Oakland Raiders - The Vertical Game

News Archive
Jan. 1 - Mar. 31, 1998

Tuesday, March 31, 1998

Evening update: The Raiders were awarded one compensatory pick by the NFL today for this year's college draft. They received the 41st pick in round 7 (No. 229 overall).

Each year the league awards such picks to teams who are determined to have lost more free agents than they acquired in the previous year. The Raiders lost G Kevin Gogan and LB Mike Jones, and acquired G Lester Holmes and KR Desmond Howard.

Gogan, much maligned by some Raiders fans after he surprised the Raiders by signing with San Francisco, went to the Pro Bowl for the NFC this past season.

Former Raider great Raymond Chester will be the guest in a chat session on Raiders.com this Thursday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

Monday, March 30, 1998

The publication shows DE Aundray Bruce as having re-signed with the Raiders, but all this observer has seen was a report some time back that Bruce worked out for the team. Furthermore, the team's official site, Raiders.com, doesn't list Bruce on its transactions page, so this one is suspect (especially in view of the following item).

The report also shows DE James Harris's deal as having been a two-year contract for $1.6 million. If it's true, that's a lot for a guy who wasn't even in the league last year—particularly when you figure that the player waived to make room for him, DT Kevin Johnson, was probably earning about the league minimum.

The latest edition of CBS Sportsline's "Inside Slant" speculates that starting MLB Greg Biekert may be on the trading block along with Chester McGlockton and Terry McDaniel. The object in all three instances: to stockpile draft choices.

If so, perhaps the Raiders have finally realized that it's time to rebuild this team. Great NFL teams are built primarily through the patient development of draft choices. When's the last time you saw a franchise go from a 4-12 season to being an instant winner with a high-profile free agent or three? All that the latter philosophy has accomplished for the Raiders is to get them into big-time salary cap trouble.

In the same article the Chester McGlockton-for-William Roaf rumor has finally made it into print for the first time. Fans have been circulating this one for months. But the Raiders deny they've given New Orleans permission to talk to McGlockton, who can't so much as sneeze right now without the team's OK.

This observer's view? The Saints would be nuts to let Roaf go. Great, young left tackles are too hard to come by. And McGlockton's play last year was quite ordinary.

Saturday, March 28, 1998

One-time Raider great Vann McElroy is now a player agent. He represents Penn State RB Curtis Enis, who's expected to be the first running back taken in the draft. In fact, it sounds as though McElroy's quite a competent agent in terms of sticking up for his client's interests.

For you youngsters, McElroy was a great free safety for the LA-vintage Raiders. He hit hard and covered a lot of ground. Had McElroy played longer—his career lasted only six years—and had not the late Stacey Toran died tragically in an alcohol-related auto accident just as he was coming into his prime, the two of them together might well have made the best tandem of safeties ever to play in the NFL.

Alfred Montez, the Raiders' No. 3 quarterback during the 1996 season, signed Thursday with the Portland Forest Dragons of the Arena League. The Forest Dragons . . . can you believe that name? :-)

Montez was a big, strong-armed, slow-footed QB out of New Mexico State who displayed good poise on the field during limited pre-season playing time with the Raiders. In particular, he engineered a dramatic comeback against Dallas that almost pulled out a win from what looked to be a certain and lopsided defeat. Montez quit football at the time of the Raiders' 1997 pre-season mini-camps, reportedly to accept a scholarship to graduate school.

Friday, March 27, 1998

The Raiders signed their first free agent of the year yesterday when they inked former Saint Anthony Newman to a contract.

Newman, 6-2 and 200 pounds, is a 10-year veteran who can play either strong or free safety. He started 12 games for New Orleans last year at strong safety. Before spending three years with New Orleans, he played seven years for the then-Los Angeles Rams.

The Saints made it plain before the free agency period began that they would not attempt to re-sign Newman. He made $900,000 last season.

The Oakland Tribune speculates that Newman could start at strong safety, with James Trapp moving back to cornerback.

Here's an interesting excerpt, forwarded by a reader, from an article on Jon Gruden which appeared this past week in a Philadelphia Inquirer column by Ron Reid:

"Gruden won the esteem of his offensive players when he introduced the 'East Bay offense,' which will not require the linemen to block for an extraordinary length of time while two receivers try to get open."

"'It's real quick three-step, five-step passes and the ball is gone,' guard Steve Wisniewski said. 'For an offensive lineman, that is a joy to see. We gave up 58 sacks last year. But look how long we had to hold on to the ball, how long it took routes to develop. It was just an archaic system. In my 10 years with the Raiders, this is by far the most efficient system I have ever been around.'"

From what this observer's read, Gruden's using the same technique to try to sell his short passing offense to QB Jeff George. Gruden has emphasized that George will no longer be asked to make the big throw on every passing down, and as a result, should be sacked far less than last year.

There's another interesting development relating to Gruden that's recently been reported in the Inquirer. It seems the Eagles impounded all his computer notes for the three-year period he worked for them.

Thursday, March 26, 1998

One-time Raider LB Winston Moss retired from football yesterday and was named defensive quality coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

Moss fractured a bone in his neck last year, suffering what was at the time thought to be a career-threatening injury.

Moss started at outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1991-94. Before that he played four years for Tampa Bay, and finished his career with three seasons in Seattle.

Wednesday, March 25, 1998

Coach Jon Gruden had some interesting comments on what it was like being interviewed by managing general partner Al Davis for the head coaching job.

Asked if he'd been nervous around Davis, Gruden responded, "Heck yeah, I was nervous. I was nervous the fourth time, the fifth time, the sixth time. All the interviews I had with him were so unique. He covers so much ground, it's amazing. You're drawing plays (on a blackboard), talking about personnel, offseason programs, offense, defense, how you travel. I mean, it's unbelievable what the guy wants to talk about. Certainly, with him, you don't know which direction the interview is going to go."

"I'm pretty comfortable talking about offense, staff, but with his background, he asks questions that are fastballs you can't hit. So, he kept me on my toes."

Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, the odds-on favorite to be the Raider's first-round draft pick, hired the Poston brothers—Charles and Kevin—as his agents yesterday.

The Raiders organization probably isn't thrilled by the news. The Postons are known as tough, aggressive negotiators. Among their high-profile clients who have engaged in protracted holdouts during the last two years are Tshimanga Biakabutuka and Orlando Pace.

The NFL owners' recent vote to award a franchise to Cleveland has created a scheduling mess for the league because of the odd number of teams (31).

The obvious solution: add one more franchise to make the number of teams 32. Los Angeles is the logical choice, so don't be surprised if LA City Councilman Nate Holden is back in the news soon. :-)

Tuesday, March 24, 1998

The Rob Fredrickson trade finally went through yesterday, meaning Detroit and Fredrickson's agent reached agreement on a contract extension for the linebacker.

Referring to the past mini-camps, senior assistant Bruce Allen said, "The coaches liked James Folston and they liked Rob Holmberg. This gives them an opportunity."

Monday, March 23, 1998

The Raiders have announced their preseason opponents: Dallas and Green Bay on the road, then Tampa Bay and Arizona at home. Dates and times haven't been determined.

ESPNet SportsZone, which prematurely and erroneously reported the trade of Rob Fredrickson to Detroit last Friday, is now furiously backpedalling.

Today ESPN, citing the Detroit News, reports, "Talks have slowed on a proposed trade that would send Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Rob Fredrickson to the Detroit Lions."

Yesterday, Chuck Schmidt, the Lions' chief operating officer, confirmed that the teams have talked but gave no indication that a deal will be completed soon. Fredrickson remains a Raider as of now.

Today's Sacramento Bee quotes a "team insider" as saying the Raiders are considering a tandem of Eric Allen and Larry Brown starting at the corners this season. Larry Brown??? God help us if this one's true . . .

The Sporting News claims the Raiders, hunting for a better No. 2 quarterback than Don Hollas, have talked to Dave Brown, the former Giants starter.

Sunday, March 22, 1998

Late afternoon update Reader Ken Storrs wrote to say that today's street edition of the Examiner has an article by Raiders beat reporter Jeffri Chadiha saying that the Fredrickson trade has gone through.

A Detroit News article this morning quoted a Lions official as saying the teams were "close" but the deal wasn't final yet.

The trade of Rob Fredrickson reported by ESPNet SportsZone on Friday has not yet happened.

Reader Fred Wall reported yesterday that there hadn't been a word in either the Detroit Free Press or the Detroit News either. And still, no Bay Area newspaper has printed a word about this purported transaction.

Another reader wrote me this morning that The Detroit News is reporting that the trade of Rob Fredrickson from Oakland to Detroit for 2 picks in the 1998 NFL draft is close to going through. Detroit must reach a contract extension with Fredrickson before they will complete the deal, perhaps before the weekend is over.

Saturday, March 21, 1998

Interestingly, not one online media source other than ESPNet SportsZone has reported the trade of Rob Fredrickson.

Either ESPN is mistaken, or Fredrickson's skills had slipped so far in the estimation of sportswriters that his trade isn't even considered newsworthy.

Friday, March 20, 1998

Evening update: LB Rob Fredrickson, once tagged as a future NFL star, was traded to Detroit today for a fourth-round pick in this year's draft.

The Raiders may also get a sixth-round choice in the 1999 draft, depending upon Fredrickson's performance for the Lions during the upcoming season, according to ESPN.

Fredrickson was a first-round pick out of Michigan State and during his first several seasons seemed destined for big things. But the linebacking for the Raiders was miserable last year, and Fredrickson didn't play noticeably better than the other members of that unit.

According to Sporting News writer Dan Pompei, CB Larry Brown has agreed to a $1.3 million pay cut in return for assurances by new coach Jon Gruden that Brown will get a fair shot at competing for a starting job.

Brown would probably not have agreed to the cut were Joe Bugel still the coach.

Pompei says the decision was made in a last-season meeting between owner Al Davis and Brown's agent, Scott Casterline.

Monday, March 16, 1998

Evening update: Eric Nilson got in touch to clarify my mention of the Jacksonville-Oakland rumor. He says any deal between the two teams would be conditional on Woodson still being available at No. 4. Eric also considers it essentially a moot point, as he expects Jacksonville to try to deal with Arizona for the No. 3 pick.

The Raiders are the subject of the feature story this evening on ESPNet SportsZone. It's not a new story, though, but rather a reprint of an Examiner article from two days ago.

