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Weekend mail call:

Mike O’Connell from San Diego writes: What type of impact do you expect running back Mike Goodson to have in Oakland?

Bill Williamson: Goodson was acquired from Carolina for guard Bruce Campbell. It was a trade of players who didn’t fit with their former teams' plans. Goodson has some ability, but he did not carry the ball at all in 2011, and was active for just four games. So, to expect him to be Darren McFadden’s primary backup might be a tad risky. Perhaps Goodson (who has 501 yards on 125 career carries) will carve a role for himself in Oakland as a running back, but he is far from established.

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Matt Duench from Waterloo, Ontario, writes: What do you expect from Denver receiver Demaryius Thomas in 2012?

BW: I expect big things form Thomas. He is growing as a player, and having him work with Peyton Manning should be a major boost to his career. I fully expect Thomas -- if he can stay healthy -- to take the next step in his career in 2012. I think he can be a star.

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Darren from Kansans City writes: Do you think Rodney Hudson is ready to be the Chiefs’ starting center?

BW: I think so. He is a second-round pick entering his second season. We really won’t know until we see him, but the Chiefs believe in him and plan for him to play this season. Hudson is known for being a smart, tough player. He has a chance to develop into a solid pro.

It's clear Plaxico Burress wants to play in the NFL in 2012.

And it’s also clear that he’d play anywhere. The receiver, who will turn 35 in August, appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio with hosts Adam Schein and Rich Gannon.

Gannon asked Burress his thoughts on Carolina, Oakland and Miami as possible destinations. Burress said yes, yes and yes.

Here is his response: “You just ran off some good teams. I spoke with Cam [Newton] a few times this offseason when he was down here working out in South Florida. I didn’t get a chance to work out with him but I know he’s a very hard worker. Steve Smith is obviously, in my book, one of the top five receivers in all of football. He has been that kind of player for some time now. … Oakland, I’ve always thought that Carson Palmer has been one of the best deep-ball throwers in all of football since I can remember. … They do have some great talent over there in Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy. I think those guys are only going to get better with Carson. … The Miami Dolphins. I ran into Reggie Bush a few weeks ago at the Heat-Celtics game and he was just saying, ‘Man, please, just come down here and make some plays, and we’re going to have the receiver to go up and get the ball in the red zone and things like that.’ I said, ‘Hey, man, you know, when my phone rings, hey, you never know.’”

My thoughts on Burress’ idea of playing in Oakland? Just because the Raiders were one of the team’s Gannon mentioned doesn’t mean it is a good fit.

Burress had 45 catches for the Jets last season, his first back in the league after missing two years while he was in prison.

The thought of adding Burress, in my mind, is a lot like the idea of the Raiders signing Terrell Owens. I just think the Raiders would be better off developing their young stable of receivers than adding one of these two aging players.

The AFC West Madden cover dream is over for another year.

In the round of 16, Carolina quarterback Cam Newton whipped San Diego tight end Antonio Gates. Newton moves to the Elite 8 of the Madden cover competition, which is based on an ESPN SportsNation vote. Gates was the final AFC West representative remaining in the competition.

Until next year.

In other AFC West news:

ESPN’s uniform expert reviews all of the team’s uniform changes. There were very little changes for the four AFC West teams. Kansas City owner Clark Hunt talked about the importance of keeping the team’s tradition with the new uniform deal with Nike.

The Chiefs have re-signed defensive back Travis Daniels. He is a backup.

Here’s more talk that the Raiders are working on a long-term deal with franchised safety Tyvon Branch. The Raiders have long indicated that is a goal this offseason. It would give the team some cap relief.

In a procedural deal, the Broncos re-signed exclusive rights free agent punter Britton Colquitt. He wasn’t going anywhere, anyway.

UPDATE: I just talked to someone in the know in the Dave Tollefson talks. He has yet to make his decision and he is expected to visit the Titans on Thursday as planned. But the Raiders are considered strong contenders for the Bay Area native and former Oakland practice squader. He would provide strong defensive-line depth.

Reggie McKenzie’s first trade as the Oakland Raiders' general manager was another reminder the Al Davis days are over.

Friday, in a swap of backups, the Raiders shipped offensive lineman Bruce Campbell to Carolina for running back/special teamer Mike Goodson. Davis took Campbell in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. He was a combine star but never developed in Oakland. He appeared in 14 games in two seasons with no starts. The Panthers indicated Campbell, 23, will be moved from guard to tackle.

