Art Shell fired as head coach, the team announced on Jan. 4, 2007. Shell, 60, had a 2-14 record in the 2006 season, the most losses in a season in the team’s 47-year history. He reportedly had one-year remaining on the two-year contract he signed in February 2006. Shell had a 56-41 record as Raiders coach from 1989 to 1994. He was fired after a 9-7 season in 1994.
Raiders defensive assistant Chuck Pagno resigned, the team reportedly announced Jan. 2, 2007. Pagno, 46, will become defensive coordinator staff at the University of North Carolina under new coach Butch Davis. Pagno joined the Raiders in 2005.
Porter, 28, has been sidelined sincce sustaining a hip injury against the Chiefs on Nov. 19. He had one catch for 19 yards in four games.
The Raiders signed defensive back Hiram Eugene and tight end Derek Miller off their practice squad to take the place of Jordan and Porter on the 53-player roster.
Running back LaMont Jordan and wide receiver Jerry Porter placed on injured reserve Dec. 29, 2006. Jordan, 28, has been sidelined since tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee against Kansas City on Nov. 19. He finished with 434 rushing yards and two touchdowns in nine games. He also contributed 10 catches for 74 yards.
Wide receiver Alvis Whitted placed on injured reserve on Dec. 20, 2006. Whitted, who contributed 27 catches for 299 yards this season, reportedly sustained a wrist injury during Oakland’s 20-0 loss to St, Louis on Dec. 17. The Raiders signed wide receiver Will Buchanon off their practice squad to take Whitted’s place on the 53-player roster.
Gabriel, a former Central Florida star, had NFL career highs of 37 catches for 554 yards and three TDs during the 2005 season with Oakland. He was selected by the Raiders with the 163rd overall pick (fifth round) in the 2003 draft.
A day after being released by the New England Patriots, former Oakland wide receiver Doug Gabriel is claimed off waivers Dec. 13, 2006. Gabriel, 26, was traded by Oakland to New England on Sept. 2 for a reported fifth-round draft choice.
Gabriel contributed 25 catches for 344 yards and 3 TDs in 12 games with the Patriots. He had only one catch the past four games with the Patriots.
Oakland
averaged an NFL-worst 12.0 points and 239.8 yards per game under Walsh, 57, who had been out of the league since 1994 before Art Shell was brought back this season for his second tour of duty as Raiders coach. Walsh will remain on the staff as tight ends coach. Shoop was the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator from 2001-2003.
Tight ends coach John Shoop, promoted to offensive coordinator, the team announced Nov. 28, 2006. Shoop, 37, replaces Tom Walsh, whose play-calling had drawn criticism from Raiders players, fans and media this season. The 2-9 Raiders have scored a league-low 132 points through the season's first 11 games and are assured of a fourth straight losing season for the first time in franchise history.
Speaking at his weekly news conference Nov. 13, Shell told reporters that “I felt we got screwed” when Raiders punt coverage man Chris Carr went out of bounds and didn’t return immediately.
The 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty negated a fumble recovery on the play by Oakland’s Stuart Schweigert at the Denver 20-yard line late in the third quarter.
The officials ruled that Carr was blocked out of bounds but did not make an immeadiate effort to get back in, prompting the penalty. After the Raiders punted again following Carr’s penalty, the Broncos drove for the go-ahead touchdown.
When talking to reporters Nov. 16 about the fine, Shell said: "After I said it, I knew it. But hey, I'll take it. Because I felt strongly about what I said, and I have not changed in that."
Long snapper Adam Treu placed on injured reserve, the Raiders announced Nov. 28, 2006. Treu, 32, sustained a quadriceps injury against San Diego on Nov. 26. The former Nebraska lineman is the longest-tenured Raider. He joined the team in 1997 and has played in all regular season and playoff games during his 10-year career. Oakland signed rookie center Chris Morris from its practice squad to take Treu’s spot on the 53-man roster.
Raiders coach Art Shell reportedly fined $12,500 by the NFL for criticizing the officials the day after Oakland’s 17-13 loss to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 12, 2006.
Gene Washington, the NFL's director of football operations, ruled that Stevens attempted to kick Brayton in the groin earlier on the same play, leading to his fine. Washington also ruled that Stevens head-butted and taunted Oakland safety Stuart Schweigert on a play during the second quarter. Stevens was called for a personal foul for both his infractions, but not ejected.
Raiders defensive end Tyler Brayton reportedly fined $25,000 by the NFL on Nov. 8, 2006 for his actions in an altercation with Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens during the final minutes of Oakland's 16-0 loss on Nov. 6. Brayton was ejected for kneeing Stevens in the groin at the end of a play. The league fined Stevens $15,000.
