Kaluka Maiava's agent confirms Raiders are first up

Sports Editor Brad Sherman just got off the phone with Kenny Zuckerman, the agent for former Baldwin and Cleveland Browns linebacker Kaluka Maiava.

Zuckerman confirmed reports that Maiava, now a free agent after four years with the Browns, will talk to the Oakland Raiders first.

“He’s on a plane to visit the Raiders,” Zuckerman said moments ago. “We had a few teams that are interested. If he leaves the Raiders and we don’t have a deal consummated, then we’ll go to the next team.”

Maiava spent the first two years of his career as an inside LB in a 3-4 scheme, but has played outside LB the last couple years in a 4-3 plan. The new coaching staff in Cleveland is switching back to a 3-4.

“The Raiders are looking for him to play in the middle,” Zuckerman said.

Zuckerman said Maiava's time in Cleveland appears to be over.

“(The Browns) are totally changing their system and scheme, and it’s not really conducive for a player like Kaluka,” he said.

And here is an open blog thread for the Raiders' free-agent efforts. Down on the bottom, they are reporting that former UH standout DL Isaac Sopoaga has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Still efforting contact with Maiava. Check our full coverage in Wednesday's paper.