ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders are defending their recent moves to make more than $80 million in commitments to keep five of their potential free agents off the open market.
The Raiders have been one of the most aggressive teams so far this offseason as most clubs wait until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached before making moves.
Senior executive John Herrera said Monday that the team has paid no money out yet in any of the deals and that none of the players will get paid until after the first game of the next season.
Oakland has already signed cornerback Stanford Routt, defensive tackle Richard Seymour, defensive tackle John Henderson and special teams standout and backup running back Rock Cartwright. The Raiders have also placed a franchise tag on linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.
