The Neil Smith rumor reported here on March 25 became a little more "official" today when the San Jose Mercury News reported it.

Tuesday, March 25, 1997

You know things are slow when the top story is that Todd Marinovich has been busted for drugs again.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Monday, March 24, 1997

It's been SLOOOW news-wise for Raider fans recently, so here are a few miscellaneous bits and pieces to fill the time.

Managing general partner Al Davis was quoted by Sporting News columnist T.J. Simers last week as saying he's come to regret firing Art Shell as head coach after the 1994 season. Davis added that he now believes he compounded his initial mistake by hiring Mike White to replace Shell.

Source: The Sporting News

The Raiders are thinking of trying CB James Trapp at safety.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Washington wants very much to sign Jeff Hostetler as their backup QB. Although Hoss claims the Raiders hold the keys to his future, the real issue is whether Hostetler will agree to a pay cut from $2.2 million to $800,000, the most the Redskins are willing to pay for their No. 2. All indications are that the Raiders would gladly accept even a relatively low draft pick for Hoss in a trade.

Sources: Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News

Several Raider fans from the Midwest report that the Kansas City media claim Chiefs free agent DE Neil Smith is seriously considering only two teams, Denver and Oakland.

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

Saturday, March 22, 1997

San Francisco radio station KNBR claimed yesterday that the object of the Raiders' interest in the upcoming draft isn't Orlando Pace, but rather Florida State tackle Walter Jones. According to this rumor, the Raiders will try to get Baltimore's #4 pick to use on Jones, allowing them to keep DT Chester McGlockton, rather than trying to trade for the Jets' top pick.

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

Friday, March 21, 1997

QB Jeff Hostetler talked with the Redskins today about possibly backing up Gus Frerotte, although he remains less than enthusiastic about accepting anything less than a starting role.

"[S]ometimes situations happen that you have no control over, and the only thing you can control is your reaction to it, and that's what I'm doing," said Hostetler.

Reportedly Hostetler will also talk with four more teams—New Orleans, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and the New York Jets. For their part, the Redskins said they'd love to have him.

"That's going to be Jeff's decision," said Washington coach Norv Turner after taking Hostetler and his wife out to lunch. "We'd certainly be interested in having Jeff, and he has a lot to offer."

"A guy who's had the success he's had, it's going to be hard for him not to be the starter," Turner said. "But you find a place you feel most comfortable, and you go with it the best you can."

Hostetler expressed the hope he'd still get playing time even if he were the No. 2 quarterback. "Just because you're a starter doesn't mean you're going to play the whole season. I've been that route," he said. "I'm just looking at the options and seeing what's available. This day and age, the game is rough and a lot of quarterbacks don't make it through the season. The opportunity to play most likely will be there in one way or another."

Hostetler lives in West Virginia and also has family in Maryland, which might make Washington attractive to him, but money could be a sticking point. The Redskins won't offer him anything like what he was making with Oakland. According to various sources, Washington won't go higher than $800,00.

"Money's part of it," Hostetler said. "But at this stage of my career there are other things that I'm evaluating and are probably a little higher on the agenda."

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Ex-Raider and Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw was re-elected executive director of the NFL Players Association today.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

Thursday, March 20, 1997

"Jets cancel meeting with Siragusa." The headline says it all . . .  :-)

The bluff of DT Tony Siragusa's agent to pressure the Raiders into sweetening their contract offer was a disaster as the Jets flatly declined to even talk with Siragusa until or unless they can clear some cap room.

The agent, Gus Sunseri, is probably red-faced and "unavailable for comment" today, and Bruce Allen most likely had a good chuckle or two over this one. Siragusa's a better-than average, but hardly great, tackle who's looking for star money.

Siragusa is still expected to talk to the Jets eventually. In addition to the Raiders, his agent claims that Cincinnati, Minnesota and Indianapolis are also interested.

Meanwhile, DT Jerry Ball is reported close to signing with Kansas City.

Source: Oakland Tribune

The Washington Post reported yesterday that QB Jeff Hostetler has expressed interest in backing up starter Gus Frerotte and will visit Washington.

Despite previous statements by Hostetler's agent, Marvin Demoff, that Hoss had faced reality and accepted the fact he'd no longer be a starter in the NFL, until now Hostetler had refused to consider re-negotiating the contract that will pay him $2.2 million in salary this year. That refusal cost him a chance to land a roster spot with Pittsburgh. He has apparently told Washington that he's now willing to re-negotiate.

Now that Kansas City has landed Elvis Grbac, the Raiders would be happy to trade Hostetler.

Wednesday, March 19, 1997

ESPNet draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. appeared in a chat session on SportsZone yesterday. One question he answered dealt specifically with the rumors concerning the Raiders and Orlando Pace.

The Raiders announced their preseason schedule yesterday. In addition to the nationally televised exhibition at Dallas (reported here earlier), they'll play Green Bay at home on Friday, Aug. 8; New Orleans at home on Saturday, Aug. 16; and wind up with a 7:00 p.m. game at Arizona on Aug. 22.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Negotiations to sign free agent DT Tony Siragusa, which seemed a pretty sure thing not long ago, have now stalled, according to Siragusa's agent, Gus Sunseri. Siragusa, a native of New Jersey, will visit the New York Jets today.

Sunseri has been talking with Oakland off and on since Siragusa visited the club's facility in Alameda more than a month ago. Not surprisingly, the hangup in negotiations is money.

"He'd like to be a Raider, but not until the numbers work, and I haven't heard that yet—and I've bent over backwards," Sunseri said yesterday. "Once he goes to New York, you know what could happen there. It's his backyard."

Sunseri said Siragusa won't sign for less than "fair market value," which—in Sunseri's opinion—is somewhere between San Diego's Ruben Davis (four years, $5.6 million) and Green Bay's Gilbert Brown (three years, $8.25 million including a $3 million signing bonus).

Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen wasn't taking the bait. "We're still interested, but we're just watching," Allen said. "We're in no hurry."

Siragusa may be important to the Raiders because of the rumors that DT Chester McGlockton could be traded in an effort to land this year's top draft pick.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Today's Oakland Tribune says the two trade scenarios being discussed are as follows:

In scenario No.1, the Raiders deal McGlockton, their first-round pick (No. 10 overall) and one of their two third-round choices to New York for top-pick rights. In scenario No. 2, they send their first- and second-round selections to Baltimore for the No. 4 pick in the first round—then send that selection, McGlockton, and a second-round choice to New York for the top pick.

(The Raiders have an extra third-round pick acquired from New Orleans last year for DT Austin Robbins.)

Tuesday, March 18, 1997

The Big Rumor

For about two weeks now there's been discussion on the Raiders Fans Mail List of rumors that the Raiders would try to trade for Bill Parcells' No. 1 pick in this year's draft. The object, of course, is to draft Ohio State left tackle Orlando Pace. He's widely considered a "can't-miss," the kind of lineman who comes along perhaps once in a decade—a franchise player, even better than Jonathan Ogden was last year. (Ogden recently displaced Tony Jones, a very good tackle, in Baltimore.)

Until very recently, absolutely no media that I could find had carried any of this, and the discussion seemed to be pure "what if" speculation among fans. Then, over the past weekend Southern California radio station XTRA ran a story on Raider interest in the top pick. XTRA's a big-time rumor mill whose stories aren't always accurate, and no other media followed immediately. I didn't report it then because I don't consider XTRA a reliable source.

Today the San Jose Mercury News and Contra Costa Times reported it as a "rumor." It has not been confirmed, or even reported by most media. Notably, neither the Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, nor any of the national commercial services like ESPNet, have published this as of Tuesday night. So take it for what it is—a very exciting rumor.

Various scenarios have been bandied about. Among those that I've seen personally were a deal directly with New York and a trade with Atlanta for their third pick, which would then be bundled with one or more players to the Jets for the top pick.

The Mercury News claims the Raiders want to trade their first and second-round picks (10 and 39 overall) to Baltimore for the Ravens' fourth pick, then send that fourth pick on to the Jets together with Chester McGlockton.

The Contra Costa Times suggests a similar deal but with Oakland also throwing in a third-rounder.

The Mercury News also claims the Raiders and Ravens discussed a first-round swap at the NFL owners' meetings last week and did so again Monday.

Senior assistant Bruce Allen had no comment. "There are going to be a lot of trade rumors involving us leading up to the draft. It's impossible for me to comment on any of them."

Check the Articles section for all the details.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, Raiders Fans Mail List

As expected, LB Mike Jones signed with the St. Louis Rams yesterday. He got a four-year, $6 million deal including a $2 million signing bonus.

Jones wanted to stay with the Raiders and had indicated he would if all other things were even roughly equal. But the Raiders, with almost no cap room at the moment, couldn't begin to match the Rams' offer.

Mike Morton filled in quite capably last year at outside linebacker when Rob Fredrickson was hurt, and the Raiders seem comfortable going with him as Jones' replacement.

"It's a sad day for Michael," said Harold Lewis, Jones' agent. "He might have been bouncing around the league as a running back if it weren't for Al Davis."

Said Jones at the press conference held in St. Louis to announce his signing, "My wife's from here. All her family lives here. My family's in Kansas City, so it's just a hop, skip and a jump to get here for the games."

Oakland Tribune, ESPNet SportsZone

Friday, March 14, 1997

Afternoon update:  The NFL announced the date of the Raiders-Dallas exhibition because it will be nationally televised. (The other preseason opponents have not been announced.)

Mark your calendar—it's Oakland at Dallas, Aug. 3, 5:00 PDT on TNT.

Source: Team NFL

The Tempest in a Teapot (see Tuesday, 3/11/97) figures to have concluded with this afternoon's report that Kansas City and free agent QB Elvis Grbac have reached agreement on a contract.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

Despite the Raiders' brave talk at the time that they wouldn't miss departed G Kevin Gogan, the team is apparently continuing to comb the free agent market for a replacement.

According to the Oakland Tribune, Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen has talked with agents for C Courtney Hall and G Eric Moten, both of whom were salary cap victims in San Diego.

