NFL: Oakland Raiders news...

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:58 am

NONE SO FAR (if you have any, feel free to post it)

david sumner · Post by **david sumner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:02 pm

The Oakland Raiders opened the free agency season Friday by contacting representatives for quarterback Jeff Garcia, who has expressed an interest in returning to the Bay Area.

Garcia became a free agent because the Philadelphia Eagles decided not to bring him back, even though he led the team to five consecutive wins to end the regular season and a victory in the first round of the playoffs after Donovan McNabb went down with a season-ending knee injury.

Garcia grew up in Gilroy, played college ball at San Jose State and spent his first five NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Garcia told ESPN on Thursday that he would be interested in signing with the Raiders.

'I think it's exciting to me in the sense that it allows me to return home,' Garcia said. 'It allows me to get back to a place where I'm very comfortable.'

Garcia was a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback in San Francisco before struggling for two seasons in Cleveland and Detroit. He revived his career last season in Philadelphia, when he completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,309 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions after McNabb's injury.

He led the Eagles to a first-round playoff win over the New York Giants before the team was eliminated by New Orleans. Philadelphia never offered Garcia a contract, signing third-stringer A.J. Feeley to a three-year deal instead.

Oakland is in desperate need of quarterback help after scoring only 12 offensive touchdowns and allowing an NFL-worst 72 sacks last season. The team has already let starter Aaron Brooks go and Andrew Walter is the only quarterback on the roster.

The Raiders are expected to use the No. 1 overall pick on a quarterback, either JaMarcus Russell of LSU or Brady Quinn of Notre Dame. Even so, they would like to bring in a veteran quarterback to help ease the transition.

Garcia is also expected to draw interest from Tampa Bay and Minnesota.

In other news, the Raiders re-signed defensive Tommy Kelly to a $1.85 million, one-year contract, a person within the league said on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.

The team also waived defensive back Tyrone Poole and restructured the contract of offensive Barry Sims to reduce his salary cap hit.

(source: topix.net)

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:04 pm

Garcia already signed w/ Tampa.

david sumner · Post by **david sumner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:05 pm

Free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia dined with Oakland Raiders managing general partner Al Davis on Thursday night. He met with new coach Lane Kiffin and several of Kiffin's assistants over the course of seven hours or so Friday. Garcia's mother even pleaded with her son to sign with the Raiders.

In the end, the 37-year-old Garcia spurned the Raiders and an almost certain starting job for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has two other quarterbacks with starting experience.

"I had to do what was right for me mentally, as far as what gives me the best opportunity to win right now, where the team is already in place, where there are good leaders, where there are good veterans who know work ethic, that know winning, that know tradition, that know what it's all about to be on top," Garcia said at his introductory news conference. "And I felt like Tampa Bay offered that opportunity."

Not all the news concerning the Raiders was disappointing. Wide receiver Ronald Curry agreed to a restructured contract that now runs through the 2008 season and gives the Raiders more breathing room under the salary cap. He was due a $5 million roster bonus by Wednesday.

Also, running back Travis Henry and tight end Daniel Graham have
arranged visits with the Raiders. Henry got cut by Tennessee on Saturday. Graham has spent his entire NFL career with New England. Both met with the Denver Broncos in the past two days.

Signing Henry likely would mean the end for running back LaMont Jordan in Oakland after two so-so seasons. He is due a $4.75 million roster bonus by Wednesday.

(source: marinij.com)

Sankofa · Post by **Sankofa** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:56 pm

The Raiders have sucked and shall continue to suck. (not really news to anyone who has a pulse)

david sumner · Post by **david sumner** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:58 pm

bassjones wrote:Garcia already signed w/ Tampa.

im just gettin notes

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:59 am

via Yahoo! Sports:

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders and two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract Wednesday, hoping to boost a struggling offensive line.

Newberry, a Pro Bowler in 2001-02 with San Francisco, spent all of last season on injured reserve with the 49ers with an damaged left knee. He has played in only 11 games the past three seasons because of various injuries.

But the Raiders are counting him to help an offensive line that allowed a league-worst 72 sacks last season.

"In researching and evaluating Jeremy's background and history, it became obvious that he is a perfect fit for the Raiders right now," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "He is an intense competitor and definitely understands what being a team player is all about."

