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News Archive
Jan. 5-Mar. 22, 2002
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The Raiders have re-signed unrestricted free agent G Frank Middleton. This is a key re-signing. Middleton was extremely valuable to the team last season after starter Mo Collins suffered a stress fracture in his leg. And with Steve Wisniewski retired, the Raiders need the depth and experience on the offensive line.
Middleton had been released by the team as a salary cap casualty on February 28.
Source(s): Associated Press
Oakland's search for one or more cornerbacks will presumably continue . . . The most recent free agent to visit, ex-Lion Bryant Westbrook, signed a contract with Dallas.
Source(s): Associated Press
Both cornerbacks whom the Raiders had recently considered signing, Duane Starks and Artrell Hawkins, have signed with other teams. Starks, the object of a good deal of interest, signed a five-year contract with Arizona. Hawkins elected to re-sign with the Bengals for three years.
The Raiders were expecting a visit today at their Alameda practice facility from CB Bryant Westbrook, who played with Detroit the past four seasons.
The activity is fueling speculation that Eric Allen will retire.
Also a subject of speculation is the assignment of coaching responsibilities under new Head Coach Bill Callahan. The Raiders have signed recently retired QB Jim Harbaugh as an "offensive assistant," although not necessarily to coach the quarterbacks. Marc Trestman, whose title presently is offensive assistant, is the likely candidate to succeed Callahan as the team's offensive coordinator. Harbaugh would presumably then replace Trestman.
Source(s): Associated Press (Nando)
[ The Raiders later also allocated WR Marcus Knight, bringing the total of signed players allocated to NFL Europe to an even dozen.]
The Raiders allocated 11 players to NFL Europe for play this spring, with that league's games beginning in April.
The players are:Source(s): Raiders.com
Where Are They Now Dept.: Saints defensive tackle LaRoi Glover will start for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Glover was drafted by the Raiders at a time when the team was well stocked on the defensive line, and he became expendable. Given a chance to play regularly in New Orleans, he has blossomed, so to speak.
The league's preliminary injury report for Saturday's playoff game:
Oakland: Questionable: DT Roderick Coleman (shoulder); G Mo Collins (leg); RB Charlie Garner (foot); T Lincoln Kennedy (shoulder); FB Jon Ritchie (ankle); T Barry Sims (foot); CB Charles Woodson (toe). Probable: DT Grady Jackson (knee); K Sebastian Janikowski (foot).
New York: Out: T Kareem McKenzie (calf). Probable: WR Santana Moss (quadricep).
Source(s): NFL.com
I have to apologize once again to readers that the news section here on the site has lagged recently. I do go to school these days and I've just finished The Semester from Hell. There wasn't any spare time . . .
Hopefully I'll have more time available soon.
With the regular season concluded, the NFL has announced the remaining opponents for the 2002 regular season. Up until now each team had two opponents' slots open, to be determined by the final standings.
The Raiders' 15th and 16th opponents will be Tennessee at home and Pittsburgh on the road.
See the complete 2002 schedule.
Source(s): NFL.com
The injury report for tomorrow's game:
Oakland: Questionable: G Mo Collins (leg); K Sebastian Janikowski (foot); T Lincoln Kennedy (shoulder); T Barry Sims (foot); CB Charles Woodson (toe).
New York Jets: Probable: DE Eric Ogbogu (hip); FS Damien Robinson (knee).
Source(s): NFL.com