Moten was considered a Pro Bowl-caliber guard until suffering a serious knee injury two years ago which included nerve damage. Although he came back to start for the Chargers last season, fans there say he's not the player he was before the injury. Still, he has the sort of playing attitude the Raiders love to see in their players—nasty!

Hall is a four-time Pro Bowl center.

The Trib speculates that Moten could play left guard, with Steve Wisniewski returning to right guard, a position he played as a rookie Pro Bowler. If Hall were signed, C Barret Robbins would presumably move to guard.

Allen said the Raiders are in no hurry to make a formal offer.

"It's not so much (to see) what (price) they are fetching," Allen explained. "It's that there is some talk that a few more guys are going to become available. Let's see when the market gets a little riper before we start picking our fruit."

Moten has the same agent, Harold Lewis, as Raider free agent Mike Jones, and Lewis knows the right words to say.

Speaking for Moten, Lewis said, "We would be very interested in dealing with the Raiders. I don't think you can find a player in the NFL that wouldn't want to play for the Raiders. There are three things they all want: one is a (Super Bowl) ring, two is money and the other is a patch over their eye."

Changing to his Mike Jones hat, Lewis then commented that negotiations with the Raiders concerning Jones are presently at "a stalemate."

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Raiders Fans Mail List

For the last few days, fellow webmaster Eric Nilson has been reporting various rumors concerning a possible deal with the Jets to secure their top draft pick.

Today he says he's heard from an anonymous source that the Jets deal being discussed involves RB Harvey Williams or DE Anthony Smith and our 1st-round pick for the Jets' 1st (the first overall). He adds that the Jets are waiting on some free agent developments before making a decision.

The above scenario strikes this observer as unlikely, at least if it involves Harvey. No doubt the Raiders would love to trade Williams, but the Jets already have a top-quality tailback in Adrian Murrell. What on earth would they see in an expensive journeyman like Williams? That's just my own $.02, of course . . .

I'll be writing an opinion piece in the next few days, giving my take on the Raiders' personnel moves thus far this offseason.

Thursday, March 13, 1997

Late update:  NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue wants to come up with a new plan to provide bonuses for rookies who perform well rather than just slot them in the current rookie salary scale.

Tagliabue disclosed the idea today as the owners meetings ended. But he stressed that what he was discussing was only a concept and that it faces the formidable hurdle of getting approval from the NFL Players Association.

Under the current system, teams are allocated money for rookies—separate from the salary cap—depending on the draft position and number of choices. That means high draft picks make big money, lower picks make the minimum. As an example, rookie TE Rickey Dudley was paid more than $1 million in salary last year despite being benched late in the year. DE Lance Johnstone, who ended up the year a starter, made much less simply because he was a second-round pick.

The union's initial response was predictably lukewarm. "They have indicated that they have some concerns (with the current system)," said Doug Allen, the NFLPA's assistant executive director.

"The players association has not agreed to anything. At this point, we're listening and considering what they're saying. But there's some real distance between us in the way we view these issues."

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

The Oakland Tribune reports that according to "a source familiar with the team's thinking," Washington GM Charley Casserly and agent Marvin Demoff met to discuss lame duck QB Jeff Hostetler during this week's NFL owners meetings.

The Trib speculates that the Redskins would be a longshot since they probably couldn't afford Hostetler's $2 million salary at a time when they're attempting to re-sign starting QB quarterback Gus Frerotte.

The Washington Post has the same story, but with considerably more—and interesting—detail. According to the Post, "many teams" are interested in Hostetler. And the paper says Pittsburgh offered Hoss a $7 million contract extension (over 3 years) but couldn't work out a trade with the Raiders.

Hmmm . . . Is the local press getting snookered by the Raiders? Wouldn't be the first time!

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Washington Post

The Raiders voted against the instant replay proposal yesterday because of their objection to tying a challenge to the loss of a timeout.

"I think we've got a great game, the best game in the world," said Raiders managing general partner Al Davis. "Microscopically I don't like to change anything about the game. I'm willing to add something to it, for the credibility of it, but I don't want to change those times out, three in the first half, three in the second. So that was my focus."

"We have three timeouts in the first half, we have three timeouts in the second half, and we've had it for eternity," said Davis to another reporter. "I don't want to have instant replay compromising it."

"I don't think this kills it for good. We need a manipulation of the process. The most important thing is to keep the three timeouts in a half."

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Associated Press (Nando.net)

Wednesday, March 12, 1997

There are lots of quotes from Raiders coach Joe Bugel today in a pair of articles, one in the Oakland Tribune and one in the San Francisco Examiner.

Managing general partner Al Davis had this response to Bugel's "vision" yesterday of Desmond Howard as a go-to type of receiver: "We're not going to play him as a receiver . . . yet. We do know he can do two things well."

Hint: they both start with "return."

Source: San Francisco Examiner

The Denver Post reports that Carolina WR Willie Green, in whom the Raiders were said to be interested a while back, has reached agreement with Denver on a four-year contract for $4.3 million, including an $800,000 signing bonus.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

The Raiders lost a coin flip with the Cardinals yesterday and will have the 10th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, to be held April 19-20 in New York. The coin flip was necessary after both teams finished last year at 7-9 and dead even in all tiebreakers.

The teams will trade places in each succeeding round. In the second round, the Raiders will have the 39th overall pick, while Arizona will choose 42nd.

Arizona is said to be interested in trading up in the draft now that it knows it has the ninth pick.

Another team reported to be hoping to move up on April 19 is AFC West rival Seattle. The Seahawks are trying to trade their 11th pick to Baltimore for the Ravens' No. 4. So far, says Baltimore, Seattle hasn't offered enough.

Sources: Contra Costa Times, Scripps-McClatchy Western (Nando.net)

The agent for free agent LB Mike Jones, no doubt trying to get some negotiating leverage with the Raiders, said yesterday that his client might reach an agreement with St. Louis in the next day or two. Jones visited the Rams last week and received a contract offer from them Monday.

Agent Harold Lewis indicated that he is talking only with the Rams at this point. Meanwhile, the Oakland Tribune reports this morning that two other unidentified teams have joined the bidding for Jones since the St. Louis offer.

"The Rams are trying to get something wrapped up within 24 to 48 hours," said Lewis. "If everything is equal, he'd probably want to come back to the Raiders. If not, he'd love to come to St. Louis."

Sunday, March 9, 1997

The Raiders and Cardinals will flip a coin today at the NFL owners meetings in Palm Desert, CA, to settle a deadlock for the ninth pick in this year's college draft. Raiders executive assistant Al LoCasale—known to us diehards as "Little Al"—will represent Oakland.

The teams will switch positions in succeeding rounds. The Cardinals and Raiders had identical 7-9 records in 1996 and finished even in all potential tiebreakers, necessitating the coin toss.

Although the issue of re-instituting instant replay has been well publicized, another more important issue hasn't gotten nearly so much coverage. The NFL Management Council will review the status of the current players' collective bargaining agreement, which was signed in 1993 and originally ran through the 2000 draft. Last June, the deal was extended by one year. Both the NFL and the players' union have an option in 1997 to extend the agreement for another year.

If the contract is extended, the last salary-capped year would be moved to 2000 and the agreement would extend through the 2002 draft.

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Team NFL

Saturday, March 8, 1997

A reader reports this morning that DT Tony Siragusa has agreed to a contract with the Raiders. The reader cited as his source a sibling of Siragusa's.

This has not appeared yet on any of the online media. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Friday, March 7, 1997

More on the Hostetler situation:  it seems that QB Jeff Hostetler may have only himself to blame for the Pittsburgh re-signing of Mike Tomczak.

According to this morning's Oakland Tribune, Hostetler and Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher held an unannounced meeting last Saturday, at which Cowher sought an answer to two questions: whether Hostetler would accept a backup role, and whether he would agree to re-negotiate the three remaining years of his existing Raiders contract.

So what happened? Cowher puts it this way. "I talked to Jeff on a couple of occasions . . . about his role here. I try to be very open with everybody and . . . to understand what we are looking for and the role that was expected to be played on this team. You couple that with some of the restrictions we may have because of the (salary) cap (and) so many factors played into it (a parting of the ways)."

It was only after Hostetler refused to agree to renegotiate, apparently, that the Steelers resumed talking with Tomczak. Those negotiations had been broken off after Tomczak rejected an initial $375,000 offer.

The Trib says there remains an outside chance that Pittsburgh would still make an offer for Hostetler because Pittsburgh sources claim the team is trying to shop QB Jim Miller.

Bruce Allen, asked if the Tomczak signing guaranteed that Hostetler would remain a Raider, responded that there's no rush to trade Hostetler. "I think he gets more valuable," Allen said. "I know in July he is valuable. Maybe to us. Obviously to others."

QB Jeff Hostetler, demoted from his starting role and facing his 34th birthday next month, is likely to remain a Raider for a while yet—not by his own choice, but rather because there's nowhere left to go, and the Raiders aren't about to cut him yet. Pittsburgh unexpectedly re-signed QB Mike Tomczak yesterday, with Tomczak agreeing to the number 3 quarterback role as the Steelers go with youth this coming season. That's the roster spot Hostetler had hoped to land with the Steelers.

Should the Raiders decide to release Hoss, it's unlikely to happen before June 1. If he's cut before then, the team takes a $2.25 million cap hit for his remaining signing bonus. After June 1st, however, there's no acceleration of the bonus money; he'd count for only $750,000 against this year's cap, with the remaining $1.5 million applied toward the 1998 cap, which is expected to rise significantly with a new television contract.

For the same reason, Kansas City almost certainly won't unload QB Steve Bono until June. And closer to home, RB Harvey Williams, who got a big signing bonus last offseason, could conceivably be a June 1 casualty, too. Ah, don't ya just love capenomics?

For what it's worth, here's Chronicle beat reporter Ron Kroichick's take on Hostetler's situation from The Sporting News, written before news of the Tomczak signing:  "The bottom line: That $1.5 million in cap space is more valuable than any middle-round draft pick Hostetler could bring in trade. It seems unfair to make Hostetler wait, but the Raiders could permit him to work out a behind-the-scenes deal with another team. There is no chance of Hostetler staying, given the acquisition of Jeff George."