The new weekly report on the Raiders in The Sporting News this morning claims the Raiders have discussed a trade of LB Rob Fredrickson with both Detroit and Indianapolis.

At one time Fredrickson was pegged as a can't-miss future All Pro, but he's never developed to that potential. In fairness, he played last year with a painful fascia tear in his heel, but still, arm tackling is arm tackling. Fredrickson also has a relatively significant cap number—about $1.2 million, if memory serves.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King doesn't give up. You'll recall he was the pundit who speculated that the Raiders were interested in Bears DE Alonzo Spellman, currently residing in a hospital psychiatric ward. King now says the Raiders are among several teams who might still want Spellman in a "bargain-basement" deal—provided, of course, that Spellman is eventually cleared to play football.

In a throw-in at the end of his column, King also mentions DT Sean Gilbert—he of the season-long holdout last year—as a possible future Raider.

Eric Nilson's web site is reporting all sorts of rumors involving the Raiders. I don't usually report mere rumors on this site because the vast majority of them (1) can't be confirmed from a second, independent source, and (2) never come to pass. And none of these has been reported by major print media. That said, some of this current crop are tantalizing . . .

The blockbuster involves a purported swap of underachieving DT Chester McGlockton for New Orleans LT William Roaf, conditional on the Saints' being able to come to terms with McGlockton. Reportedly there would also be a trade of the two teams' 5th-round draft picks.

This observer's reaction: it would be wonderful if such a deal were consummated. I have lamented the Raiders' need for a top left tackle for three years now. Pat Harlow is a joke, and Roaf is the best young tackle in the NFL, bar none—easily worth four Chester McGlocktons. But Roaf was signed to a seven-year contract during the 1997 offseason, which tells you just how highly the Aints value him. I think anyone who let him escape from New Orleans would be lynched before sundown . . . Let's hope the Saints management has lost its collective mind. :-)

Another rumor concerns ongoing trade negotiations with New Orleans involving CB Terry McDaniel. Again, this one doesn't make a lot of sense to me. New Orleans signed young corner Tyronne Drakeford and didn't want to pay Eric Allen, whose cap value isn't that much higher than T-Mac's. Plus, McDaniel is a year older than Allen, and his reflexes are gone.

Finally, Nilson reports that Jacksonville, holding two first-round picks and desirous of grabbing CB Charles Woodson, has made the Raiders an offer for their No. 4 choice which Oakland is considering.

Free agent FB Jerone Davison commented on local TV station KRON last evening that he expects to re-sign with the Raiders. Davison's been unable to participate in the team workouts because he is unsigned. Second-year player Chad Levitt has been playing fullback on the starting unit in the recent drills.

Saturday, March 14, 1998

Roster update: The Oakland Tribune didn't even publish online several days this week. Looking through their past articles section just now, I came upon this tidbit from Wednesday (March 11).

The Raiders released DT Kevin Johnson Tuesday and signed free agent DE James Harris in his place.

Harris, 29, played for Willie Shaw in St. Louis in 1996. He was waived by the Rams last year and out of football.

Harris is 6-6 and 290 pounds, a Temple grad. He also played three seasons with Minnesota. In college he set a school record for blocked kicks.

Correction: I erroneously referred to the current mini-camp yesterday as an official one, but it is voluntary.

The team's mini-camp runs through Sunday, and by all accounts new coach Jon Gruden is a much more assertive figure than was last year's coach, Joe Bugel.

Gruden said, "Players need to know some things about me on a personal level. I'm going to speak my mind and let them know what direction we need to go."

"How hard you work doesn't guarantee anything, but it has a lot to do with giving you a chance to win," Gruden said.

T Pat Harlow had this reaction to the fact that Gruden is only 34: "Maybe we need some youth to fight off what we as players can do to a coach. Let's be honest: we're not an easy group to get along with."

Tim Brown's reaction: "He made some comments to some veterans after we were done this morning that probably wouldn't have been done before. It made me bug my eyes."

Brown said he liked Gruden's assertiveness. "I've never heard anything like that since I've been here," he said. "He just made his point: 'This is what we're going to do and this is how we're going to do it.'"

Brown's also a happy camper because Gruden has assured him he'll be the focal point of the offense this year. As a matter of fact, everyone seems to be going to considerable lengths to keep Brown happy.

Gruden said, "Tim Brown's team means he is our leader, the leader of our offense, a spokesman for our team. We can't force the ball into anyone. We have to be smart about how we get the ball to him. He wants to see the ball a lot, like any great player."

QB Jeff George added, "Definitely, this offense is Timmy Brown's. You look at teams that run this offense and there's one guy that just stands out. You focus your offense on that guy. This offense allows him to do what he does best, read coverages and get open."

"I was told from Day One that they were going to build this offense around me," Brown said. "For once, I may be the center point of this offense. I've never been that in the past."

Sources: Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune

Pat Harlow had surgery on his back two weeks ago to clean out scar tissue and other loose fragments. He did not participate in yesterday's drills, but claimed he feels fine and expects to participate in the team's next mini-camp.

CB Albert Lewis was absent and still hasn't decided whether he'll play this year.

Also absent was CB Eric Allen, who has yet to make clear his ultimate intentions.

Recently senior assistant Bruce Allen suggested that other teams have offered the Raiders more than the fourth-round choice they paid to get Allen—presumably a third-round choice. "Is there a gamble? Probably minute," said Allen.

Bruce Allen said that Eric Allen probably just needs time to get over the shock.

"He has to understand that things change. I am not surprised he is surprised. We have had conversations with him and he was led to believe that this (a trade to the Raiders) would not happen."

Gruden had this to say about Eric Allen: "We want to give him time to think about what he is going to do. He knows we want him here and we're confident everything is going to work out."

"One way or another, Eric is going to do what is best for him," Gruden said. "Obviously, we hope it turns our way. We have a good product to offer him. He is going to be a big part of our defense. We're hoping for the best."

Ex-Cal QB Dave Barr will participate in the weekend camp. The Raiders currently have no No. 3 quarterback.

Barret Robbins will get reps at right guard and Curtis Whitley could start at center.

Odds and ends: Kansas City DT Joe Phillips became the first free agent this year to actually visit Alameda when he met with Raiders officials last Monday.

The Raiders may be looking to cover themselves in the event Chester McGlockton doesn't return, and in any event, it has become the trend in the NFL to rotate three defensive tackles.

Friday, March 13, 1998

The Raiders began another voluntary mini-camp today, after one which began last weekend.

San Diego traded first-round draft spots with Arizona Thursday, assuring themselves of a chance at picking either Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf in the first round by moving up from No. 3 to the second spot. The trade is unlikely to directly affect the Raiders. Arizona has been projected by most observers as taking DE Andre Wadsworth, who's probably the best player in the draft, period.

Wednesday, March 11, 1998

There hasn't been any media coverage whatever of the Raiders' "voluntary", "pre-mini" camp. Under the players' contract a noncompulsory camp is limited to 3 days, so much of the activity has been informal. I do have this little bit of info, courtesy of a player:

"All the players seem to be there except for Chester (McGlockton), Kenny Shedd and the guys who were released."

Speaking of Jon Gruden: "This guy is a leader. He encourages the players, compliments them on things well done and keeps things moving. He is a presence at the practices which Bugel never was."

On the offensive backfield: "Harvey Williams is running tailback in a 2-back set and playing fullback on some fullback pass patterns. In the middle of a classroom session, Napoleon Kaufman asked if he could leave to get a sandwich. The coaches asked him to stick around a few more minutes as it was almost over."

Monday, March 9, 1998

Afternoon update: Sports Illustrated writer Peter King wrote earlier this week on CNNSI that the Raiders were one of a handful of teams interested in Bears DE Alonzo Spellman. Let's hope he's wrong.

Spellman, upset at the Bears for seeking to trade him, barricaded himself in his publicist's home today and had to be talked into surrendering by a police tactical squad.

In a column published a week or two back, ESPNet SportsZone named Spellman to their 10 Most Overpaid Players list.

CBS Sportsline is reporting that DE Anthony Smith, who exercised an option to void the final year of his contract and become a free agent, has signed a four-year contract with Arizona. I cannot find confirmation of this anywhere else. I'm certain the writer meant to say G Lester Holmes.

Sunday, March 8, 1998

Correction: The "pre-minicamp" began this weekend. I erroneously reported several days ago that it would begin next weekend.

Saturday, March 7, 1998

Mid-day update: Sports Illustrated writer Peter King claims that the Raiders have discussed a straight-up trade with Carolina—DT Russell Maryland for Panthers CB Tyrone Poole.

The Raiders and Oakland-Alameda County each won a preliminary ruling yesterday in the litigation involving whether the Raiders can break their Coliseum lease.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Joe Gray first ruled on allegations by the City and County of Oakland that the Raiders improperly interfered in the failed $19 million deal to sell naming rights for the Coliseum to UMAX. He held that the city and county lack standing to sue on that claim because only the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Inc., a private entity which no longer runs the Coliseum, holds the right to sell the stadium's name. But he gave Oakland 10 days to amend its complaint to add the private corporation as a party to the litigation.

At the same time, Gray ruled against the Raiders in allowing the city and county to continue with a claim for a $500,000 share of legal fees incurred in joint litigation against the National Football League over the move from Los Angeles.

None of the court's rulings addressed the merits of the case. The bottom-line issue is expected to be decided in a high-profile jury trial at some future date—perhaps late this year.

The pre-draft maneuvering is starting to heat up and the Raiders, who presently hold the No. 4 pick, could be affected in a big way.

You'll recall that last year the Raiders traded to move up to No. 2, hoping to snag Ohio State's T Orlando Pace, but lost that opportunity when St. Louis leapfrogged them to take Pace at No. 1. Now Cincinnati is reported to be dangling big bait in hopes of acquiring Arizona's No. 2 pick. The Bengals are said to be offering RB Ki-Jana Carter and two first-round choices (Nos. 13 and 17) to the Cardinals.

Indy holds the top pick and is virtually certain to take a quarterback, either Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. The Colts' GM, Bill Polian, said several times this week that it would take a "huge offer" to get him even to consider surrendering the top spot. Cincy, dissatisfied with the play of Jeff Blake last year, hopes to get the remaining quarterback.

San Diego (currently holding the third overall pick), is also desperate for quarterback help and is openly touting a trade with Arizona (although at least one sportswriter claims the Chargers will take DE Andre Wadsworth). Finally, don't forget Jacksonville, which has two '98 first-rounders to offer and reportedly covets CB Charles Woodson.

