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News Archive
Jan. 14 - Mar. 31, 2004
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With all that happened since the final days of December—the player mutiny, the firing of Bill Callahan, the departure of Bruce Allen, and the head coaching search—and, definitely not least, because I've had an ongoing health crisis (since late last summer!), there just wasn't enough time for me to keep up here on the News page. As time allows I might go back and try to fill in some of those gaps in the coming weeks, but when I started feeling somewhat better I chose to resume updates beginning at the very end of January.
Thus, the news for the period January 14-31, roughly, has not been proofread and I know there are some minor errors and omissions. You'll see a few sentences that just trail off or have place holders for time periods that I need to look up (e.g., xxxx-xx). I chose to get the gist of important developments posted for now and polish things up as time allows over the next few weeks, rather than post nothing at all.
The owners voted on a number of rules changes today, extended the existing NFL merchandising arrangement for 15 years and instant replay for five, and chatted with the press. Not only coach Norv Turner, but even the Grand Poobah himself, Al Davis, fielded questions from reporters. There's plenty of good reading linked in the Articles section.
One change which could particularly help the Raiders, given their still-high percentage of thirty-somethings on the roster, is an increase in the size of practice squads from five players to eight. Of course this makes it easier for coaches, who need a minimum number of bodies to run drills, scrimmage, etc. It also provides backups who know the system if a rash of injuries strikes. With the Raiders, by last season's end when twelve different players were on IR at the same time, most of the practice squad members had been promoted to the active roster, and the team arguably could have used even more .
As had been speculated, sleazebag Darrell Russell signed with Chucky Boy's Bucs for just a smidgen more than the league minimum.
Source(s): Associated Press
Don't be shocked if the Raiders, who need help at the safety position, make a run at Browns S Earl Little.
According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, Cleveland has given Little's agent permission to shop his client. That agent just happens to be Drew Rosenhaus, who also represents Warren Sapp.
Although Little signed a four-year, $5 million contract last year, Rosenhaus said the Browns would ask only a second-day draft choice in return.
Little has been a productive safety for the Browns, averaging five interceptions a year for the past three years, and he's also a bargain in the sense that his base salary is only $535,000 this season.
Source(s): ESPN.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Raiders managing general partner Al Davis said yesterday he hasn't spoken to Bungles president Mike Brown "on this trip" about a possible Corey Dillon trade.
Much-traveled free agent QB Rick Mirer is headed for Detroit, where he's seen as a good fit for coach Steve Mariucci's West Coast offense. He'll be the third-string quarterback, replacing Ty Detmer. The deal is contingent upon Mirer passing a physical.
And Mr. Universe, Darrell Russell, will soon sign with Tampa Bay. Chucky can have him!
Source(s): Detroit Free Press, San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times
The Raiders picked up two additional 7th-round draft picks yesterday when the NFL announced the compensatory picks for this year's draft.
These picks are awarded based on a complicated formula contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Basically, teams which lost more or better free agents than they acquired are compensated with picks at the ends of rounds three through seven. Most of the picks come at the end of round seven. A given year's picks are based on the prior year's free agency.
The Raiders received the two seventh-rounders as compensation for losing FB Jon Ritchie.
For the second straight year the Raiders will draft Mr. Irrelevant with pick No. 255. Let's hope it's not an omen.
This site has the revised draft order for the Raiders.
Source(s): SilverandBlack.com, SI.com
Details on Sean Jones's return to the Raiders:
This is irony at its heaviest. Sean Jones was a young stallion of a pass rusher with the Raiders. Drafted in the second round out of Northeastern in Boston, Jones, also a good lacrosse player, established a locker room presence to match his physical skills. He became the team's union rep.
Then came the bitter 1987 labor action, which is sometimes erroneously called the player strike. In fact it was an owner lockout. It took months to settle—the league finally played a shortened schedule—and in the meantime the owners hired scab players who would cross the NFLPA's picket lines. S Eddie Anderson was one of the first to cross the line and sign with the Raiders, and he became a big Al Davis favorite. The Raiders hung on to Anderson long after his physical skills were gone.
Meanwhile, Jones, the eloquent and assertive union man who wore No. 99, was shipped out, traded. He went on to record 113 career sacks, 13th best in NFL history, finishing his career with distinction in Green Bay. He went to the Pro Bowl in 1993.
Jones, 41, still holds the Raiders' single-season sack record with 15.5.
After retiring in 1997, Jones subsequently became a player agent, but ran afoul of the NFLPA for alleged misdealings. Last spring he was de-certified by the Players Association for transactions involving Cleveland DE Ebenezer Ekuban and retired Oilers CB Chris Dishman. Jones originally faced a three-year suspension as an agent but that was later amended on appeal to two years, until February of 2005.
Jones joins the team's Pro Personnel department, to work under Mike Lombardi.
Source(s): Pro Sports Xchange, Raiders.com
Martinez, CA police early Sunday arrested Chris Turner, 35, a Raiders assistant coach and nephew of Coach Norv Turner, on suspicion of DUI after he failed a field sobriety test.
Source(s): San Jose Mercury News, Associated Press
According to CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco, Warren Sapp's cap figure for 2004 is only $1.45 million. This observer questions that arithmetic in light of Len Pasquarelli's original report, written just after the signing, that the contract was not heavily backloaded and that Sapp got more in the first four years of his deal than did several other free agent tackles [e.g., Cornelius Griffin and Robaire Smith] . . . but it is mathematically possible. It would mean Sapp's base salary this year is $700,000, just $40K over the minimum salary for a nine-year vet.
As reported here earlier, the supposed "$7 million signing bonus" was actually $4.5 million. Prisco adds that the remainder of the $7M is payable as a $1.5 million roster bonus due next year, and a $1 million option bonus payable in 2006.
Prisco wrote, "Sapp's cap figure for 2004 is a reasonable $1.45 million, but it goes to $4.450 million in 2005 and then $5.550 in 2006."
Now back at the time of the signing, here's what ESPN's Pasquarelli reported on March 20:
"League sources said that the contract is not severely back loaded and will pay Sapp more than $14 million in its first three years and in excess of $19 million the first four years. For the front part of the contract, such a distribution is superior to some of the deals signed by defensive tackles earlier in free agency."
I'm not a capologist, but I question whether both writers can be correct. Unless Pasquarelli meant simply what Sapp will pocket, not the cap consequences. Don't forget, either, that the Cincinnati Enquirer reported about a day after the signing that the first year figure for Sapp would be $5.2 million. I say, take your pick . . . That's how the Bruce Allens and Mike Lombardis of the NFL earn their paychecks.
Source(s): CBS Sportsline, ESPN.com
ESPN.com's draft section, most of which consists of paid features written by the ubiquitous Mel Kiper, Jr., leads off today with this teaser:
"Larry Fitzgerald might have separated himself from Mike Williams as the top wide receiver prospect. However, he wasn't the only player to earn high praise this week. Former North Carolina State QB Philip Rivers had an audition described as 'inpeccably accurate and sharp'."
(For you English majors out there, by the way, the word is impeccably . . .)
For readers who may not have known this already, Rivers is 6-5, but like our very own Rich Gannon, he doesn't throw overhand, but rather has a release point that's nearly sidearm.
I read somewhere yesterday—unfortunately I can't remember where—that an observer who witnessed the same workout reported that Rivers looked "good but not great" (exact words), that he had trouble with the deep ball and that he also didn't have enough "air" under his deep ball. All of which is precisely what you'd expect from a tall guy with a very low release point.
Take your pick . . .
Interesting details have emerged on the negotiations and contract involving new Raider Warren Sapp.
First, although the phrase "$7 million signing bonus" was freely tossed around, that $7 million figure refers to the total amount of guaranteed bonuses. The actual signing bonus—what Oakland paid up front—was $4.5M. Since Sapp's first-year cap figure is $5.2 million, that means his base salary for 2004 is roughly $4.55 million. The remaining $2.5 million in guaranteed bonuses is presumably payable in several roster bonuses due in the later stretch of the contract term.
Although Sapp's contract has a seven-year term—included for the purpose of pro-rating the signing bonus over more years—the deal also contains a clause that allows him to retire after four years, with no requirement that any portion of the signing bonus be repaid.
Now, as to the negotiations . . . Cincinnati's widely reported 4-year offer for $16 million had been upped to approximately $18.5M for the same period by late Friday night, as the Bengals tried to make it a done deal. Earlier offers by Kansas City and Baltimore were less than that and both teams had dropped out of the bidding, even though Baltimore's Ray Lewis, a college teammate of Sapp's at Miami (Fla.), is said to have personally pleaded with soon-to-be Ravens majority owner Steve Bisciotti to try to land Sapp.
Meanwhile, Al Davis waited until he was relatively sure that Tampa Bay wouldn't make a serious counter-offer to Sapp. True, Bucs GM Bruce Allen had told the press that Sapp should definitely test the market, but Davis still feared a tit-for-tat bidding war with the Glazers if he got involved too soon. Finally, Davis felt sufficiently assured that Tampa Bay was completely out of the picture, and new senior assistant Mike Lombardi called Sapp's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, shortly after midnight Friday night/Saturday morning. Naturally, Rosenhaus took the call—one has to wonder if agents (at least the good ones) get any sleep at all during the free agency window—and the negotiations continued through a good part of Saturday, all by telephone. Only when the deal had been completely agreed upon did Sapp get a plane ticket west.
Source(s): Oakland Tribune, ProFootballTalk.com, ESPN.com, Cincinnati Enquirer
The same ProFootballTalk.com "Rumor Mill" column mentioned immediately above includes an absolutely hilarious item about the Poston brothers and their clients. The writer points out an amazing correlation between Poston clients currently at impasse with their teams over contracts, and low Wonderlic test scores.