Also for what it's worth, Senior Administrator Bruce Allen insists the Raiders won't waive Hostetler under any circumstances. That's what you'd expect him to say, of course, since the team still holds out hope of getting a draft pick for Hoss.

Sources: ESPNet SportsZone, The Sporting News, SportsLine USA

The coin flip between the Raiders and Arizona to determine the No. 9 and 10 draft picks takes place Sunday during the owners meetings.

Free agent notes:  Bruce Allen says that T Robert Jenkins, waived almost three weeks ago, might still figure in the Raiders' 1997 plans. Translation: he could conceivably be re-signed at a lower salary.

The team signed free agent DT Ta'ase Faumui, a backup with Pittsburgh the past three seasons. He's said to be a Russell Maryland clone physically (i.e., undersized).

According to SportsLine USA, the Raiders are also still interested in free agent DT Tony Siragusa of Indianapolis, a good run stopper at 320 pounds but apparently not the most sophisticated of airline travelers. He's recently missed two different flights to Cincinnati for a scheduled visit with the Bengals.

Siragusa's visit to Alameda a while back has led to speculation that the Raiders might move Chester McGlockton to defensive end. Asked about that possibility, coach Joe Bugel said such a move was only in the discussion phase.

Depending on whose account you believe, the team is either close to signing, or has already signed G Danny Villa, a long snapper recently cut by Kansas City.

Finally, free agent LB Mike Jones visited St. Louis this week.

Sources: SportsLine USA, Raiders Fans Mail List, Scripps Howard News Service

Thursday, March 6, 1997

Details on Desmond Howard's new contract: four years, $6 million including a $2 million signing bonus (one-quarter of which will count against the current cap); described as cap-friendly, meaning he'll get a minimal ($200,000) salary for 1997, then substantial increases in subsequent years.

Howard, an articulate man despite something of a reputation as a slow learner on the football field, said managing general partner Al Davis convinced him to sign in a two-hour face-to-face meeting the two held last weekend in a Boca Raton, Florida hotel room. Until then, Howard had been leaning toward signing with New England.

"Mr. Davis and I got to know each other as individuals and discussed our football philosophies," Howard said. "It's easy to have a coach, players, or even an owner talk about winning a Super Bowl championship, but it's often without substance—empty, because they've never been there before."

"Mr. Davis has been there before, and he wants to go back. There was an obvious sense that history was going to repeat itself."

Howard's agent, Leigh Steinberg, commented, "The meeting was especially dynamic. Let's not forget that, one-on-one, Al can sell." (Steinberg, who also represents new Raider QB Jeff George, isn't a bad salesman himself.  :-)

Steinberg and Howard actually hadn't taken the Raiders that seriously. That situation began to change, said Steinberg, when he learned that Davis himself would negotiate for the Raiders—something he hasn't done in years, according to senior administrator Bruce Allen. Once Steinberg realized that Davis would be directly involved, Steinberg told Howard he was going to meet with an entirely different kind of NFL owner.

"I told him this was a unique owner, one who had actually coached football, who came at it from an entirely different standpoint than any owner in the NFL," Steinberg said. "He understands what motivates players."

Howard said the meeting with Davis was enough to convince him, and Davis personally signed him to the new contract on Sunday. "Davis' whole thing with him," said Steinberg, "was explosion. 'I love the explosion on the first step.' It's sort of unique sitting there talking with the owner who also knows football and having him describe your role."

Both Howard and Steinberg said the clincher for Howard was that he'll be competing for a backup WR role—as Steinberg put it, "when they described what their receiver situation was. That they had two starters (Tim Brown and James Jett) and after that it would be competitive." Although Howard has proved himself a spectacular punt and kickoff returner, he also wants badly to succeed as a full-time wide receiver in the NFL, something he's been unable to accomplish thus far in his pro career.

Sources: Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times

Miscellaneous personnel news and rumors:  DT Tony Siragusa, who visited the Raiders about two weeks back, is off to Cincinnati to shop his services there. Meanwhile, the Raiders are said to be close to signing DT Ta'ase Faumui , 6-4 and 280. Faumui spent the last three years with Pittsburgh.

There's an unconfirmed report that the Raiders signed ex-Squaw backup G Danny Villa, a long snapper, earlier this week. If true, Dan Turk could be history.

There's nothing new to report on the team's interest in FS Eric Turner. The Raiders still want him, and Turner still wants to continue as the NFL's highest paid safety.

The Raiders have sent DT La'Roi Glover and WR Kenyan Branscomb to the World League for seasoning, Glover to the Barcelona Dragons and Branscomb to the Rhein Fire. Glover, a 5th-round draft choice last year, made the Raiders' active roster but was inactive for all but two games. Branscomb spent last season on the practice squad.

Finally, Raider fan Doug Rockstead reports reading that New Orleans has signed FB Wes Bender. Bender, a favorite of many Raider diehards, was a late preseason cut by the team the last two years.

Sources: Associated Press, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, Raiders Fans Mail List

Wednesday, March 5, 1997

Free agent C Steve Everitt, in whom the Raiders had been very interested, reached agreement today with Philadelphia on a five-year contract.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

The AP said this morning that Desmond Howard's agent, Leigh Steinberg, has indirectly confirmed that his client will sign with the Raiders by ruling out Green Bay and New England, the other teams seriously pursuing Howard.

"All I can tell you is he's made his decision," Steinberg said. "We have informed Green Bay and New England that he would not be signing with them, but beyond that I have been sworn to secrecy by the team it will be."

Steinberg said Howard based his decision on his ability to play more wide receiver.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

If you're in the Bay Area and have cable access, the news conference will be carried live on Bay-TV.

Tuesday, March 4, 1997

ESPN is reporting tonight that the Raiders have scheduled a press conference for tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. PST to announce a major free agent acquisition. Citing unnamed "NFL sources," ESPN says the team has signed returner Desmond Howard to a multiyear contract—either four or five years—averaging a whopping $1.5 million a year.

USA Today, citing SportsTicker as its source, has a slightly different story. SportsTicker cites a "source close to Howard" in reporting that the parties have reached agreement but nothing has yet been signed. According to this report, the contract includes a $2 million signing bonus in addition to the $1.5 million average salary.

That's an awful lot of money for an athlete whose professional career until now has been one-dimensional. Howard, a former Heisman Trophy winner and the MVP of January's Super Bowl, is without a doubt a talented and exciting kick returner, but he's also a guy who couldn't earn a WR spot with the Pack last season even after their top two receivers went down with injuries. Before going to Green Bay he had been considered a first-round bust in both Washington and Jacksonville.

Sources: ESPNet SportsZone, The Sporting News, USA Today

FB Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who just two weeks ago seemed a possible new Raider, then appeared headed for San Diego, signed today with St. Louis. Apparently coach Dick Vermeil feels Heyward can be a positive influence on troubled RB Lawrence Phillips. Good luck, Craig!  ;-)

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Saturday, March 1, 1997

QB Jeff Hostetler, who was unwilling to accept a backup role with any team just a few weeks ago, will meet with Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher next week to discuss just such a role with the Steelers.

The Raiders had allowed Hostetler to talk to other teams after new starter Jeff George was signed. Pittsburgh expressed interest at that time, but Hoss refused to consider a backup position. Now, with the starting quarterbacks apparently set for every NFL team except Kansas City, he's seen the light.

"He's seen things happen and looked at Jim Kelly retiring and realizes he's not 26 anymore," said Hostetler's agent, Marvin Demoff. "What you're emotionally thinking in December and January is different in March."

Source: USA Today

Thursday, February 27, 1997

FB Craig "Ironhead" Heyward seems to have done a 180-degree turn. According to his agent, San Diego has offered Heyward a contract and the free agent is seriously interested in signing with them.

Only a week ago Heyward was talking up playing for the Raiders after a visit to Alameda. This week he's been to San Diego and St. Louis.

The agent, Jack Mills, said the Chargers have offered a three-year contract. "I think the interest is pretty serious on both sides," he said.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Tuesday, February 25, 1997

The Raiders have just now gotten in touch with the agent for UFA linebacker Mike Jones for the first time since free agency began on Feb. 14. The agent, Harold Lewis, characterized his talks with Bruce Allen as "encouraging."

Source: Oakland Tribune

Sunday, February 23, 1997

Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who had been expected to work out for the Raiders Friday, didn't. Instead, he made a day-long visit Saturday which included a lengthy face-to-face talk with managing general partner Al Davis. That fact alone would tend to indicate the Raiders' interest in Heyward is a serious one. For his part, Heyward sounded enthusiastic after the visit.

"I'm not about to let the cat out of the bag or anything. I'll probably make a decision by Monday or Tuesday," Heyward said. "But I know a lot of people with the Raiders, and I love the tradition. It seems like once you're a Raider, you're a Raider for life."

"The way it was explained to me, they've got a pretty good crowd at halfback and they're looking to bring in a guy to run the ball, block, play smash-mouth, convert first downs," Heyward said. "I don't put any part of the game ahead of another. I take pride in all that."

According to Raiders executive Bruce Allen, terms were not discussed. Heyward said he would leave those details to his agent. He's believed to be seeking about $1 million per year.

Heyward visited San Diego Friday and will visit St. Louis next. Atlanta is also interested in re-signing him, but only at a reduced salary. Heyward became an unrestricted free agent when Atlanta declined to exercise a contract option for 1997.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Saturday, February 22, 1997

The Oakland Football Marketing Association (OFMA), the group responsible for selling PSL's, announced late yesterday that they will discount 1997 PSL prices by 10% in an effort to spur lagging sales.

Although the lower prices will mean less revenue in the short term, city and county officials hope they will stimulate stagnant sales and pay off down the road.

PSL's allow holders to buy season tickets until the year 2005. They originally cost from $250 to $4,000 per seat, and as much as $16,000 for club seats. The discount reflects their diminished value after another season in their 10-year life has concluded.

