Raiders sign free agent defensive end Spires

The Oakland Raiders made another move to try to upgrade their defense Tuesday, signing free agent defensive end Greg Spires to a one-year contract to compete for a job as pass rusher on the right side.

The Raiders have been looking for someone to complement left end Derrick Burgess since losing Chris Clemons as a free agent to Philadelphia. Oakland signed Kalimba Edwards from Detroit earlier this offseason, drafted Trevor Scott in the sixth round from Buffalo and has second-year player Jay Richardson returning.

Spires, who was released by Tampa Bay in a salary cap move in February, joined the Raiders on Tuesday and participated in the team's offseason practice.

SEATTLE'S TATUPU ARRESTED

Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested early Saturday morning for investigation of drunken driving.

Police in Kirkland, the suburban home of the Seahawks' headquarters and practice facility, reported Tatupu registered blood-alcohol levels of .155 and .158 in breath test readings -- nearly twice the legal limit in Washington. Those tests came almost 90 minutes after the 25-year-old cornerstone of Seattle's defense was handcuffed and driven to the police station.

"I want to apologize to my family, teammates, the Seahawks ownership and organization, and the fans for making a poor decision and putting myself in a bad situation," Tatupu said in a statement released by the team Tuesday.

DITKA GAINS SUPPORT

Mike Ditka gained some important support in his bid to help players who are now ailing in retirement.

Doctors in Arizona and Pennsylvania announced on Tuesday that they are donating medical care to those in need through the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

"The game today is not what it is today because of the people today," said Ditka, the group's most vocal member. "It's what it is today because of things that have happened over a period of years. A lot of people have persevered and suffered and played and made things happen."

Ditka, the Hall of Fame player who later coached the Bears to a Super Bowl championship, has criticized the players' union for ignoring the medical needs of former players with serious injuries who can't afford to pay for their care. Gridiron Greats has raised more than $1 million since it was formed a year ago.

Now, it has doctors at the Surgical Specialty Hospital of Arizona in Phoenix and the OAA Orthopedic Specialists in Allentown, Pa., providing free treatment to former players who qualify, while the organization covers travel and helps with other expenses.