Coach Jon Gruden will hold a "pre-mini" camp beginning next weekend in an effort to allow the coaching staff, most of which is new, to get a firsthand look at the team's players.

More on the Eric Allen deal: It's not contingent on Allen reporting to the Raiders, so Oakland is out the fourth-round pick regardless. But Allen is due to receive a $750,000 signing bonus, so there is reason to believe he'll at least report initially. Whether he'll stick around after that is another matter . . .

Allen had given New Orleans a list of four teams to which he was willing to go: San Francisco, Denver, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. Of those four, only the Whiners made a bid, and the Saints rejected it.

Allen's agent, Gary Uberstine, said yesterday, "Eric doesn't want to be a Raider. He expressed that before they traded for him. . . . They obviously thought they could turn him around, but they're going to find out that's an exercise in futility."

"He was basically willing to play for a lot less with San Francisco. And if he doesn't have that kind of (winning) prospect, then he's going to evaluate his various options."

The Raiders' Bruce Allen said, "We have some people that should make it an easy decision for Eric to come here. Once he sees some of the things we are doing, I'm sure he'll be happy to come here."

"I think it will all work out," Allen added. "He has a very good relationship with our defensive coordinator and I think that when the surprise wears off, it will work out fine."

Although Eric Allen's agent describes him in terms such as "bright" and "intelligent," an AP account appearing in The Sporting News yesterday called the cornerback "surly," and it was widely reported that he fought with Saints coach Mike Ditka almost from day one last year. Let's hope he's not another locker room "head case." The Raiders have enough of those already . . .

Hall-of-Famer and ex-coach Art Shell was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in San Francisco Wednesday. His former teammate, Gene Upshaw, presented him.

Friday, March 6, 1998

The Raiders, silent until now as one marquee free agent after another signed with a new team, pulled off what initially seemed like a great deal yesterday, trading their fourth-round pick in this year's draft to the Saints for disgruntled CB Eric Allen. Allen, 32, is a six-time All Pro who—although probably past his prime—would immediately help strengthen the woeful Raiders secondary.

But there's a hitch, and it's a huge one. Allen had demanded a trade to a contender, one who plays on grass and in a warm climate. He had openly said he would retire unless he got his wish. Yesterday's news of the trade to Oakland didn't exactly thrill him, and there's a distinct possibility he may not report.

Allen had expressed a preference for San Francisco or Jacksonville and previously nixed a trade with Minnesota for the same compensation, a 4th-round pick.

"I wanted to go to a team that will win next year," said Allen pointedly in an interview with radio station XTRA in San Diego, where he lives. "The Raiders are not going to win."

Allen asked the Saints to trade him three weeks ago. He was considered expendable because of his salary (depending on whose account you read, anywhere from $2.7 to 3.5 million over the next two years) and because New Orleans recently signed former San Francisco CB Tyronne Drakeford.

Allen's agent, Gary Uberstine, added, "He absolutely does not want to play for the Raiders. They obviously chose to ignore his wishes."

"This is nothing personal against the Raiders," Uberstine said. "They're a fine franchise. It's just that Eric wants to end his career with a Super Bowl contender. Although the Raiders have taken a lot of steps in the right direction, he doesn't feel that they're anywhere near being a Super Bowl contender."

"This isn't going to come as any great shock to the Raiders. I'm sure they were hoping to convince him otherwise. But Eric is very intelligent and very resolved, and they're not going to be able to convince him that this is a Super Bowl contender."

Uberstine stopped just short of a flat statement that Allen will retire rather than report.

"We're going to be very careful and adhere to the letter of the contract," Uberstine said. "But if he tells us he doesn't want to play there—which he has—we will be very creative in order to accommodate his wishes."

Senior assistant Bruce Allen, for his part, apparently hopes to convince Allen to change his mind. One selling point might be the presence of new defensive coordinator Willie Shaw, who was Allen's position coach last year with New Orleans.

"When you look at the market of cornerbacks that are available, we saw somebody who was one of the best, if not the best out there," said Allen.

As for the threat to retire, Bruce Allen commented, "It's early on that. A lot of people had probably told him he'd wind up with the 49ers. They did an excellent job of recruiting him."

In other free agent news affecting the Silver and Black, FB Sam Gash and CB Antonio Langham, each of whom had been characterized by some media as being sought by the Raiders, signed with other teams yesterday—Gash with Buffalo and Langham with San Francisco.

Thursday, March 5, 1998

Another top-notch free agent safety got away yesterday when former Packer Eugene Robinson signed with Atlanta.

Robinson, almost 35, is no spring chicken, but like the Raiders' Albert Lewis he can and does still get the job done. His playmaking last year was a major factor in getting Green Bay to the Super Bowl. What's more, he can actually tackle, a skill never learned by James Trapp and forgotten in the second half of last season by the overpaid, overhyped Eric Turner.

Robinson's former teammate, All Pro S LeRoy Butler, was upset that the Pack didn't make a better offer to Robinson.

Earlier this week, Miami lured a very good one away from Dallas—the much younger Brock Marion.

The Raiders' overall lack of cap room shows more with each passing day. The worst deal in this respect was the Larry Brown signing, of course, and this observer thinks he'll be cut on June 1st if he hasn't been traded first. But Russell Maryland and Eric Turner also come to mind as free agent signees whose play hasn't matched their paychecks . . .

Wednesday, March 4, 1998

One free agent in whom some media had speculated the Raiders had an interest was former Eagle QB Ty Detmer. Detmer, of course, is well known to new coach Jon Gruden and would have replaced the released David Klingler as the backup to Jeff George. But Detmer signed with San Francisco this week. Another rumored target, CB Antonio Langham, may do the same.

It appears that the Raiders, strapped for cap dollars, will wait until June 1st, when acceleration rules for signing bonuses become more favorable, before making any significant free agent moves.

In the meantime, as happened last year, the Raiders' AFC West rivals, who've managed their cap dollars better in recent years and have more available to spend, have strengthened themselves. Kansas City, looking for a big receiver to pair with Andre Rison, got one in Derrick Alexander. Denver signed DE Marvin Washington, a solid if unspectacular veteran. Seattle is reported by ESPNet to be close to signing RB Rickey Watters. Even San Diego, whose offensive line last year was pathetic, got a quality tackle in John Jackson.

Saturday, February 28, 1998

Yesterday's agreement between the NFL owner and Players Association extends the current contract ("CBA" or Collective Bargaining Agreement) through the year 2003, with a union option to extend it one further year.

It's significant in that it raises the percentage of league revenues allocated to player salaries from 62% to 63%, keeps the salary cap in place, and raises the minimum salaries for players fairly substantially.

Friday, February 27, 1998

The Oakland Tribune reports this morning that no free agents have actually visited Alameda yet, and quotes senior assistant Bruce Allen as saying that any free agents the Raiders do sign will likely be players who become available after June 1st, when the rules for accelerating signing bonuses become more favorable.

This runs counter to recent press speculation that the top target of the Raiders is unrestricted free agent FB Sam Gash, who's already available and shopping the market.

"We have a plan," Allen said cryptically. He did add that the Raiders currently have no visits by free agents scheduled.

Allen said he expected an eventual roster turnover similar to the last two seasons of about 18 to 20 new faces on the 53-man roster, with most coming after June 1st. On that day, pro-rated signing bonuses for players who are released count toward the 1999 rather than 1998 salary cap.

"It's still early, and you have to take into account that most teams re-signed their own free agents," said Allen. "There has been some big money and a few name players and it makes it feel like there's a lot of significant movement when there's not."

"The market will actually start to move in the near future and you'll see a lot of deals in June."

He probably won't come cheap—in fact, he could be asking for as much as $2 million a year. Yesterday New England signed a replacement fullback, former Bear Tony Carter. In discussing the deal, New England vice president of player personnel Bobby Grier said, "We understood (from Gash's agent) that if we were not going to come to the table with $1.5 million or more, we were not in the ballpark. We didn't think that we had that much money allotted for the fullback position."

The Patriots still are $7 million under the cap, so it's not that they couldn't have signed Gash; they chose not to. Their stance reflects the position most NFL clubs would take. Certain amounts are budgeted for each position group, and fullbacks rarely earn huge bucks. (As Derrick Fenner can attest.)

The Raiders, of course, have always gone their own way, but still, as much as they could use a big-time fullback, it's clearly the defense that needs the most improvement—and at nearly every position.

Thursday, February 26, 1998

Evening update: Last year's starting right guard, Lester Holmes, won't be re-signing with the Raiders. He signed a four-year deal today with Arizona.

His likely replacement will be Barret Robbins, moving over from center, with Curtis Whitley taking over for Robbins as the starting center.

Details on the seemingly huge contract given C Curtis Whitley, from the latest The Sports Xchange "Insider Report":

He'll get $550,000 this year with a $500,000 signing bonus. The contract provides for a 1999 salary of $2.2 million with a $1.4 million roster bonus, and $2.4 million salary with a $1.6 million roster bonus in 2000. His agent, however, as much as admitted Whitley will never see those later, astronomical amounts.

Agent Ralph Cindrich said, "I don't mind saying it was designed to be a one-year contract to permit him the opportunity to develop a little more and to give him an opportunity to work his way back to a level of compensation that corresponds with his ability."

The report also mentions a tidbit which may help explain why Chester McGlockton didn't exactly make an overwhelming impression when he visited Washington. Asked if he wanted to see the weight room, McGlockton replied he wasn't much interested in weight rooms.

Washington, which just signed DT Dana Stubblefield at the start of the week, also signed DT Dan Wilkinson yesterday. Reading between the lines, it's fair to reach two conclusions: (1) the Raiders' Chester McGlockton wasn't considered in the same talent echelon with the other two; and (2) with both Stubblefield and Wilkinson now off the market, McGlockton is arguably the best tackle still available.

Whether that will translate into interest in him by other teams, however, remains to be seen. Working against McGlockton is his own well-earned reputation for inconsistency and, at times, lack of effort.

There's a great article still available on BayInsider.com, written by local sportscaster Fred Inglis, about managing general partner/owner Al Davis. It was written back at the time of Jon Gruden's signing, but it's full of extended quotes from Davis and you'll find it very good reading.