Officials could have extended any licenses sold this year to make them good through 2006, but elected instead to resell all PSL's in 2005 under new terms.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle mentioned not only Eric Turner, but also Seattle's Robert Blackmon as safeties who could end up on the Raiders' roster.

Blackmon's a seven-year vet at strong safety. Before the Seachickens traded away Eugene Robinson to Green Bay, Blackmon and Robinson formed perhaps the NFL's best safety tandem. I touted Blackmon on this site last year as a player the Raiders ought to pursue.

Seattle designated him a transition player last year despite his repeated pleas to be allowed to talk to other teams. Apparently they expect him to be too expensive to re-sign this year.

The latest issue of Pro Football Xchange's notes on the Raiders speculates that the Raiders' interest in free agent C Steve Everitt, who wants a contract in the $3 million range, is fueled by concern over second-year C Barret Robbins' health. Says the newsletter: "Why Everitt? The condition of incumbent C Barret Robbins, who missed the final two games with a mysterious malady that apparently involves fits of depression (no one will fess up to it), has become an obvious concern."

Time out for an editorial (and personal) note here, which hopefully will dispel some of the melodrama drummed up by the article's author. I suffer from depression myself, as do approximately 5% of all Americans. In the vast majority of cases the disorder is entirely manageable with medication. And depression does not involve "fits."

The "mysterious malady" was in fact reported to be an adverse interaction between Robbins' antidepressant and a prescription given him by a new doctor, who didn't bother to review his patient's chart or even ask him what other medications he might be taking. End of story, unless Robbins' condition should worsen dramatically.

The Xchange article continues, "Now, however, with Gogan gone, a run at Everitt might also involve a move of Robbins to RG. Also possible: RT Lincoln Kennedy to RG, LT Pat Harlow to RT and filling the empty LT spot either through free agency or the draft."

Apparently the author thinks Robbins can overcome his "fits of depression" sufficiently to play guard if needed, but not to play center. Rubbish . . .

Source: Sportsline USA

Friday, February 21, 1997

Alright, boys and girls. Class is now in session. Today's hot topic is Ravens free safety Eric Turner, a two-time All-Pro. Turner, 28, is good enough to make lots of teams salivate, and two other teams besides the Raiders are said to be interested in him—Atlanta and the Jets.

The Ravens have big financial problems. They are reportedly up against the NFL's debt limit of $50 million per team. Owner Art Modell got little money up front to move to Baltimore, and he can't dip into revenue from the sale of luxury boxes until Baltimore's new stadium is complete in 1998. The Ravens have already unloaded veteran tackle Tony Jones because they couldn't afford him, and they may also lose center Steve Everitt.

Turner is scheduled to receive a $1.3 million bonus on March 1 and a $1.7 million salary next season. According to the Oakland Tribune, sources familiar with the situation said the Ravens want to unload that financial burden badly enough that they might consider a couple of mid-round draft picks in return.

The Ravens have given Turner permission to make his own deal. Neither Atlanta nor New York is likely to trade for Turner without first renegotiating his contract to reduce the hit on their own salary cap.

Turner is that unusual combination of a big-time hitter who's also a ballhawk in coverage. If he came to the Raiders, FS Eddie Anderson would probably be moved to strong safety.

It's possible the Ravens might simply release Turner before March 1 in order to avoid the $3 million charge on the cap, but any team gambling on that runs the risk that Turner may decide to wait it out and get an even better deal.

Source: Oakland Tribune

I reported here yesterday that the Raiders were said to have offered a three-year contract to Carolina WR Willie Green.

Green said yesterday that the Raiders haven't actually put an offer on the table. Carolina and Denver have, however, both in the three-year, $2.6 million range. Houston has also been in touch with Green's agent.

"It's an honor that Oakland did call, but as of now they haven't put the money on the table, so I wouldn't jump to conclusions about winding up there," said Green.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Did the Raiders really lose track of Kevin Gogan in their maneuvering to sign Jeff George, as Gogan claims, or did they willingly let him go to the Whiners?

The Raiders have spent much of this week doing spin control, insisting they weren't really that concerned. Bruce Allen commented, "We've identified where we're putting our resources. The 49ers needed Kevin Gogan obviously much more than we did."

"It was a situation where we felt we were OK (at guard)," Allen said. "If Kevin was a priority, we would have signed him prior to the beginning of the free-agency period. I don't mean to make that sound the way it sounds, but that's true."

Coach Joe Bugel, however, did a complete turnaround during the week. When the Gogan deal was announced last weekend, Bugel was plainly shocked and unhappy. He said at the time, "That really upsets me. I guess I've got to be realistic about what free agency is and come to the realization that it's going to happen, but he's one of my favorites."

"By Wednesday Bugel was singing a decidedly different tune. "I'm happy and sad," he said. "I'm happy for him because he got what he wanted. I'm also pleased because we have some young people on our team that we worked hard with last year and who we think will come on. You always prepare for the unexpected thing happening. But it's not like the cupboard is bare."

While Bugel didn't dismiss the idea of signing a free agent, he said any of three returning linemen—T Jeff Kysar, G Joey Wylie or T Rick Cunningham—might replace Gogan.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune, USA Today

I reported here last week that Ken Herock was likely to be hired by the Raiders. It was officially announced on Wednesday.

Herock, 55, has a good deal of history with the Raiders. He was a tight end on the team for five years, including the 1967 team that went 13-1 and played in Super Bowl II, and is said to be a close friend of managing general partner Al Davis. He's also been a scout, special-teams coach and player personnel executive with the Silver and Black.

He and Joe Bugel were football, basketball and baseball teammates in Munhall, Pennsylvania. "There's a picture in our yearbook where we're standing next to each other on the basketball team," Herock said. "I've got this funny look on my face (because) Joe is back there goosing me."

Herock served as Atlanta's vice president of player personnel for the past 10 years. He resigned last month after new coach Dan Reeves refused to assure him he'd have a job after the upcoming draft.

In Atlanta Herock is widely blamed for a disastrous series of draft picks by the Falcons, including #1 picks Aundray Bruce, Bruce Pickens, and Lincoln Kennedy, none of whom fulfilled their potential in Atlanta. Herock says in his defense that he never had sole authority, that there was always front office interference with his doing his job and that many of the draft decisions weren't his.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press

Bugel said this week that the Raiders hope to re-sign both FB Derrick Fenner and SS Lorenzo Lynch (no doubt at substantially lower salaries). Bugel also said the Raiders may try out TE Andrew Glover at fullback. Glover occasionally played fullback last year when Fenner was out with a groin pull.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Finally, this afternoon's San Francisco Examiner says the Raiders are "seriously" interested in free agent FB Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who worked out for the team today.

Heyward is a 280-pound fullback with good hands. He's had some very good years, but several times he's reported out of shape and fought a battle of the bulge for entire seasons. He's a free agent because Atlanta declined to exercise an option for 1997, but the Falcons still hope to re-sign him at a lower salary.

Sources: San Francisco Examiner, Oakland Tribune

Thursday, February 20, 1997

Late update: According to the Oakland Tribune, the Raiders have offered a three-year, $2.6 million deal to free agent WR Willie Green of Carolina.

Green, 30, is a 6-4, 180-pound receiver with good leaping ability, but figured to be Carolina's number 3 receiver this year behind Mark Carrier and Muhsin Muhammad. Last year he caught 46 passes for 614 yards and three touchdowns. The Raiders' offer is said to be equal to what Carolina has offered.

Meanwhile, Raider LB Mike Jones is said to be the subject of interest by Cincinnati, Tampa Bay and St. Louis. He's scheduled a visit to Miami.

It seems unlikely the Raiders will re-sign Jones. Linebacker is one of the few positions at which the Raiders have lots of young talent (Mike Morton, Rob Holmberg, James Folston).

The Trib also reports that the Raiders are seriously interested in free agent C Steve Everitt of the Baltimore Ravens. Everitt's agent, John Macik, told the Baltimore Sun the Raiders had called to express their interest.

Everitt, 26, goes 6-5 and 290. He's one of football's top centers and is looking for big bucks. On Monday he turned down a reported $11.5 million, six-year offer by Philadelphia, which included a $600,000 signing bonus and two years guaranteed. He's also rejected a $9 million, five-year offer to stay in Baltimore and is said to be seeking $15 million over five years.

"I'm not going to jump on anything, but I don't need to go to 10 teams or anything like that," Everitt told reporters in Philadelphia. "I'm in no rush. There's a window of opportunity—a couple of weeks—but I don't want to go past two weeks. Maybe three weeks at the most."

The Trib speculates that if Everitt were signed, Barret Robbins would move to guard and Rick Cunningham would back up Robbins. The paper says if Everitt isn't signed, Cunningham will replace Gogan.

I'm not sure I like the sound of that last possibility. Cunningham is 34 years old and well past his prime. The Raiders used him last season as an occasional second tight end for blocking purposes (although he did catch one touchdown pass on a tackle-eligible play).

It does seem something's up with the O-line in Raiderland, what with Kevin Gogan gone and Robert Jenkins released. But what? The Raiders' crying need is at left tackle. Could something be in the works for Houston's Brad Hopkins? He's the best available.

Finally, the Raiders are shopping for a fullback. They called the agent for Tommy Vardell, recently released by San Francisco, and free agent Craig "Ironhead" Heyward of Atlanta.

Source: Oakland Tribune

San Diego radio station XTRA reported last night that the Raiders have released LT Robert Jenkins. James Brewer, the reader who reported this to me, asked, "Is George gonna earn his millions in a wheelchair?" Good question, James!

The rumor has also been reported on the Raiders Fans Mail List, though no source was given. It hasn't yet appeared on the Web. I'll keep my eyes open for confirmation.

Wednesday, February 19, 1997

The Contra Costa Times reported today that free agent G Kevin Gogan has signed a six-year contract worth more than $12 million with the San Francisco Whiners.

So much for those who believed the Raider propaganda blitz that the team still had "lots of room" to maneuver under the cap even after signing Jeff George.