The Wonderlic test, used by most NFL teams and given at the scouting combine, is considered to measure general intelligence. The six Poston clients embroiled in disputes with their respective NFL teams generated an average score of 15.5 on the test.
Yes, you guessed it . . . Our very own Charles Woodson is among that group of athletes represented by the Postons who are something less than rocket scientists. Or, as the writer aptly puts it, "somewhere between 'mildly autistic donkey' and 'pile of cracked bricks' on the overall intelligence scale."
Here's a link to that Rumor Mill column. When you get there, click in the white area that contains the column, then use <Ctrl-F> to search for "POSTONS PLAYING TO A "SLOW" DEMOGRAPHIC?"
Source(s): ProFootballTalk.com
The new NFL Network will air a program tomorrow in which Lincoln Kennedy discusses retirement. It was taped yesterday.
Source(s): NFL.com
G Cosey Coleman, 25, who visited the Raiders and was thought by some not to fit into Tampa Bay's plans for retooling its offensive line, re-signed with the Bucs today.
Source(s): The Sports Network
Today's Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Raiders are believed to have offered a third-round pick this year and a later-round pick in 2005 for Corey Dillon. The report said no further progress was likely until the owners meetings next week, when team owners Mike Brown and Al Davis could speak face-to-face.
In contrast, ESPN's Len Pasquarelli disputes that the Raiders have even offered the third-rounder this year. Take your pick . . .
Source(s): Cincinnati Enquirer, ESPN.com
Pitt's WR Larry Fitzgerald, whom many mock drafts project going to the Raiders at No. 2, ran what's generally reported as a 4.49 40 Monday at his Pro Day workout for NFL scouts and honchos. Since the only potential doubts about Fitzgerald concern his speed, that time will boost his stock.
Bear in mind that 40-yard dash times are notoriously subjective, and Fitzgerald ran his indoors on a very fast artificial surface. For more on the vagaries of 40- times, see the Rumor Mill column above (roughly one screen up) and search for "SLIPPERY SLOPE".
Now all the scouts and pundits, doing their best Tweedledee and Tweedledum routines, are asking, "Will USC's Mike Williams run a 4.4 next week?"
Source(s): ProFootballTalk.com
The league released the pre-season "schedule" today. As usual, there were no dates or times provided for most of the games, only indications as to what four-day weekend span they'll take place on. The real schedule is usually released around late April.
Here's Oakland's lineup:
Weekend of Aug. 12-16, at San Francisco. Weekend of Aug. 19-23, Dallas at Oakland. Weekend of Aug. 26-30, at Arizona. Weekend of Sept. 2-5, St. Louis at Oakland..
Source(s): NFL.com
You read it here first: TE Hunter Goodwin, a powerful blocker, was released this afternoon by Minnesota. The Raiders thought enough of him last year to offer him a contract, but he re-signed with the Tykes.
With Jason Dunn out of the picture, look for Oakland to pounce on Goodwin. Neither Teyo Johnson nor Doug Jolley is a particularly good blocker—they're more in the Todd Christenson mold.
Source(s): ESPN.com
NFL Europe: Yesterday was the final day of the league's training camp sessions in Florida and the cutdown day for teams to set their final rosters to take with them to Europe.
In the one transaction involving a player allocated by the Raiders, QB Brett Engemann of BYU was reassigned from Frankfurt to Rhein.
Source(s): NFLEurope.com
The blockbuster development for Raiders fans is, of course, the agreement reached with ex-Buc Warren Sapp late Saturday to play for the Raiders. The deal, contingent upon Sapp passing a physical, is for seven years, $36.6 million in all, with $7 million of that in the form of guaranteed bonuses.
Sapp was very, very close to consummating a four-year deal with Cincinnati late Friday after lengthy bargaining negotiations between his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Bungles. Close enough, in fact, that ESPN.com reported it.
(This observer will say one thing for the ESPN rumor mill—its writers surely know how to spin an entertaining yarn.)
We pick up the story as related by ESPN's Len Pasquarelli:
"Oakland entered into the bidding for Sapp late Friday, phoning agent Drew Rosenhaus only after ESPN.com reported that the Cincinnati Bengals were close to a deal with the defensive tackle on a four-year contract that would have paid him more than $16 million. Operating with their trademark stealth, Raiders executives quickly assessed the financial viability of adding Sapp and determined it was reasonable to make an 11th-hour pitch for him.
"Just as important for the Raiders' coaches was the feeling that Sapp would be a good fit in their defense. Sapp will be paired with another free agent acquisition, nose tackle Ted Washington, and so will be able to continue playing the "three technique" or "under" position so familiar to him. Since the mammoth Washington figures to draw a lot of double-team blocking, Sapp, who will be aligned in the center-guard gap, ought to have plenty of room to maneuver."
There's a good deal more interesting information in the ESPN article. Highly recommended!
"Warren Sapp is another popular player to join the organization just like a Jim Plunkett, a Rod Woodson, and a Jerry Rice," said Raiders spokesman Artie Gigantino with his typical understatement.
Finally, Bucs GM Bruce Allen admitted he wasn't surprised by the Raiders' last-minute move. Said Allen, who pulled off a few of these himself during his years with the Raiders, "We anticipated this signing and wish Warren and his family success on the field and in Oakland."
Source(s): ESPN.com, Associated Press, Raiders.com
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli writes, in a column published yesterday ("Interior DBs"), that although "the Raiders continue to pursue Dillon . . . they have not offered a third-round choice for him, as some media reports have indicated."
That could mean they've offered a fourth-rounder. As Don Banks wrote several days back on SI.com ("Pick a trade"), veterans bring next to nothing by way of draft picks when trades are discussed nowadays. Because of the salary cap, draft picks are the lifeblood of NFL franchises—the cheap labor every team needs to keep going. And that's true notwithstanding Daniel Snyder.
Source(s): ESPN.com, SI.com
One of the Raiders' AFC West foes, San Diego, lost a significant component from its arsenal for controlling field position when free agent punter Darren Bennett signed with Minnesota today. Bennett, whose rugby-style reverse spin Shane Lechler tries to emulate, is a two-time Pro Bowler. An Australian, he was the first NFL player (to this observer's knowledge, anyway) to put up his own web page on the Internet.
Source(s): Associated Press
Two free agents in whom the Raiders had shown interest re-signed with their last teams this week.
On Thursday, Kansas City re-signed second TE Jason Dunn, a superior blocker who plays behind All Pro Tony Gonzalez. The Raiders had offered Dunn a contract.
Today Denver re-signed FB Reuben Droughns, who had been scheduled to visit Alameda this week but never came.
Source(s): ESPN.com
Late update: Today was the deadline for the Raiders trying to finalize a deal with the agents for CB Charles Woodson—if not by today, then they'll have to wait until July 15 to resume negotiations.
That's not carved in stone, but it might as well be; the reason for the four-month hiatus is a practical one, and important. Should Woodson be signed between March 17 and July 15, the Raiders lose the right to use the franchise designation on another player for the life of Woodson's contract. And since, to spread out any signing bonus over a lengthy period of time, any contract reached with C-Wood would likely be for four to six years, losing the right to the franchise designation for that length of time would amount to a considerable handicap for Oakland in managing its cap.
Source(s): Contra Costa Times, NFL.com, ESPN.com
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that talks between Oakland and Cincinnati regarding running back Corey Dillon have died down. The Chron is also reporting that discussions never were very serious, which runs contrary to earlier reports. Dillon's agent is also talking to Denver.
The paper speculates that any deal involving Dillon is more likely to happen on draft day.
Source(s): CBS Sportsline
New coach Norv Turner and his three top assistants—Jimmy Raye, Rob Ryan, and Joe Avezzano—met with the press yesterday, their first such give-and-take since Turner was hired 6 weeks ago.
Turner noted that the Raiders' 14-week offseason program officially starts Monday. He said he has spoken with every one of the team's players, and that with a couple of exceptions because of scheduling conflicts, all will be here for the start of the program.
This is an important development in terms of Turner having success in selling his program to the players. Remember that Bill Callahan lamented in retrospect that many of the veterans had skipped team conditioning activities during the 2003 off-season. It showed later as one veteran after another went on IR with season-ending injuries.
A footnote: Chuck Bresnahan's name no longer appears on the Raiders' official coaching staff directory. A team official said he was re-assigned and remains with the club in "some capacity."
Source(s): Santa Rosa Press Democrat
The Denver Post reports today that free agent FB Reuben Droughns, who was scheduled to visit the Raiders yesterday, rescheduled for next week.
One free agent who did visit yesterday is G Cosey Coleman, a 2003 starter for Tampa Bay whom the Bucs no longer want. Also, WR Chris Cole and DE Corey Sears visited Alameda late last week but left without signing contracts.
Source(s): KFFL.com, Contra Costa Times
The Raiders took it on the chin in court again yesterday as Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Richard K. Park ruled that the defendants in the Raiders litigation, the City of Oakland and Alameda County, don't have to post a bond in the amount of the $34.2 million trial judgment, or otherwise cough up a large payment to the Raiders, pending the disposition of their appeal.
The narrow issue decided was whether the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Inc. (OACC), the team's nominal landlord which was effectively replaced by the Joint Powers Authority some years back, is indeed without resources to post an appeal bond.
"It is clear that under any standards, the OACC has virtually nothing of its own and is financially unable to (pay)," Park wrote in his ruling. "Since at least 1998, the OACC has been essentially defunct."
The Raiders' trial attorney, Kenneth Hausman, sputtered that the decision was "unconscionable." Actually, this observer expected it as a matter of simple common sense, since the Raiders, for all their claims of abject poverty, probably have considerably more cash sitting around at any given moment than does Oakland, an abysmally poor city. One need only spend an hour or so driving (or riding buses) around Oakland to see just how grim most parts of it are . . .