Several papers reported yesterday that the Raiders would like to sign free agent FB Sam Gash of the Patriots. A hard-nosed, blocking fullback, the six-year veteran also suffered a very serious knee injury that cost him virtually all of the 1996 season. Last year he split time with Keith Byars, which might indicate he's not the same Pro Bowl-caliber player he was before the injury.

Gash, who'll turn 29 in two weeks, has also attracted interest from Baltimore, Jacksonville and the New York Jets. He's 6 feet, 235 pounds.

"There's definitely interest there on (Oakland's) part," said Gash's agent, Anthony Agnone, "and it's certainly something we're interested in pursuing. We will get together at some point."

The Raiders initially talked with Agnone on Feb. 15, but both two sides agreed to wait until after Gash's scheduled surgery Friday to remove pins inserted in his left wrist during a previous surgery four weeks ago.

"Once the pins are out, Sam's good to go," Agnone said. "He's eager to get this thing resolved."

An Arizona source is quoted by the Contra Costa Times as saying Lester Holmes might get an offer from the Cards any day now.

New quarterbacks coach Gary Stevens says he wants to stress fundamentals with QB Jeff George, and he sounds as if he hopes to cure George of a nasty habit of throwing off his back foot. George didn't throw many interceptions last season, but some of those he did throw were just awful and cost the team dearly. (Carolina and the first Kansas City game come to mind . . .)

Stevens said, "Every quarterback needs to work on his fundamentals, his footwork, because there's a tendency to get sloppy. Quarterbacks like George and Marino can throw better going backwards because of their strong arms than most quarterbacks can throw going forward, so it's not necessarily bad if they don't do it the way the coach wants. But they could be even better if their footwork is sound."

Good luck, Gary. George has never been noted for displaying good mechanics. As Stevens correctly noted, George (usually) gets away with it because of his arm strength.

Speaking of Stevens, he had a great rejoinder to Jimmy Johnson's comment that he (Johnson) screwed up by not firing Stevens when he took over the Dolphins.

"You can't make chicken salad out of chicken (bleep) . . . Name me a great (offensive) player we have, besides Danny. We won nine games without a single Pro Bowler on the roster. You tell me—did we have a good year?"

Tuesday, February 24, 1998

Late update: Today the Raiders announced that Gary Stevens has been hired as quarterbacks coach, completing the staff for new Head Coach Jon Gruden.

Some contradictory reports about Stevens appeared in the local media last week. The San Jose Mercury News, in its February 18 issue, suggested that Stevens might have originally been offered the job and accepted, then changed his mind and declined it when he returned home to Miami. His name had surfaced before. At any rate, he's officially on board now.

Stevens was offensive coordinator at Miami for the past nine seasons. He became a scapegoat and was fired when Jimmy Johnson finally realized that his team didn't have a running game. Prior to working for the Dolphins, Stevens coached at the University of Miami for nine years. He's also worked at West Virginia (1976-79), Kent State (1975) and Louisville (1971-74).

Speaking of Jeff George, whom he'll now be coaching, Stevens said, "Jeff is a talented quarterback. He can throw the football. He has as good an arm as there is in the league, maybe the best."

The latest object of press speculation as a potential Raider is LB and perennial bad boy Bryan Cox. Cox, who isn't yet even a free agent (his current contract still has two years to run), has apparently talked himself off yet another team—this time it's the Bears—and is being shopped around by his agent. Cox says Chicago management has told him he'll either be traded or released.

His agent says the Raiders are one of three teams Cox is most interested in. Despite all the noise being created by the agent, however, the Raiders themselves have said nothing except that they'll always listen to any offer. So at this point it's pure speculation.

All the more so because unless the Bears work out a deal to trade Cox, they almost certainly wouldn't release him until after June 1, when only half of his remaining signing bonus would be accelerated against this year's cap.

Baltimore CB Antonio Langham, another free agent previously identified in the media as someone in whom the Raiders might be interested, is said to be close to signing with San Francisco. The Whiners have made a preliminary offer, and Langham is due to visit San Francisco today.

Finally, former starter Lester Holmes visited Pittsburgh yesterday but didn't get an immediate offer. He's also supposed to visit Arizona this week.

Monday, February 23, 1998

Washington wasted no time in deciding between the three free agent defensive tackles available. Today they signed Dana Stubblefield to a six-year, $36 million deal.

No one else, at least publicly, has shown major interest in Chester McGlockton. At this point there's no reason for the Raiders to panic, but things will become interesting fairly soon if no other suitor emerges to seek Chester's services.

The Raiders can remove the "exclusive rights" tag any time they choose, but doing so would also allow McGlockton to talk to other AFC West teams. With that division as competitive as it is, McGlockton's agent—apparently that issue is settled, and it's Sean Jones—would be on the horn to other GM's in a flash.

Free agents WR Randal Hill, formerly of New Orleans, and FB Aaron Craver (San Diego) are expected to visit the Raiders' facility in Alameda today.

Saturday, February 21, 1998

Evening update: The Washington Redskins had an eventful week. First they re-signed the last of four important free agents they badly wanted to keep, offensive lineman Joe Patton (who chose to stay with the Redskins despite receiving a better offer from the Whiners). Then they entertained three high-priced defensive tackles, each looking for a new job.

Redskins general manager Charley Casserly had this comment: "I think a week from today this will all be resolved. Some of the players are better than others. We're still trying to find out the prices of everyone. The first step was bringing them all in here."

As it happens, Earl Leggett, Washington's defensive line coach, coached the Raiders DL in 1992, when McGlockton was a rookie. Despite Chester's less-than-exemplary work ethic, Leggett's apparently eager for a chance to coach him again.

Update: Well, no sooner had I written that there was no immediate reaction from Chester McGlockton on his trip to Washington than I found an article on the Oakland Tribune's back pages.

"I'd like to come here. Everything is way above par," McGlockton told reporters yesterday. "We'll see what happens. I'm not the one controlling it. If something's going to happen I'd like to get it done as soon as possible. I'd like to get in and get involved with the new team."

"This will be a new situation, a new defense. I'd like to get my wife here and get her involved in it. That's neither here nor there until it happens."

McGlockton's wife is from the Bay Area, and in the past he's said that was a reason he wanted to remain a Raider.

According to the Trib, ex-Raider and backup QB Jeff Hostetler is lobbying on McGlockton's behalf.

The article also mentions two more free agent cornerbacks in whom the Raiders might have an interest: Carolina's Tyrone Poole and the Saints' Eric Allen.

Finally, a correction of an item I published some days back. It seems that pass rushing specialist LB Kevin Greene, whose agent the Raiders were rumored to have contacted at the start of the free agency period, has not signed with Baltimore and is still on the market.

There's no immediate word in the media on how Chester McGlockton's visit yesterday to Washington went. It's clear, though, that Chester's no shoo-in to get an offer from Washington GM Charley Casserly.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Dana Stubblefield got nothing less than the royal treatment from the Skins when he stopped by earlier this week. Stubblefield was given a tour of the local sights by LB Ken Harvey, a prized free agent recently re-signed by Washington, while the Missus was personally shown around by Mrs. Darrell Green.

McGlockton also has competition from Cincinnati's Big Daddy Wilkinson. And frankly, over the last several years both Wilkinson and Stubblefield have outplayed McGlockton by a country mile.

McGlockton's one advantage, ironically, is that he could be had for less than either of the other two. As an exclusive rights franchise agent, a team that can reach agreement with him isn't bound by the automatic compensation requirement of two first-round draft choices that attaches to Wilkinson, an 'ordinary' franchise player, if Cincinnati doesn't match the offer. As for Stubblefield, an unrestricted free agent whom San Francisco is resigned to losing, he wants an astronomical deal similar to the blockbuster signed by Minnesota's John Randle last week.

The Raiders have taken a big-time gambit in their maneuvering with McGlockton. It will be interesting to see how this comes out. If they can unload him for something relatively valuable in return, they will have gotten rid of a long-time malcontent and avoided a huge salary cap commitment to a physically gifted player who often shows little effort on the field. On the other hand, if no one makes an offer for McGlockton, the Raiders could be looking at an annual salary somewhere in the area of $5 million.

Fellow webmaster Eric Nilson got in touch yesterday to advise that shortly after signing on with the Raiders, new coach Jon Gruden said in an interview that strength and conditioning coach Garrett Giemont will be back this year. What a shame!

Friday, February 20, 1998

Mid-day update: The current The Sports Xchange "Insider Report" has some details concerning the free agent status of several Raiders.

FB Jerone Davison, who would have been an exclusive right free agent, was not tendered an offer by the Raiders. That makes him an unrestricted free agent.

The offer tendered to K Cole Ford, which he has rejected, was $397,000 with a seventh-round draft choice as compensation. The publication says it's doubtful he'll be back.

Late morning update: Eddie Anderson knew his time would come sooner or later, and probably sooner. He lost his starting free safety job to Eric Turner last season and was used sparingly. And he's 34 years old. Still, when the end came it was painful for him.

"It's bitter and ugly to me right now because I feel I have done too much to be treated this way," said Anderson. "But we will just have to see what happens."

"They also said they'd probably call me back in week or less. . . . I know I plan on playing somewhere this year, if not with them, I guess I'll have to play against them."

"I know when you are last in total defense you have to make some decisions, make some choices," he said. "It's not personal. It's business. But when you give 12 years of service, you just like to be treated with respect and fairly. I'll just have to see how it unfolds. I have been blessed."

Anderson's contract called for a $550,000 salary this year. The Raiders reportedly insisted on a pay cut, which Anderson was unwilling to take.

The Raiders used that money to re-sign free agent C Curtis Whitley. According to the Oakland Tribune, Whitley got what's become the norm nowadays, a heavily backloaded deal, calling for $8.65 million over four years. His salary for this year will be the $550,000 Anderson was due to receive. Whitley also got a $500,000 signing bonus. Whitley played last year for the veteran's minimum, $275,000.

Whitley is valuable to the Raiders because he gives them additional options in the offensive line. Last year, after then-starting RG Lester Holmes hurt his back, Barret Robbins moved to guard and Whitley filled in at center. There has been speculation that the Raiders will try that arrangement this year on a permanent basis.

Free agent rumors—depending on which media you read, the Raiders are said to be interested in some or all of the following free agents: New Orleans WR Randal Hill, Philadelphia QB Ty Detmer, San Diego FB Aaron Craver, and Baltimore CB Antonio Langham. Hill and Craver are expected to visit Alameda Monday, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Why the interest in another wide receiver? Before all you Kenny Shedd fans flame me, here's how the Times sees it: signing Hill "would enable (the Raiders) to use more three-receiver sets, joining Tim Brown and James Jett. Desmond Howard, Kenny Shedd and Olanda Truitt never have panned out as legitimate receiving threats."