Linebacker Grant Irons placed on injured reserve Oct. 25, 2006. Irons, 27, contributed five tackles in two games this season before being sidelined because of a back injury.
Running back Adimchinobe Echemandu signed from Oakland’s practice squad on Oct. 21, 2006. Echemandu, 25, takes the place of suspended wide receiver Jerry Porter on the team's 53-player squad.
Wide receiver Jerry Porter suspended four games for conduct detrimental to the team, the Raiders announced Oct. 14, 2006. The eight-year veteran was inactive for the first four games of the 2006 season. The suspension reportedly will cost Porter $235,294 of his $1 million base salary this season. NFL players are paid on a weekly basis, so the amount represents 4/17ths of his salary.
Linebacker Ricky Brown signed after fullback John Paul Foschi is released on Oct. 7, 2006.
Tight end O.J. Santiago released on Sept. 8, 2006 after reaching an injury settlement. The team also announced the signing of defensive back Hiram Eugene to its practice squad.
Cornerback Duane Starks re-signed on Sept. 6, 2006. Starks, 32, was released by Oakland on Sept. 2. The nine-year veteran has 25 career interceptions. The team also announced the release of defensive back Hiram Eugene.
Former Raiders linebacker Danny Clark signed by the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 5, 2006. Clark, 29, was among the final preseason cuts by Oakland on Sept. 2.
Wide receivers Will Buchanon and Burl Toler were among six players signed to Oakland's practice squad on Sept. 4, 2006. Tight end Derek Miller, center Chris Morris, linebacker Ricky Brown and defensive end Bryant McNeal also were added to the practice squad.
The Raiders also cut cornerback Duane Starks, wide receivers Kevin McMahan and Will Buchanon, running back Rod Smart, fullback Zach Tuiasosopo, center Chris Morris, offensive tackles Jabari Levey and William Obeng, guard Kelvin Garmon, defensive end Bryant O'Neal, defensive tackles Rashad Moore and Donnell Washington and linebackers Ryan Riddle and Ricky Brown.
George, 38, spent less than a week with the Raiders after being signed Aug. 28. The NFL journeyman hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2001. Clark, 29, was Oakland's leading tackler each of the past two seasons. The seven-year veteran started 32 straight games for the Raiders. Clark was listed as the team's No. 2 middle linebacker behind starter Kirk Morrison when 2006 training camp began.
Quarterback Jeff George and linebacker Danny Clark were among 20 players released or placed on injured reserve Sept. 2, 2006, as Oakland trimmed its roster to the NFL-mandated 53-player limit.
Linebacker Darnell Bing, a fourth-round selection during the 2006 NFL draft, was among four players placed on injured reserve Sept. 2. Wide receiver Carlos Francis, tight end O.J. Santiago and defensive back Alvin Nnabuife also were placed on the injured list.
Wide receiver Doug Gabriel traded to the New England Patriots on Sept. 2, 2006 for an undisclosed draft choice, the Raiders announced. The Raiders received a fifth-round draft choice from the Patriots for Gabriel, according to the Boston Globe. Gabriel, 26, has 71 catches for 1,122 yards and five touchdowns in three seasons with Oakland.
The former Central Florida star has started seven of 42 games since being selected by Oakland in the fifth round (167th overall) of the 2003 draft. He had career highs of 37 catches for 554 yards and three touchdowns during the 2005 season.
The team reportedly reached an injury settlement with running back Joe Hall, who had been placed on injured reserve Aug. 29.
Defensive end Bobby Hamilton traded to the New York Jets on Sept. 1, 2006 for an undisclosed draft pick. Hamilton, 35, spent the past two seasons with seasons with Oakland, contributing 102 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The 12-year veteran, who made 28 starts for the Raiders, played for the Jets 1996 through 1998.
Cornerback Dennis Davis was among six players released Aug. 29, 2006, as Oakland trimmed its roster to the NFL-mandated limit of 75 players. The team also cut kicker Tim Duncan, wide receivers Rick Gatewood and Burl Toler, quarterback Kent Smith and tight end Derek Miller. The Raiders also placed four players on injured reserve. They include running backs DeJuan Green and Joe Hall, linebacker Timi Wusu and defensive tackle Michael Quarshie.
George told reporters after signing with Oakland on Aug. 28: "I'm just thankful to be back in the league and given the opportunity to prove that I belong."
