Oakland Raiders News

Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell shows up in improved condition
Comment
March 17
Contra Costa Times
 
"As expected, Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell showed up for offseason workouts Tuesday. The surprise came in Russell's physical appearance. Several players said Russell appears to be in much better shape than he was last season, when Russell's playing weight was listed at 260 pounds. Russell spent the past month or so working out at a training facility in Arizona, according to director of squad development Willie Brown. Two players confirmed that Russell has been working out in the Phoenix area. Brown said in an interview on Comcast Sports on Monday night that Russell was absent Monday so that he could complete the purchase of a home in Alabama. "You'll be surprised when you see him," ..."
Brown: JaMarcus getting in shape
Comment
March 17
Oakland Tribune
 
"In case you missed it, Raiders director of squad development Willie Brown said on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area Monday that quarterback JaMarcus Russell has undergone a transformation in the offseason and wasn't present at the first day of the offseason program tending to personal business. "He's trying to close a home in Alabama. It's something that he couldn't get out of," Brown said. "You don't want to lose your home. So he'll be back in town today and ready to go (Tuesday)." Brown, talking with Raiders play-by-play announcer Greg Papa on "Chronicle Live," alluded to personal problems Russell experienced last season and said the quarterback has been in Phoenix getting in shape, a ..."
Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski signs one-year tender, is eager to show he's ready
Comment
March 16
Contra Costa Times
 
"The first day of offseason voluntary workouts commenced Monday for many Raiders. It was just another day for quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, except for the fact that he signed the one-year tender he received 12 days ago. Some players returned to the team's year-round training facility for the first time in more than two months. Gradkowski has been a regular there since the season ended Jan. 3 and has worked out three or four days a week the past month. "I never stopped working out because I wanted to get my knee healthy and my legs strong," Gradkowski said by phone Monday afternoon. "I'm fine now. I could play in a game tomorrow. I feel great." Gradkowski suffered torn ligaments in both ..."
Russell missing as workouts start
Comment
March 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Raiders' quarterback competition unofficially began Monday with the start of voluntary workouts. So far it's a two-horse race, with neither one named JaMarcus Russell. The 2007 No. 1 overall draft pick was not seen by teammates at team headquarters Monday, and no one interviewed has any idea where he has been this offseason. The Raiders do know the whereabouts of the two quarterbacks who leapfrogged Russell into the starting lineup last season. Bruce Gradkowski has been at the team facility all month, and Charlie Frye arrived Monday after signing his restricted-free-agent contract. "Signed it Sunday," Frye said of his one-year, $1.226 million pact. "Ready to go." So is Pro Bowl long ..."
Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski signs one-year tender, is eager to show he's ready
Comment
March 16
Oakland Tribune
 