First, the team says it has only the quarterbacks coaching position left to fill. That means that last year's Quality Control-Offense slot has either been eliminated, or will continue to be filled by Bill Musgrave. The Director of Squad Development job handled last year by Willie Brown has apparently been eliminated.

Chuck Bresnahan, hired to coach defensive backs, was the linebackers coach at Indianapolis for the past two seasons and had the same job at Cleveland in 1994-95. A former U.S. Navy officer, Bresnahan started his coaching career as an assistant at Annapolis, and has been an assistant at Georgia Tech and Maine as well.

As was reported earlier, Frank Gansz, Jr., now in charge of special teams, spent the past five seasons as special teams coach at the University of Houston. He also coached their tight ends for the past four years. Before that, he coached special teams for the New York-New Jersey Knights of the World League in 1992. His father is the special teams coach for the St. Louis Rams.

Finally, Mike Waufle, named to coach the defensive line, was the recruiting coordinator as well as DL coach at Cal-Berkeley for the past six seasons. He also has served as an assistant at UCLA, Fresno State and Utah State.

There's one coach who hasn't been mentioned at all this offseason, and he's the most incompetent of them all. What? There's someone more incompetent that Fred Whittingham? That's right. Garrett Giemont has been's the team's strength and conditioning coach for the past three seasons. During that period the Raiders have routinely been in poor condition and are regularly worn down and outplayed by their opponents in the fourth quarter of games. Giemont should be exiled to Outer Mongolia.

Correction: The former World League of American Football is now called NFL-Europe.

FS Eddie Anderson, a Raider since he crossed the players' picket line in 1987 to sign with the team, was waived yesterday after declining to take a pay cut. Free agent C Curtis Whitley was re-signed.

Responding to a rumor that the Raiders would trade DT Chester McGlockton straight up to Washington for their holdout DT, Sean Gilbert, Bruce Allen called it "just stupid." Without doubt, it is just that. What advantage would there be in trading one malcontent for another?

Washington clearly is intent on getting some wide-body to bolster the defensive line, the Skins' Achilles heel in recent seasons. They've already talked to Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield this week.

The Raiders virtually never release contract details, but the San Francisco Chronicle claimed in yesterday's edition to have the scoop on the recent re-signings of John Henry Mills and Aaron Wallace. The paper says Mills got a two-year, $754,000 contract, and Wallace a one-year, $303,000 deal. Neither contract included a signing bonus.

Thursday, February 19, 1998

New coach Jon Gruden yesterday announced the hiring of three more assistant coaches. It's a young group, by and large, reflecting Gruden's youth.

Frank Gansz, Jr., 35, will handle special teams. He's coached for the University of Houston the past five years. Chuck Bresnahan, 37, will coach the defensive backs. He held the same job with Indianapolis the past two years. Bresnahan may share duties with defensive coordinator Willie Shaw. Gruden indicated at the time of Shaw's hiring that Shaw would work with the secondary in addition to overseeing the defensive game plans.

Mike Waufle, 44, replaces Bill Urbanik as defensive line coach. He's had the same job at Cal the past six years.

The Raiders also re-signed two of their unrestricted free agents, DE/LB Aaron Wallace and jack-of-all-trades/special teamer John Henry Mills. Given the speed with which the two were were signed, and the fact that neither enjoyed a particularly good year last season—Wallace barely played, and Mills was a major disappointment after a past Pro Bowl season—it's probably fair to assume that each signed for the minimum salary.

Forget CB Doug Evans, the best of the available free agent cornerbacks. He signed with Carolina Wednesday, where he'll form a great tandem with Eric Davis. In truth the Raiders probably wouldn't have been able to afford him anyway. Evans was looking for big bucks, and he got them from the Panthers—$22.5 million for 5 years.

So now the Silver and Black, desperate to improve the secondary (not to mention the entire defense) have to hope they can (1) convince Albert Lewis to return for another year at age 38, and (2) draft Charles Woodson, who out of necessity will almost certainly become an instant starter.

Lewis had said last week he'd make a decision this week about whether to play another year.

This assumes, of course, that the Raiders are able to draft Woodson in the first place. Jacksonville, holding both the No. 9 and 25 first-round picks, is known to be hoping to package them in a deal with one of the top three teams to move up and snatch Woodson.

Indy, holding the top pick, is unlikely to trade. Their new GM, Bill Polian, has indicated he'd be thrilled with either Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. With veteran Jim Harbaugh gone, though, it is 100% certain that the Colts will want one of the top two quarterbacks. San Diego, at No. 3, needs a quarterback badly, too. That might leave Arizona as the only team with whom the Jags could try to swing a deal.

Wednesday, February 18, 1998

All signs point to the Raiders actively trying to trade both DT Chester McGlockton and CB Terry McDaniel, according to two Bay Area papers.

McGlockton has been given permission to talk to Washington, a team facing the prospect of a second consecutive holdout year by Sean Gilbert. He'll visit the Redskins Friday.

The Raiders have the right to flatly refuse to allow McGlockton to talk with anyone. Bruce Allen, however, has repeatedly left open the possibility of trading McGlockton, saying simply, "We're still exploring all of our options and one of our options is trading him."

Because McGlockton is an exclusive rights free agent, the Raiders can name any price for him they choose—either more or less than the two first-round picks he would have commanded as an 'ordinary' franchise player. They can also prevent him from going to a rival AFC West team by denying him permission to talk with those teams.

The Contra Costa Times quotes a "league source" as saying, "They put the franchise tag on Chester solely with the intent of trading him. It's just a matter of signing him and finding a team to make a trade."

According to the Mercury News, Washington almost pulled off a trade for McGlockton last fall, but the Raiders backed out just before the Oct. 7 trading deadline.

The McDaniel rumor has been circulating for some days now. The Times quotes two league sources as saying that there is a possible taker for his services, but the sticking point is his $2.95 million salary. Supposedly the team interested in him insists that the Raiders pick up a large portion of that amount if they can't negotiate a lower figure with T-Mac's agent.

The Times also cites a "source close to Lester Holmes" as claiming the Raiders have told the guard they intend to re-sign him. Holmes could have earned as much as $2.5 million this year by reaching various incentive clauses in his contract. If he is re-signed he'll have to take a huge pay cut.

The Sacramento Bee mentions Arizona LB Eric Hill as a free agent in whom the Raiders may have an interest. It also claims the Raiders asked about Kevin Greene, but he's since signed with Baltimore.

The Contra Costa Times speculates the Raiders are interested in DT Joe Phillips, cut by the Chiefs this week, as a possible replacement for McGlockton.

Bill Meyers, who coached tight ends, became Seattle's assistant offensive line coach. Steve Shafer, who coached defensive backs and has been replaced by defensive coordinator Willie Shaw, took the same post with Carolina. Defensive assistant Kevin Spencer, who handled both special teams and quality control for the Raiders in the past, was named Indianapolis' special teams coach.

According to the Mercury News, the new special teams coach is Frank Gansz Jr., who coached special teams and tight ends at the University of Houston the past five years. Gansz, whose father is special teams coach at St. Louis, also has held college coaching jobs at Army, Pittsburgh and Kansas.

That leaves the defensive line and quarterbacks assistant positions still to be filled. Shaw may also have an assistant helping him with the secondary; those duties were split between Shafer and Willie Brown last year.

The Mercury News also says recently fired Miami offensive coordinator Gary Stevens may have been offered the quarterbacks coaching job, although it cites a second source as saying Stevens changed his mind and turned it down.

The Raiders have allocated six past or present players to the World League. These are players who've been in camp previously with the Raiders or who were on last year's practice squad.

Allocated were: WR Kenyan Branscomb, Frankfurt; T Scott Curry, Frankfurt; DE Ta'ase Faumui, Amsterdam; LB Shay Muirbrook, Barcelona; DE Shatony Sargeant, Rhein; and QB Todd Studer, Scotland.

Tuesday, February 17, 1998

Forget free agent DT John Randle—not that the Raiders had a realistic chance of getting him anyway, because of what he would have cost.

Randle agreed yesterday to stay in Minnesota for a $32.5 million deal over five years, including a $10 million signing bonus. The contract will make him the NFL's highest paid defensive lineman.

Unlike some of the Raiders' recent free agent acquisitions, and in marked contrast to franchise player Chester McGlockton, Randle produces year after year. Over the last six years he's had no less than 10½ sacks in any one season.

This morning's San Francisco Chronicle says the Raiders will look at a limited number of free agents this time around. The paper mentions Green Bay CB Doug Evans, New England G Todd Rucci, and FBs William Floyd (San Francisco), Aaron Craver (San Diego) and Sam Gash (New England) as players in whom Oakland may be interested.

The Chron also points out also that the Raiders are now in the market for a backup quarterback and a placekicker. David Klingler was cut and Cole Ford, a restricted free agent, has reportedly turned down a minimum salary offer from the team. Senior assistant Bruce Allen would say only that unlike last year, Ford will have competition in training camp this season.

One Raider who may nor may not be a free agent is T Pat Harlow. Yesterday's Sporting News team report flatly described him as an unrestricted free agent. But Team NFL (nfl.com), which normally publishes the most "official" list, doesn't show him, nor was he mentioned in the recent The Sports Xchange "Insider Report."

As you may have seen in yesterday's articles, Tim Brown briefly became a free agent last week when he exercised a contract option to void the last three years of his existing deal. He promptly re-signed a new long-term contract which is reported to pay him about $4 million per year.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Associated Press (Nando.net)

Sunday, February 15, 1998

Senior assistant Bruce Allen yesterday reiterated that the Raiders intend to participate actively in this year's free agent market.

"We have that capability now," said Allen. "Our coaches are just coming together now. We need to get our coaches into evaluating the players we have now quickly, so we can make some tougher decisions."

Allen also clarified that the Raiders have designated DT Chester McGlockton not only their franchise player, but also an exclusive rights free agent. This means that the Raiders and the Raiders alone will have the right to negotiate with him, provided they offer him a salary equal to the average of the NFL's five highest-paid defensive tackles as of April 13. Put another way, McGlockton cannot negotiate with or entertain offers from other teams unless the Raiders fall completely asleep at the wheel and fail to tender the required salary offer.