Campbell didn’t fit the Raiders’ new zone-blocking scheme. While giving up depth at the offensive line, the Raiders did add depth at running back in Goodson. I think Goodson probably replaces departed special-teams ace running back Rock Cartwright more than running back Michael Bush. Both players left in free agency.

Goodson, 24, showed some flashes as being a role player in 2010 when he had 452 yards on 103 carries and he had 40 catches for 310 yards. He fell out of favor with the new Carolina coaching staff last season and did not have any carries and appeared in just four games in 2011. I think Oakland still needs to add a running back to spell Darren McFadden and Taiwan Jones.

Update: I just caught up with Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. He thinks Goodson has a chance to have a solid role in Oakland.

“He has a lot of ability,” Williamson said. “I have no idea why he got in the doghouse in Carolina, but I see him as an excellent change of pace for McFadden and insurance for Jones. I like it, but he has fumble issues.”

UPDATE II: McKenzie issued this statement on the trade: “We wanted to acquire another player to compete at the running back position. He can do a lot of things in our scheme on offense. He’s very versatile, he has natural running skills, he’s a great receiver out of the backfield and he has kick-return ability. I’m anxious to see if he can put all that together here as aRaider.”

“We appreciate the work Bruce has put in thus far with the Raiders, and we wish him the best"

ESPN’s Josina Anderson is reporting Denver has re-signed special teams ace Wesley Woodyard to a two-year contract. He will also be a backup linebacker.

Former Oakland pass-rusher Kamerion Wimbley is reportedly close to signing a five-year deal with Tennessee. Oakland cut him in a salary-cap dump Friday.

If the Panthers end up trading running backs DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart because of the Mike Tolbert addition, I could see Denver potentially showing interest. Denver is in the market for a running back and Denver head coach John Fox used to be in Carolina.

UT San Diego reports there will not be a reunion with LaDainian Tomlinson and Kassim Osgood in San Diego. The Tomlinson decision is not surprising at all, but I thought the Chargers would consider Osgood.

It was almost 12 hours ago when I first reported that San Diego Chargers running back Mike Tolbert has signed a four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. I ended the short post by saying I would have more on the story later.

I should have indicated it would be much, much later. I guess I got sidetracked by another little story that developed in the AFC West.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some thoughts on Tolbert’s departure:

I don’t like it.

Last month, I wrote the Chargers couldn’t afford to lose another running back. Last year, they saw Darren Sproles go to New Orleans and he was missed. So will Tolbert.

He is a stud in short yardage, he has nice hands, he is a fine blocker, and he is great on special teams. Winning teams have players like Tolbert.

Ryan Mathews will need a new complement. Two names to keep an eye on are Kansas City’s Jackie Battle and Oakland’s Michael Bush. Bush is getting interest from the Bengals, Bears and Seahawks. Perhaps the Chargers will join the party. Other running backs available include Cedric Benson, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Brandon Jacobs, Ryan Grant and Joseph Addai.

The Chargers will see a lot of familiar faces when they play the NFC South in 2012. They will see Tolbert and Sproles as they will see recently departed star receiver Vincent Jackson in Tampa Bay and will face former backup running back Michael Turner when they play the Falcons.

The Chargers' last real priority in-house free agent is defensive tackle Antonio Garay.

San Diego Chargers running back Mike Tolbert has agreed to a four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to an NFL source.

I will have more on this story later.

San Diego running back Mike Tolbert is in Carolina visiting with the Panthers, according to a league source.

If the visit goes well it is not out of the question that Tolbert signs with the Panthers in the next 24 hours. Unless there is a dramatic change of direction, it appears Tolbert’s days with the Chargers are over.

He was one of the team’s priorities, but talks have stalled. If the key backup leaves San Diego, the Chargers could turn to Kansas City’s Jackie Battle or Oakland’s Michael Bush to back up Ryan Mathews.

In other AFC West news:

Denver tight end Daniel Fells is visiting New England on Monday.

The Broncos have re-signed middle linebacker Joe Mays. He was a serviceable starter in 2011, starting 12 games. The team would like to see Nate Irving become a starter. If so, the 26-year-old Mays will still have value as a special-teamer.

Free-agent offensive lineman Samson Satele was arrested in Hawaii (where he lives in the offseason) on disorderly conduct charges, a petty misdemeanor. Satele played last season for Oakland, which may not bring him back in 2012.

Peyton Manning has reportedly told the Broncos, 49ers and the Titans he will sign early next week. We will see. He is reportedly throwing for the Titans on Saturday. He threw for the Broncos on Friday and he threw for the 49ers earlier in the week.

