RB Rhodes signs with Raiders

[Bill Lundberg]

RB Rhodes signs with Raiders
Written by: Jerry McDonald ¦ 3/9/2007
Source: www.ibabuzz.com
After spending much of the first eight days of free agency on the sidelines, the Raiders put their backfield in motion Friday, agreeing to terms with running back Dominic Rhodes.

"Dominiic is going to sign with the Raiders," his agent, Mike McCartney said Friday morning. "Lane Kiffin has him very excited."

Rhodes will sign a two-year contract worth $7.5 million, according to McCartney, who declined to get into specifics of the deal.

Rhodes, 28, gained 647 yards on 187 carries for the Indianapolis Colts last season, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry sharing the running back position with rookie Joseph Addai.

While the going was tough in the regular season, Rhodes had three of his best games in the playoffs, capping the season with a team-high 113 yards on 21 carries in a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

Rhodes led the Colts in rushing in each playoff win, averaging 4.9 yards per carry in the postseason (238 yards, 49 carries).

Rhodes was arrested for DUI on Feb. 19 with a blood alcohol of .09, just above the legal limit of .08. He could be subject to discipline under the NFL substance abuse policy.

The Colts, with Addai as the feature back, made no serious effort to sign Rhodes, who visited with the New York Giants before arriving in Oakland Thursday.

His role with the Raiders should be similar to the one he had in Indianapolis. It also gives LaMont Jordan, who agreed earlier this week to restructure his contract and remain in Oakland, a capable complement.
http://www.ibabuzz.com/raidersblog

[Sure-Oz]

Pretty good signing by the fade.

[Pestilence]

They refused to sign him until he got his DUI.

[noa]

Wow, I didn't realize he only averaged 3.4 yards per carry last season. Hopefully, he was just overrated due to his Super Bowl performance and he'll be the next Lamont Jordan.

[Woodrow Call]

That's a pretty good move by Oakland. Better than Jordan or Fargas.

[Archie F. Swin]

"baby, 'cause I'm a thug!"

[Chief Chief]

He'll find it tough to improve/maintain that average with that weak O-line in Oafland.

[Bill Lundberg]

I personally think he will be a bust. Runningbacks in Indy have the advantage of teams not loading up the box due to Peyton Manning. That being said he still only averaged 3.4 ypc last year. With the O line and QB problems the Raiders have I just can't see him doing well.

[Brock]

glorified backup imo

[Mr. Laz]

Rhodes has potential imo


faiders still have crappy line/offensive though

[Bowser]

I guess he got tired of all that winning in Indy.

[RJ]

That's a good signing for them, IMO. Rhodes can go back to the role he was best at, spelling the primary for a series or on 3rd down, and Jordan will probably be more effective as a result. All of this assumes, of course, that the Raiders OL improves.

[Woodrow Call]

Raiders having a big day

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10033511

Friday, March 9
The Raiders reached agreement Friday evening with Atlanta 's free-agent fullback Justin Griffith on a three-year, $3.8 million contract, completing a whirlwind day of activity in Oakland. The deal is contingent upon Griffith passing his physical.


http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.aspx?sport=NFL

Raiders re-signed WR Alvis Whitted to an undisclosed contract.

Whitted, who caught 27 passes as a starter last season, will likely see his role decrease considerably under Oakland's new coaching staff.


Raiders signed OL Fred Wakefield to a two-year contract.

The former Cardinal will help run block and can dabble at tight end.



Raiders agreed to terms with TE Tony Stewart on a two-year contract.

Mostly a blocker, the 27-year-old Stewart had 14 catches in 2006. If the season began today, Stewart would be Courtney Anderson's

[the Talking Can]

now that's a FA signing that makes sense