"The first day of offseason voluntary workouts commenced Monday for many Raiders. It was just another day for quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, except for the fact that he signed the one-year tender he received 12 days ago. Some players returned to the team's year-round training facility for the first time in more than two months. Gradkowski has been a regular there since the season ended Jan. 3 and has worked out three or four days a week the past month. "I never stopped working out because I wanted to get my knee healthy and my legs strong," Gradkowski said by phone Monday afternoon. "I'm fine now. I could play in a game tomorrow. I feel great." Gradkowski suffered torn ligaments in both ..."
Where's JaMarcus? Teammates don't know his whereabouts
Comment
March 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Raiders kicked off offseason voluntary workouts today at team headquarters. The linemen checked in for 8 a.m. workouts, the skill position guys followed at 10:30 a.m. Quarterback Charlie Frye showed up, saying he signed his original draft pick tender. Bruce Gradkowski has been here all along, rehabbing his knees and getting fired up about competing for the starting job. No visible sign of JaMarcus Russell, though. Several players who have been at the facility for weeks said they have not seen the former No. 1 overall draft pick. When asked if he'll show today, one starter laughed and said "That's a horror show." Another starter said "don't hold your breath." Russell was around a lot ..."
Jamarcus Russell absent
Comment
March 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Raiders kicked off offseason voluntary workouts today at team headquarters. The linemen checked in for 8 a.m. workouts, the skill position guys followed at 10:30 a.m. Quarterback Charlie Frye showed up, saying he signed his original draft pick tender. Bruce Gradkowski has been here all along, rehabbing his knees and getting fired up about competing for the starting job. No visible sign of JaMarcus Russell, though. Several players who have been at the facility for weeks said they have not seen the former No. 1 overall draft pick. When asked if he'll show today, one starter laughed and said "That's a horror show." Another starter said "don't hold your breath." Russell was around a lot ..."
Cleveland Browns won't even get a high No. 3 for Kamerion Wimbley
Comment
March 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Upon further review, the Browns' trade of linebacker Kamerion Wimbley to Oakland is worse than originally thought. According to reports, the Raiders apparently will send the Browns the lower of their two picks in the third round for Wimbley, a No. 1 pick in 2006. The Raiders obtained a third-round pick from New England -- No. 86 overall -- last year in exchange for defensive lineman Richard Seymour. That's the pick coming to the Browns instead of Oakland's own third-round pick, No. 70 overall."
Are four a score for Raiders' defense?
Comment
March 15
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Raiders on Sunday traded for Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, the 13th pick of the 2006 NFL draft. Wimbley, 26, was taken by the Browns six spots after the Raiders selected safety Michael Huff. He had 11 sacks as a rookie but has added only 15?1/2 in the three seasons since that one. He joins Huff, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha as first-round picks on Oakland's defense. The Raiders dealt a third-round pick they received last year from the New England Patriots, according to a league source. The Raiders received third- and fifth-round picks from the Patriots when they traded defensive end Derrick Burgess in 2009. The Browns ..."
Kamerion Wimbley dealt by Browns to Raiders for third-round draft pick
Comment
March 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kamerion Wimbley was the best pass rusher on a Browns team seemingly always lacking in that fundamental part of the game. That didn't stop the Browns from trading Wimbley to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday for a third-round pick in this year's draft. This one came out of left field. "I didn't know anything was up," said agent Joe Linta. "Is it a shocker? I would say so. I don't think anybody saw this coming. Apparently they made the decision to get rid of him. "He is clearly one of the top five players on the team and you can't have a better consummate person in the locker room." Wimbley, the Browns' first-round pick in 2006, was young (not 27 until October), dependable (the only game he ..."
Report: Raiders acquire Wimbley
Comment
March 15
Oakland Tribune
 
"Adam Caplan of Scout.com is reporting the Raiders have traded for linebacker Kamerion Wimbley for an undisclosed draft pick. No confirmations yet from the Raiders or Browns, but multiple outlets are now reporting this story. Wimbley is a former first-round draft pick from Florida State by the Cleveland Browns. A four-year vetrean, Wimbley is coming off a 6.5 sack season and has 26.5 sacks for his career in four years as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. At 6-3, 255, Wimbley could be used either as an end or outside linebacker. His current skill set sounds as if he is suited to a role similar to the one second-year man Trevor Scott played for the Raiders last season. Scott was a ..."
Browns stay busy, deal Wimbley to Raiders
Comment
March 14
NFL.com
 
"The Cleveland Browns have traded LB Kamerion Wimbley to the Oakland Raiders for a third-round pick in the 2010 draft, according to a league source. The Raiders originally owned two picks in the third round."
Fargas deal unlikely
Comment
March 13
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"In talking to Justin Fargas, you can tell that he really wants to sign with the Eagles. Unfortunately for him, the Eagles aren't likely to sign the free agent running back, according to a league source. Fargas has played his entire career with the lowly Raiders, so joining a winning organization would have been nice. But a deal could not be struck and he's left the NovaCare Complex. Beforehand, though, he felt positive about the vibes he was feeling from the Eagles. "From what I understand they're excited about the possibility for me to be an Eagles," Fargas said. "They feel like my style of play can fit in well here. This is known as a tough city and a tough team and I consider myself a ..."
Raiders cut Warren, avoid paying bonus
Comment
March 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Raiders released nose tackle Gerard Warren on Thursday before he could receive a roster bonus reported by various media to be $5.925 million. Warren spent the past three seasons in Oakland after becoming the first player traded from Denver to the Raiders since Willie Brown in 1967. Warren had 10 sacks in 44 games. He shared snaps last season with Desmond Bryant, an undrafted rookie from Harvard who is expected to compete for the starting job next season. Tommy Kelly is the only other defensive tackle on the roster."
Oakland Raiders need to sign Terrell Owens
Comment
March 12
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Jerry McDonald
"T.O. a Raider?Assuming he came at a reasonable price, there's only one pertinent question: How fast can he get here?Even with the admittedly loose standards of Internet journalism, the Terrell Owens-could-be-a-Raider story is a flimsy one.But Al Davis just loves picking up Hall of Famers en route to retirement. He also doesn't believe in chemistry, and even invoked Owens' initials once when making his point."
Oakland Raiders release defensive tackle Gerard Warren
Comment
March 12
Contra Costa Times
 