Source(s): Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times
The Pewter Report, a subscription Bucs fan site, reports that the Raiders are interested in DT Warren Sapp but haven't offered him a contract. Presumably, like a number of other teams, they're waiting for Sapp to lower his financial expectations.
Source(s): KFFL.com
Finally, the Raiders are said to be continuing to try to talk Cincy down from its asking price of a second-round pick to a third- or even fourth-rounder for perpetually unhappy RB Corey Dillon.
Source(s): Washington Post
Free agent Reuben Droughns will visit Alameda tomorrow.
You're forgiven if you don't know who that is. Droughns was the Denver Donks' backup fullback last year and carried just six times. He has expressed a desire to get a chance at the tailback spot.
Source(s): Rocky Mountain News
Deja vu: The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, home town paper of ex-Raiders TE Roland Williams, claims the Raiders are interested in him again. Williams, primarily a blocker and still not back 100% from a serious leg injury, caught one pass for Tampa Bay last season. The Bucs released him recently but according to the same source would like to re-sign him.
Source(s): KFFL.com
There are no new developments to report on either Corey Dillon or Jason Dunn as of Monday morning. It's still early on the West Coast, however . . .
One interesting self-proclaimed rumor mill speculates this morning that (a) the Poston brothers may start losing clients (and thus "juice"), and (b) that QB Jeff George could end up back with Oakland. The Raiders would, in the words of the writer, "take a flyer" on Mr. Wonderful, who's described as "only 36 but . . . looks at least a decade older." God help us if that comes to pass . . .
Source(s): ProFootballTalk.com
Update:
I thought I'd put out some info on TE Jason Dunn, seeing as how the Raiders want him and are said to have made an offer.
He's been injury-prone since coming to the NFL. He lost all of 1999 with a knee injury, then had a clavicle (collarbone) injury in 2000. Drafted by the Iggles out of Eastern Kentucky in 1996, he signed with Kansas City as a free agent in 2000 and has spent four years there. He is a big man at 6-6, 276.
On the same team with All Pro Tony Gonzalez, he doesn't see as much action as he would elsewhere. Here are a few notes from NFLPlayers.com: "Has the size and strength to be a truly dominating blocker at the point of attack ... Frequently does his best work blocking linebackers and defensive backs down the field and played an important role in helping Priest Holmes claim the NFL's rushing crown in 2001 ... Although not a frequent target in the passing game, is a dependable pass catcher who is truly tough to bring down once he gets the ball in his hands." One cam imagine!!
And there's this—CB Ty Law, a great cornerback who's physical, spirited and (sorry, Charles) a team leader, says he's fed up with New England and wants out. He insists he was "lied to" by Bill Belichick. This is a gift straight from Santa. Let's hope the Raiders go after him.
Well, speaking of OLB Dwayne Rudd . . . (see news for March 11). The Raiders have just signed him, recently enough that not even the ESPN rumor mill has reported it yet.
Rudd will no doubt be a starter, most likely replacing the departed Eric Barton on the weak side. At 6-2 and 235, he lacks the bulk to play elsewhere (although he has also played the strong side during his career). He is adept at pass coverage.
Rudd is a 7-year veteran. A one-time first-round draft pick by Minnesota, his best seasons came in 1998-99, but he had a solid year for Cleveland in 2001 as well. He languished on the bench in Tampa Bay last year, apparently not a favorite of wonder boy Jon Gruden. (Anyone remember Jerry Porter?)
His is yet another instance of, as the media likes to put it, a player looking to "resurrect his career" in Oakland. Let's hope he's successful.
LB Danny Clark, signed yesterday, is a four-year veteran who can play either inside or outside, and either strong side or weak side. He spent his NFL career at Jacksonville, and was a part time starter for them in 2002 and 2003. He was drafted in the seventh round in 2000 out of Illinois, where he was sixth all-time in tackles.
He left Jacksonville after being told he would be a fourth linebacker this year and would not get starter's money.
While at Jacksonville, he rose to second on the franchise's all-time special teams tackles list with 55. So he's another coup for Joe Avezzano.
Source(s): Raiders.com
A Kansas City web site, WarpaintIllustrated.com, reports today that the Raiders offered Squaws free agent TE Jason Dunn a contract last night.
According to the article, only KC and Oakland are bidding for Dunn, and KC is expected to try to come back with a counter-offer. The site calls Dunn "the best blocking tight end" in the NFL.
Here's a link to the article.
Kansas City signed OL Chris Bober, who played primarily center with the Giants the past four years but who's described as a "natural right tackle," and whom they've penciled in to start at right tackle. Bober, mentioned in this space on March 11, had originally planned to visit the Raiders. Naturally, the Raiders being the Raiders, there's no way to know if he did ever get as far as Alameda.
Source(s): Associated Press
Finally, a postscript to the Damion McIntosh story which appeared in this space yesterday.
Miami wanted him badly enough that they signed him to a 6-year, $23 million deal. He's projected as a right tackle once he recovers from the ankle surgery he already had on Wednesday!! And the signing bonus got reduced from $3 million to $300,000.
Here's the sequel.Source(s): South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Source(s): Associated Press, Raiders.com
The Corey Dillon trade talks appear to have stalled, at least for now. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer and Bengals.com, the Bungles are holding fast to their asking price of a second-round pick, while the Raiders haven't budged from their offer of a third-rounder.
Steven Feldman, Dillon's agent, said Thursday, "I absolutely can not say anything." (Thereby contradicting himself.)
Meanwhile, and perhaps with half an eye to making Cincy blink first, Oakland is talking with the agent for ex-Whiner RB Garrison Hearst. (This observer wouldn't mind having Hearst on the team, although he's had his share of injuries over the years. He has a great burst into the hole when he totes the rock.)
Since the trading period opened last week, the Bengals have reportedly shopped Dillon for picks or players with the Raiders, Broncos, Buccaneers, and any other team that looked to need a running back.
Source(s): Bengals.com, Cincinnati Enquirer
Offensive Coordinator Jimmy Raye was in attendance yesterday as college quarterbacks Eli Manning and J.P. Losman worked out for scouts at the Saints practice facility. Manning was, by all accounts, impressive, Losman slightly less so.
Source(s): NFL.com
I said yesterday I'd flesh out the Damion McIntosh story, so here it is, albeit briefly. Remember, now, this is a big, young left tackle who has been in the league four years and a starter the last three. He's described as a power blocker with a mean streak.
McIntosh has had a series of ankle injuries the last several years. He flunked the Raiders physical on a Wednesday or Thursday, I believe, but still apparently got an offer from the Silver and Black—but not for the kind of cash up front, in the form of a signing bonus, that his agent wanted. They moved on to Miami, where neither McIntosh nor his agent initially told the Dolphins about the prior failed physical. He passed a preliminary physical and the Dolphins were set to hold a press conference on Monday to announce his signing to a $21 million deal, including, of course, a substantial signing bonus. Miami just wanted to follow up with a further physical exam, just to be safe.
So Miami had him undergo an MRI. Gong! Sure enough, one ankle is not only structurally unsound, it probably needs surgery.
Confronted with that, McIntosh and his agent said they wouldn't try to enforce the deal. But get this. McIntosh is considered such a great prospect down the road that the Dolphins want him to have the surgery and then talk with them again after he's rehabbed. Presumably the Raiders want to follow up too. So this kid is good enough that, although no one's going to hand him millions in advance for what is at present "damaged goods," both teams hope those goods will heal and become undamaged in the next year or two.
Now, wasn't that interesting?
The Cincinnati Enquirer says disgruntled RB Corey Dillon could be a Raider within 48 hours. To listen to that paper, all that's left is to dicker over whether the Bungles get a third-round or a fourth-round pick.
But this observer smells a rat. As in Ratface, the one and only Shorty Shanahan, who would do almost anything to try to put one over on Big Al. You see, just today Denver is said to have entered the bidding for Dillon.
Now, the entire world has known Dillon would be available since he threw his equipment into the stands after 2003's last game for Cincinnati. And Donkey star RB Clinton Portis got shipped out more than a week ago. So why today, and why Dillon, a guy with a crappy attitude?
This observer says Ratface doesn't really want Dillon at all. He's not the kind of slashing runner that Denver prefers, what with its small, agile line, trap blocking schemes, cut blocks and misdirection plays. Dillon's more a north-south banger. But if Shanahan can up the ante so that Davis has to give Cincy, say, a second-round pick instead of something lower, why, Shorty'll be happy as a horsefly on fresh steaming poo.
Call his bluff, Al! Let Shanahan take Dillon for a third-rounder. Dillon's not all that great, he'll be a disaster in Denver's locker room (can you imagine Corey Dillon and Darryl Gardener together?) and his existing contract will pay him more than he's worth.
The Orlando Brown sweepstakes has suddenly heated up, with two possible new suitors. One is definite: Brown has been given a last-second, take-it-or-leave-it offer by (gulp!) Baltimore, where he played last season and where his family lives. And, a rumor floated in the Pittsburgh press today (presumably coming from the Steelers) says they might make a bid for Brown as well.
The massive Brown—6-7 and 360 pounds, nicknamed "Zeus" by the Ravens—has received contract proposals from Oakland, Tampa Bay, and Miami, but has not made a decision.
Now the Ravens, after an apparently impressive visit by free agent Ephraim Salaam, Denver's starting left tackle last year, have made both Brown and Salaam offers and said they'll sign whichever tackle agrees first.
"We'd like to have Orlando back and we liked what we saw in Salaam," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "So when one wants to take advantage of the opportunity, we'll move forward. You don't want to be the one left without a chair when the music stops." Cute . . .
Salaam, as befits a former Donk lineman, is considerably smaller than Brown, but a good deal more athletic too. Billick says Baltimore could adapt to either one. One very noticeable difference besides their heft is age—Brown is 33, Salaam only 27.