Gogan suggested he was put off by the Raiders' delay in entering into serious negotiations with him until they had landed George.

"When it came down to it they had a lot going down and I wasn't a priority," Gogan said. "Maybe I should have been."

"Of all the teams that contacted me I chose to deal with San Francisco because of the opportunity to win," he said. "At that point I hadn't heard from the Raiders formally. I'm not going to sit here and say my feelings weren't hurt, but I understand the business. (The Raiders) had a fair opportunity."

Coach Joe Bugel was taken by surprise. "That really upsets me," he said. "I guess I've got to be realistic about what free agency is and come to the realization that it's going to happen, but he's one of my favorites."

The strength of the Raider line was the middle, with Wiz, Robbins and Gogan. Now we need not only a left tackle but a right guard as well.

Sources: Associated Press, USA Today

Tuesday, February 18, 1997

Raiders Senior Administrator Bruce Allen finally confirmed the trade of QB Billy Joe Hobert to Buffalo yesterday. Allen refused to discuss the compensation, but it's known to be a third-round pick in this year's draft.

Buffalo will announce the deal today once Hobert has had a physical.

Ironically, Allen was Hobert's agent when Billy Joe first signed with the Raiders. "He welcomes the opportunity to have a chance to start," Allen said. "I don't believe he thought he was going to get that here. It was an amicable parting, though somewhat disappointing on both sides."

Allen denied the Raiders had been unhappy with Hobert's progress. "Actually, Billy Joe progressed very well," he said. "Aside from my personal feelings for him, we believed he was going to be a very good quarterback and will now be a very good quarterback. It's just with the signing of Jeff George, it would have been unfair for Billy Joe to remain here."

The much bigger story brewing now concerns All Pro DT Chester McGlockton. Milwaukee papers have been reporting for several days that the Raiders will trade McGlockton to Green Bay for WR Andre Rison and the Packers' first-round pick (No. 30). Green Bay will probably lose their premiere run-stopper, free agent DT Gilbert Brown, to Jacksonville, and, so goes the reasoning, would love to replace him with Chester. Reggie White is reported to have said McGlockton will be coming to the Pack.

Allen categorically denied a trade has even been discussed.

Also circulating is a rumor that due to a technical oversight, McGlockton could be ruled a free agent this year. It's reported that the parties failed to initial a paragraph in the 1992 contract negotiated for McGlockton by his father, and that the error could result in the voiding of the Raiders' option for the final year of Chester's contract.

McGlockton's agent, Butch Williams, would say only that the latter issue was "something we are investigating right now" but denied the matter had been turned over to the NFL Players Association.

Asked if he contended McGlockton was now a free agent, Williams said, "I am not saying that either. All those talks are premature. All we know is, for right now, Chester is a Raider. Basically, that is the only comment I have relative to that."

Source: Oakland Tribune

There's nothing new this morning on the Jeff Hostetler front. The Raiders continue to hope they can get something in return for Hoss, but thus far no one's biting. The Chronicle mentions Pittsburgh, Chicago and Kansas City as possibles. It's hard to imagine, though, that Chicago and K.C. would prefer Hostetler, who will be 36 in April, over Rick Mirer. The Bears have been rumored to be close to a final deal for Mirer for some days now.

Sources: Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner

Most of the details of George's contract leaked out over the weekend. George's base salary will be $200,000 for 1997, $2 million in 1998, and $4 million in 1999. Additional incentives could raise his $5 million signing bonus as high as $6.5 million. He'd receive $6 million if the Raiders play in three playoff games in his first two seasons, and $6.5 million if they reach the Super Bowl within that same time frame.

The contract also includes a "void-and-buyback" clause, which would allow the Raiders to void the deal and buy it back immediately after two years. In effect, they'd be able to restructure the remaining three years of the contract to save them salary cap room. George's signing bonus at that time would be between $5 million and $6.5 million, again depending on the incentives.

Overall the contract averages $5.5 million per season and makes George the fifth-highest-paid player in the NFL, behind Troy Aikman, Drew Bledsoe, John Elway and Dan Marino.

Source: San Francisco Examiner

Sunday, February 16, 1997

Afternoon update: Raider fan Eric Nilson reports an interesting trade rumor: Chester McGlockton to Green Bay for WR Andre Rison and a first-round pick. Eric cites as his source a reader in Milwaukee.

This one's not that implausible. Chester is likely to grumble and dog it this coming season now that the Raiders have decided to play hardball with him on the question of re-negotiating his contract. On the other hand, as a young All Pro he has more potential trade value than perhaps any other player on the team. If he remains a Raider, the team would have to give him an enormous contract for 1998 and beyond, no doubt in the franchise player range, and even then he might choose to leave anyway. He's made no secret of his bad feelings toward managing general partner Al Davis.

Personally, I'd rather see Chester shopped to either the Jets or the Aints for a chance at drafting T Orlando Pace. We still need a big-time left tackle.You listening, Al?

Then again, maybe New York or New Orleans would take two first-round picks for one, allowing the Raiders to move up and get Pace . . . Hmmm . . .

Also according to Eric Nilson, the Raiders have tendered restricted free agent LB James Folston a qualifying offer to prevent his becoming an unrestricted free agent, and have begun preliminary negotiations with UFA G Kevin Gogan. No source cited.

Don't be surprised if at least one more big-name Raider is gone from the roster by the opening of business Monday morning. Under league rules, teams had to be in compliance with the salary cap by Friday evening, and will have to be under the cap again Monday morning. But in between . . .

Although's George's cap hit is only $1.2 million for 1997—$1 million signing bonus (prorated) and $200,000 base salary—still, $1.2 mil is $1.2 mil, and the Raiders are probably over the cap again at the moment.

Finally, for those in the Bay Area, George will appear tonight on KRON-TV's "Sports Final" at 11:30 p.m.

More details from yesterday's team press conference:

"I'm not playing for the future," said new QB Jeff George. "My plan is to win now and win a Super Bowl."

Speaking of his enforced idleness during most of last season, George said, "I watched a lot of (Raider games) because I was hoping this day would come. I couldn't understand why they didn't have more wins than losses."

No one has ever questioned George's competitive drive or desire to win. Many, however, have questioned whether he can lead a team and get along with teammates. In that sense, it's legitimately open to question whether George has learned from his mistakes. He said yesterday he still sees no reason to regret having humiliated his former coach on national TV.

"That kind of stuff goes on all the time," George said. "Those confrontations go on every week. . . . I've made mistakes, but I don't regret anything I did."

Owner Al Davis also downplayed George's history of sour relations with teammates. "We're proud, we're happy, we're excited. We think he's a brilliant talent. During this season there were times (signing George) was there, but it wasn't right. We could have done it in our winning streak when we won three straight, but we didn't want to jeopardize team chemistry."

"I'm not sure that everyone has to get along in the locker room, or that everyone has to love each other," Davis said. "That isn't the way it is. But walking off the field after you win, guys are shaking each other's hands."

More details of how George's contract is structured became clear. George gets a $5 million signing bonus now and an option after two years to void the remaining three years of the contract. If he re-signs at that point, he collects a second $5 million signing bonus. The split signing bonus arrangement means George will count only $1.2 million against the 1997 salary cap.

"That's one of the lowest cap numbers for a franchise quarterback that you can imagine," said George's agent, Leigh Steinberg.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

The Buffalo News confirmed yesterday that QB Billy Joe Hobert will be going to Buffalo for a third-round draft pick. The Bills, who had previously said Todd Collins would be their starting quarterback now that Jim Kelly has retired, are now backpedalling on that and will put the starting job up for grabs. Hobert, it's worth noting, will earn much more than Collins.

"I'm not going to go in there saying I'm the No. 1 guy right off the bat," Hobert said. "I want a chance to compete and prove myself, because that's what this game's about. I'm tired of hearing that I've got a great future in front of me. I just want to get out there and play some ball."

As for Jeff Hostetler, it's reported that Pittsburgh may be willing to offer a third-round pick for the former Raider starter. Hoss lives in Morgantown, West Virginia, a short drive from Pittsburgh. He was unavailable for comment Saturday.

Said his brother, Doug Hostetler, when informed Saturday night of the trade report: "If he's going to Pittsburgh, that will be a little slice of heaven for Jeff and the family."

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, ESPNet SportsZone

Saturday, February 15, 1997

New QB Jeff George was introduced at this afternoon's team conference and said all the right things.

"I just want to say how proud, how excited, how thrilled I am to say I'm an Oakland Raider. This is a long time coming. It's something I've wanted for quite some time."

"I'm looking forward to a great year. I'm really excited about the players I'll be playing with, guys like Tim Brown, Napoleon Kaufman and Steve Wisniewski. Guys like them are the ones that make it happen. I'm just a small piece of the puzzle."

George said he hopes for a clean start in Oakland. "I've made some mistakes. But the past is the past and I'm looking forward," he said. "I have a great opportunity here. What went on in the past is over with."

According to the Associated Press, George's contract comes to to $27.5 million. It includes two signing bonuses, one now for $5 million and another $5 million "perk" after two years. This "split" signing bonus maneuver explains agent Leigh Steinberg's repeated comments during the past week that he was seeking a "cap-friendly" deal for his client.

Managing general partner Al Davis said he wasn't worried about George's past problems and downplayed the much-publicized sideline shouting incident last season in Atlanta. "I've seen a lot of other players do a lot worse than he did," said Davis. "That kind of stuff goes on all the time."

"We want to win. We're going to win. And we think this is going to be a big contribution to the greatness of the Raiders," added Davis. "We thought he was a brilliant talent and we've thought that for a long time."

Coach Joe Bugel said, "Any time we can add a great player we're going to do it. We owe it to our football team and Jeff George is a great talent. He'll complement our football team and our football team will complement him. All that goes hand in hand with winning championships."

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

The Examiner reports this afternoon that the Raiders, in another cost-cutting move, have decided to exercise their option for a final, sixth year on DT Chester McGlockton's existing contract, guaranteeing he will have to play next season for far less than his market worth.