"Defensive tackle Gerard Warren on Thursday became the third starter and fourth veteran from last year's Raiders team to be released as part of the team's offseason plan to shed hefty contracts and get younger. Warren, 31, started 37 games during his three seasons with the Raiders after arriving in a training-camp trade with the Denver Broncos in 2007. He started all 16 games last season and posted two sacks. The expected move, revealed through league documents, came in advance of the Raiders being obligated to pay Warren an option bonus just south of $6 million. He also was slated to earn $755,000 in base salary next season"
Team decides to part ways with the veteran defensive tackle
Comment
March 12
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"The housecleaning in Oakland continues. After parting ways with wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis on Monday, the Raiders were at it again Thursday afternoon as they released defensive tackle Gerard Warren, according to our own Michael Lombardi. Warren-a nine-year veteran out of Florida-was due a $5.925 million roster bonus on March 14. He started 32 games for the Raiders over the past two years, recording 74 tackles and six sacks."
Report: LB Morrison open to leaving Raiders
Comment
March 12
New York Post
 
"Raiders free agent linebacker Kirk Morrison, a possible target of the Giants, said today in a radio interview that he has spoken to teams other than Oakland. "There are some teams we're looking at and we've talked to," Morrison said on Sirius XM, according to NJ.com. "Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks we can get something done ... either with the Raiders or with other teams. I know next year I'm going to be playing football. I just want to make sure I'm in the best, most comfortable position I can be in." Morrison was given a third-round tender, meaning if a team signs him and Oakland doesn't match the offer, it would lose its third-round pick to the Raiders. Morrison, 28, could ..."
Raiders shed salary by cutting Warren
Comment
March 12
Oakland Tribune
 
"Defensive tackle Gerard Warren on Thursday became the third starter and fourth veteran from last year's Raiders team to be shown the door as part of the team's offseason plan to shed hefty contracts and get younger. Warren, 31, started 37 games during his three seasons with the Raiders after arriving in a training-camp trade with the Denver Broncos in 2007. He started all 16 games last season and posted two sacks. The expected move, revealed through league documents, came in advance of the Raiders being obligated to pay Warren an option bonus just south of $6 million. He also was slated to earn $755,000 in base salary this season."
Javon Walker was merely the latest of costly free agents around the Bay Area
Comment
March 10
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Monte Poole
"Though it's exceedingly difficult for a man of action and authority to admit error, such admissions are even harder for a legendary sports executive. Maybe that's why it took Al Davis two years to dump Javon Walker. Though the troubled wide receiver needed to go, he is but the latest NFL free agent to show up here only to leave his bosses bathing in regret. Named by NFL Network as the worst free-agent signing of all time, Walker might not be the worst to hit the Bay Area. Having been provided a deep field of contenders by the Raiders and 49ers, we submit these as the 10 most regrettable NFL free agents in local history. 10: Strong safety Gibril Wilson, who received from Oakland a six-year ..."
Oakland Raiders release Javon Walker, Greg Ellis
Comment
March 9
Oakland Tribune
 
