What gives? Raiders cut highly paid corner Hall
By John Clayton

Raiders Expected To Release DeAngelo HallRaiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall was the first player released by team owner Al Davis on Wednesday, a move expected to trigger a major shakeup of Oakland's roster.

Angered by the Raiders' 2-6 start, Davis asked his front-office staff to explore the possibility of releasing several players. By releasing Hall, who was acquired from Atlanta before this season, the Raiders are washing their hands of a seven-year, $72 million contract after only eight games.

Hall was paid $8 million for eight games; he received a $7 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary. Because he's a vested veteran, his $1 million salary is guaranteed. Atlanta received second- and fifth-round draft picks in the deal.

According to a source, the Raiders asked Hall if he would consider restructuring his contract. Hall declined, and then was notified of his release. Oakland is expected to make an announcement prior to practice Wednesday.

The Raiders are not expected to make additional roster moves before Thursday.



Hall

Raiders management began examining the roster Monday, a day after the team's embarrassing 24-0 loss to the Falcons. Davis, looking ahead to the rest of the season and to 2009, asked his staff to study a list of potential players who could be let go before the end of the week or after the season, sources said.

One source said the list included more than a dozen names. The front-office staff studied the salary-cap consequences of releasing high-priced veteran players. Davis also wanted his staff to see if other teams might claim any of these players on waivers.

Also under consideration to be let go is wide receiver Javon Walker, who received an $11 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary this year but has only 13 catches in his first seven games. The other players on Davis' list are unknown.

At his Monday news conference, interim Raiders coach Tom Cable said he was thinking of making more changes in the starting lineup. Since taking over for Lane Kiffin, Cable has benched receiver Ronald Curry and safety Michael Huff.

Hall does not have a skills guarantee for 2009, so the Raiders will not owe him a $9.05 million option bonus for the final six years of the deal. Hall also won't receive the $7.5 million base salary he was scheduled to make in 2009.

It's funny, in Al Davis' press conference when he fired Kiffin, he listed one of the reasons as Kiffin could not win with the personel/talent they had and he should have been able to. Well now Al Davis is waiving all that supposed "talent".






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[Edited 11/5/08 12:18pm]

It's time 2 put Al down.

Graycap23 said:

The Raiders will never be successful again until he is no longer in control of them. NEVER!

I haven't seen you post anything about Mike Singletary taking over as the 49ers Head Coach.

I live the move. I have always liked Singletary. I loved the way he played the game, his intensity, his work ethic, his professionalism.

Now I believe he will bring all that to the 49ers. He already called out Vernon Davis for dogging it...hell I won't be surprised if he actually kicks a players ass before the season is through

My team's a mess. Al needs to go. That won't ever happen unless he's declared too senile to run the team or he passes. Simple as that.

Sowhat said:

It's temp though. I hope he gets the job. I'd like 2 see what he can do.

Graycap23 said:

I think that all depends on how they do in the second half of the season. But I am with you, I hope he gets the job permanently.

Sowhat said:

I wish he was coaching the Bears.....they need one badly.

Graycap23 said:

Ouch!!!!

Sowhat said:

U know it's TRUE.

Graycap23 said:

Yup

MuthaFunka said:

It's not against the law to be senile to run an NFL team, so your gonna have to wait till he passes.

MuthaFunka said:

"Just Wince, Baby!"

....how the mighty have fallen.

I thought he was good with the falcons. Especially on Kick off Returns. I would sign him in a minute. Keep in mind that most NFL players are ego maniacs anyway. That's just something coaches have to deal with now a days if you want to coach in the NFL. I know, It's sad. I remember when player played their asses of for a fraction of the salaries they earn today. I'm tired of the Kellen Winslows of the NFL!

kpowers said:

Hopefully someone will take him outta the office well before that.

calling Jerry Jones now...

Hall would look mighty fine with a Star helmet.

Davis must be senile now...

Davis didn't seem to get, during the offseason, that it's wiser to spend wisely under the cap than to dish out a lot on just a few cats. Now, after firing Kiffin and midseason, he gets rid of Hall.

Talk about a wicked tape delay...

MuthaFunka said:

"Mess" doesn't even begin to describe the Raiders.

RodeoSchro said:

Revolution said:

I can picture that was well. But thats also been Dallas Cowboys problems as well, juat getting big name players for the sake of it.

ThreadBare said:

However, "mess" DOES describe my week last week in the NFL pick 'em thread. I went 7 - 7. OUCH, I HATE REALITY.

Al Davis won't pass on anytime soon....because Al Davis is the....


I just hope like hell that the Saints resist the temptation to sign Me-Angelo Hall....
[Edited 11/5/08 15:47pm]

RodeoSchro said:

Yeah, that 24-0 blowout by the Falcons was a mess, though. I think they'd lose to the Bad News Bears, at this point.

Yes, I know they're kids.

Yes, I know they're baseball.

They'd still lose.