The Number of FA Corners Just Got Bigger

[T-post Tom]

He's no Brandon Carr, but maybe this will dilute the market a tiny bit:

Raiders release Stanford Routt

Well, here’s the first big surprising move of the offseason.

Oakland released cornerback Stanford Routt on Thursday, less than a year after the team gave him a “five-year, $54.5 million” contract. (It was originally a three-year, $31.5 million deal, then the team restructured the deal.)

It’s a surprising move because it was reported last year that Routt’s $5 million 2012 base salary was guaranteed. It’s possible it was only guaranteed if Routt was on the roster past a certain date. (Once again, even “guaranteed” money isn’t always guaranteed.)

Routt started last season well and enjoyed a fine 2010 season, but he struggled badly down the stretch. He got picked on often despite having the tag as Oakland’s top cornerback.

As a 28-year-old with a lot of starting experience, Routt figures to attract plenty of free agent interest. For Routt, free agency starts Friday.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...tanford-routt/

UPDATE

Raiders avoided $5 million guaranteed by cutting Routt now

So why did the Raiders dump cornerback Stanford Routt today?

Per a source with knowledge of his contract, Routt’s $5 million base salary for 2012 would have become fully guaranteed if he had been on the roster five days after the start of the 2012 waiver period.

Though Routt loses the $5 million, he gets more than a fair crack at free agency, hitting the market more than a month before the official launch of the spending spree.

Thus, either way, tying guaranteed payments to presence on the roster early in the waiver period provides maximum protection. Either the team keeps the player and incurs the full guarantee (as the Jets did with receiver Santonio Holmes) or the team cuts the cord and the player walks away free and clear.

In Routt’s case, he carries with him $10 million paid out in 2011, the first — and ultimately only — year of his contract.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ing-routt-now/

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

The agent for Stanford Routt, who was released by the Oakland Raiders on Thursday, is out in the media making it known that his client has suitors. He told ESPN's Josina Anderson that Routt has visits set up with the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans.

While no other visits are scheduled, the agent told another ESPNer, Calvin Watkins, that the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs have all "reached out" about Routt's services. Who knows what kind of interest they have, whether it's serious or just a phone call.

(By the way, I wonder how the Chiefs feel about the agent throwing their name out there publicly? That's usually not KC's style.)

I'm not sure what level of interest the Chiefs have in Routt but I can understand why they might want to keep tabs on him. The Chiefs have a free-agent-to-be in CB Brandon Carr, and they need to be prepared if, for some reason, he doesn't return to KC. I'm not saying that'll happen and I'm definitely not saying that should happen. I'm just saying KC should be prepared for that just in case.

[1ChiefsDan]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Like I said, haters gonna hate. Have fun wallowing in your bitterness and hatred. No skin off my nose.

Hey, I'm not bitter. Was even rooting for Pats to win the SB. But the did cheat and they did get caught. Penalty wasn't severe enough

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

I'm not sure what level of interest the Chiefs have in Routt but I can understand why they might want to keep tabs on him. The Chiefs have a free-agent-to-be in CB Brandon Carr, and they need to be prepared if, for some reason, he doesn't return to KC. I'm not saying that'll happen and I'm definitely not saying that should happen. I'm just saying KC should be prepared for that just in case.

probably just keeping tabs on market values