"Veteran wide receiver Javon Walker and veteran defensive end Greg Ellis were released by the Raiders on Monday, according to league records, as part of the team's offseason makeover. The Raiders gained a roster spot by releasing Walker but failed to save any money because Walker's $2.6 million salary was guaranteed. Parting ways with Ellis saves the Raiders $2.5 million. Cutting Walker, 31, closes the book on a free-agent signing that yielded only 15 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown during his two seasons. Ankle and knee injuries necessitated surgery and limited his playing time. Raiders coach Tom Cable so soured on Walker's ability to help the league's 29th-ranked passing attack ..."
Raiders cut Fargas
Comment
March 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"To the surprise of nobody who sees the way the player market in the uncapped year is going, the Raiders' first move of the allegedly hyperactive free agency period was to shed salary, specifically that of running back Justin Fargas. Fargas, who was due a $1.7 million roster bonus, never found clear sailing as a running back in his seven years in Oakland, was released Saturday and joins an already bloated running back market."
Raiders' Cable soap opera shows no signs of ending
Comment
March 7
Contra Costa Times
 columnist Gary Peterson
"Quick-and-easy assumption No. 1: Tom Cable remains the Raiders' head coach, based on the lack of any statement to the contrary from the team. Quick-and-easy assumption No. 2: Cable remains resolutely skeptical of JaMarcus Russell's quarterbacking acumen, based on Cable's comments to reporters at the recently concluded NFL scouting combine. "Let the (quarterback) job be competed for," Cable said. "I think that's where we're at in terms of our starting quarterback." Cable didn't stop there, suggesting the Raiders could conceivablya quarterback in next month's draft. And that was before the team tendered offers to restricted free agents Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye, who began last season ..."
Raiders bid farewell to RB Justin Fargas
Comment
March 7
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Raiders parted ways with running back Justin Fargas on Saturday in a move that saves them approximately $2.5 million and clears the way for Darren McFadden and Michael Bush to get more playing time. Fargas, 30, spent seven seasons with the Raiders and was the most-tenured position player on the roster, along with linebacker Sam Williams. His best campaign came in 2007, when he supplanted LaMont Jordan as the lead back and rushed for 1,009 yards. Fargas started 14 games in 2008 and rushed for a team-high 853 yards. However, his rushing average dropped to 3.8 yard per carry in 12 games last season. It's conceivable the Raiders will re-sign Fargas at some point, though at a much lower ..."
Raiders, 49ers win at expense of division rivals
Comment
March 6
Contra Costa Times
 
"Piece by piece, the Raiders and 49ers are inching closer to ending their seven-season playoff droughts. This is not a byproduct of their actions, however. This is thanks to their adversaries' backpedaling. The AFC West and NFC West are losing star power at an alarming rate, especially both defending division champions, the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. It's providing much-needed relief for the Raiders and 49ers. Fear not about the Raiders' and 49ers' lack of signings or trades at Thursday night's launch of free agency and the uncapped year. Their offseasons have been acceptable in almost all facets. Six months remain for our local yokels to make second-tier acquisitions via ..."
Howard's end, or a new beginning?
Comment
March 5
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist David White
"Outside linebacker Thomas Howard wore a black Raiders T-shirt to a workout Thursday, only he technically isn't a Raider. That's because, effective Thursday night, Howard was a free agent, only he wasn't really free at all. "You are, but not totally free," Howard said after a workout at the UFC Gym in Concord, hours before the NFL's free agency season opened. "I am not excited at all about this free agency. I wish they got a CBA (collective bargaining agreement) done and over with." They didn't, with they being the NFL and players' union. That's why the 2010 season will be an uncapped year, making players with less than six years of experience - such as Howard - restricted free agents ..."
Warren, Fargas could be cut
Comment
March 4
Oakland Tribune
 
"ESPN's Adam Schefter is expecting defensive tackle Gerard Warren and running back Justin Fargas to be released before scheduled bonus payments are due early this month."
QB Gradkowski is tendered
Comment
March 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"As expected, the Raiders gave Gradkowski a second-round tender Wednesday, one day before free agency begins, said his agent, Ralph Cindrich. The only way he isn't a Raider next season is if Oakland lets him sign elsewhere in exchange for a second-round pick in the April draft. Since Gradkowski is a journeyman quarterback coming off a knee injury, it isn't likely another team will give up a draft pick that high. And if someone does, the Raiders have the right of first refusal and can keep Gradkowski by matching the offer. This means former first-round pick JaMarcus Russell isn't being crowned the 2010 starter by any means. "Let the job be competed for," Cable said Sunday at the NFL combine. ..."
Oakland Raiders tender contract offers to Gradkowski, Morrison, Howard, among others
Comment
March 4
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Raiders took significant measures toward keeping several of their key players from last season by tendering one-year offers to quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, linebackers Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard and Ricky Brown and long-snapper Jon Condo, among others. Tendering Gradkowski was one of Oakland's top priorities because of how well he played in relief of benched starter JaMarcus Russell last season. Raiders coach Tom Cable said at the NFL Scouting Combine last Sunday that the competition for the quarterback spot next season is "open" among Gradkowski, Russell and whoever else is on the roster. Cable has made it known that he favors Gradkowski over Russell. Hence, the Raiders tendered ..."
A forecast on what 49ers and Raiders will do in NFL draft
Comment
March 4
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"Only 50 more shopping days until the 2010 NFL draft . . . From now until April 22, this will be a sprint, and you know how much Al Davis loves sprinters. That's why it's not too tough to ESP ourselves into the minds and motivations of Scot McCloughan's 49ers (who have pick Nos. 13 and 17) and Davis' Raiders (pick No. 8). Let's focus on three names: USC safety Taylor Mays is too big and too fast for the numbers-crazy Raiders to bypass; and Florida cornerback Joe Haden and Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams are perfect fits for the 49ers' blue-collar way of doing business. Could I be wrong? Of course. Could things change? Yep."
Raiders won't name starting QB
Comment
March 1
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Raiders coach Tom Cable is not naming JaMarcus Russell his starting quarterback for the 2010 season. At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Cable said he's open to a competition. That means Russell will have to win back his job, with Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye, both restricted free agents, in the wings. "That would help our football team right now, getting into more of that competition," Cable said. "I'm for having guys go at it and battle for the job." On Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, Cable said, "JaMarcus is working and doing the things he should be doing right now. He'll get himself prepared to compete for the job. I think that's the only way to look at ..."
Cable sees value in Seymour
Comment
March 1
Boston Globe
 
"Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable said today the addition of defensive end Richard Seymour was well worth the 2011 first-round draft pick traded to the Patriots last year. "I think so," said Cable at Lucas Oil Stadium. "If you look at what he brought to our team. The ability of opponents or lack there of to run at him on that side of the line of scrimmage. I would like to see a little more pass rush out of him, which he would probably be the first to tell you that. With all those things considered, yeah, definitely, you get that out of a first round pick and [you've done well.]" The Patriots gave up leadership for the pick, and the Raiders benefited. "I think he was everything that I thought ..."
Raiders the leaders of Seymour's fan club
Comment
March 1
Boston Globe
 
"The Raiders gave up a 2011 first-round draft pick to add defensive end Richard Seymour to their roster last year. The Patriots said goodbye to their five-time Pro Bowl lineman and his leadership. Yesterday at the NFL Combine, Raiders coach Tom Cable said Seymour was well worth the first-round pick. The Patriots will have to wait and see whether the trade works out for them. Seymour, who was drafted by the Patriots in the first round in 2001, was shipped to the struggling Raiders in early September. He played in all 16 games, registering 47 tackles and four sacks. But to Cable, it was what Seymour brought to the locker room that made him worth the investment. "I think so,'' said Cable. "If ..."
Tom Cable: Richard Seymour worth pick
Comment
March 1
Boston Herald
 
"The Patriots still don't know what they will ultimately have in return for Richard Seymour. That won't come until next year's draft. In Tom Cable's mind, however, the Raiders didn't lose out on that deal. Yesterday, the Oakland coach said the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end was well worth the 2011 first-round draft pick the Raiders handed over in the blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves through Patriot Nation. "I think (he was worth it) if you look at what he brought to our team: The ability of opponents, or lack there of, to run at him on that side of the line of scrimmage," Cable said. "We'd like to see a little more pass rush out of him, which he'd probably be the first to tell you ..."
Raiders give Richard Seymour exclusive franchise tag, meaning he'll stay in Oakland
Comment
February 26
Contra Costa Times
 
"The Raiders designated defensive end Richard Seymour as their exclusive franchise player Thursday in a move that prevents him from negotiating with other teams. Seymour is guaranteed at least $12.398 million for 2010 if he signs the one-year tender. That figure could soar if the average salary of the five highest-paid defensive ends for 2010 exceeds $12.398 million by April 15. The exclusive designation prohibits any of the league's 31 other teams from making an offer to Seymour. In exchange, Seymour is guaranteed the average salary of the five highest-paid defensive ends from last season - the non-exclusive figure of $12.398 million - the figure as of April 15 or 120 percent of his 2009 ..."
Raiders put non-exclusive franchise tag on DE Richard Seymour
Comment
February 25
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Raiders placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on defensive end Richard Seymour on Wednesday to protect themselves from losing him to another team without compensation, according to a person familiar with the process. Teams have until this afternoon to use the franchise tag designation, which guarantees a player the average salary of the five highest-paid players at his position from the previous season. In Seymour's case, that works out to $12,398,000. That figure would go away if the Raiders and Seymour agree to a long-term deal before the regular-season opener in September. Negotiations between the team and Seymour's agent, Eugene Parker, on a multiyear contract have heated up in ..."
Raiders' Seymour tagged, too
Comment
February 24
Boston Herald
 
