Raiders Trade Rumors

"All that awaits Edgerton Hartwell's addition to the Raiders linebacking corps is the official annoucement. Hartwell excelled playing alongside Ray Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens from 2001 through 2004, cashing in with a six-year, $26 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He played in only 13 games before being released, the victim of an Achilles' tendon tear in 2005. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on May 3, 2007, but was released before the season started on Sept. 1."

"The Chargers are concerned enough about Nick Hardwick not being able to start the season that they are targeting veteran center Jeremy Newberry for a possible signing after June 1, numerous sources confirmed. Newberry is an unrestricted free agent, but he would not count against the Chargers when it comes to getting compensatory draft picks next year if they sign him after June 1. No deal is in place, sources said, but the Chargers are the front-runners for Newberry's services. "

"A key member of the Rams' front office might be joining Al Davis' operation with the Oakland Raiders. Davis is looking for a new contract negotiator and salary-cap specialist, and Samir Suleiman reportedly is a candidate for the job. Suleiman, 32, has been the Rams' director of football operations since 2000. In that position, he assists Jay Zygmunt, president of football operations and general manager, with contracts and cap management, among other duties."

"A key member of the Rams' front office might be joining Al Davis' operation with the Oakland Raiders. Davis is looking for a new contract negotiator and salary-cap specialist, and Samir Suleiman reportedly is a candidate for the job. Suleiman, 32, has been the Rams' director of football operations since 2000. In that position, he assists Jay Zygmunt, president of football operations and general manager, with contracts and cap management, among other duties."

"Raiders owner Al Davis is reorganizing his front office and could bring in a new salary "capologist" and contract negotiator, a league source said Thursday. Rams executive Samir Suleiman, director of football operations in St. Louis since 2000, is among those being looked at. A source within the Rams organization confirmed his candidacy Thursday."

"As of Friday night, the Packers weren't expecting to sign free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper this weekend. According to a league source, Culpepper has drawn interest from Buffalo and his previous team, Oakland, and is weighing his future. "

"Raiders coach Lane Kiffin staked a "For Sale" sign in the front lawn Thursday, hoping to draw a few weekend shoppers for the NFL draft. He sounded all too eager to auction off the team's No. 4 overall pick in Saturday's draft, where interested teams could surely grab Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. All the Raiders want in return are a mixture of first- and second-round picks, and the earlier in each round, the better. "

"Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said the team might try something "not in Raider fashion" during this weekend's NFL draft. Translation: Trade down. The Raiders' history of moving up for players they covet in the draft is well known around the league. Don't expect that in the first round of this weekend's draft. The Raiders have just one pick Saturday – the fourth overall. They'll have four in Rounds 4 through 7 Sunday. "

"Seeing the Raiders don't have a pick in those rounds, Manningham's visit could be a clue they intend to secure additional picks with a draft-day trade. Options include packaging young players in overcrowded positions, like cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt. They were taken in the first and second rounds, respectively, of the 2005 draft. Quarterback Andrew Walter is often mentioned, but he's the only experienced backup to JaMarcus Russell. The name of strong safety Michael Huff, the seventh overall pick in 2006, has also been floated."

"Raiders boss Al Davis just sunk some $180 million in the free agent market, signing anyone he could - functional ACL or otherwise - to turn around his floundering franchise and deliver his first Super Bowl ring in 24 years. Embattled coach Lane Kiffin knows what that means: all the more demand for him to produce an instant winner in his second season, if only because no coach this side of Jon Gruden has gotten a third-year chance in Oakland. "

"The Titans were expecting to add Raiders cornerback/return man Chris Carr to their roster on Friday, but were still awaiting word from the NFL."

"Raiders coach Lane Kiffin is aware of rumblings that his powerful owner has usurped his authority, undermined his ability to hire and fire coaches, drafted a letter of resignation for him to sign and has taken over most of the operation of the franchise."

"Lane Kiffin knew the question was coming at the NFL Meetings, and he played the answer for all the drama it was worth. The Oakland Raiders coach was about 15 minutes into an hourlong question-and-answer session with the media Tuesday morning when he was asked about his relationship with owner Al Davis. "

"Restricted free agent cornerback/kick returner Chris Carr has signed an offer sheet from the Tennessee Titans. The Oakland Raiders will have seven days to match the contract once they receive the sheet."

" Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall flew to Oakland on Wednesday and met with Raiders managing general partner Al Davis, as well as other front-office types and coaches, in an attempt to complete a trade with Oakland. Hall arrived around noon, according to two people in the front office, and was escorted to the Raiders' year-round facility in Alameda, where he met with defensive backs coach Willie Brown and others in advance of a meeting with Davis. The Raiders didn't issue any official statement on Hall's visit, as is their custom during negotiations."

"They might be minor details, but the major player for the Raiders wants to get them straightened out. Raiders owner Al Davis was set to meet with Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall on Wednesday to expedite an agreement on a new contract so a much-discussed trade for the two-time Pro Bowl selection can be completed."

"The Raiders and cornerback DeAngelo Hall have made "significant progress" toward renegotiating his contract in one of the final steps needed to complete a trade with Atlanta, a person familiar with the talks said."

" Negotiations between the Raiders and DeAngelo Hall moved forward Tuesday, though a renegotiated contract is holding up a proposed trade of the cornerback from the Atlanta Falcons to Oakland, according to people familiar with the process."

"The Raiders are on the verge of having one of the NFL's most expensive defensive backfields. Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he would fly to Oakland today to iron out details of a new contract with the Raiders."

"Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler with Atlanta, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday that he is close to finalizing terms on a new contract with Oakland. The deal will set in motion an agreed upon trade in which the Falcons would receive two selections in the April 26-27 NFL draft."

"The trade of Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall to Oakland is nearly final as Hall and the Raiders moved closer to a new contract Monday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The trade for the Pro Bowler could be consummated in a day or two after gaps in contract talks moved very close to being bridged."

"The Raiders reportedly have a trade in the works for Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a highly regarded cover man who also has made a name for himself as a troublemaker."

"The Oakland Raiders all but locked up Nnamdi Asomugha for next season by tendering him a one-year contract last month. Now, they are working on a trade that would add DeAngelo Hall from the Atlanta Falcons and team him with Asomugha to form one of the league's top cornerback tandems."

"The Raiders have agreed in principle to trade their 2008 second- and sixth-round draft picks to the Atlanta Falcons for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, confirmed a source speaking anonymously because he is not authorized to speak for the team."

"The Falcons could be close to trading defensive back DeAngelo Hall to the Oakland Raiders for second- and sixth-round picks in the April draft, according to a person close to the negotiations. Hall, who denied the deal was close earlier Saturday, reportedly was in Oakland on Friday to meet with Raiders officials."

"It was a well-recognized fact that the two NFL franchises most in need of being deconstructed were the ones we live with daily. It is why, assuming that the DeAngelo Hall-to-Oakland rumors end up being true, our two franchises have been so hyperactive with their rosters and wallets."

"Defensive lineman Kevin Carter left Raiders headquarters Thursday without coming to terms on a free-agent deal, a team source said, but talks are expected to continue next week. Carter, who left for Hawaii for NFLPA meetings, is a 13-year veteran who can play end and tackle. He could help fill the void left by retired tackle Warren Sapp and departed end Chris Clemons. Also, center Jeremy Newberry remains unsigned by the Raiders, who have yet to offer a contract to the former Pro Bowler."

"Oakland restricted free agent cornerback and kick returner Chris Carr has visited Tennessee and Cleveland in addition to Carolina. He has yet to be signed to an offer sheet."

"Jaguars quarterback Quinn Gray left Alameda without a deal after interviewing with team officials Wednesday. Gray remains under consideration, a league source confirmed, as the Raiders continue their search for a backup quarterback. Daunte Culpepper, who started six games for the Raiders last season, remains a possibility, especially if Oakland can't land Gray."

"Buccaneers defensive end Kevin Carter met with team officials, including owner Al Davis, on Wednesday, a league source familiar with the talks confirmed. Carter was let go by the Bucs last week in a cost-cutting move but was expected to re-sign with the team. The Raiders persuaded the 13-year veteran to come to Alameda, and they managed to keep him in the building into the evening."

"The checklist for Johnson's defense this offseason also includes luring little-known defensive end Chris Clemons away from the Oakland Raiders, re-signing backup safety J.R. Reed and offering nickel cornerback Joselio Hanson the second-tier restricted free agent tender of $1.47 million."

"In the meantime, the Raiders began their search for a potential No. 2 quarterback by bringing in Jaguars backup Quinn Gray on Tuesday night. Contract negotiations are expected to continue today."

"Free-agent quarterback Quinn Gray visited the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday as a potential candidate to be the backup to starter JaMarcus Russell."

"The Panthers hosted a visit Monday from Oakland restricted free agent Chris Carr, a kick returner and backup cornerback. The Panthers have yet to sign Carr to an offer sheet.If they do, the Raiders have the right to match. If the Raiders don't match, the Panthers won't owe any compensation because he joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2004."