"It was a way to compensate Chester for what's taking place in free agency today," Allen said.

The Raiders can, if they choose, withdraw the exclusive rights designation at any time.

Assuming the Raiders don't withdraw the additional tag, this will mean substantially more money for McGlockton. As a franchise player alone, he'd be entitled to a salary equal to the average of the five highest paid defensive tackles based on last year's salaries. That works out to a little over $2.8 million. With the exclusive rights tag, however, his minimum salary will be calculated based on current salaries. So he'll benefit from the monster deal recently signed by Eric Swann, as well as any deal that may happen with one or both of the two premiere free agent tackles, John Randle and Dana Stubblefield, before April 13th.

Whether or not McGlockton will respond to this generosity on the part of the Raiders organization by playing hard for a change remains to be seen. Last year, playing out the final year of his six-year contract, he had every reason to go all out, yet he only went through the motions much of the time and his overall play was mediocre.

The Mercury News also says the team is considering moving James Trapp back to cornerback because of its need at that position. This observer would welcome that move. Trapp was underwhelming last year at strong safety, a position where sure tackling is a necessary skill. Trapp has a bad habit of going for arm tackles.

Saturday, February 14, 1998

Several papers led off their Raiders articles today with the Anthony Smith development.

It turns out that Smith's contract, which ran for one more year, contained a clause allowing him to void the contract at his option if he played a certain percentage of plays. He reached that incentive last season and elected to become a free agent.

He would have earned $2.38 million this year, so his decision was a major boost in helping the Raiders achieve salary cap compliance.

Smith's agent, Zachery Jones, said yesterday that the 30-year-old Smith is looking for a long-term contract. Jones implied that his client is unlikely to be back with the Raiders this year. Green Bay is believed to be interested in Smith.

"(Anthony) definitely has an interest of playing for the Raiders," said Jones, "but if he comes back it will definitely be a long-term contract. For now, he wanted to place himself in the marketplace and entertain other opportunities."

"We may even sit down and talk with the Raiders and see what happens," Jones said. "He is clearly open to going back (to Oakland). But if we do go back, it would have to be a long-term deal."

The Raiders said just yesterday that they intend to be active in the free agent market again this year, so a long-term, big-bucks deal for Smith doesn't look to be in the cards.

Various newspapers cast the Raiders as being anywhere from $500,000 to $1.5 million under the cap at the moment.

The probable departure of Smith—who had 6½ sacks, seven quarterback pressures, 11 tackles for a loss, 44 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last year in 12 games—leaves the team without an every-down pass rusher. Undersized Lance Johnstone has been effective in spurts but was quickly worn down last year when the team tried using him as a full-time player.

The change may also influence the Raiders' draft thinking. Florida State DE Andre Wadsworth, a superb pass rusher, suddenly looks more and more attractive. But nearly all experts agree that Wadsworth will be one of the first three players taken. The Raiders, with the No. 4 pick, would almost certainly have to trade up to have a real shot at getting Wadsworth.

Meanwhile, senior assistant Bruce Allen said the Raiders will again be active in free agency. Allen said the team lowered its payroll by nearly $10 million with a combination of moves including cutting three veterans and restructuring the contracts of several others.

Allen repeated that the Raiders would be interested in re-signing Holmes, Klingler and Bruce at lower salaries if they don't find better deals elsewhere. He also denied the rumor that CB Terry McDaniel will be part of an imminent trade.

Speaking of cornerbacks, the Raiders were one of several teams who contacted free agent CB Doug Evans yesterday. Evans, late of Green Bay, also got a call from San Francisco. According to his agent, neither team has scheduled a visit.

Evans won't come cheap. Easily the best corner still available now that James Hasty has re-signed with Kansas City and Ryan McNeil has been designated a transition player, Evans turned down a Green Bay offer late last season which averaged $2.2 million per year. He's said to want a multi-year contract averaging between $3.5 and $4 million annually.

A five-year veteran out of Louisiana Tech, Evans, 28, has been the top cover cornerback for the Packers the last two seasons. He's 6-1 and 190 pounds, and his style is extremely physical—something which would appeal to the Raiders.

Finally, the Oakland Tribune reported that Detroit is interested in trading for LB Rob Fredrickson.

Chester McGlockton's in the news again, but this has nothing to do with his contract status. Then again, maybe it does . . .

We all know that McGlockton's been underpaid the last few years compared to other NFL players of his stature. The contract negotiated for him by his father—presumably because Chester was too cheap to hire a professional agent—turned out to be a lopsided windfall for the Raiders. And just in case we didn't know, McGlockton's made sure to tell us on many an occasion. Why, during the 1996 season the poor guy complained that he couldn't even afford to buy tickets for his in-laws to attend the games.

Now it seems that McGlockton's so poor he can't even afford cable TV. Lately he's been having to make do with two illegal boxes in his modest home in Blackhawk (the most expensive and exclusive enclave in Northern California). During the week of the Pro Bowl the cable company, Tele-Communications Inc., sued him in Contra Costa County Municipal Court for theft of services.

The company became suspicious when the McGlocktons requested additional remote units for a type of box not shown on the account.

"We're not treating Mr. McGlockton any differently than we treat anybody else," said Josh Gensler, the attorney for TCI.

Chester's salary last year was a mere $900,000 base plus bonuses believed to have brought the total to something in the neighborhood of $1.2 million. Tough to live on that . . .

Here are some more details from this week's articles on the Raiders' roster situation and the salary cap.

The Raiders saved just under $3.2 million by cutting Lester Holmes, David Klingler and Aundray Bruce. The Raiders will probably try to re-sign all three, but for far less money than they would have made.

The most obvious target on the payroll, useless CB Larry Brown, remains on the roster. The team will take a much less severe cap hit if it waits until June 1 to release him. After that date the signing bonus would be accelerated against next year's cap. This is a repeat of last year's Jeff Hostetler situation.

The San Jose Mercury News, quoting an anonymous source, reported that the Raiders are shopping CB Terry McDaniel and a trade could be imminent. T-Mac, whose skills have eroded badly over the past several years, is due to make $2.95 million this year.

Among the maneuvers which allowed the Raiders to pare their payroll by the Thursday night deadline was the restructuring of various contracts. According to the Merc, they involved RB Harvey Williams and FS Eric Turner. The Chronicle named WR Tim Brown, G Steve Wisniewski and Williams as those whose deals were re-worked.

DE Anthony Smith, who led the team in sacks last year despite missing the last four games with a quadriceps injury, exercised an option in his contract which allowed him to void it, and he's now a free agent.

One player the Oakland Tribune singled out as likely to be cut, but who wasn't, is LB Rob Fredrickson. Aptly describing him as "once-promising," the Trib continued, "Tapes would reveal concentration lapses, poor cover skills, poor tackling—an impressive athlete who does not make plays." Fredrickson will make $1.3 million this year.

According to the The Sports Xchange "Insider Report" published earlier this week, the Raiders previously made PK Cole Ford a minimum offer and he rejected it. He's gone, says the publication.

Finally, CB Albert Lewis says he'll make a decision next week whether to play another season or retire.

Friday, February 13, 1998

Afternoon update: The anticipated trade of highly regarded Jacksonville backup QB Rob Johnson to Buffalo went through today. The Jags received 1st- and 4th-round picks in return.

This now gives Jacksonville the No. 9 and No. 25 picks in the first round of this year's draft. The Jags are widely expected to try to package the two picks in a deal to move up to one of the top two or three positions in the draft to take Michigan CB Charles Woodson. Woodson is a player whom the Raiders, desperate to improve their secondary, almost certainly covet.

Author's fantasy: The Raiders get whatever they can for loser Chester McGlockton—probably not a lot, since his work ethic is nonexistent and he hasn't been in top playing shape for at least three seasons now. They make a serious bid to sign a real defensive tackle—Minnesota's John Randle, who would revitalize the front four in a big way.

The Raiders created additional needed room under the salary cap yesterday by cutting three veterans from the roster—none of them a surprise: G Lester Holmes, who can't pass block and whose salary would have escalated this year to something like $1.6 million; QB David Klingler, an expensive backup; and DE Aundray Bruce, who was cut last year but re-joined the team when Greg Townsend's fairy tale comeback attempt failed.

The team says it hopes to re-sign all three, but at substantially lower salaries.

Thursday, February 12, 1998

Evening update: As expected, Chester McGlockton was designated a franchise player by the Raiders today.

Mid-Day update: The deadline for designating franchise or transition players was 1:00 p.m. today, so as you read this, Chester McGlockton probably has a new middle name starting with the letter "F".

The deadline for salary cap compliance is 9:00 p.m. tonight. Expect not to hear word of any roster cuts until tomorrow. The Raiders rarely announce such things promptly; the first word generally comes through the media.

While it's unclear what the specific amount is, the Raiders are way over the cap, so Bruce Allen and the boys will be busy today.

Pro Football Xchange's latest team report claims that K Cole Ford was offered, and refused, a minimum tender, meaning he won't be back this year. That leaves the team in need of a reliable placekicker.

The same report says LB James Folston was re-signed prior to the end of last season.

With free agency now only a day away, a bizarre situation is unfolding around the Raiders' high-profile, soon-to-be free agent, DT Chester McGlockton. It seems no one's quite sure who his agent is at the moment. And McGlockton doesn't appear to be in any hurry to end the confusion.

According to the Oakland Tribune, James "Butch" Williams, McGlockton's agent for the past three years, said on Tuesday, "I don't think I'm going to be representing Chester on this one."

Williams said he believes McGlockton is now being represented by Sean Jones, the one-time Raider. (For you youngsters, there's some interesting history here. Jones, a gifted defensive end, was unloaded by the Raiders after the 1987 season in a move many felt was a direct result of his having been an aggressive player rep for his teammates during that year's player strike.)

"As far as I know, James is still handling Chester until Chester makes a change," Jones said. "I've been helping Chester all along . . . being friends. But I have no comment on who is representing him until Chester makes that announcement."

When did all this change? Williams says McGlockton and he haven't talked since September. Asked when their relationship ended, Williams said, "That's a good question because I haven't received any termination notice. I just know Sean is one of his best friends, and (he) started dealing some with the Raiders on his behalf . . . so I am thinking that is the way it is going to be."

Bruce Allen confirmed that Jones has been involved in at least some discussions with the team.