Source(s): Associated Press, Baltimore Sun, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Late yesterday the Raiders posted an announcement on Raiders.com that they have signed cornerback Ike Charlton. A four-year veteran who has played for Seattle (2000-01), Jacksonville (2002), and the New York Giants (part of 2003), he was originally a second-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech. Charlton has appeared in 53 NFL games but started only one. He has also returned 10 kickoffs for 236 yards.
Charlton looks to be a good all around athlete—in college he ran track, and in high school he played three positions, including quarterback, on the football team. This would seem to reflect input from new special teams coach Joe Avezzano, recruiting backups who'll be expected to contribute in a substantial way to the Raiders special teams units. Charlton is 6-0, 205 lbs.
Oakland also signed a guy who's not exactly a household name, RB J.R. Niklos out of Western Illinois. 6-3 and 233 lbs., he spent part of the 2002 season with the Rams after being signed off Seattle's practice squad. He caught 80 passes in college, so presumably he has good hands.
Source(s): Raiders.com
Finally, a New York tabloid today describes what it calls "scheming" by the "always secretive" Raiders to try to sign Jets starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie, a restricted free agent.
Actually, this one has been anything but secret. SilverandBlack.com published a list back on the first day of free agency of players who had announced planned visits to other teams. In the crush of early news (especially the Ted Washington signing), I didn't have time to cover it. But three players were listed as planning to visit Oakland: LB Dwayne Rudd, T Kareem McKenzie, and OL Chris Bober.
Here's some background on these players. First, McKenzie, since he's the subject of the tabloid report. He would cost a first-rounder as compensation, so the Raiders signing him outright is highly unlikely. They can get a much better prospect with the No. 2 pick in this year's draft than McKenzie. At the same time, the Jets are doubtful they can sign McKenzie to anything long-term, because he is represented by—guess whom?—the Poston brothers. So, speculates the paper, the Raiders might try to "entice [the Jets] with a trade-and-sign scenario"—which is exactly how the Jets got WR Justin McCareins from Tennessee. At any rate, McKenzie is 6-6 and 327 lbs., 24 years old, and was a mid-third-round pick by the Jets in 2001 out of Penn State.
Rudd: an outside backer, with Tampa Bay most recently and now an unrestricted free agent. He's a 7-year veteran, from Alabama, 6-2 and 235. Highly regarded as a draft pick, and originally taken in the first round by Minnesota, one would have to say he's been a disappointment in the NFL. His best seasons were 1998-99—he was named All Pro in 1998—and in 2001 he had 122 tackles for Cleveland. Compare Eric Barton, whom Raiders fans know had an off year last season and still racked up 131 tackles. Rudd has played for three teams: Minnesota (4 years), Cleveland (2), and 2003 for the Bucs.
Bober: N.Y. Giants, 6-5, 310 lbs.—an undrafted player, called by scouts a "classic overachiever". From Nebraska-Omaha (Chris Cooper's alma mater). Played center for the Giants for three years, then last year was shifted to right tackle because of injuries in the O-line. He wasn't All Pro, but apparently did well enough to attract interest in free agency. A four-year vet, he's an unrestricted free agent.
Oh, and by the way, it turns out there's considerably more to the Damion McIntosh story. Hopefully I'll get to that tomorrow . . .
Source(s): NYDailyNews.com, SilverandBlack.com, Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times
As expected, special teams demon Eric Johnson signed yesterday with Atlanta. Probably they offered him something approaching starter's money, which the Raiders weren't willing to do.
As valuable as Johnson was covering kicks, remember how bad he looked when the team tried to move him to cornerback in 2001, before he broke his ankle. He was a guy without a real position—not big enough to play linebacker (his college position), not sufficiently adept covering receivers to play safety or corner.
Source(s): Sports Ticker, Contra Costa Times
Oakland re-signed restricted free agent QB Tee Martin, who played in the last several games of the season after being promoted from the practice squad. Terms were not announced.
Tampa Bay GM Bruce Allen said that DT Dana Stubblefield, another of the Raiders' free agents, visited Tampa Bay on Sunday. (The Bucs can have him!)
Finally, the agent for free agent T Orlando Brown, who has been visiting various teams, said his client has narrowed his choices down to three teams—Oakland, Miami, and Tampa Bay.
In the words of this observer (and a lot of others as well), you can never have too many tackles!
Source(s): Sports Ticker, Contra Costa Times, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Five days after beefing up the defensive line with free agent nose tackle Ted Washington, it was the offense's turn to get some girth. The Raiders bolstered their O-line yesterday with a quality acquisition, free agent G Ron Stone. Stone was a cap casualty of the Whiners after refusing to take a pay cut for 2004. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he's a particularly good run blocker. This observer has seen a number of media commentators opine that the Whiners were crazy to let Stone get away.
"Ron adds Pro Bowl-caliber experience to our team," coach Norv Turner said. "He is a big, physical and versatile player and we're excited to add him to our offensive line."
Stone was originally a fourth-round draft pick by Dallas out of Boston College. He played at Dallas during 1993-95, with the New York Giants in 1996-2001, and for San Francisco the past two seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl three successive seasons, in 2000-02. Here's a link to a pair of player bios for Stone which are linked in the Articles section.
Stone's contract, according to ESPN, was a three-year package totaling $8.35 million, including a $2 million signing bonus.
When Turner alluded to Stone's size it wasn't just the usual PR pap. At 6-5 and 325, Stone, 32, is unusually tall for a guard. Usually it's the tackles on an O-line who are the tall ones, with the bowling ball body types playing inside. And the tribute to his versatility has merit as well: Stone has also played tackle and center in the NFL, and in college played on the defensive line until his senior year.
Source(s): San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, Associated Press
RB Charlie Garner surprised absolutely no one today when he signed with Tampa Bay. Denver had earlier concluded that Garner was looking for more moolah than they wanted to pay for a Portis replacement.
Garner will presumably be a good fit for Jon Gruden's dink-and-dunk offense. He would have been warming the pine for Norv Turner, most likely, since Turner favors power running without the frills.
Source(s): FOXSports, Sports Network
It's been reported here over the last several days that the Raiders have talked with agents for, and/or had visits from, tackles Orlando Brown and Damion McIntosh, and DE Bobby Hamilton. Add ex-Kansas City TE Jason Dunn to the list.
Considered more of a blocker than a receiver, Dunn is represented by agent Joseph Corbi, who said he spoke to Raiders senior assistant Mike Lombardi for the second time Saturday and will probably do so again Tuesday. According to Corbi, the Chiefs are still communicating with Dunn, and St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Washington also have shown some interest.
Source(s): Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Late update: Two Raiders free agents left for other teams, and a third had loose cartilage in his knee cleaned out.
DT Rod Coleman, a situational (read part-time) player, hit the jackpot big time when Atlanta offered him a $10 million signing bonus (insane!!) as part of a 6-year deal worth $28.5 million. He will sign the contract Monday.
OLB Eric Barton signed a contract with the New York Jets today. Terms were not announced. He'll stay at weak side linebacker for the Jets.
Finally, RB Charlie Garner underwent minor knee surgery to repair torn meniscus Friday, a procedure his agent doesn't believe will do much to hurt his market value. Denver, Detroit and Tampa Bay are all considered potential suitors for Garner, and Brian Levy said his client hasn't ruled out returning to Oakland even after exercising a buyout clause and paying $400,000 to hit the open market.
Source(s): Associated Press, Oakland Tribune
Late word from San Diego: T Damion McIntosh apparently got an offer from the Raiders which didn't exactly thrill him. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports today that "while considering an offer from the Raiders, offensive tackle Damion McIntosh will take a physical for the Miami Dolphins today."
Lots and lots of news, some substantiated fact, some speculation . . .
The big story, of course, was the signing Wednesday evening of nose tackle Ted Washington, with the Patriots last year. Washington is one of those rare players whose play has improved as he's gotten into his 30s. (He'll turn 36 on April 12.) He's also unusual in that he's a nose tackle with height—6-5, 375 lbs.
Washington received a four-year contract worth $14 million in all. He got a $4 million signing bonus and will make $1.5 million in base salary this year, $2.5M next year. That makes his 2004 cap cost a relatively modest $2.5 million.
"He's being paid as a quality defensive lineman," Angelo Wright, Washington's agent, told the Associated Press. "It's unprecedented that he's 36 years old [actually he's still 35] and doesn't play like he's 36 years old. He's excited that he has the opportunity to help out the Raiders return to a prominent status in the league."
Said Washington, "I can bring leadership, I can plug up the middle, and free up the linebackers to make plays. I am a big key to helping shut down the run. That's what they brought me in for. I really take it personal. Hopefully this year we can get that ranking up in the top five."
"[Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan] knows I was comfortable with the 3-4," Washington said. "And as a veteran guy coming off a championship team, I wanted to see what the market was about and looking for teams that were looking for a 3-4 nose. Boom, the Raiders answered."
Finally, Norv Turner had his comment: "Ted is widely recognized as one of the premier run stoppers in the National Football League and we're very pleased to have him join the Raiders. We are excited to add him to what we feel will be a dynamic defensive unit."
The Raiders were able to afford Washington because they restructured the contracts of G Frank Middleton and T Lincoln Kennedy to save a cool $3 million. (Yep, the Oval Office is still on the roster.) More on that below.
Signing Washington reunites him with Rob Ryan and returns him to the Bay Area, where he began his NFL career. He was a first-round pick out of Louisville by the Whiners in 1991. He spent three seasons in San Francisco, then played in Denver (1994), Buffalo (1995-2000) and Chicago (2001-02) before being traded to the Patriots for a fourth-round pick in 2003. He is credited with having been an important part of New England's 3-4 defense last season.