McGlockton has been trying unsuccessfully to renegotiate his contract with the Raiders for the last four years. His unhappiness and resulting erratic play at times are well known to Raider fans.

"Chester's even-keel right now," said his agent, James D. Williams. "He hasn't let this affect him. He's dealing with this better than I am."

Source: San Francisco Examiner

The Raiders will hold a 1:00 p.m. press conference today. According to Executive Assistant Al LoCasale, the team will announce a "major signing." In fact, the Raiders have two signings to announce: Jeff George and Terry McDaniel.

Depending on whose figures you believe, the final price for QB Jeff George may have been as high as a whopping $27.5 million. That's the sum reported by the San Jose Mercury News.

Meanwhile, it's been confirmed that CB Terry McDaniel, the Raiders' transition player, was re-signed in the early morning hours on Friday. His contract is for $13.6 million over four years.

According to the Oakland Tribune, George's contract includes a high signing bonus up front, with the base salary figures heavily backloaded over the final three years. This is a routine arrangement nowadays. The deal involves what agent Leigh Steinberg termed a "low cap figure for this year."

The contract also features incentives which, if met, would give George a second signing bonus if and when the salary cap escalates dramatically in 1999 following a new television contract.

As for the McDaniel signing, it too involved a fair amount of finagling. It seems the Raiders removed the transition designation on T-Mac just before the 9:01 p.m. deadline Thursday, thus making him an unrestricted free agent. As a UFA the Raiders didn't have to give him a salary among the top 10 at his position, which would be required for a transition player.

McDaniel signed the new contract a few minutes later. No doubt he received a substantial signing bonus (which is prorated over the life of the contract) in return for cooperating in the salary cap maneuvering and accepting a lesser base salary.

T-Mac declined to provide any details, saying only that "it was a good deal. The Raiders are where I've been and where I want to be."

"I spent a lot of time contemplating and not knowing what the future holds. Now that is done and I can move on," McDaniel said. "For a couple of minutes, I was so close to having freedom ... but then I wasn't really free. I knew which direction I was headed."

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune

Friday, February 14, 1997

FLASH: the AP reports that Jeff George and the Raiders have reached agreement on a five-year, $26 million deal. (Notice how the price has gone up yet another mil.)

George has left his Indianapolis home to travel to the Bay Area. The signing will be announced tomorrow at a 1:00 p.m. press conference.

The Raiders, as usual, would not immediately confirm the story.

George's agent, Leigh Steinberg, said a few details still remained to be worked out but he didn't anticipate any difficulties.

"It's pretty much done," he said in a telephone interview. "We're just fine-tuning the language. Jeff is the process of flying to Oakland. Hopefully, we'll have everything done by (Saturday). They've scheduled a news conference."

Also, ESPN has just reported that the Raiders have re-signed transitional player Terry McDaniel to a new, four-year contract. This one hasn't appeared online yet. Details later this evening.

Sources: Associated Press (Nando.net), Raiders Fans Mail List

Afternoon update: The one afternoon paper, the Examiner, didn't have any new info to add to the puzzle today, so the status quo remains—limbo, with lots of educated (and not-so-educated) guessing. Bruce Allen wouldn't confirm any of the roster moves.

It's fair to guess the Raiders still must clear more room before they can sign George. It's also pretty clear there aren't going to be any front-line free agents coming to the Silver and Black between now and April 15, when the free agent period ends.

ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski, himself a former quarterback, said this about the Raiders' gamble to sign George: "I think it's risky. If Joe Bugel can get through to Jeff George, it's the deal of the decade. If not, it's the bust of the decade. There's no middle ground."

Sources: San Francisco Examiner, Oakland Tribune

The casualty list for the Jeff George contract is at least partially known, and there are some shockers. According to the San Jose Mercury News, QB Billy Joe Hobert will be traded to Buffalo for a third-round pick in the coming draft, and FB Derrick Fenner has been waived.

Hobert has all the talent in the world but could never seem to overcome Al Davis' distrust of playing young quarterbacks. Fenner had a great 1997 season—many thought he should have been in the Pro Bowl—but because he reached contract incentives he was due a big raise.

Others Raiders waived yesterday included SS Lorenzo Lynch, DT Jerry Ball and P Jeff Gossett. Additionally, T Charles McRae retired (probably to avoid the indignity of being cut). Lynch commented later that he was told the Raiders would like to re-sign him later at a lower salary.

Still on the roster, at least for now, according to the Merc, are RB Harvey Williams, DE Anthony Smith, and QB Jeff Hostetler, all of whom have been prominently mentioned as likely to be gone this year. Presumably the Raiders feel they have some trade value and will try to get something for them. Pittsburgh is mentioned as being interested in Hoss.

In addition to the cuts, the Raider payroll was reduced when both Tim Brown and Steve Wisniewski, the team's two highest paid players, agreed yesterday to restructured contracts.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Bill Urbanik has been named defensive line coach. Urbanik has previously coached the Raiders' DL (1989-90) as well as that of Cincinnati. For the past two seasons he worked for the Raiders in player personnel.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Thursday, February 13, 1997

Late late update: KTVU-TV in Oakland reported on its late newscast tonight that the Raiders will waive Jeff Hostetler, Jerry Ball, Anthony Smith and Harvey Williams in order to create cap room for Jeff George.

The Raiders are always close-mouthed with the press and it's likely to be tomorrow before the entire casualty list is known.

Afternoon update: Agent Leigh Steinberg said this afternoon that Jeff George instructed him today to break off negotiations with all teams other than Oakland, officially removing Kansas City from consideration.

"George made the decision today to exclusively negotiate with Oakland, so we're in the last phases of attempting to put a deal together with the Raiders," said Steinberg. "We have not concluded a deal yet, but we're working on it."

"(George is) attracted to the vertical passing game, which seems to fit him well. He's had a dream for a long time of being a Raider and he feels they're not that far away from being a contender again."

Steinberg said the Chiefs were informed of George's decision.

"It was a tough choice for him because Kansas City is very desirable for him," Steinberg said. "He felt he couldn't make a bad choice. But he's instructed me to try to make the deal with Oakland."

The only remaining question now is the bean-counting abilities of Senior Administrator Bruce Allen in somehow fitting George under the salary cap.

The negotiations reportedly involve a 5-year, $25 million deal.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Well, today's the big day for teams over the salary cap, like the Raiders. The new contract year under the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement begins tomorrow, with the free agency period officially starting at midnight.

The Raiders must be under the 1997 salary cap—variously reported at $41.4 or 41.5 million—by 6:01 p.m. PST tonight.

An earlier deadline comes at 1:00 p.m., when teams must designate any franchise or transition players. Washington DT Sean Gilbert has already been tagged with the franchise label, and San Diego will probably do likewise with disgruntled WR Tony Martin before today's deadline.

Sources: Nando.net, Oakland Tribune

Rumors galore: if you're not already sick of hearing George's name, more rumors emerged last night and this morning.

S.F. station KRON-TV claimed late last night that Leigh Steinberg was "leaking" the story that the George signing is a done deal, possibly to happen Saturday.

This morning ESPNet has a San Francisco Examiner article claiming the signing will occur tomorrow. The Chronicle, meanwhile, speculates it'll be a "few more days."

The only consistent element in all the rumors seems to be that both the Raiders and Steinberg expect the cap numbers will fall into place, with the question now being not if, but when.

Add FS Eddie Anderson to the list of Raiders who have agreed to restructure their contracts. Anderson signed a new two-year deal on Tuesday, apparently assuring that he'll be back this year.

Source: San Francisco Examiner

If you thought the salary cap figures appearing in the press these days are anything more than wild guesses, think again. Compare these figures from today's Sacramento Bee to those published by the Examiner (reported here yesterday): DT Jerry Ball, $2.2 million; DE Anthony Smith, $1.9 million. Hey, what's a couple variances of $700,000?

The Bee also characterizes FB Derrick Fenner as "disgruntled." Fenner reached incentives in his 1996 contract which make his 1997 cap figure $1.8 million.

The Oakland Tribune, which as a rule does its homework much better than the other media covering the Silver and Black, has a full set of figures today for the Raiders' roster. The Trib says the figures were accurate before the recent restructuring of contracts.

The Raiders are unhappy with Larry Kennan's abrupt resignation to take the offensive coordinator's job with New England. The team says it did not give the Patsies permission to talk to Kennan.

Raiders legal counsel Amy Trask said the team won't consider whether to file tampering charges with the league until the salary cap craziness has been sorted out.

Source: Oakland Tribune

Wednesday, February 12, 1997

Afternoon update: The San Francisco Examiner claims to have some informed estimates concerning the Raiders and the cap, although the article cites no particular sources.

The Ex says the Raiders, even after restructuring a number of contracts, are still approximately $5 million over the cap—a long way from being able to fit in Jeff George as a Raider. The article mentions as prime targets for release or trade DE Anthony Smith (1997 cap liability: $1.6 million), RB Harvey Williams ($1.8 million), and DT Jerry Ball (a whopping $2.9 million).

Also mentioned as being at risk are P Jeff Gossett, FS Eddie Anderson and T Robert Jenkins.

In this observer's view, the Examiner's figures are somewhat misleading. Williams, for example, signed a 6-year deal before last season for $11 million, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. While his cap figure for 1997 (as a Raider) may be $1.8 million, the more important figure is the cap hit the Raiders will take if he's released or traded. In that scenario, the remaining signing bonus (5/6 of $2.5 million, or $2.08 million) would be accelerated to count against this year's cap. A similar salary cap hit would occur if Jeff Hostetler is either cut or traded.

In other words, to a considerable extent the Raiders are damned if they do and damned if they don't right now.

I'd also be very surprised if the Raiders let Jenkins go. Despite a chronic knee problem, he's started a majority of games at left tackle over the last two seasons, and when healthy he clearly outplayed Pat Harlow. While Jenkins isn't a long-term answer to the need at left tackle, neither is Harlow (especially with his $1.4 million salary). We'll see . . .