UT San Diego reports Chargers’ running back Mike Tolbert is talking to the Steelers and the Panthers. He is on an undisclosed visit on Saturday and there is a chance he will sign a new deal Saturday. It appears Tolbert will not return to San Diego. If he is, indeed, gone from San Diego, the Chargers will miss him.

CBS Sports is reporting Denver defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley will visit the Saints. The Broncos want Bunkley bad. Losing him would hurt Denver because it needs another defensive tackle as well. I would be surprised if Denver doesn’t make a competitive offer to retain Bunkley.

There has been some speculation Oakland could pursue Houston center Chris Myers, but he signed back with the Texans.

The Kansas City Chiefs might be ready to spend some big money in free agency. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Chiefs are one of three teams that have a visit set up with standout right tackle Eric Winston who was a surprise salary-cap dump in Houston

Schefter reports Miami and St. Louis are also looking to visit with Winston. He would be a terrific fit in Kansas City. He’d be a major upgrade over Barry Richardson, who was the weak link of Kansas City’s offensive line. Winston would solidify a unit that has been in flux the past few years. The University of Miami product started every game for the past five years in Houston.

Signing Winston would also likely allow the Chiefs to concentrate on signing either a defensive tackle or linebacker in the first round of the draft.

The Chiefs -- who have franchise receiver Dwayne Bowe and who have added cornerback Stanford Routt -- have a lot of salary cap room and should be able to sign Winston if they chose to. The Chiefs are entertaining Seattle tight end John Carlson on Tuesday.

In other AFC West news:

• Oakland free agent Michael Bush bashed folks for reporting that he is visiting the Cardinals. Bush earlier tweeted that he was in Arizona, but said nothing about visiting the Cardinals.
• Schefter is reporting that Denver free agent Eddie Royal does not yet have a deal done with the Redskins. It has been reported elsewhere that the deal is done. Yet, Schefter said both sides are working to finalize a deal. It makes sense. Royal performed well for Washington coach Mike Shanahan as a rookie in Denver in 2008.
• The Raiders have officially announced they have cut tight end Kevin Boss. His release was first reported Monday. His agent tweeted earlier Tuesday he expected his client to be cut Wednesday.
• Schefter reported that the Broncos were one of a few teams to opt to take the extra $1.6 million in salary cap room next year instead of this year. Most teams were given the extra cap room because cap money was taken away from the Redskins and the Cowboys because of cap infractions. The Raiders were one of two teams not to be rewarded extra cap room because of a lesser infraction. The Raiders didn’t face any more penalties.
• Yet another veteran guard is available. Carolina cut Travelle Wharton. If the Chargers want a veteran to replace the recently retired Kris Dielman, they’ll have their choice. However, the team will likely put Tyronne Green at the spot.
• Former Oakland starter Jason Campbell has agreed to a one-year deal with Chicago, according to Schefter. I will have more thoughts on this deal later Wednesday.

NFL.com's Jason La Canfora expects Vincent Jackson to stay in San Diego, perhaps after being franchised. I believe the Chargers could give him the franchise tag, but they’d rather not because they have other goals and tagging JAckson would cost $13.7 million this season.

Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie indicated that more players could be cut in Oakland as the Raiders adjust their salary cap. Cornerback Stanford Routt has already been cut and he signed with Kansas City. Among the candidates to be cut or have their contracts restructured include safety Michael Huff, defensive linemen John Henderson and Tommy Kelly and linebacker Aaron Curry.

The Chargers could potentially move down from No. 18 to compile more picks.

Carolina has signed former San Diego pass-rusher Jyles Tucker. He reunites with former San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who is the Panthers’ head coach.

Here are some highlights from our AFC West chat, which was held Thursday:

DENVER

Randy from Denver: Is it a possibility the Broncos trade their 1st rd pick to stock pile some 2nd rounders?

Bill Williamson: I think the Broncos would make that decision on the clock. That No. 25 range is a good trading spot for a team that is flexible.

KANSAS CITY

Steve from Kansas City: Would going for a player like Jimmy Clausen (via a trade or free agent add if cut) be a better than a veteran that the chiefs are reportedly interested in like Orton, Campbell, Garrard or Manning.

BW: Nah, not a big Clausen guy. Maybe if Weis was still there. I'd go for someone like Campbell or Orton over Clausen. He's young, but that may be one of his few values.

OAKLAND

Johnny from R.I.: Do you think the Raiders should deal Seymour for a 3rd round pick and to free cap space?