In 13 years, he has distinguished himself as one of the game's premier run-stuffers, making the Pro Bowl four times (1997-98 and 2000-01) while playing in 183 games and starting 155. The "book" on Washington is that he was considered something of a bust early in his career, with the Whiners and Donks, but turned things around when he went to Buffalo and now is a top-notch player.
NFL.com carried an interesting article by its national editor, Vic Carucci, in which Carucci played up the Ryan angle, giving the Raiders' new defensive coordinator a great deal of credit for New England's front-seven defensive schemes which frequently confused opponents last year. (Here's a link to that link, if you're interested.) Carucci opines that Ryan's presence here was a significant factor in Washington choosing to sign with the Silver and Black.
New England had just made Washington an offer within the last few days, and apparently took the silence of agent Wright (based in Hayward, CA, in the East Bay) to mean that it was Washington's only suitor. In fact, Washington had been willing to settle for the kind of money the Patsies just recently offered last November, when Wright first floated a demand of $8 million for three years. But by the time New England finally agreed, Washington had sniffed the free agent market and sensed he could get one last big payday.
Now there are some hard feelings in Foxboro. Pro Football Weekly reported on Thursday that the Patsies think the Raiders may have tampered by contacting Washington too soon, basing their opinion on a report published in the Contra Costa Times that the Raiders intended to sign Washington on Wednesday (the first day of free agency). From that New England apparently deduces that Oakland would have had to contact Washington prior to Wednesday. But this observer read at least one agent's account of the phone ringing "off the hook" beginning just after midnight Wednesday morning, and why not? Free agency is a meat market, after all. At any rate, PFW speculates that the league may investigate.
Source(s): NFL.com, Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Pro Football Weekly
Another player the Raiders appear to be seriously pursuing is tackle Damion McIntosh, 6-4 and 325, who played his first four seasons in San Diego. He is a three-year starter, described as a power blocker with a mean streak. According to his agent, the Raiders are his first choice, and he is working hard to strike a deal with the Raiders instead of his client moving on to visit other teams.
A four-year veteran, McIntosh first became a starter in 2001 when Norv Turner was the offensive coordinator in San Diego.
At least one scouting service—Scouts Inc., a talent evaluation service utilized by ESPN—rated McIntosh No. 5 among free agent tackles, and the first three of those—Orlando Pace, Walter Jones, and Chad Clifton—were named franchise players by their respective teams. McIntosh, a third-round draft pick out of Kansas State in 2000, is given some credit for the effective rushing of Chumpster LaDainian Tomlinson.
McIntosh has played only left tackle in the NFL, but the Raiders may do some shuffling this year, depending at least in part on Lincoln Kennedy. Current starting LT Barry Sims has played guard as well.
"We are working overtime to get this deal done," said Steve Feldman, McIntosh's agent. "We are trying like (heck) to get him to Oakland."
"We're very interested in the Raiders, are in negotiations and hopeful of striking a deal," Feldman added. "Damion has a visit with Miami set up on Monday, but our No. 1 preference is obviously Oakland, and we'd like to get something done before then."
It does seem that the Raiders are trying to cover all the bases in case Kennedy does elect to retire. They also entertained a visit from ex-Baltimore RT Orlando Brown, who made a miraculous recovery from a serious eye injury three years ago. (Remember the weighted referee's yellow flag hitting him in the eye?) Brown, like McIntosh, is described as a power blocker with not just a mean streak, but "in need of anger management." Sounds like just what the doctor ordered for new coach Norv Turner's power running game! :-)
Source(s): Oakland Tribune
And now to Kennedy. His agent, Scott Casterline, says that Kennedy is keeping all his options open. He hasn't ever actually filed retirement papers with the league office, and you know the Raiders would love to have him back. Like Ted Washington and like RT Henry Lawrence back in the '80s, Kennedy is a guy who has reached his peak in his 30s.
Approached by the Raiders to help out with the Washington signing, he agreed to a five-year contract with a 2004 salary drop from $5 million to $3 million. His agent said Kennedy might reach a decision on whether or not to play again in late March or early April.
At the same time, G Frank Middleton agreed to a restructured contract which halved his 2004 salary from $2 million to $1M. Middleton had said repeatedly that he expected the team would release him because of his contract, which has paid him $2 million each of the past three seasons.
The Contra Costa Times erroneously reported on Tuesday that Middleton had been released, but he was not cut.
While we're on the subject of players being cut, UFA WR Alvis Whitted was released on February 27, then re-signed on March 3. And in a similar vein, exclusive rights agent S Keyon Nash was not tendered a qualifying offer by the March 2 deadline, making him briefly free to negotiate with any team. Nash re-signed with the Raiders on March 3.
On March 4, another of the Raiders' unrestricted free agents, special teams player and backup fullback Chris Hetherington, was re-signed. Terms were not announced.
Source(s): Oakland Tribune, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Raiders.com
DE Bobby Hamilton, 32, is 6-5 and 280. In eight years with the New York Jets and Patriots, Hamilton's reputation is as a run defender. He usually leaves the game on passing downs and has just 16 career sacks. His agent, Brian Levy, also happens to be RB Charlie Garner's agent.
Referring to Garner, Levy said, "I spoke to [the Raiders] [Thursday]. Mike (Lombardi, senior assistant) and I are going to keep the lines of communication open. I respect their desire to keep him, and the Raiders respect his desire to check out the market."
Levy said the Raiders will be kept apprised of Garner's free-agent tour and given a shot at making a competitive offer. Levy says he is talking to the Raiders about Hamilton. As to Garner, who's visited Denver, Levy says he's keeping the lines of communication with Oakland open.
Ditto for DT Rod Coleman, who has visited the Giants but whose agent says he'd still consider an offer to return to the Raiders.
In other news, the Raiders re-signed safety Keyon Nash, and also worked on re-signing Coleman.
Finally, these bits and pieces from all over the place (primarily players' agents): Lorenzo Bromell's agent, Harold Lewis, said the defensive end has had phone conversations with the Giants and Bucs, but is closer to staying in Oakland. And Ralph Cindrich, tight end O.J. Santiago's agent, said he is in "daily discussions with the Raiders," though Santiago has attracted interest from other teams, too.
DT Dana Stubblefield is universally considered not to figure in the Raiders' plans for 2004. That's even more true now that the team has Washington to pair with Parrella in 4-3 situations.
The Raiders are reported to have asked the asking price for both ex-Buc DT Warren Sapp and Minnesota's WR Randy Moss, who's said to be on the trading block.
OLB Eric Barton has visited San Diego and will visit both the Giants and Jets in New York. Minnesota is also reported to be interested in Barton.
Finally, special teams ace Eric Johnson may be leaving. His agent, Craig Domann, said it is likely Johnson will leave the Raiders for another team, perhaps Atlanta or Tampa Bay.
Source(s): Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Today's hot story for Raiders faithful involves the reported agreement reached with ex-Patsy nose tackle Ted Washington.
Boston media had reported several days back ago that it seemed New England was going to re-sign Washington after all—at age 35 (he turns 36 in April), he's made it clear through his agent that he wants one final, big payday—but for whatever reason it didn't get done, and the 6-5, 365-pound defensive tackle is an unrestricted free agent. Now ESPN's John Clayton reports the Raiders could announce signing Washington as early as today.
Source(s): Contra Costa Times, Boston Globe
This observer wondered yesterday why the Raiders chose to cite failed physicals as the reason for releasing Trace Armstrong and Bill Romanowski. After all, QB Rich Gannon probably couldn't pass a physical right now either.
It turns out that the team did the two veterans a favor by handling their release the way it did. By being waived because of failed physicals, rather than being placed on the retired list, Romanowski and Armstrong are eligible for injury settlement payments from the NFL.
Source(s): San Francisco Chronicle
Where Are They Now Dept.: One-time Raiders TE Roland Williams was cut by Tampa Bay. He appeared in only one game last year for the Bucs.
Source(s): Rochester News
Update: No sooner did I write (just below) that the Raiders wouldn't announce anything promptly than an announcement appeared on Raiders.com. The team has chosen to release both Trace Armstrong and Bill Romanowski "after they failed physicals." Oakland also officially announced the re-signing of G Brad Badger.
"We appreciate Trace and Bill's contributions to the success of the Raiders and pay tribute to their glorious, productive careers," said Raiders head coach Norv Turner. "We want to honor their vast contributions to the game of football and wish them well in their future endeavors."
It seems that for now, at least, all the other expensive Raiders (Middleton, Gannon, Rice, etc.) made it through this first round of cuts. Another round occurs for many teams on or shortly after June 1, the point at which teams can defer much of the cap hit to the following contractual year.
Managing general partner Al Davis has made it clear, for example, that for QB Rich Gannon to remain a Raider, his $7 million 2004 salary would have to be re-worked to lessen the cap cost.
Source(s): Raiders.com
Today's the day, but don't expect any announcements from the Raiders in the next few hours. The Oakland organization is traditionally about as fan-unfriendly as can be in announcing personnel moves such as roster cuts.
It does appear that the team got under the cap such that it could keep all its players for the time being if management so chooses. Papers quoted an NFL source as saying Rich Gannon and his $7 million salary were safe. The Oakland Tribune pointed out that three players who are expected to retire—DE Trace Armstrong, OLB Bill Romanowski, and T Lincoln Kennedy—needn't be lopped off the roster yet even though their base salaries add up to a whopping $14.7 million.
The Raiders were helped by C Barret Robbins agreeing to restructure his contract for the second straight year. Also, ironically, malcontent RB Charlie Garner helped them out by buying out his contract. That took his $4.227 million salary for 2004 off the books. New coach Norv Turner espouses a power running game, and that speaks to Tyrone Wheatley rather than Charlie Garner.
