The Oakland Raiders do not appear to have signed Tully Banta-Cain… yet.
The veteran linebacker worked out for the Raiders and passed a physical on Thursday, but was not on the field for team’s practice at night according to Steve Corkran of the Oakland Tribune.
This could be a frugal waiting game on the part of the Raiders. If the team waits until after Week 1 to sign him, they will not be on the hook for his entire season salary.
Veterans on an NFL roster at the start of Week 1 have their base salary guaranteed.
Head coach Hue Jackson summed up the situation concisely following Thursday’s practice.
“Obviously, no decisions were made,” he said, per Paul Guiterrez of CSNCalifornia.com.
Newly elected team captain Richard Seymour played with Banta-Cain in New England where he was impressed at the linebacker’s speed.
“He was extremely fast off the edge. He’s a pass-rushing guy,” said Seymour as he began to chuckle. “He doesn’t want to be in coverage.”
Banta-Cain has 250 tackles, 27.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception in his eight-year NFL career.
He is no stranger to the Bay Area having spent two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in between stints with the New England Patriots.
Banta-Cain underwent offseason abdominal surgery.
So I guess seymour is not really speading good news about him, other wise raiders would have been sign him, b4 some one else does!!!