Raiders offered tender contracts to seven RFAs

With only two days left before the March 5 deadline, the Oakland Raiders are among the several teams who began to take actions to retain free agents. On Wednesday, they tendered contracts to seven restricted free agents.

First of all it was quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who received a second-round tender that will make him earn at least $1.759 million for continuing playing next season in Raiders jersey. And if he chooses to join another team, the Raiders will have the right to match the offer or ask for a second-round pick as compensation. Replacing JaMarcus Russell as the starting quarterback midway through last season, Gradkowski led the Raiders to comeback victories in two of his first three starts. He did not play the rest of the season since suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee and a partially torn MCL in his right knee in the fourth start, but still had 54.7 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and three interceptions on the season. Therefore, the Raiders offer him a chance to compete for the starting job with Russell for 2010 season.

The other six RFAs who received tender offers on the same day included cornerback Stanford Routt (first and third-round tender), linebackers Thomas Howard (second-round tender), Ricky Brown (second-round tender), Kirk Morrison (third-round tender), Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Condo (second-round tender) and offensive lineman Chris Morris (original round tender).

Raiders QB Gradkowski may not play Sunday against Broncos

As the Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski tore medial collateral ligament in both knees during last Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins, a lot began to guess who would start for the Raiders this week against the Denver Broncos.

According to Raiders Coach Tom Cable, former starter JaMarcus Russell and third-stringer Charlie Frye have equal chance to get the starting job if Gradkowski is unable to wear back his Raiders jersey to start Sunday’s game. The coach said he will have a decision by Wednesday.

Gradkowski completed 10 of 18 pass attempts for 153 yards in the first half against the Redskins, leading the Raiders to 10 points. And the Raiders only managed three points and 39 yards in the second half with Russell replacing Gradkowski on the quarterback. So if it is any way possible, the Raiders would still like to start Gradkowski, who won two of his three starts, engineering comeback victories against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh before the injury.