"As expected, the Oakland Raiders just franchised former New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour at a cost of $12.398 million for 2010 but the two sides have been in ongoing contract negotiations on a long-term deal. Those talks are continuing. Seymour recently told the Herald he would be "happy to stay with the Raiders and be a part of bringing them back to the playoffs." That would be some accomplishment. Although armed with a solid defense led by Seymour and Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland has not reached the playoffs since its losing Super Bowl appearance in 2002 because of intractable offensive problems. Since that 2002 season, Oakland has gone 29-84, had five ..."
Hanson files civil suit against Cable
Comment
February 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Raiders employee Randy Hanson on Tuesday filed a civil lawsuit against Raiders head coach Tom Cable for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, reviving assault allegations first made during training camp. Hanson also is suing the Raiders for not punishing Cable after the alleged assault during training camp in August, all while demoting Hanson from assistant coach to the personnel department. Napa police investigated Cable but the district attorney's office declined to press charges, citing an initial lack of cooperation from Hanson, followed by inconsistencies in his story. Hanson's attorney filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Alameda County Superior Court, seeking ..."
Combine time is time for Raiders fans to be very afraid of Al Davis' obsession with the stopwatch
Comment
February 24
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Monte Poole
"With the NFL Scouting Combine beginning today, Al Davis once again confronts perhaps his most irresistible temptation. Speed, as determined by the 40-yard sprint. Davis always was attracted to speed. Some say the Raiders boss is obsessed with it. Truth told, speed has delivered such wondrous gifts as Cliff Branch and Bo Jackson and Willie Gault and Napoleon Kaufman. Speed occasionally has been good to Al. Nowadays, though, he too often is susceptible to its seduction. It's as if speed blinds him from parts of the equation he once understood so well. You know, um, the parts about playing effective football. That brings us back to the combine, where representatives from all 32 teams will ..."
Randy Hanson files civil suit against Raiders, Tom Cable
Comment
February 24
Oakland Tribune
 
"Former Raiders assistant coach Randy Hanson filed a civil suit against the Raiders and coach Tom Cable on Tuesday, according to court documents. The suit, filed in Alameda County, cites assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. "I have no comment at all," Hanson said by phone from Raiders headquarters in Alameda on Tuesday morning. A Raiders official said the team would not comment on the matter. John McGuinn, Hanson's attorney, and Cable did not return phone calls. The suit stems from an incident in training camp in Napa last August, when Cable allegedly punched Hanson in the face and threatened several times to "kill" him. Hanson is seeking damages in excess of ..."
Oakland Raiders assistant Clancy Pendergast leaves for Cal
Comment
February 20
Contra Costa Times
 
"Clancy Pendergast is still busy moving to the Bay Area. He's just taking a different exit off the freeway. Less than two weeks after accepting a job with the Raiders to be an assistant to defensive backs coach Lionel Washington, Pendergast has been hired as Cal's new defensive coordinator. "We are extremely pleased and excited to be able to hire a football coach with Clancy Pendergast's experience and credentials," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said in a statement Friday. "He has been a defensive coordinator on football's biggest stage and will be a tremendous asset to Cal football." Pendergast's hiring comes 48 hours after Bob Gregory announced he was leaving Cal to become a defensive assistant ..."
Pendergast leaves Raiders, takes Cal coordinator job
Comment
February 19
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Hired recently by the Oakland Raiders as their secondary coach, former Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has a new job. Pendergast has accepted a position as the new defensive coordinator at Cal-Berkeley, per a league source. Pendergast was replaced in Kansas City by Romeo Crennel. Now, he has joined Jeff Tedford's staff after an extremely brief tenure in Oakland. He replaces Bob Gregory, who left to join the Boise State staff as a defensive assistant. Gregory spent eight seasons in Berkeley."
Source: Seymour will get franchise tag
Comment
February 19
ESPN.com
 