Cute, Chester!! Remember, folks, this is the man who assured reporters late in the season that he wanted to stay on the team, then went over to the Kansas City sideline to pitch his services to Marty Schottenheimer during a timeout in the Monday night game at Arrowhead. Mr. Loyalty himself.

Allen has repeatedly said the Raiders will use the franchise player tag on McGlockton if they fail to agree on a new contract before he becomes a free agent. That move would at least assure the team of getting some compensation in the event McGlockton isn't re-signed. The Raiders would have the right to match any offer McGlockton received from another team. If they declined to match, they'd receive two first-round draft picks as compensation—to most teams, a prohibitive price.

Wednesday, February 11, 1998

David Shaw, the son of new defensive coordinator Willie Shaw, will handle quality control for the offense. Skip Peete replaces the departed Bishop Harris as running backs coach.

Peete was an assistant at UCLA last season, and the younger Shaw was an offensive assistant with Gruden in Philadelphia.

In another coaching-related note, ESPNet SportsZone mentions this morning that the current NFL trend is to pay special teams coaches on a par with offensive and defensive coordinators. SportsZone claims that the Raiders offered to double the salary of Nolan Cromwell of the Green Bay Packers, but he elected to stay in Green Bay.

Draft rumor: The AP reports this morning that Jacksonville might make a bid to move up in the first round so as to be in a position to draft CB Charles Woodson, the player most experts see going to the Raiders.

According to the report, the Jags, who currently have the No. 25 pick, are on the verge of trading backup QB Rob Johnson to Buffalo for 1st- and 4th-round picks. Speculation is that they would then package their two first-round picks in a trade with one of the teams picking at the top of the first round.

Tuesday, February 10, 1998

Free agency begins Friday, and it's one of those important dates on the NFL calendar when each team has to demonstrate that its payroll is in compliance with the salary cap.

It wouldn't be a shock if the Raiders are forced to cut one or more veterans this week. Depending on which paper's account you read, the team is anywhere from $20 to $28 million over this year's cap.

Such players are often re-signed later for less money. Derrick Fenner and Lorenzo Lynch were both victims last year in these same circumstances. As another example, yesterday the 49ers cut both Ron Woodson and Kevin Greene to pare their payroll.

Monday, February 9, 1998

In the week's major development, the Raiders hired Willie Shaw, 54, as their new defensive coordinator. Shaw coached the secondary for New Orleans last season, and was the St. Louis defensive coordinator for two years prior to that.

"He provides a lot of leadership and expertise," said new head coach Jon Gruden. "He's a discipline guy . . . I think it's the right fit for us. This (is) a guy that has gotten results everywhere he has been."

Press reaction was generally positive, the majority of writers opining that Shaw will help provide experience which Gruden lacks. Shaw has coached for 28 years, including 10 as an NFL assistant, with stints in San Diego, Detroit and Minnesota. At the college level he's worked at Stanford (twice), Long Beach State, Oregon and Arizona State.

Shaw didn't want to get into details immediately as to how he hopes to improve the Raiders defense, worst in the NFL last year. But he did promise a swarming, aggressive style of defense.

"We'll be an attacking, aggressive type defense," he said. "Offenses of the '90s dictate that you've got to have an extensive pressure package to keep them off balance. We'll get after some people."

Shaw declined to discuss specific players. "I'm still someone from the outside looking in," he said. "Until I get involved in the personnel end of evaluating players and evaluating the scheme, I'll have a better idea of where they're at and where they're going."

"I think it's a big challenge. I think there's good enough personnel to win here. I'm hoping the direction we bring will get us to the point where we can compete in this division and get to the playoffs and get to the big game."

Asked what he could do to improve the Raiders' pathetic tackling skills, Shaw had an appropriate answer ready: gang-tackle. "Nobody in the league, on an individual, one-on-one basis, is going to be a great tackler," he said. "The best defenses in the league are the ones that pursue and get as many people to the ball carrier as they can."

Shaw will also coach the defensive backs. Depending on which press account you read, that means that either Steve Shafer, who coached the safeties last year, and/or Willie Brown, who handled the cornerbacks, will be reassigned. Former defensive coordinator Fred Whittingham may remain with the team, too, but in another capacity.

In the one other bit of coaching news, Gruden said Dave Adolph will remain as linebackers coach.

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

With the draft slightly more than two months away, the NFL Scouting Combine took center stage last week. The Raiders have the number four pick in the first round and are generally projected to take Michigan CB Charles Woodson.

The Raiders could also use DE Andre Wadsworth—who may be the best prospect available in the draft, period—to improve their anemic pass rush, but he's unlikely to be available at number four.

Woodson, 6-1 and 198 pounds, is a versatile athlete. Not only did he play cornerback, but he also returned punts and played occasionally at wide receiver. He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash.

In his three years at Michigan—Woodson is turning pro a year early—he had 18 interceptions, including one in the end zone in this past Rose Bowl. In 1997 he became the first defensive player in many years to win the Heisman Trophy, outpolling QBs Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. He also won the Chuck Bednarik award as the defensive player of the year and the Jim Thorpe award as the top defensive back.

During 1997, Woodson was second in the nation with seven interceptions, caught 11 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns and ran 33 yards for a TD.

Friday, January 30, 1998

With the scouting combine approaching—it begins February 5—there's little in the news at the moment.

New coach Jon Gruden was formally introduced Tuesday at a press conference dominated by managing general partner Al Davis. Gruden himself didn't say a whole lot. Much of the press attention, as usual, was devoted to a provocative comment by Davis.

In contrast to last year, the news conference was decidedly low-key. After a disastrous 4-12 season—the team's worst since 1962—there was no talk this time around of "multiple Super Bowls."

Probably the most relevant real facts to emerge concerned the coaching. Newly hired coach Bill Callahan will be the offensive coordinator this year, and Gruden himself will call all the plays from the sideline. Coaches Keith Rowen (offensive line) and Fred Biletnikoff (wide receivers) will remain in those positions. Beyond that, it's apparently up for grabs as far as the assistant coaching jobs. Gruden did say that he would interview the remaining assistants.

After a very brief initial comment from Gruden, the floor was opened to questions. Gruden was asked the obvious question, what offense are you going to run, the West Coast or the vertical? His reply ducked the issue rather artfully: "We want to run the football and we're going to be physical. We're going to throw the ball vertically and we're going to throw the ball horizontally. We're going to run the Oakland Raiders' offense." Something there for everyone . . . :-)

Gruden added, "I will call the plays here and I will be responsible for every play that's called. That's what I was looking for and that's what (Davis) was looking for." And he repeated it again later: "I want to keep reiterating that I will be in control of the play-calling. The players will find that out and I think they'll respect it."

Davis grabbed the media's attention—as he surely knew he would—when he was asked about the recent press conferences held by Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden. Holden has repeatedly said the Raiders' return to Los Angeles is "imminent" once currently pending litigation is resolved.

Davis replied, "(The situation) gave a councilman a chance to read between the lines and make the statement that the Raiders will win those suits. His credibility can't be questioned because he's a bright guy."

(The litigation referred to by Holden is a suit brought by the Raiders against the NFL over the issue of whether the Raiders still retain rights to the Los Angeles area. Yesterday Holden said he would be hiring an attorney on his behalf to try to intervene in that litigation—in effect, to have the court recognize him as an interested party in the case. Holden represents the district in which the Los Angeles Coliseum is located.

When Davis mentioned "suits" he was also including the suit filed against the Raiders by the City of Oakland seeking a declaratory judgment that the Raiders are obligated to honor their lease with the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.)

Davis, who's obviously rankled by Oakland's suit, added, "When you're sued by your own city, it causes great concern by those who are sued." (This from a man who, it must be noted, has done his share of suing and then some.)

Davis, on the state of the Raiders: "I'm not as optimistic as everyone else. Something has to be done here, in this environment and on defense. We have a ways to go. I'd rather say that than to give people false hope like last year. I won't say that although we were ranked 30th on defense last season that everything will be OK because of inspirational talk. We're not going to take for granted that we're close."

Davis, when asked to compare Gruden's hiring with that of Mike Shanahan: "This is different. This is a little different era. Jon Gruden is a different person. Mike has gone on to do great (as Denver's coach), there's no doubt about it. He was a good coach, but I think Jon has certain qualities that we need today that I feel much stronger about."

Davis on the San Francisco Whiners' current problems: "I'm well aware of that situation. It's a deeper problem than meets the eye. Everyone's trying to put a spin on it, and you guys (reporters) have been very nice to them, which we all should be in this point in time. Because we're talking about the lives of people, and we're talking about jail and things like that. They've had a problem for some time, and I hope they work it out."

(While there was a gentle barb there in using the word "jail," for Davis, who detests the Whiners organization, that was a polite and restrained comment. :-)

Gruden, on fixing the defense: "I know this: We have players and we have pride. I've talked to a couple of the defensive players and we need to get committed. We need to get a frantic pace on our defense."

Gruden on Tim Brown, who'd hinted at demanding a trade unless Art Shell were hired: "Everywhere I've ever been, the flanker has been my best friend. From Irving Fryar in Philadelphia to Sterling Sharpe in Green Bay. I'm sure it will be the same thing with Timmy Brown."

Davis, on Gruden's intellect: "I didn't have to get on the blackboard. He was quicker than me. I was impressed by that. I didn't have to spell things out for him."

Davis, defending the signing of Desmond Howard: "I signed him because we wanted to go to sleep at night knowing that the return of punts and kickoffs was in a professional's hands. He handled over 100 balls this year and never was one ball put on the ground."

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Examiner, Associated Press

Tuesday, January 27, 1998

Former head coach Joe Bugel was hired yesterday to coach San Diego's offensive line.

Monday, January 26, 1998

With the Super Bowl taking center stage over the weekend, there haven't been any new articles concerning the Raiders.

New head coach Jon Gruden will be formally introduced tomorrow with appropriate fanfare at an official team news conference.

This observer expects a performance from Gruden which is substantially different from that of his predecessor, Joe Bugel, last year. Remember when Bugel said something to the effect that he'd had a "fifteen-year love affair" with Al Davis? :-)

Bugel also said his goal was "multiple Super Bowls." I suspect Gruden will be a little more realistic.

A former fellow coach, Joe Vitt of the Eagles, had some very nice things to say about Gruden last week.

"He's going to bring organization and discipline to that team," said Vitt, Philly's linebackers coach. "He's going to outwork everybody and lead by example."