When George has started, his teams have a 47-80 record, including 1-2 postseason. In 23 starts with the Raiders, he threw for 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
During the 1997 season with the Raiders, George threw for 3,917 yards (second best in franchise history behind Rich Gannon's 4,689 yards in 2002) and 29 touchdowns.
Quarterback Jeff George, who played for the Raiders in 1997-98, re-signed with Oakland on Aug. 28, 2006. George, 38, hasn't played in the NFL since the 2001 season, when he was cut after two games with the Washington Redskins. George didn't play in any games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2002-03 and the Chicago Bears in 2004-05. He was listed as inactive for four games in '04 and nine games in '02.
Kicker David Kimball and punter Glenn Pakulak were among six players released, the team announced Aug. 28, 2006. Oakland also cut guard Roderick Green, quarterback Reggie Robertson, defensive back Raymond Washington and tight end Marcellus Rivers.
Former Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins signed with the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 28, 2006. Collins, 33, went 7-21 as a starter with Oakland the past two seasons. The 11-year veteran was released by the Raiders in March for salary cap purposes, reportedly saving the team $9.2 million.
Before being cut by Oakland, Collins was scheduled to earn $6 million in base salary in the 2006 season, in addition to a $2.5 million roster bonus on March 15. The ex-Penn State star reportedly received a one-year contract from the Titans.
Safety Michael Huff and linebacker Thomas Howard, Oakland's top two picks in the 2006 NFL draft, sign contracts, the team announced July 25, 2006. Huff, the No. 7 overall choice who helped Texas win the 2005 national title, reportedly received a five-year, $22.5 million deal that included $15 million in guaranteed money.
Offensive lineman Brad Lekkerkerker retired after spending the past two seasons with Oakland, either on the active roster or practice squad.
Left tackle Robert Gallery and wide receiver Ronald Curry placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list on July 24, 2006. Gallery reportedly strained a quad working out while Curry has torn an Achilles' tendon each of the past two seasons. A player reportedly can be removed from PUP at any time prior to the end of the exhibition season. If a player is still on PUP by the final cut, the team has four weeks to either reinstate him or release him. Gallery reportedly returned to workouts on July 30, while Curry went through a full practice for the first time Aug. 22.
Guard Paul McQuistan, a third-round draft choice from Weber State, was among five rookies signed by Oakland on July 24, 2006. The Raiders also announced the signings of safety Darnell Bing, a fourth-round choice from USC; offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, a sixth-round choice from Cornell; center Chris Morris, a seventh-round choice from Michigan State and wide receiver Kevin McMahan, a seventh-round choice from Maine.
Former Stanford University running back J.R. Lemon is among four players released by Oakland on July 24, 2006. Also released are running back Walter Williams, defensive end Javon Nanton and tackle Shaun Rose.
Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Donnell Washington signed on June 27, 2006. The 6-foot-6, 328-pound Washington was inactive for Green Bay during the past two seasons.
Wide receiver James Adkisson resigned on June 23, 2006. Adkisson, 26, was released by the Packers on June 14. He was inactive the past two seasons.
Tight end O.J. Santiago signed on May 23, 2006. Santiago, 32, started seven games and contributed five receptions for 69 yards for Oakland during the 2003 season. The seven-year veteran signed with Denver in 2004, but the former Browns and Falcons player was cut before the start of the regular season.
Former Houston Texans tight end Marcellus Rivers signed on May 4, 2006. Wiley, 27, received a one-year deal with a base salary of $585,000, the mininum compensation for a five-year veteran. He had a career-best 24 catches for 168 yards during the 2005 season for the Texans.
Former Carolina Panthers running back Rod Smart signed on May 4, 2006. Smart, 29, gained national recognition with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the now-defuct XFL by wearing the words “He Hate Me” on the back of his game jersey. He played the last five seasons in the NFL, the last four with Carolina. In 2005, Smart averaged 21.2 yards on 29 kickoffs returns for the Panthers.
Linebacker Robert Thomas signed on May 5, 2006. Thomas, who turns 26 on July 17, was released by the Green Bay Packers on May 1. He contributed 38 total tackles and one interception for the Packers during the 2005 season. In 52 NFL career games, he has 272 tackles, two sacks, one interception and seven passes defensed. Thomas was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 31st overal pick in the 2002 NFL draft.
Former Stanford running back J.R. Lemon signed on May 5, 2006. He went undrafted in the 2006 NFL draft. Lemon rushed for 1,214 yards (3.8-yard average) and 13 touchdowns during his Stanford career.