If there's one veteran who might be cut today it would likely be G Frank Middleton, not because the Raiders have to cut him but because they're now paying starter's money to Brad Badger, and that arguably makes Middleton dispensable.
Source(s): San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune, Sports Network, Associated Press
St. Louis re-signed top G Adam Timmerman, leading to speculation that the Rams might have to release DE Grant Wistrom. The Raiders could use a good defensive end or two. :-)
Source(s): Associated Press, USA Today
Late afternoon update:
Weekend personnel news: The Contra Costa Times and ESPN.com reported that the Raiders confirmed several salary-related developments which helped the team clear some cap room. As of Friday the team was a little less than $1 million under the cap but had yet to add C-Wood's $6.8 million tender to the books.
First, the Raiders reached agreement with versatile unrestricted free agent G-T Brad Badger on a five-year deal said to be worth $11.5 million. Badger, a Stanford grad and one-time starter for Minnesota before coming to Oakland, stepped in at different times for injured starters Frank Middleton and Mo Collins at guard last year and acquitted himself quite well. Indeed, his play was noticeably better than had been Middleton's. Badger is being rewarded for that; his 2003 salary was a modest $530,000. This observer is pleased to see he'll be remaining with the team.
The team also came to terms with C Barret Robbins, who agreed to restructure his contract for the second straight year and take a significant pay cut. The Raiders rewarded Robbins several years back with a contract extension giving him a substantial raise in pay. This was in keeping with his Pro Bowl-level of play, and before the much publicized Super Bowl bipolar disorder episode occurred.
Despite knee problems last year, Robbins played more than 60% of the snaps on offense and won the team's Ed Block Award as the most inspirational player. He was due to get a raise this year to $4.2 million. Robbins agreed to drop his base salary to $1.2 million but will apparently have the opportunity to make up the $3 million difference with performance incentives. The move saves the Raiders that $3 million against the cap.
Finally, Robbins underwent knee surgery Friday, Feb. 27, for the second time since the 2003 season ended, in what was described as the second half of a two-part procedure. He earlier had the knee "cleaned out". Despite three surgeries on that knee in less than a year's time, Robbins's agent, Drew Pittman, said Robbins and the club expect he will be ready for training camp in 2004.
Source(s): ESPN.com, Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune
The salary cap is taking its toll as teams cut, in some cases, quality players to pare their payrolls before the new contract year kicks in on Wednesday.
Of particular interest to this observer was Buffalo letting G Ruben Brown go. At 32 Brown is no longer a spring chicken, but out of nine NFL seasons he's been named to the Pro Bowl eight times, which ain't exactly shabby! And he's missed only 8 games in those nine seasons, so he's durable. Buffalo President Tom Donahoe apparently soured on Brown but wouldn't go into details other than to say the cut was due to a combination of things, only one of which was money.
Think back 20 years or so. G Max Montoya came to the then-Los Angeles Raiders in his 30s—the Bengals had decided he was washed up—and gave the team a number of seasons of quality play at the guard spot.
Fat Frank, perpetually out of shape and due to make more than $2 million again this year, is unlikely to be back.
Source(s): Associated Press
The Raiders hired three more coaches, presumably completing their 2004 coaching staff.
(I say "presumably" because Raiders.com, the official team site, still lists Chuck Bresnahan as an assistant coach, but he appears to be a coach without any specific responsibilities.)
"I'm very pleased to have these three coaches join our staff," said head coach Norv Turner, making the obligatory PR announcement. "They are all quality individuals with expertise and energy and will add to what has rounded out to be an excellent group of assistants that now completes our staff."
Jeff Fish, 37, becomes the new Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, taking the place of the dismissed Tim Adams. He spent the last three years in charge of the strength and conditioning programs for all 20 sports teams at the University of Missouri. In 1999-2000 he was an S&C assistant with the Chiefs, and is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. You can read his full bio on Raiders.com.
The new quarterbacks coach is Steve Sarkisian, 29, a former BYU quarterback who never played in the NFL, but spent three seasons with Saskatchewan in the CFL. The past two years, at USC, he helped to developed first Carson Palmer, then Matt Linehart (the 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year). After only four years of coaching quarterbacks—the first of them spent at El Camino Junior College in Torrance, CA—he finds himself an NFL position coach. Pretty heady stuff! Let's hope he's ready . . .
The final hire is 13-year NFL veteran Martin Bayless, 41, who will assist with special teams. Bayless played safety for five NFL teams and began his NFL coaching career just last year as an assistant with Carolina after experience at the high school, college and NFL Europe levels. As a player he spent one season (1994) playing for Turner at Washington.
Source(s): Associated Press, Raiders.com, Contra Costa Times
A recent headline here on this site has alluded to rumors of a draft-day trade involving Charles Woodson. It would be unfair to tease without providing more info, so here's the skinny, such as it is, courtesy of Fantasy Football Mastermind (see Articles for Feb. 25). Decide for yourself how credible it sounds. Note that this is a verbatim quote:
FFMastermind.com Raiders correspondent Dan Pasquale, citing a source close to the Oakland Raiders organization, has learned that the Raiders are exploring a possible draft day trade involving franchised CB Charles Woodson. The deal would send Woodson to an undisclosed team for both an offensive player and draft pick(s). No more details were given except that the deal would happen directly before or even during this year's NFL draft. The source also said this is why Woodson was franchised, so the team could retain sole rights to his tradability.
Who's Dan Pasquale? Dunno. What does this observer think? (You knew I'd offer my opinion, now didn't you? :-) I think it's entirely plausible. To borrow from another article published that same day, Woodson "has worn on" everybody around him. He intentionally pushed Bill Callahan's buttons to the point where Callahan snapped. His agents are Carl and Kevin Poston, the most truculent, hard-nosed negotiators in the business (currently demanding $30 mil, give or take, for Whiners franchise player OLB Julian Peterson despite the fact that SF is genuinely strapped under the cap.). Woodson, for all his hype, has averaged an underwhelming 2.5 interceptions per year—hardly Hall of Fame stuff. Terry McDaniel did better until his legs deserted him.
There are two premier corners available this year, Ty Law and Champ Bailey. (Bailey is franchised but his team has given him the OK to seek a trade.) This observer thinks either is (a) a better corner than Woodson; (b) wouldn't cost any more, and might cost less because they have reasonable agents willing to work with a team; and (c) has an infinitely better attitude than Woodson. Locker room chemistry is important.
Source(s): Fantasy Football Mastermind
Where Are They Now Dept.:
Tampa Bay signed DT Damian Gregory, who was on the Raiders' off-season roster last year. Gregory last played for Cleveland in 2002.
Source(s): Associated Press
The Baltimore Sun reports that with no top-notch cornerback having signed a long-term deal in the past five years, the sticking point in negotiations between the Baltimore Ravens and CB Chris McAlister has been trying to identify the market value. Talks with McAlister could be pick up if new contracts are completed with Washington Redskins CB Champ Bailey and Oakland Raiders CB Charles Woodson, who were given the franchise tag by their respective teams.
With the Poston brothers, infamous for holdouts by their clients, representing Woodson, negotiations with the Raiders over a new contract could drag on for a long time. Will it affect Woodson's play this season? We'll have to see . . .
Source(s): KFFL.com
The Raiders announced the hiring Clayton Lopez, 32, to replace defensive backs coach Ron Lynn. Lynn signed with the 49ers earlier this month. Lopez has been an assistant with Seattle for five years, including working with the secondary the past two.
The hiring leaves former defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan without any clear-cut role, although he remains under contract through next season.
Source(s): Raiders.com, Contra Costa Times
The NFL announced a final cap figure for 2004 that's $82,000 higher than previously stated. It's now officially $80,582,000 per team.
Source(s): Associated Press
Late update:
It's gotten very little press, but the 2004 salary cap was adjusted upward approximately $1.8 to $2 million late this past week. The cap is always subject to the NFL auditors' final estimates of gross revenues. Until last week it had variously been expected to be $78.5 to $78.7 million per team.
This week teams received the good news from the league's New York headquarters that the figure is now $80.5 million. Each team got some additional breathing room as the March 3 compliance date draws ever closer.
The Boston Globe, a first-rate paper, reports a fairly amazing fact today in a discussion about this year's cornerback free agent market:
"Before the season ended, the Raiders had in place the parameters of a long-term deal worth $70 million that included a $19 million bonus, but that was before Oakland executive Bruce Allen left to become general manager of the Buccaneers."
Whaddaya think of them apples?
Where Are They Now Dept.: It was reported here on Feb. 16 that former special teams coach Bob Casullo had been hired by the Jets, but it was not immediately clear in what capacity. A New York media site has since reported that he will coach tight ends there.
Source(s): NYNewsday.com
The Miami Herald reported yesterday that former Fish backup QB Ray Lucas is expected to sign with either Oakland or Baltimore. Lucas played for Miami when coach Norv Turner was O/C there.
Source(s): KFFL.com, Miami Herald
More on the Woodson designation:
By making him an exclusive franchise player, the Raiders guaranteed that only they could negotiate with him. In return for that advantage, they must tender (offer) him a one-year contract for the average of the highest 5 salaries for his position as of the end of the signing period for restricted free agents, which this year is April 16, or 120% of his last year's salary, whichever is higher. Woodson made about $2.4 million last year, so the average of the top 5, which comes to a tidy $6.8 million, is what he'll receive.
An 'ordinary' franchise player—as opposed to the exclusive variety—would get the average of the top 5 salaries as of last season, or 120% of his past salary. The average for last year was $5 million and change. (I believe I've seen the figure $5.37 million, but don't hold me to that.)
You can click on this link to read the pertinent free agency rules on this site.
So the Raiders paid a premium to keep Woodson off the market.