"One thing I guarantee, the Raiders will put points on the board. The talent out there is among the best in the league. They're going to light up the scoreboard. I worked with Jon for three years, and I don't know if I've ever been around a smarter, more detailed guy than him. The Raiders are very, very lucky to have landed Jon."

It's possible the conference will be carried live via streaming audio on The Ticket.

Saturday, January 24, 1998

The search for new assistant coaches has assumed center stage at Raiders headquarters in Alameda, and it seems clear that however else the lineup of assistants may eventually shake out, both offensive coordinator Ray Perkins and defensive coordinator Fred Whittingham have lost their jobs.

The San Jose Mercury News reported today that the team interviewed New Orleans secondary coach Willie Shaw on Friday. The Merc projects him as a possible candidate for defensive coordinator.

Shaw previously served in that capacity with the Rams in 1995-96, and has also coached secondaries in San Diego, Detroit and Minnesota.

The Raiders have also asked Dallas for permission to interview tight ends coach Robert Ford, presumably to replace the departed Bishop Harris as running backs coach.

The paper speculates that Bill Callahan, who was hired earlier this week, will be named offensive coordinator, with new coach Jon Gruden himself calling the plays.

By the way, you can forget Marc Trestman, whom the Trib had mentioned recently as an O/C candidate. He took that position with Arizona today.

This year's class of inductees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was announced, and sadly, punter Ray Guy was not among them.

Five inductees were named: Cincinnati T Anthony Muñoz, Chicago LB Mike Singletary, Miami C Dwight Stephenson, Philadelphia WR Tommy McDonald, and Minnesota S Paul Krause.

In an ESPN "Sportslook" program which was taped Thursday and aired yesterday, WR Tim Brown hedged somewhat on his comments made last Monday that he'd consider asking to be traded if anyone other than Art Shell were named coach.

Brown was asked if he's still considering demanding a trade. He replied, "At this point I would love to finish my career with the Raiders because it's unheard nowadays for guys to do that. But I definitely wouldn't rule it out."

Brown said he wanted Shell to get the job because at this stage of his career, he (Brown) didn't want to have to adjust to yet another new coach.

"The only reason I wanted to see Art back is it's not a situation where I have to get adjusted to a guy," said Brown. "I know what Art's going to do. I know how Art's going to be. I know the guy. It's not a situation where I have to learn this guy, learn what he's like. I'm not looking going into year 11 to find a new coach. I would like to have somebody there who is settling for me."

"Jon's a young guy, 34 years old. It's funny because he reminds me of (former Raiders coach) Mike Shanahan, a guy who is supposed to be an offensive genius," Brown said. "The guys playing for him now love the fact that he's a great offensive mind."

"Whether or not he'll be able to handle this Raider group of guys is something totally different."

Candid as ever, Brown also said he hopes Gruden will be allowed to put in his own system without interference from managing general partner Al Davis.

"I think Mike Shanahan is a great coach. I thought he was ahead of his time (with the Raiders)," Brown said. "Maybe (Davis will) give this guy a little bit more latitude than they gave Shanahan."

Asked to clarify his comments on Friday, Brown declined to say anything further. You can bet his comments about Shanahan went over big with Raiders management. :-)

Los Angeles City Council member Nate Holden, whose district just happens to include the LA Coliseum, continues to insist that the Raiders will be returning to La-La Land just as soon as pending litigation filed by them against the NFL is resolved.

(That litigation concerns whether the Raiders retain the franchise rights to the Los Angeles area. The Raiders contend that they do, and that the league would have to pay them a substantial fee before it could award a Los Angeles franchise to anyone else. The NFL, obviously, takes a different view.)

Nearly the entire rest of the world, including spokesmen for both the Raiders and the NFL, and even some of Holden's fellow Council members, continue to insist he's full of it.

To top off this amusing story, a poll yesterday showed that a whopping 60% of Southern Californians don't even care if professional football returns to Los Angeles.

Friday, January 23, 1998

The Raiders finally made the announcement late yesterday afternoon that almost everyone had been expecting all week. Jon Gruden has been named to be the 12th Head Coach of the Raiders. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Formal introduction of Gruden by way of a full press conference will be deferred until Tuesday morning, when reporters covering the Super Bowl have returned to the Bay Area.

Managing general partner Al Davis is also out of town. He flew to San Diego Wednesday night and will remain there through Sunday. Besides the Super Bowl, an NFL owners' meeting was scheduled for yesterday, with the new television package signed last week to be the principal item on the agenda.

"Jon Gruden is an extremely bright, perceptive, talented young coach with an outstanding background," said executive assistant Al LoCasale ("Little Al" to fans). "He's gone through an extensive interview process here over the past few years."

For his part, Gruden said, "I'm excited to be here. I understand the expectations and commitment of this franchise and look forward to getting started."

Gruden also said to a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News who had followed him to the Bay Area, "This is a top-notch organization. Any time you get a chance to sit down with Al Davis, it's something else. He's impressive, man. He's in the Hall of Fame."

It had been reported that Gruden had returned to Philadelphia without an offer on Tuesday after follow-up interviews held Monday night and Tuesday. In hindsight, those stories were clearly incorrect. Several local papers now say that the final terms of the Gruden hiring were worked out on Wednesday—the length of the contract was the last sticking point—and Gruden has been hard at work in his new position since then.

Gruden is known as a driven man and an exceptionally hard worker. 49er coaches who remember him from his one year as a Whiner assistant say it wasn't unusual to see him in the film room at 5:00 a.m.

Gruden's younger brother, Jay, 30, who coaches an Arena Football League team, related an illustrative experience.

"I went to work with him for a week, and I was comatose," said the younger Gruden. "I was burnt out for two months. I wanted nothing to do with football after that. He was pounding on my door about 4 a.m. and asking me if I was ready yet. I was just getting into a dream."

"When we got to his office, he was nonstop on the computer, watching film, drawing up scouting reports. If I talked to him, I felt like I was totally interrupting him. I just sat there and watched film. A lot of coaches go in early, make calls, have coffee, read the paper. I was amazed."

One interesting question concerning the hiring of Gruden has to do with him choosing his own assistants. To his credit, Gruden was apparently assertive during his interviews with Al Davis and said clearly that he wanted to hire his own assistants. It appears he's getting at least a substantial say in those decisions, but not complete autonomy. As senior assistant Bruce Allen characterized it, Gruden "was given some latitude." The operative word there is some.

The Contra Costa Times today quoted a source "close to the Raiders" as saying that Gruden has hired former Eagles offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Depending on which paper you believe, Callahan will be either the tight ends coach or the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. (The Raiders apparently intend to keep Keith Rowen in his present slot as offensive line coach.) Callahan was interviewed by the Raiders earlier this week. Meanwhile, Ray Meyers, who coached the Raiders tight ends for the past several years, is pursuing the vacant offensive line coach position at USC.

Also according to this same source cited by the Times, Falcons secondary coach Ron Meeks is expected to be hired in some capacity within the next few days. The Raiders interviewed Meeks on Wednesday.

Officially, Allen would not divulge what Callahan's role will be, beyond saying that it will be on the "offensive" side of the ball. Allen did say that the Raiders organization had invited three coaching candidates in for interviews: Callahan, Meeks, and Carolina linebackers coach Kevin Steele.

The Oakland Tribune offered its own spin on the offensive coordinator issue, speculating that Marc Trestman, currently quarterbacks coach in Detroit, might be a candidate. Trestman was previously the O/C with San Francisco but was abruptly fired at the same time the Whiners squeezed out their then-head coach, George Seifert.

One position Gruden may not be allowed to fill with his own choice is defensive coordinator. On Tuesday the Raiders denied Seattle permission to interview linebackers coach Dave Adolph. As the Times sees it, that could be interpreted to mean that Adolph will be named defensive coordinator. Rumors circulated throughout the second half of last season that Adolph would be elevated to replace the clueless Fred Whittingham.

A different scenario suggested by the San Francisco Examiner has Whittingham returning to his old position—linebackers coach—with Adolph switching to the defensive line.

Earlier in the week, the San Jose Mercury News reported that both Gruden and the Raiders (read Big Al) were interested in hiring Eagles defensive coordinator Emmitt Thomas. Thomas was even supposed to visit the Alameda facility on Tuesday. But Philadelphia countered by placing a "supervisor" designation on him, meaning that for a lateral move, the Eagles would have to grant permission before another team could interview him, and Philadelphia denied the Raiders permission.

Wednesday, Thomas's wife, Jacqui, said, "We're staying here. We hope that doesn't hurt Jon's chances with the Raiders; we really like him and his wife."

The Raiders were also said to want to interview the Ravens' defensive coordinator, Marvin Lewis, but were denied permission to do so by Baltimore.

Finally, it was reported by several papers earlier this week that Davis was seeking to bring in Art Shell to work with the offense in an assistant's role—presumably to provide some sort of balance to Gruden's whole-hearted enthusiasm for the West Coast offense. But Shell told the Contra Costa Times on Thursday that he would not accept any forthcoming offer from the Raiders to rejoin the organization as an offensive assistant.

Sources: All the usual suspects—Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Sacramento Bee

Thursday, January 22, 1998

Buried among all the hoopla over the Super Bowl is the fact that between four and seven new inductees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be announced this weekend.

Wednesday, January 21, 1998

Jon Gruden has again returned home to Philadelphia without an offer, but nevertheless appears to be the clear favorite to get the Raiders head coaching job.

Gruden talked further with managing general partner Al Davis and senior assistant Bruce Allen Monday night and again yesterday, but the team continues to insist that it has not yet made any formal decision.

Allen did tell the Sacramento Bee (before Gruden departed the Bay Area again), "The fact that he is still here you can interpret as being very good for Jon."

According to the Bee, the hangup, if any, isn't over salary, but rather in giving Gruden latitude in hiring his own assistant coaches. Bill Callahan, Philadelphia's offensive line coach this past season, was brought in for an interview Tuesday. The paper speculates that the Callahan interview may have been at Gruden's request.

Another interesting rumor appears in today's Contra Costa Times and is also mentioned by the Bee. The Times speculates that the delay in hiring Gruden is due to a desire by the Raiders to try to bring in fellow candidate Art Shell in a less-than-head-coach capacity, to work with the offense. The paper cites an unidentified source who claims to have heard this scenario directly from Al Davis during a conversation with him.

This rumor makes sense for several reasons. It would help ease Davis' discomfort with the West Coast