The paper also quotes George's agent, Leigh Steinberg, as saying, "We'll probably wrap it up over the weekend, not before then. Whether it's Kansas City or Oakland, nobody has cap room. The most probable date to finish it is Saturday. Right now, (George) is leaning toward Oakland, but Kansas City is still in it."

Quarterbacks coach Larry Kennan resigned yesterday to accept the offensive coordinator job with the New England Patriots.

Kennan was one of the few coaches who'd had a good working relationship with Jeff George. This observer fears the news doesn't bode well for the team if George is in fact signed.

Kennan cleaned out his office yesterday morning and flew to Boston with his new boss, Pete Carroll.

"Larry felt he had a better opportunity, so he took it," said Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen. Kennan, 51, had also interviewed to become Chicago Bears offensive coordinator.

Asked if Joe Bugel will now look for another coordinator, Allen replied, "That's a Joe Bugel question." Bugel didn't immediately return calls.

The San Jose Mercury News speculates that new offensive coordinator Ray Perkins may also coach the quarterbacks.

The Merc also quotes an "NFL source" as saying that the team appears close to hiring Ken Herock, a former Raider tight end who recently resigned as Atlanta's player personnel director, to work for the Raiders in the same capacity.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle

On the George front, Allen said he planned to talk with George's agent, Leigh Steinberg, last night and today.

Referring to the Raiders' salary cap predicament, Allen said, "You can feel the tension around the league. We're not the only team that's got to get down. We're not the lone ranger out there."

Teams must be under the cap by 6:01 p.m. PST tomorrow, when this year's free agency period begins.

Source: San Jose Mercury News

SportsTicker says the NFL has determined that this year's salary cap will increase by $700,000 over last year's. Earlier estimates had projected only a $200,000 increase.

This would make this year's cap $41.4 million.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

Tuesday, February 11, 1997

An Oakland Tribune article today speculates that Kansas City may try to sign Jeff Hostetler. Previous rumors concerning Hoss this off-season have involved Pittsburgh. Both teams are desperate for a starting quarterback.

As reporter Jerry McDonald points out, if in fact the Raiders are committed to signing Jeff George, then Hostetler may have little or no trade value. Other teams, knowing the Raiders must unload Hostetler, will simply wait until the Raiders waive him to try to negotiate their own deal with the 36-year-old quarterback.

Mel Kiper yesterday named OLB Mike Jones to his list of the seven most attractive NFL free agents.

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

Sunday, February 9, 1997

Notes on the new coaches:

It seems some interesting behind-the-scenes finagling accompanied the hiring of new assistant head coach-offense Keith Rowen. Rowen, 44, has coached for five NFL teams: Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England, Atlanta and Minnesota. He's the son of former long-time San Francisco State coach Vic Rowen. (The Raiders had a number of SFSU players on their roster during their first years in existence.)

Rowen's expertise has been in special teams, running backs and the offensive line. According to two newspapers, the Raiders originally considered Rowen for offensive coordinator.

The Oakland Tribune says sources had confirmed Rowen's hiring Tuesday, although it was believed he would be offensive coordinator. Taking a line coach job would have been a lateral transfer from the same position he held at Minnesota, and the NFL prohibits lateral moves unless a deal is agreed upon between the teams.

The Raiders handled that obstacle by naming him an assistant head coach, although his responsibility will be the offensive line. They then hired Ray Perkins as offensive coordinator.

Joe Bugel, in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, made it clear yesterday that Perkins will do all the playcalling this season. The Raiders had no offensive coordinator the last two seasons and it often seemed as though no one was in charge.

"We need one voice on game day . . . a guy up in the press box making the calls without interference," Bugel said. "Right from the get-go, the players know who is calling the plays. Throughout the week we'll discuss philosophy and make up a game plan, and Ray will take over on Sunday."

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Sacramento Bee

Bugel also said that despite the rampant rumors, a deal with Jeff George could be several weeks away.

"It's just in the talking stage," Bugel said. "If the time comes when Mr. Davis says we have to make a decision, then I'll enter into discussions. We'll probably be able to tell you more in the next week or two weeks."

Bugel said he isn't worried about the reaction of Jeff Hostetler if the Raiders don't sign George.

"Jeff Hostetler knows how the Raiders feel about him and how Joe Bugel feels about him," Bugel said. "He understands the rules of the game right now. Anyone in that situation may have his pride hurt, but it's part of life right now."

Source: Oakland Tribune

Speaking of Bugel, there's an in-depth article on his background in today's Oakland Tribune.

Saturday, February 8, 1997

Don't expect to hear that Jeff George has signed with the Raiders in the next day or two.

As the Raiders continued to scramble, trying to lop what may be as much as $13 million cap dollars from their budget by Saturday, George's agent, Leigh Steinberg, cautioned that a signing is not yet imminent.

"Jeff is very serious about the Raiders," said Steinberg today. "If I had to quantify it right now, I'd say he's leaning that way. However, it's unlikely we will be in a position to conclude a deal with anyone prior to the 14th."

Despite that, Steinberg remains optimistic. "We don't think the cap will ultimately be an impediment to a deal with any team," he said. "We've come up with a variety of structures that will work with whatever the team is."

Meanwhile, Kansas City, said to have made a lower offer to George, remains seriously interested. Coach Marty Schottenheimer said, "I have no problem with him whatsoever. He has a couple of qualities that are outstanding, and I'm not talking about physical qualities. He's a tough guy and he likes to win. I think those are two qualities this organization wants."

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Coach Joe Bugel named three more assistant coaches, and there were no surprises from earlier speculation.

Ray Perkins, New England's offensive coordinator for the past four seasons, will take over the same role with the Raiders. San Diego defensive coordinator Dave Adolph, formerly a DC with both the Raiders and Kansas City, will coach the linebackers. Minnesota's offensive line coach, Keith Rowen, comes aboard in Bugel's former slot, assistant head coach - offense.

This leaves only a defensive line coach still to be selected.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Friday, February 7, 1997

It's no longer just rumor and speculation. The Raiders yesterday finally admitted—in the person of senior assistant Bruce Allen—that they are trying to clear enough cap room to sign free agent QB Jeff George.

Allen shrugged off questions about George's immaturity. Referring to last season's incident at Atlanta in which George shouted obscenities at coach June Jones for almost ten minutes during a nationally televised game, Allen commented, "What we all saw on TV, none of us were down there on the field to hear. I saw Steve Young have one of those (arguments) with George Seifert, Jim Harbaugh have one with Mike Ditka, Jeff Hostetler have one with Art Shell, and Jim Kelly have one with Marv Levy. You see the quarterbacks are great competitors and those are darn good coaches. . . . I've heard every side of it and it doesn't bother me."

"He has rare talent," Allen said. "He has skills that are unquestionably excellent, and I've never seen anyone that says that he doesn't."

"He has a great arm," said quarterbacks coach Larry Kennan, who coached George during his rookie year at Indianapolis. "He can make throws that other people only dream about. It's just phenomenal. The ball comes out like a rocket, but when it gets to the receiver it's real soft and easy to catch."

The big problem in signing George, of course, is the team's salary cap problems. With a 1997 payroll of $49.1 million—the NFL's highest—the Raiders are roughly $7.6 million over the projected cap for this year of $41.5 million.

It's been reported by various papers that Larry Brown, Albert Lewis, James Jett, Nolan Harrison, and possibly some others have agreed to restructuring of their contracts, and that the Raiders are asking Russell Maryland to do the same. This still isn't enough, however, and to sign George the Raiders would also have to waive or trade some high-salaried players no later than Feb. 13th. By that date all NFL teams must be in compliance.

Possible targets include DTs Harrison and Jerry Ball, DE Anthony Smith, LB James Folston, S Eddie Anderson, C Dan Turk, TE Andrew Glover, RB Harvey Williams, reserve QB David Klingler, and P Jeff Gossett. QB Jeff Hostetler would certainly be released if George were signed, but that doesn't do much to solve the problem, since the remaining $2.25 million of Hoss' signing bonus would all count against the '97 cap in that scenario.

Three starters will also become free agents on Feb. 14. Managing general partner Al Davis has said flatly that CB Terry McDaniel will be back, and that if Bugel wants to keep G Kevin Gogan, the Raiders will fight to hang on to him. LB Mike Jones, on the other hand, is unlikely to be re-signed in view of how well Mike Morton showed as his replacement last year.

Sources: Associated Press, San Francisco Examiner, San Jose Mercury News, Raiders Fans Mail List

Coach Joe Bugel also announced most of his coaching staff yesterday.

As reported here previously, the contracts of DL coach Floyd Peters and WR coach Mike Wilson were not renewed. Bugel's promotion also opened up two spots, OL coach and offensive coordinator. (Apparently QB coach Larry Kennan will not be involved in the offensive play calling this year.)

The changes: Fred Biletnikoff will coach the team's wide receivers, a position he held with the Raiders from 1989-94. Willie Brown will coach the cornerbacks and will keep his title as director of squad development. Brown served as secondary coach for the Raiders from 1979-88.

"Having Fred and Willie back on the field is a major plus for us," Bugel said. "They know what Raider football is about and what we want to accomplish here."

Additionally, Dave Adolph is reported to have accepted a job as linebackers coach.

The other returning assistants are Bishop Harris, running backs; Kennan, quarterbacks; Bill Meyers, tight ends; Fred Whittingham, defensive coordinator; John Guy, defensive assistant; Steve Shafer, defensive backs and safeties; Kevin Spencer, nickel backs and quality control defense; Rusty Tillman, special teams; and strength and conditioning coach Garrett Giemont.

Still to be announced are the line coaches and the offensive coordinator. The leading candidates for those spots are rumored to be Paul Boudreau (most recently with Detroit) for the offensive line; either Keith Rowen (Minnesota) or Larry Brooks (Green Bay) for the defensive line; and Ray Perkins (New England) as offensive coordinator.

Sources: San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Examiner

Wednesday, February 5, 1997

According to both ESPNet SportsZone and KTVU-TV in Oakland, the Sports Fan Radio Network in Las Vegas stated flatly late last night that QB Jeff George will sign a contract with the Raiders.