Further fine points, courtesy of the Contra Costa Times:
The Raiders have until March 17 to reach a contract with Woodson or else they can't negotiate with him again until July 15. If they re-sign Woodson but not until after March 15, then they would lose their right to use the franchise tag on another player for the length of Woodson's new contract.
(An irony of Woodson's desire to be "the richest, not just one of the highest" is that cornerbacks historically are not nearly as well paid as are a number of other positions. Even though, arguably, corners are the best athletes on a team, as a general rule, they earn a fraction of what offensive skill players get. Not only quarterbacks, but wide receivers and running backs also receive top dollar. In contrast, kickers, safeties and corners, and tight ends tend to make relatively little, even though one might argue that all are skilled positions. So if Charles is truly greedy, he should start whining again about wanting to play offense.)
Source(s): Sports Ticker, Contra Costa Times
Maryland DT Randy Starks said at the NFL Combine on Saturday that he has met with the Oakland Raiders.
Source(s): KFFL.com
In a move that was as predictable as it was misguided, the Raiders guaranteed that CB Charles Woodson will eventually get the kind of money he thinks he's worth by designating him an exclusive franchise player.
We'll have more explanation here within the next 24 hours, but suffice it to say, this move means the Raiders won't be going after any of the free agent cornerbacks available this year, at least two of whom—Champ Bailey and Ty Law—are better than Woodson, and probably wouldn't cost any more. The Raiders have in effect put all their cornerback eggs in one petulant, demanding basket.
Source(s): Associated Press
More coaching changes:
John Morton soon will be promoted from senior offensive assistant to replace departed tight ends coach Jay Norvell, the Raiders announced. Morton has been an offensive assistant the past six seasons. (No, you're not seeing double. The Morton promotion was reported here some days back.)
Also, the Raiders announced the hirings of Pat Jones as their outside linebackers coach and Sam Clancy as their defensive line coach.
Jones spent the past eight seasons as the Miami Dolphins tight ends coach. Raiders coach Norv Turner was the Dolphins offensive coordinator the past two seasons. Jones had recently been demoted in Miami, where they hired a new tight ends coach and made Jones an assistant to head coach Dave Wannstedt as part of a general shakeup of their coaching staff and front office.
Jones will assist Don Martindale in coaching Oakland's linebackers. Martindale was hired as inside linebackers coach earlier this week. Jones and Martindale replace Fred Pagac, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs last month.
Clancy spent the past four seasons as the defensive line coach of the New Orleans Saints. He replaces Mike Waufle, who signed with the New York Giants last month.
In other news, the Raiders hired attorney Dan Ventrelle to replace the departed Roxanne Kosarzycki, who had worked for the Raiders the past 12 seasons. Tampa Bay hired Kosarzycki as its General Counsel.
Finally, several reports said the Raiders are one of two teams—the Washington Redskins being the other—that have inquired about the services of soon-to-be free agent nose tackle Ted Washington. He played for New England this past season.
Source(s): Contra Costa Times, Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, Raiders.com
Catching up with last week, there were two major stories: changes in the coaching staff, and the possible free agency of three Raiders starters who have filed the necessary paperwork to opt out of their contracts and test the market.
First, the coaches . . . After being refused permission to talk to Ravens' DL coach Rex Ryan, and being turned down by New England secondary coach Eric Mangini, who elected to stay put under defensive genius Bill Belichick, the Raiders hired Ryan's twin brother, Rob Ryan, as their new Defensive Coordinator. Ryan has coached outside linebackers for New England the past four seasons and is the son of ex-head coach and defensive wiz Buddy Ryan. The elder Ryan is remembered for his aggressive "46" defense, which proved especially effective when he worked for Mike Ditka and Da Bearss in the mid-'80's, but he also did head coaching stints at Philadelphia and Arizona.
Rob Ryan is expected to bring a more aggressive approach to coaching Oakland's defense, especially since new head coach Norv Turner has let it be known he wants to blitz more on third downs and force opponents into mistakes. And in his "State of the Raiders" conference shortly before Turner was hired, managing general partner Al Davis hinted that the Raiders might play more 3-4 defense this coming season. So, whatever the specific alignment may be in a given context, expect to see more variety and lots of changes generally from the predictable zones that Chuck Bresnahan preferred.
First and foremost, however, let's hope that Ryan makes his top priority something neither Bresnahan, nor Willie Shaw, nor John Fox, for that matter, ever accomplished—teaching the Raiders to tackle. The Raiders have consistently had the NFL's worst tackling defense since their return to Oakland, if not longer. Nobodies like Fred Lane and Gary Brown became NFL somebodies after achieving 100-yard rushing efforts against Oakland's porous run defense.
In a statement released by the team, Ryan said, "The personnel matches up real favorably with the team I just left in New England, and I'm looking forward to doing some great things here. It's about time a Ryan joined this organization."
Meanwhile, Bill Callahan and Nebraska won the tug-of-war with the Raiders over Jay Norvell, who had been the Silver and Black's tight ends coach but has been released from the final year remaining on his contract. He will become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Nebraska.
When stories that Callahan wanted to hire Norvell first surfaced, the Raiders took a hard line and refused to consider releasing Norvell. Big Al was reported to have assumed the stance so familiar to him, threatening to sue the University of Nebraska for tortious interference with one of his employees. But this brought pressure from the NFL, which argued that Norvell would be the Big 12's first-ever minority offensive coordinator, and further, that the move would enhance Norvell's opportunities of becoming an NFL head coach in the future. Norvell has a reputation as being bright and an up-and-comer.
Apparently Davis eventually saw the light, or at least came to believe that the negative publicity over the matter would outweigh the value of forcing Norvell to remain with Oakland for a final year. After what was described as "lengthy" negotiations between the Raiders and the University of Nebraska, Callahan made a point to state several times during his press conference that the parting had been "amiable" on both sides.
"All I can tell you is that it was a mutual agreement," Callahan told the Omaha World-Herald. "It was very amiable, and they went their separate ways."
Finally, several more position coach changes. First, secondary coach Ron Lynn left last Tuesday to assume the same role with the Whiners. Lynn, who has spent most of a long coaching career working in the Bay Area, has been a friend of SF coach Dennis Erickson for 25 years. There is speculation that Bresnahan, who held the same spot in 1998 and 1999, might resume coaching the DBs.
The linebackers opening was filled with the hire of Don Martindale, who had been defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky. This observer was mildly surprised, since Bresnahan has extensive experience coaching linebackers at both the college and professional levels, but Martindale is a good friend of the Ryan family.
Lastly, John Morton, who held the ubiquitous title of "senior assistant" the past several years, will apparently replace Norvell as tight ends coach. And Bob Casullo, former special teams coordinator, was reportedly hired in an unspecified capacity by the New York Jets.
Tomorrow: the three free agents.
Source(s): Oakland Tribune, Omaha World-Herald, Bowling Green (KY) Daily News, ESPN.com, Raiders.com
The Boston Globe reports that New England nose tackle Ted Washington already has received preliminary inquiries from the Oakland Raiders, according to Washington's agent, Angelo Wright. Wright said he will not come down from the three-year, $8 million deal he proposed to the Pats in November. If Washington is not re-signed he will become a free agent March 3rd.
Source(s): Boston Globe, KFFL.com
OLB Shurron Pierson wasn't included in the list of players released by the Raiders organization as having been allocated to NFL Europe, but several other sources report that he has been sent to the developmental league for seasoning. That would bring to 10 the number of players allocated by Oakland.
Source(s): SI.com, SilverandBlack.com
It's still not certain, but it looks more and more as though Eric Mangini has in fact turned down the Raiders so far as interviewing in person for the defensive coordinator job. There have been no further reports from either side; in fact, the Raiders have declined all comment since it was reported last week that Mangini would talk with Oakland by telephone.
One Bay Area paper cites a separate report that the Raiders may turn their interest to New England's outside linebackers coach Ron Ryan. This would be ironic if true. Oakland previously asked permission from Baltimore to talk to Ryan's twin brother, Rex, the Ravens DL coach, but was turned down.
Source(s): Contra Costa Times
The Raiders today re-signed a former special teams standout and Bay Area guy, OLB Bobby Brooks of Fresno State (and Vallejo, CA), then allocated him to NFL Europe.
Brooks was on the active roster in 2000-01, and on the practice squad for part of 1999.
Source(s): Raiders.com
Late update:
There are conflicting reports in the media concerning New England secondary coach Eric Mangini.
The Boston Globe reports that Mangini decided yesterday to remain with the Patriots, who will need to sign him to a new contract. The San Jose Mercury News, however, ran an article today saying the Raiders plan on talking to Mangini by telephone before a face-to-face interview is arranged.
Two things have previously been reported by enough newspapers that they are likely to be certain. First, Mangini, who's only 33, is comfortable where he is. He has a bright future, and time spent working under Bill Belichick looks great on any coach's resume. He's been quoted as saying "when the time comes," he'll hope to move up the ladder, but he doesn't feel compelled to do so yesterday. He'll be able to pick and choose the opportunity that feels right to him, and that doesn't need to be this year.
Secondly, he's been forewarned about Al Davis and is covering his bases. (Which this observer thinks speaks volumes about Mangini's intelligence! :-) It was Mangini, and not the Raiders, who established the ground rule that the two sides should talk by telephone before buying anyone a ticket. Davis is a football coach's coach and famously persuasive in person, and Mangini knows it. So he's protecting himself, insisting that the parties deal at arm's length initially while he gets a feel for how much freedom Davis might allow him. You gotta love it!!
And by the way, what happens to Chuck Bresnahan, who's still under contract to Oakland? My guess is he'll go back to being a position coach. He has worked extensively with linebackers: twice before in the NFL, with Indianapolis (1996-97) and at Cleveland (1994-95), and in college, at the University of Maine (1992-93) and at Georgia Tech (1989-91). And the Raiders have that slot open with the defection of Fred Pagac to Kansas City. Why, you ask, would Bresnahan ever agree to such a demotion? Because he is under contract, and he's just not talented enough that any team would offer to buy him from Oakland a la Jon Gruden.