BW: I'm not sure who would pick up a $15 million deal for a guy who can leave in free agency. Plus, is a third-rounder better than Seymour right now?

SAN DIEGO

Rob from Pittsburgh: Same type of year for P Rivers if the O-Line doesn’t improve, agree or disagree? The WR corp. is only getting weaker.

BW: The WR group will only get weaker if Jackson leaves. And Rivers does need better protection. The Chargers know it and will address it. The key is also health. San Diego has really been banged up by injuries at both the OL and WR.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos have signed former Jacksonville starter Jason Hill. He started 10 games for the Jaguars with new Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Hill had 25 catches those starts. He was cut later in the season.

Hill has a chance to be a rotational receiver in Denver. I still think Denver will look to add receivers, but Hill provides some depth.

Meanwhile, Denver signed guard C.J. Davis. He did not play in 2011, but he was with Carolina -- under Denver coach John Fox -- in a reserve role for parts of the 2009 and ’10 seasons. He will compete to be a bottom-of-the roster player in 2012.

In other AFC West news:

• Here is another mock draft that has the Chiefs taking Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 11. The two questions are, will Richardson drop past the top 10 and would the Chiefs bypass other needs to put Richardson and Jamaal Charles in the same backfield? It will be fascinating to see if this potential pairing gains traction as the draft approaches.
• Denver leader John Elway talks about the team’s plans for free agency.
• UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone discussed working with Denver quarterback Tim Tebow this week. Mazzone coached San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers in college and Rivers is expected to join the workouts later this week.

Here are some thoughts on Denver coach John Fox's quick hiring of former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio to succeed Dennis Allen, who has been named Oakland’s head coach.

Nice score: Many Denver fans might have upset that Allen left; however, Del Rio is a terrific hire by the Broncos. Fox said Wednesday that he was in no hurry to find a replacement for Allen, but the quick hiring of Del Rio shows Fox felt great about this move. Though Del Rio had been on the market for several weeks, this reconnection between Del Rio and Fox — Del Rio was Fox’s first defensive coordinator in Carolina in 2002 before becoming Jacksonville head coach in 2003 — should ease the mind of Denver fans.

Seven is not a problem: Though Del Rio is Denver’s seventh defensive coordinator in seven years, this shouldn't be an issue due to the compatibility between Del Rio and Fox, who has a defensive background himself. Del Rio knows that this is Fox’s team and it is his defense. Allen deserves a lot of credit for turning Denver’s defense – the worst in the NFL in 2010 – into a competitive group. But the coaching started with Fox. He will continue using his system.

Fox loves familiarity: Fox closed the deal so quickly with Del Rio that there wasn’t time to find other candidates. Clearly, Fox focused on his former assistant as soon as Allen took the Oakland job. That means Fox is confident in his new choice.

More experience than Allen: Allen, 39, got the Oakland job after one year’s experience as the Broncos coordinator. Del Rio, 48 and coming off nine seasons as a head coach, is much more seasoned.

Recruiting means something: Even though Denver improved as a defense under Allen, it still needs to reload. Perhaps Del Rio will turn for help to a pair of defensive ends he coached in Jacksonville — Matt Roth and Jeremy Mincey, both free agents.

Is Arizona a refuge for former AFC West coaches?

NFL.com reported that former Kansas City coach Todd Haley is talking to the Cardinals about joining the staff. Haley talked to Arizona earlier this month, but there were reports he likely wouldn’t go there. Monday, former Oakland coach Hue Jackson reportedly also interviewed with Cardinals about their quarterback-coaching job.

It is feasible that Haley and Jackson could both end up on the Cardinals’ staff, but I’d be surprised to see that happen. I would think Haley and Jackson would both like to be in a situation where they can stick out. Incidentally, Jackson was not thrilled with Haley after the Chiefs won at Oakland last season.

In other AFC West news:

The Chargers promoted special teams coach Rich Bisaccia to assistant head coach. He received interest from the University of Tennessee. Bisaccia was hired last year and he helped turn around the NFL’s worst special teams in 2010.

“Rich was a great addition to our staff a year ago and made a real impact on our team last season,” San Diego coach Norv Turner said in a release. “He has a lot to offer our team and I’ll be leaning on his years of experience in all areas of our football team.”

As expected, the Chargers announced former Carolina defensive backs coach Ron Meeks took the same job in San Diego. He replaces Steve Wilks, who, coincidently, is the new secondary coach in Carolina. The Chargers are still looking for a linebackers coach.