The Raiders announced the signings of wide receivers Jayson Boyd (Texas-El Paso) and John Madsen (Utah), tight end Derrick Miller (Maryland) and offensive lineman Jabari Levey (South Carolina) on May 5, 2006. All went undrafted during the 2006 NFL draft on April 29-30.
Woodson, 29, hasn't played a full season since 2001. The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner missed seven games in 2002 with a broken shoulder, two games in 2004 with a knee injury and 10 in 2005 with a broken leg. During his eight-year NFL career, Woodson has 17 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 51/2 sacks and 14 forced fumbles. He has played in 106 of a possible 128 regular-season games.
Former Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson signed a multiyear contract with the Green Bay Packers on May 1, 2006. The four-time Pro Bowler reportedly received a seven-year, $52.7 million deal, although the Packers didn't release contract terms.
The Raiders declined to use their franchise tag on Woodson in February, making him an unrestricted free agent. He contributed 30 tackles and one interception before sustaining a season-ending broken right leg in the sixth game of the 2005 season.
Fullback John Paul Forschi re-signed on April 25, 2006. Forschi, who will turn 24 on May 18, contributed six receptions for 37 yards in 10 games during the 2005 season. The former Georgia Tech played primarily saw action as a blocking back and on special teams last season.
Former Cleveland Browns guard Kelvin Garmon signed on April 19, 2006. Garmon, 29, was released by the Browns on March 28, 2005. He started 50 of 52 games with Dallas, San Diego and Cleveland before sustaining a knee injury during the 2004 season.
Defensive end Bryant McNeal signed on April 19, 2006. McNeal, 26, spent time on the practice squads of the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks during the 2005 season.
Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Lance Johnstone, who began his NFL career with the Raiders in 1996, re-signed with Oakland on April 13, 2006. Johnstone, 32, led the Vikings with 7.5 sacks in the 2005 season. The ex-Temple star has 70 career sacks in 10 NFL seasons, his first five with the Raiders. He had a career-high 11 sacks in 1998 and equaled that total in 2004. Johnstone signed with the Vikings in 2001 after getting 41 sacks in five seasons with Oakland.
Defensive tackle Terdell Sands re-signed April 10, 2006. Sands, 26, contributed 10 tackles and one sack in nine games with Oakland during the 2005 season.
Former Raiders defensive tackle Ed Jasper signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 6, 2006. He contributed 24 tackles and two sacks in 15 games with Oakland during the 2005 season. Jasper, 33, was a sixth-round draft choice of the Eagles in 1997. He also spent six seasons (1999-2004) with the Atlanta Falcons.
Former Steelers and Browns defensive lineman Darryl Sims hired as Raiders assistant defensive line coach. He was the defensive coordinator of the World Bowl XIII champion Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe in 2005.
Cornerback Duane Starks signed on March 23, 2006. Starks, 31, was released by the New England Patriots on Feb. 25, 2006. He had 25 interceptions (only five since 2002) in his first seven NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. Starks, who starred at the University of Miami, is no stranger to McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. He helped the Baltimore Ravens upset the Raiders, 16-3, in the 2000 AFC title game on Jan. 14, 2001.
Brooks made 82 straight starts for New Orleans before being benched the final three games of the 2005 season. The Saints released the former University of Virginia star on March 10, 2006.
Brooks (right) is expected
Brooks is coming off his worst NFL season in terms of passing efficiency (70.0). He threw for 2,882 yards in 2005 but finished with 17 interceptions and 13 touchdown passes. The Saints had a 3-10 record in Brooks’ 13 starts last season.
Brooks holds Saints’ single-season records for passing yards (3,832 in 2001) and TD passes (27 in 2002). Brooks is adept at scrambling — he has 1,410 rushing yards and 13 TDs. The ex-Saint had a career-high 358 rushing yards on 80 carries during the 2001 season.
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks agreed to terms on March 22, 2006. Brooks, 30, reportedly receives a two-year deal worth about $8 million. He has thrown 120 touchdown passes and 84 interceptions in seven NFL seasons, the last six with the Saints.
to compete for the Raiders' starting quarterback position with veteran backup Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter, who was selected by Oakland in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft. Kerry Collins, 7-21 as a starter with the Raiders the past two seasons, was released March 10. "Aaron gives us great depth at the quarterback position and provides us with a veteran presence," Raiders coach Art Shell said in a team release.
Offensive tackles Chad Slaughter and Brad Lekkerkerker re-signed on March 22, 2006.
Linebacker Grant Irons re-signed March 22, 2006. Irons, 26, started the 2005 season opener but was replaced during the game and spent the rest of the year as a situational player and on special teams. He contributed four tackles in 15 games during the 2005 season.