Source(s): Boston Globe, San Jose Mercury News, Raiders.com
Ex-Raider Randy Jordan has been hired by Bill Callahan to coach running backs at Nebraska. Jordan, still only 33 (!), spent a part of last season on the Raiders coaching staff. For an athlete with a limited skill set, he's a paradigm of the truism that hard work pays off. (Another one: Terry Robiskie, recently appointed offensive coordinator in Cleveland.)
Source(s): Miami Herald
This late afternoon update from Raiders.com:
Joe Avezzano, who has coached in three Super Bowls and has been named the NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year three times, joins The Oakland Raiders as special teams coach. Avezzano will resign today from his position as Head Coach of the Arena Football League's Dallas Desperados to join Norv Turner's Raiders coaching staff.
In other news, the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Star-Journal reported former Raiders running back Randy Jordan, an in-season addition to the Oakland coaching staff last year, may join Bill Callahan's Nebraska staff as running backs coach.
Source(s): Oakland Tribune
According to the San Jose Mercury News, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported yesterday that the Packers are among six teams interested in acquiring the rights to quarterback Drew Henson from the Houston Texans. Besides Green Bay, the other teams interested in the former Michigan quarterback are Buffalo, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Miami.
Bob Brown made it over "Bullet" Bob Hayes. Lester Hayes will have to hope for next year.
It's the Pro Football Hall of Fame we're discussing, and today was election day for this year's class.
Of 15 finalists, no more than six can be picked in any one year, and no more than one of the two nominees picked by the Seniors Committee. That meant Brown was up against Dallas speedster WR Bob Hayes, a player this observer enjoyed watching in his prime, as well as competing against the other 14 as a whole. (Parenthetically, Oakland Tribune writer Carl Steward makes the case today that Cliff Branch was more deserving of a Senior nomination than Hayes. There's a link in the Articles section.)
Hayes, alas, was passed over for a fourth time despite going to 10 Pro Bowls and having a season (1980) in which he had 13 interceptions (plus three more in the playoffs).
As expected, John Elway and Barry Sanders were shoo-ins. The other selected—only four got the necessary 80%—was Carl Eller.
Hayes wasn't the only highly deserving player to miss induction. Bob Kuechenberg, Richard Dent, Jim Marshall and Art Monk were passed over as well.
Source(s): Associated Press, Yahoo! Sports, Raiders.com
Where Are They Now Dept.: Ex-Raiders WR and kickoff returner Marcus Knight signed with Tampa Bay.
Source(s): St. Petersburg Times
Widespread speculation has former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis, fired by the cheapskate Bidwill family despite an impressive last game win, becoming defensive coordinator for the Raiders.
The Arizona Republic reports that Tennessee is also interested in McGiness as an assistant head coach and linebackers coach.
This observer thinks it would be great if Oakland could get a guy with the experience of McGiness to replace the inept Chuck Bresnahan, who is still under contract but has been hanging in limbo since managing general partner Al Davis's remark in his "State of the Raiders" conference last week that Bresnahan's status is essentially undetermined.
Source(s): Raiders Fans Mail List, Arizona Republic
New coach Norv Turner, widely regarded as a gifted play-caller and great game-day strategist, turned to an old buddy and co-worker for his first hire today. Jets Assistant head coach Jimmy Raye, 56, resigned that job to become Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator for the Silver and Black.
Source(s): Fayetteville Journal
Monday, January 26, 2004The Raiders introduced new Head Coach Norv Turner at an afternoon press conference.
Turner, 51, who grew up in nearby Martinez, California, becomes the 14th head coach of the Silver and Black.
You'll find a page with info about his background and professional history here. There's also a good deal of information on his coaching background on Raiders.com.
This hire is great news for those of us who long for a return to the vertical game that made the Raiders pro football's most exciting team to watch. Turner, a college quarterback who played behind Dan Fouts at Oregon, is an offensive genius who espouses power running mixed with long and short passing. Now, if the Raiders can just get a quarterback with an arm, we may see some prodigious offensive production these next several years!
Source(s): San Francisco Chronicle, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Sacramento Bee, Oakland Tribune, Raiders.com
With a lot of catching up to do, there isn't time at present to "report" on managing general partner Al Davis's press conference today. As is usually the case when he holds one of his very infrequent conferences—this was his first in almost two years—he touched on many subjects.
Here's a link to two audio files from KNBR radio so you can listen for yourself. Thanks to Debbie Kinslow for passing this on.
Or if you'd prefer, read an edited print version on Raiders.com. Here's the link: Al Davis: State of the Raiders.
Source(s): ORIB Townhall mail list, Raiders.com
Late update:
The name of Raiders tight ends coach Jay Norvell surfaced again in a Daily Nebraskan report identifying him as Bill Callahan's top choice to be offensive coordinator at Nebraska. By all accounts Callahan is assembling a coaching staff with prodigious experience and recruiting experience.
This time Raiders personnel executive Mike Lombardi, who'd said the other day that Norvell was under contract through 2004, told the Oakland Tribune that he "wasn't at liberty to discuss the status of the assistants." Contracts of assistants typically end in February after teams have concluded postseason analysis and prepared reports on free agents.
Lombardi, by the way, denies that he's had any overtures from Tampa Bay. "I'm still here, working," he said. "There's nothing to it."
Tampa Bay sources, however, have said that the Bucs are deciding first what to do with their present personnel head, Tim Ruskell, before asking for permission to talk to Lombardi.
Source(s): Daily Nebraskan, Oakland Tribune, St. Petersburg Times
The Raiders signed four free agents a week or so back, two of whom were in preseason camps with the team last year.
OL Todd Wike is a big guy—6-3, 305—who excelled collegiately at Maryland, playing guard, center, and tight end at various times. He was signed in late April 2003, then released July 22.
QB Bret Engemann of BYU threw until his arm nearly dropped off before being cut July 30.
DE David Nugent, left, is a three-year NFL vet from Purdue with great size (6-4, 295) but little game experience. He played at New England in 2000-01, then Baltimore in 2002. He was out of football in 2003.
Finally, Oakland signed DT Ron Moore. I was unable to find any info on him beyond the fact that Dallas released him in June 2003.
Source(s): Pro Football Weekly
Head coaching carousel:
Two more candidates had sit-down interviews with managing general partner Al Davis this week. Both are Dallas assistants at present.
First Dallas assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Sean Payton had what the Raiders characterized as a "preliminary" four-hour interview with Davis on Monday. Payton, 40, a local guy (a native of San Mateo, CA), is given credit for the development of QB Quincy Carter. (Although, frankly, to this observer, offense and Parcells are pretty much mutually exclusive. Parcells wins with mistake-free, plodding football and tough defense.) But Payton is characterized as another in the Jon Gruden mold—young, great future, destined to be an NFL head coach, etc. Prior to Dallas Payton had the same job with the New York Giants for three years and is said to have helped turn QB Kerry Collins around.
The following day Davis interviewed Cowgirls offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, 42, who's getting major support from Parcells. Carthon was a player for Parcells, although hardly a household name; he was a blocking fullback on those duller-than-dull Giants. (Remember Jeff Hostetler?) But he does have two Super Bowl rings. Also, as Parcells rightly points out, as an offensive assistant Carthon has had good exposure to rebuilding programs. He's worked for four teams, three of them under Parcells (New England, the Jets, and Dallas) and also Detroit.
"He's seen four programs get built," Parcells said of Carthon. "Or at least we're in the process of trying to build this one [Dallas]. I wouldn't call this one built. As a player, he was there. He saw New England. He saw the Jets. He's been somewhere else (Detroit). He's seen another philosophy. So he's not just set in his ways."
Source(s): DallasCowboys.com, Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News
Coaching (of the less-than-head variety) Carousel:
With all the media focused on the Raiders' search for a new head coach, there remains the status of nearly all the coordinators and assistant coaches to be resolved. It's a surprise to this observer that none of them has been dismissed. Three coordinators, for example—offense, Marc Trestman; defense, Chuck Bresnahan; and special teams, Bob Casullo—are plainly incompetent. During the past season I often felt badly for now-departed coach Bill Callahan having to take the overall responsibility for the work of three such untalented assistants.
Trestman's play-calling didn't fool anybody, Bresnahan never could teach his defense to tackle, and Casullo's special teams were a horror.
But putting that aside for the moment, here are some odds and ends which have popped up since Callahan's firing on Dec. 31:
Quarterbacks coach Jim Harbaugh was named head coach at the University of San Diego, a school which wants to turn around a markedly unsuccessful football program. Harbaugh played in San Diego for several years during his NFL career.
Trestman interviewed at Cornell several weeks back. Trestman, who fancies himself an intellectual, has been quoted as saying if he returned to coach at the college level, it would have to be at an academically rigorous school. Cornell's an Ivy League school.
Defensive line coach Mike Waufle has been mentioned by Detroit-area media as a candidate to sign up with Steve Mariucci in Detroit. Waufle's Raiders contract expires in several weeks. Waufle previously worked under Mariucci at Cal.
Tight ends coach Jay Norvell is reported to be Bill Callahan's top choice as offensive coordinator at Nebraska, but Mike Lombardi—still a Raiders exec despite all the Tampa Bay rumors—says Norvell is under contract with Oakland through 2004. The AP, however, reports that Norvell declined comment when he was reached at his home. Norvell worked with Callahan at Wisconsin in 1989-94.
There were rumors a week or 10 days back that the Jets were considering Bresnahan as a possible replacement for their scapegoated/fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.
Source(s): Associated Press, MLive.com, Oakland Tribune
