Raiders sign former Ravens phenom
The Raiders signed veteran middle linebacker Edgerton Hartwell on Friday, a league source confirmed, in a move designed to bolster their run defense.
They're hoping he can be that former Ravens standout who had 191 tackles in 2002 and averaged 157.3 tackles from 2002-04.
That would be preferred to the player who was out of the league last year after rupturing his Achilles' heel in 2005 and missing half of 2006 because of preseason arthroscopic surgery on both knees.
If Hartwell is healthy, it's a risk worth taking. The Raiders' linebacker corps, though excellent at dropping into pass coverage, have done little to help against the run the past two seasons.
Four seasons ago, Edgerton Hartwell was considered one of the NFL's premier young inside linebackers with the Ravens.
Three lost seasons later, he hopes to rejuvenate his career with the Raiders.
Hartwell agreed to a free-agent deal with Oakland, two NFL sources confirmed Friday, giving the team a veteran presence at middle linebacker and the player a chance to get back into the league.
He signed with the Bengals last season, got cut after training camp and wasn't signed by anyone else. His previous two seasons in Atlanta were cut short by an injured Achilles' heel and arthroscopic surgery on both knees.
The Raiders, ever willing to salvage fallen talents, hope Hartwell, who turns 30 this month, can return to the form that made him one of the league's better run stoppers from 2002-04.
A fourth-round draft pick in 2001, he was credited with 191 tackles during his second season while filling in for Ray Lewis. He averaged 157.3 tackles from 2002-04 before landing a six year, $26.5 million free-agent deal from the Falcons.
Raiders chime in: Team executive John Herrera responded to a Chronicle story linking the Raiders to Rams executive Samir Suleiman as a potential salary cap expert.
"I spoke with Al Davis and he's never heard of him," Herrera said. "We've got a guy who's doing a good job in that area. As far as a 'capologist,' we've got one and we don't know this guy."
Suleiman said he hadn't been contacted by the Raiders but expressed an interest if there's an opening. Two independent sources - including one within the Rams organization - confirmed his candidacy.
Tom Delaney is Oakland's salary cap manager. Marc Badain and Mark Jackson continue to handle contract matters.
Briefly: The Raiders will hold a rookie minicamp Friday-May 11. In addition to their drafted and undrafted class of new players, they will bring in several unsigned rookies for a weekend tryout. ... Their mandatory minicamp is set for June 3-5. The Raiders hope to sign a veteran defensive end and backup quarterback before then.
No comments:
Post a Comment