Safety Jarrod Cooper re-signed with Oakland on March 20, 2006. Cooper, 27, reportedly received a three-year deal. He contributed 54 tackles in 16 games during the 2005 season.
Former New England cornerback Tyrone Poole signed on March 20, 2006. Poole, 34, played in one game with the Patriots during the 2005 season and five the previous season. The 11-year veteran has 17 interceptions in 130 career games with Carolina, Indianapolis, Denver and New England.
Strong saftey Derrick Gibson and guard Corey Hulsey re-signed, the team announced March 17, 2006. Gibson, 26, played in only six games the past two seasons because a shoulder injury and dislocated wrist.
The 2001 first-round draft choice became a free agent when the Raiders reportedly declined an option that would have paid him $10 million. He has started 31 of 53 games with the Raiders. Hulsey, 28, played in 11 games with no starts during the 2005 season.
Former Raiders defensive back Renaldo Hill signed a three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on March 17, 2006. Hill, 27, finished third on the Raiders with 89 total tackles in 2005.
Tight end Randal Williams re-signed, the team announced on March 15, 2006. Williams, 27, contributed 13 catches for 164 yards in 16 games with Oakland in 2005.
By cutting the 11-year veteran, the Raiders reportedly pared almost $9.2 million from their 2006 salary cap. Collins, 33, was scheduled to earn $6 million in base salary next season, in addition to a $2.5 million roster bonus on March 15.
Oakland reportedly released Collins on March 5, but the move was rescinded after the NFL and its players union postponed the start of free agency.
Last season, Collins threw for 3,579 yards — his most since 2002 with the New York Giants — and 20 touchdowns. He also was sacked 39 times and threw 12 interceptions. In two seasons in Oakland, he threw 41 touchdown passes and 32 interceptions.
Quarterback Kerry Collins released on March 10, 2006. He went 7-21 in two seasons as Oakland’s starter.
The Raiders also announced the hiring of of Hall of Famer Jackie Slater (offensive line); Irv Eatman (offensive line); Jim McElwain (quarterbacks); Ted Daisher (special teams);
Darryl Sims (assistant defensive line); Lorenzo Ward (assistant defensive backs and assistant special teams); Robert Ford (quality control, offense), and George Martinez (quality control, defense).
Offensive coordinator Tom Walsh heads a group of nine assistant coaches named to Art Shell's staff, the Raiders announced Feb. 4, 2006. Walsh was an assistant with the Raiders from 1982-94, coaching quarterbacks and receivers. He was fired by the team along with Shell after the 1994 season.
Washington, 37, reportedly would have counted $4.747 million against the team’s 2006 salary cap. The 14-year veteran played in all 32 games since joining the Raiders as a free agent before the 2004 season.
Stone, 34, started all 16 games for Oakland in 2005 after playing in only five the previous season because of chronic ankle problems. The 13-year veteran reportedly would have counted $3.08 million against the cap.
Walker, 32, played in nine games and contributed only two tackles in 2006. The nine-year veteran reportedly would have counted $4.59 million against the cap.
By cutting Washington, Stone and Walker, Oakland reportedly cleared $8.8 million in cap room — leaving the team $14.8 million away from reaching the $94.5 million limit by the revised league-mandated deadline of March 5.
Defensive tackle Ted Washington, guard Ron Stone and defensive back Denard Walker released, the Raiders announced March 2, 2006.
Art Shell named Raiders coach on Feb. 11, 2006. The Hall of Fame offensive tackle replaces Norv Turner, who was fired Jan. 3 after a combined 9-23 record the past two seasons. Shell, 59, had a 56-41 record (including 2-3 postseason) from 1989 to 1994 with the Raiders.
Former Raiders
offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye reportedly hired by the New York Jets on Feb. 9, 2006 for an unspecified role. Raye, 59, spent the past two seasons with the Raiders.
Former Raiders
special teams assistant Martin Bayless hired as Houston Texans assistant defensive backs coach on Feb. 8, 2006. Bayless, 43, spent the past two seasons with the Raiders.
Former Raiders offensive line coach Jim Colletto hired as UCLA assistant head coach on Feb. 7, 2006. Colletto, 61, wasn't expected to remain with the Raiders after Oakland ranked 29th in NFL rushing and surrendered 45 sacks (fourth most AFC). The former Purdue University head coach spent one season with Oakland.
Norv Turner fired as Raiders coach, the team announced Jan. 3, 2006. Turner, 53, had a 9-23 record in two seasons in Oakland, the worst two-year record of any coach in franchise history.