"Lane Kiffin will soon be history — the betting among insiders is that he’ll be gone before next month’s draft — and the only question is his successor. Al Davis will hire from within, either defensive coordinator Rob Ryan or newly hired James Lofton. My money is on Lofton, who was twice interviewed by Davis for the head job in the past."

"The Broncos may have a visit with San Francisco offensive tackle Kwame Harris and are talking with former Broncos and Raiders offensive tackle Cornell Green."

"The Raiders are still pursuing Harris, the former 49ers first round pick and starter who was not a fan favorite in San Francisco. Although Harris has proved to be a somewhat consistent run blocker in the NFL, he was a constant liability in pass protection during his five-year career with the 49ers."

"The Raiders also hosted free-agent tackle Kwame Harris on Friday. Harris, a 2003 first-round pick of the 49ers, visited the Raiders' Alameda headquarters and plans to visit other teams before deciding where he'll sign."

"After signing Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel yesterday, the Eagles will entertain pass-rushing defensive end Chris Clemons today. Clemons, who had eight sacks in a reserve role for the Oakland Raiders last season, is scheduled to undergo a physical examination this morning."

"Chris Clemons, who had eight sacks as a linebacker-defensive end for the Raiders last season, will sign with the Eagles today, agent Don Henderson said last night."

"For all the talk about the Bears low-balling their free agents, 24 hours into free agency it looked like they were right on the money. Wide receiver Bernard Berrian visited Minnesota on Friday but has yet to sign a contract, an indication the Vikings were not outbidding the Bears. Berrian is scheduled to travel to Oakland today."

"The Dolphins apparently want to move quickly in addressing their quarterback situation during free agency, scheduling a visit with Raiders quarterback Josh McCown on Friday in Davie. Several free agents are expected to visit South Florida Friday, which marks the first day teams can sign players, but McCown and Arizona linebacker Calvin Pace are two of the visits that have been confirmed by The Miami Herald through sources."

"It's unknown how much room the Bears have to improve that offer for Berrian, who is expected to be courted by the Minnesota Vikings. It's also unclear whether Berrian and agent Drew Rosenhaus will be able to get another team -- the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers also are thought to be interested -- to meet his asking price, which probably would require a signing bonus of more than $12 million."

"There are reports around Oakland that former Longhorns safety Michael Huff is on the trading block. With the draft full of offensive tackles and cornerbacks, the Texans will be looking for safeties in free agency. Anyone want to see Huff become a Texan?"

"The rumors about Lane Kiffin being forced to resign as Raiders coach have quieted down, but the NFL Network reported the stalemate between the former Bloomington Jefferson athlete and team owner Al Davis has continued. Still, it appears Kiffin will back for a second year in Oakland. Meanwhile, Kiffin's father, Monte, the former Vikings assistant, has signed a multiyear contract as Buccaneers defensive coordinator, with a raise from $1.7 million to $2 million-plus."

"How long will this go on? Even if Kiffin gets the boot before training camp, the excitement will continue. There will be a comedic coach search, culminating in the hiring of an unknown guy who will be given a small salary and no power."

" Believe the reports that the Redskins are going to try to pry receiver Chad Johnson from Cincinnati. Johnson has been vocal about his desire to be dealt but Bengals coach Marvin Lewis recently said the Pro Bowl player will not be traded. If Johnson isn't traded, the Redskins could turn their attention to Javon Walker, who, like Johnson, wants to be traded... Some in the league expect the Raiders to part ways with inconsistent kicker Sebastian Janikowski this offseason. . . . If Broncos kicker Jason Elam enters free agency, expect Atlanta to make a push for Elam, who has family in Georgia."

"Teams believed to have expressed interest in Williamson include Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami, Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle and Tennessee. Mike Tice, the Vikings' head coach when Williamson was drafted, is a member of the Jaguars' coaching staff."

"The stress of worrying about the franchise tag burdened Bernard Berrian for weeks. He finally was able to relax Thursday, when the Bears opted not to place it on their No. 1 receiver... Oakland and Tampa Bay are just two of the many teams that have a strong interest in Berrian."

"The receiver, defensive end and safety positions likely will be where the team puts much of its focus this year. Options at receiver could include Chicago's Bernard Berrian or Jerry Porter, who got out of his contract with the Oakland Raiders by exercising a clause to void the final two years. Marty Booker, recently jettisoned by the Dolphins, also could get a look."