by Dennis J. GeorgatosFiled under: Raiders, AFC West
The Raiders continue securing major elements of their rising defense.On Thursday, the team used its franchise tag to retain linebacker Kamerion Wimbley. He led the Raiders last season with nine sacks in his first year with the club after joining the team in a trade with Cleveland.
In addition, ESPN.com reported that the Raiders reached multi-year deals with Stanford Routt, who beat out Chris Johnson for the starting right cornerback job last season, and defensive lineman John Henderson, a key run-stopper.
The Raiders initially hoped to use a $3.5 million buyback provision to retain Wimbley but that move was rescinded by the NFL, citing the league's contract rules barring annual increases in base salaries beyond 30 percent.
Under the franchise tag, which pays the designee the average of the five highest paid players at his position, Wimbley could receive about $10 million. His agent, Joe Linta, told The Associated Press that he and the Raiders hoped to work out a long-term deal.
The sides can negotiate until March 3, when the collective bargaining agreement between players and owners is set to expire. There is the threat of a lockout of the players by owners if no agreement is reached by then.
Wimbley can also negotiate with other teams, though the franchise tag mandates that if he goes elsewhere the Raiders would receive two first round picks as compensation.
The contract for Routt, reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter to be worth $31.5 million over three years, ensures the return of half of the Raiders' dynamic cornerback tandem. It remains to be seen whether the Raiders can keep Nnamdi Asomugha, the Pro Bowl pass defender who is heading toward free agency.
The Raiders also re-signed Henderson to a two-year deal worth $8 million, according to Schefter. Owner Al Davis is clearly doing his utmost to try to keep the defense intact and give new coach Hue Jackson the best chance to deliver on his vow to win the division next season.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/24/raiders-franchise-kamerion-wimbley-re-sign-stanford-routt-john/
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