Newberry, who turns 31 this month, has played center, tackle and guard in the past and could be used in any of those spots with Oakland.

He has previously worked with Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and running backs coach Tom Rathman when they were assistants in San Francisco and for offensive line coach Tom Cable in college at California.

"When this opportunity presented itself, I made it known that I wanted to play across the Bay for the Raiders, as I have a ton of respect for Al Davis and this organization," Newberry said. "I'm very excited about what Coach Kiffin has got going and I am excited to be reunited with some people that I have worked with in the past."

The Raiders also cleared up some salary cap room by restructuring the contracts of running back LaMont Jordan and receiver Ronald Curry. The new deal with Jordan reduces the $4.75 million roster bonus he was due on Wednesday by $1.75 million.

Curry signed a five-year deal that could be worth up to $20 million and includes $5 million in guaranteed money.

"As we continue to find ways to build and improve upon our team through our evaluation process, it was imperative that LaMont and Ronald were on board," Kiffin said. "It was extremely important to get their contract situations settled. We look forward to working with both players, introducing them to the many changes we will have on offense, and including them in our new team philosophy as well."

Jerry Porter is expected to be back as a starter at receiver after languishing on the bench most of last season while feuding with coach Art Shell. Curry could either be a starter if the team trades Randy Moss or be used as a third receiver if Moss returns.

Jordan rushed for only 434 yards and two touchdowns before going down with a season-ending knee injury Nov. 19.

The Raiders also added four more assistant coaches: John DeFilippo (quarterbacks), James Cregg (assistant offensive line), Randy Hanson (assistant defensive backs) and Sanjay Lal (quality control, offense). The team also announced that Kelly Skipper, who was hired last month, will coach tight ends.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:11 am

via Yahoo! Sports:

Update: WR Ronald Curry signed a five-year $20 million contract Monday, the Contra Costa Times reports.

Recommendation: Curry initially said he had agreed to a two-year deal, but subsequently signed a five-year deal Monday. With incentives, the contract could be worth as much as $20 million, including $8.5 million in guaranteed money. Curry showed he can get open playing as the No. 1 receiver for the Raiders towards the end of 2006. His production in 2007 will depend on whether the Raiders keep Randy Moss and the quarterback situation, but as long as he's at least the No. 2 receiver in Oakland, he should be a viable No. 3 fantasy option.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:04 am

The Oakland Raiders added another running back to their roster Saturday, agreeing to a $3.8 million, three-year contract with free-agent fullback Justin Griffith.

The deal with Griffith comes a day after Oakland signed running back Dominic Rhodes to a $7.5 million, two-year deal to team with LaMont Jordan as the team's featured runners.

The Raiders also signed a pair of free agent tight ends on Saturday, getting Fred Wakefield from Arizona and Tony Stewart from Cincinnati.

Griffith had spent his four-year career as a blocking back in Atlanta, where he helped the Falcons lead the NFL in rushing over the past three seasons. Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and offensive line coach Tom Cable worked with Griffith in Atlanta.

"We have made some solid improvements to our ballclub in the last couple of days and Justin is another example of it," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "We're obviously very familiar with him as a player and a person through his involvement with Greg and Tom at the Falcons and we're confident he will fit in well with the Raiders. He's looking forward to coming in and instantly competing to be our fullback."

Griffith has rushed for 378 yards and caught 87 passes for 621 yards in his career. He had 23 catches for 168 yards and three touchdowns last season and averaged 5.6 yards on his 19 carries.

The signing of Griffith could mean the end of Zack Crockett's eight-year tenure in Oakland. Crockett has played all but three games since joining the Raiders in 1999.

Stewart has 55 career receptions for 464 yards, including 14 for 120 last year with the Bengals.

Wakefield, who has also played offensive line and defensive end in his career, was used mostly as a blocker last season with the Cardinals when he had two catches.

The Raiders also hired Don Johnson to be the team's assistant defensive line coach. Johnson spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears after five years as an assistant at UCLA.

Sankofa · Post by **Sankofa** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:31 pm

The Oakland Raiders also hired Don Johnson

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:54 am

Sankofa wrote:
The Oakland Raiders also hired Don Johnson