According to the report, Jeff Hostetler will be released, and expensive free agents Larry Brown and Russell Maryland will be asked to restructure their contracts.

San Francisco radio station KRON has also broadcast the story in its news this morning. According to KRON, a Raiders spokesman, while not denying the Raiders' interest in George, insists that no deal has been finalized.

I'll continue to update this story if and when further details become available.

Sources: ESPNet SportsZone, KTVU-TV, KRON-AM

Tuesday, February 4, 1997

Late update: A San Francisco Examiner article, if correct, helps clarify the coaching situation somewhat.

Fred Biletnikoff will indeed coach the receivers this season, says the paper. Secondary coach Steve Shafer, who had been rumored to be leaving, will apparently return in the same slot, with Willie Brown assisting him.

Ray Perkins is thought to be coming aboard as offensive coordinator, and Dave Adolph as linebackers coach. That leaves the offensive and defensive line positions still to be filled.

Raiders fans can expect to see some major personnel shakeups in the next 10 days. Feb. 14 is the deadline for the team to get its payroll in line with the salary cap. The Raiders are believed to be $7.5 to $8 million over the cap at present.

On a local television sports show Sunday night, Joe Bugel flatly denied that the Raiders have sent a contract to either Jeff George or his agent, Leigh Steinberg.

Source: Raiders Fans Mail List

Chester McGlockton played in Sunday's Pro Bowl with a helmet on which he had apparently moved the two shield decals from their normal place on the sides to the back of the helmet. Presumably, this is Chester's not-very-eloquent way of telling the world once again that he feels unappreciated (read underpaid). Sigh . . .

Former head coach Art Shell has taken over the OL duties in Atlanta, and Mike White has been hired by Dick Vermeil in St. Louis as assistant head coach. White will handle the tight ends.

Source: Associated Press (Nando.net)

Monday, February 3, 1997

There's absolutely nothing new to report about the Jeff George rumor. Translation: take it with a couple pounds of salt. In fact, over the weekend the Kansas City Star quoted George as denying that the Raiders had sent him a contract.

Yesterday's Pro Bowl showcased two of the Raiders' premiere players in opposite ways.

WR Tim Brown caught a perfect pass in stride from Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell for an 80-yard TD play that tied the game with :44 remaining in regulation. The AFC went on to win it in overtime, 26-23.

CB Terry McDaniel, meanwhile, bit on a pump fake by Washington QB Gus Frerotte earlier in the 4th quarter and was beaten for a 53-yard touchdown by Minnesota's Cris Carter. McDaniel was badly burned several times last season by pump fakes (the first San Diego game comes to mind).

Source: ESPNet SportsZone

Saturday, February 1, 1997

Late update: San Francisco radio station KNBR reported early this evening that the Raiders have offered, and Jeff George will accept, a contract that will pay him $4.2 million per year with a signing bonus of $5.5 million. The station offered no further details.

Take this for what it is at this point—an unsubstantiated rumor. Most Bay Area media have ignored it. Oakland's KTVU-TV, for example, didn't mention it in their late sports wrap-up, and even the ESPNet rumor mill hasn't carried the story.

The Examiner, however—a Hearst newspaper—published a similar rumor this afternoon, though with somewhat different figures. According to that article, the Raiders are trying to clear salary cap room for George, to whom the Ex claims the Raiders have offered "a multiyear deal averaging $4 million a season with a $5 million signing bonus."

Sources: Raiders Fans Mail List, San Francisco Examiner

Coaching changes: With the new head coach in place, what about the rest of the staff?

Defensive line coach Floyd Peters had already been told his contract would not be renewed when it expired yesterday.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports today that defensive coordinator Fred Whittingham and special teams coach Rusty Tillman will return in their same positions. It quotes unnamed sources as saying that receivers coach Mike Wilson will not be back, and that defensive backs coach Steve Shafer may not return.

The Chron speculates that Wilson will probably be replaced by Fred Biletnikoff.

Additionally, the Raiders have interviewed and reportedly hired San Diego defensive coordinator Dave Adolph to fill Whittingham's old role as linebackers coach. Adolph has previously served as a defensive coordinator with both the Raiders (1989-91) and Kansas City (1992-94). Oakland has also asked New England for permission to interview its offensive coordinator, Ray Perkins, presumably for the assistant head coach/offense position with the Raiders.

An article in yesterday's San Francisco Examiner claimed that the Raiders have sent malcontent QB Jeff George's agent, Leigh Steinberg, a contract proposal.

No other media source has picked this up, so at this point it's only a rumor. It's hard to imagine how the team could pay George the kind of money he wants when the Raiders are reportedly $8 million over the salary cap.

The Big Story

On Thursday the Raiders held a 3:00 p.m. news conference at which managing general partner Al Davis announced the appointment of Joe Bugel as the 11th head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Bugel was considered for the Raiders' job in 1995, only a month after joining the team, but at that time was passed over for Mike White. For the last two seasons he held the title of Assistant Head Coach/Offense and was responsible for coaching the offensive line.

Bugel, an openly demonstrative man, reacted ecstatically. "I love Al Davis. This love affair has been going on for 30 years," he said, referring to Davis as "the coach." "This, to me, is the ultimate thing in my professional life. It means a great deal to me to be a Raider."

Davis seemed a little embarrassed by the show of emotion from Bugel. "I didn't say there's a love affair. I just want to make sure you get the words right," Davis said. "I hired Joe because he proved over the past two years total loyalty. It's no love affair, I'm just telling you what the facts are."

Davis said he initially was inclined to hire someone outside the organization, and interviewed Jon Gruden with that in mind. He'd also held out hope, according to some media, of persuading his friend Bill Parcells to take the job. That hope was dashed when it became clear that Parcells wasn't free of his contractual commitment to New England.

Davis expressed surprise at the depth of the players' support for Bugel. "Approximately two weeks (after Mike White was fired), I interviewed Joe Bugel as a potential head coach," Davis said. "I told Joe Bugel at that time, quite frankly, that he was the No. 1 candidate."

"While this was going on over the last four weeks, there was overwhelming support from our players relative to the hiring of Joe Bugel. ... There were trips to my office from players that I have not seen in my office in at least a year."

Davis made the point that the last coach who garnered this much support from the players was hired, too, and his name was John Madden.

Other candidates whom Davis mentioned as having been under serious consideration were special teams coach Rusty Tillman, Gruden, and—surprisingly—director of squad development and Hall of Fame cornerback Willie Brown. Brown had been mentioned by the media early on as a possible candidate but was never interviewed for the position.

RB Napoleon Kaufman, who watched from the back of the news conference, said Raiders players were elated with the decision.

"I'm excited about it," Kaufman said. "He's a motivator. The players in general are sitting back now and excited about it."

Bugel talked of restoring the old-time Raider "Pride and Poise" and "Commitment to Excellence." "We want to really try to build that bridge between the past and our present," he said. "Past Raiders laid a great foundation, laid a great tradition. . . . Now I feel very honored to be a part of that Raider family and Raider tradition. That's what we have to look forward to."

"Our one goal, one purpose, is to win the Super Bowl. Not to go to the Super Bowl, but to win the Super Bowl. That's our primary goal."

As it turns out, neither Davis nor Bugel had been at all happy with Mike White's style of short-passing game.

Bugel promised a return to the traditional Raiders strategy based on power running and the vertical passing game. "Raider football is power football," Bugel said, "and that means being able to run the football. You pass to score. You run to win. . . . We are going to play the Raider way, which is smart, tough, physical, in-your-face football."

He added that Kaufman will get 18-22 carries per game, a statement certain to delight Raider fans frustrated by Kaufman's lack of playing time last season.

Davis likened the short passing game to inviting "communism into our country, capitalism in Russia."

"That is not the Raiders," he said. "That is not me. The Raiders are not gonna be just another team. The Raiders are going back to being the Raiders."

Davis explained that he was "devastated" by last season and needed two weeks away just to be able to look at what went wrong. Then he talked with Bugel. He said he was already leaning toward Bugel then, but wanted to look around just to be sure.

As for the players Bugel will work with, Davis admitted that he himself had overrated the talent two seasons ago. He's still not sure it's not overrated. But, he said, people he trusts, people with "no vested interest" in the Raiders, tell him the talent is good, ready to win. Because of that, Davis said, he looked for continuity in a new coach rather than undertaking a major rebuilding.

"We are rated very highly, right or wrong, in personnel," Davis said. "We're still at a point where we could go to the top of the mountain."

Joe Bugel's background and head coaching record

Sources: Associated Press, ESPNet SportsZone, San Jose Mercury News

Thursday, January 30, 1997

Late update: the Raiders held an afternoon news conference to announce that Joe Bugel has been named the new head coach.

Details in the Articles section.

Source: Associated Press

ESPN's John Clayton is reporting that Joe Bugel will be named the Raiders' new head coach in a press conference at 3:00 p.m. PST today.

Earlier this morning, the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article quoting unnamed Raider sources as saying that managing general partner Al Davis had been waiting on Bill Parcells' availability, hoping to persuade Parcells to take the job. Once NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue ruled that Parcells could not leave the Pats without permission, however, Davis was unwilling to give up the compensation New England would have demanded to let Parcells go.

The Chron said Bugel was already assembling his coaching staff, and further that defensive line coach Floyd Peters has been fired. According to the paper, Bill Belichick was never formally interviewed.

Stay tuned . . .

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, ESPNet SportsZone

Wednesday, January 29, 1997

According to today's Sacramento Bee, the Raiders are considering at least four candidates for the coaching vacancy, with "perhaps a fifth [emerging] in the next few days." The article speculates that New England defensive coordinator Bill Belichick may be awaiting the resolution of Bill Parcells' status as Patriots coach before expressing an interest in the Raider job.

The Raiders still don't seem close to a formal decision. Senior assistant Bruce Allen did not even return from New Orleans until late yesterday.

Allen said yesterday that Oakland has