Releasing Sean Smith, Marshall Newhouse save Raiders cap space, create needs

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders saved a combined $10.75 million against their salary cap Monday in releasing cornerback Sean Smith and right tackle Marshall Newhouse, two moves that were not all that unexpected.

Not with Smith’s massive cap number of $8.5 million and lingering legal issues and returning coach Jon Gruden’s less-than-enthralling scouting report of Newhouse at the combine two weeks ago.

“We had some inconsistency at right tackle obviously,” Gruden said in Indianapolis. “Newhouse, he had his moments where he played well. He had some moments where he obviously struggled.”

And yet ...

Even with the moves being expected, so too are the holes left by the departures, and at key…