"Oakland invested a 2011 first-round pick to get defensive end Richard Seymour from New England, and it seems determined not to lose him. The Raiders will use their franchise tag on Seymour if the two sides cannot agree on a long-term contract extension, according to a source close to the situation. The move would be neither surprising nor cheap. The franchise tag for defensive ends is $12.398 million. The deadline for teams to use their franchise tags on prospective free agents is next Thursday."
Raiders make Janikowski highest-paid kicker
Comment
February 17
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Raiders may not have the greatest record as of late, but they sure have the richest players. Kicker Sebastian Janikowski is the team's newest member of an exclusive club of highest paid players at their position. Janikowski agreed to terms Monday on a four-year deal worth $16 million, with $9 million guaranteed. Yes, that would be the richest contract for an NFL kicker. Paying their best free agents is one thing the Raiders have done best. Last year, punter Shane Lechler got the exact same deal as Janikowski, almost doubling the high-water mark for NFL punters. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha also was retained last year with a three-year, $45.3 million contract that gave him the highest ..."
Owners, players both at fault in labor mess
Comment
February 17
Houston Chronicle
 columnist John McClain
"At this time next year, expect the NFL to be in panic mode. The NFL Players Association and Management Council will be locked behind closed doors trying to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid a lockout that would begin in March. There won't be a salary cap when free agency begins March 5 of this year. There's a good chance that in 2011, a season will be interrupted for the first time since the players strike in 1987. Locking out the players in March seems foolish because players don't get paid game checks until the season starts in September. Maybe I'm missing something, but the only ones who'll get hurt in March, April, May, June, July and August are the employees ..."
Raiders keep Janikowski for four more years
Comment
February 16
Contra Costa Times
 
"Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski reportedly agreed to a four-year, $16 million contract Tuesday morning. So the Raiders have him through 2013. It's surprising Al Davis didn't sign him through 2024. Morten Andersen kicked in the NFL for 25 seasons and tallied a record 2,544 points. Janikowski is at the 1,000-point mark after 10 seasons, putting him on Andersen's pace. Why does it seem silly to consider that Janikowski could last as long as Andersen? Likely because of all the off-field baggage he packed into his Polish frame earlier in his career. But instead of staying in the police blotter, Janikowski has morphed into a fantastic kicker. The Raiders just don't use him enough, an evil ..."
Goodell Receives Extension Through '15
Comment
February 13
Sports Business Daily
 
"The NFL has added 3 1/2 years to Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract, SportsBusiness Journal has learned, extending the deal through March 1, 2015. His initial five-year deal was scheduled to expire September 1, 2011. Goodell is taking no increases in his base pay, a move designed to send a message that the league is willing to tighten its belt in light of its battle with the NFLPA over how much players are paid, and after a recent round of cutbacks at league headquarters. The extension was approved unanimously by NFL owners at a meeting in Dallas in mid-December, but the league only publicly disclosed it today. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, Goodell earned $2.9M in base pay ..."
Oakland Raiders don't plan to let free agents Richard Seymour, Sebastian Janikowski get away
Comment
February 12
Contra Costa Times
 
"Coach Tom Cable still hasn't been told by managing general partner Al Davis whether he is going to be the Raiders coach next season, and he isn't alone in wondering where he will be working next season. Defensive lineman Richard Seymour and kicker Sebastian Janikowski highlight a group of prospective free agents that the Raiders are figuring out ways to bring back for at least one more season. Davis traded a 2011 first-round pick to the New England Patriots for Seymour shortly before last season started. Therefore, there's almost no way that Davis will let Seymour walk after only one season. The Raiders have three options regarding Seymour: Sign him to a long-term contract that includes a ..."
Willis, Davis best of the Bay
Comment
February 11
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Monte Poole
"HAVING STUDIED both teams during and after the season, we have done our best to combine the best of the 49ers and Raiders. The goal is partly to create a better team but mostly to recognize efforts put forth in 2009. And we begin with defense, because it was the, um, least dreadful side of the ball for Oakland and for San Francisco. DE (2): Richard Seymour (Raiders) and Justin Smith (49ers). Seymour and Smith, very different types of players, weren't even challenged. Seymour was Oakland's best lineman, no matter where he lined up, and Smith was rightfully selected as a replacement player for the Pro Bowl. DT: Aubrayo Franklin (49ers). Going with a 3-4 base defense because the teams had ..."
Raiders hire Clancy Pendergast to coach defensive backs
Comment
February 9
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Raiders hired Clancy Pendergast on Monday as their defensive backs coach. Pendergast, 42, has coached in the NFL the past 15 years, including the past six as a defensive coordinator. He was with the Kansas City Chiefs last season and the Arizona Cardinals from 2004-08. The Raiders hired Pendergast to replace longtime secondary coach Willie Brown, who announced his retirement soon after last season ended. Pendergast is the third assistant coach hired since the end of the regular season. He joins Mike Waufle (defensive line) and Hue Jackson (offensive coordinator)."