll have the same QB with Carson Palmer already getting the nod as Oakland’s season-opening starter for 2012.

49ers punter Andy Lee put it best when he said, “There must be something in the water” in the Bay Area. That’s the only explanation as to why, for likely the first time ever, the kicking units for the NFC and AFC each come from two teams from one area: 49ers and Raiders.

Mark Sanchez is the latest target of player ire in the Jets’ locker room. But is he the root cause of Gang Green’s offensive woes this season and how does it affect the team’s fantasy outlook for 2012?

Reggie McKenzie wanted his guy to coach the Raiders. As the team’s new GM, McKenzie has the power to make that call. And his guy isn’t Hue Jackson.

The Raiders missed out on the playoffs following a disappointing loss to the Chargers in Sunday’s season finale, so their attention now turns to getting their house in order following the October death of longtime owner Al Davis.

The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us, and the playoff picture is anything but settled. The Texans are pegged into the No. 3 seed – and in the AFC, that’s the only peg lodged.

On the one hand, there are only three out of 12 playoff spots still up for grabs heading into the final week of the regular season. On the other hand, there are so many possibilities in terms on a) who gets those three spots; and b) where teams fall in the seeding. Here are the playoff scenarios heading into Sunday:

The Broncos’ 40-14 loss to the Bills and the Raiders’ 16-13 overtime victory over the Chiefs tightened the AFC West race.

Adrian Peterson is a game-time decision for Minnesota this week, meaning fantasy owners should stay on alert in case he plays. And have a contingency plan ready in case he doesn’t.