03-04-2004, 01:15 PM
Wed Mar 3, 9:15 PM ET
By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders (news) took the first step toward revamping their defense Wednesday by agreeing to a $14 million, four-year contract with veteran defensive tackle Ted Washington.
Washington, a key member of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots (news) last season, receives a $4 million signing bonus. He turned down an $8 million, three-year offer from the Patriots last week to become a free agent.
The 6-foot-5, 375-pound Washington, who turns 36 in April, fills a major void as a run-stopper for the Raiders, who ranked last in the league in rushing defense last season, when they finished 4-12 only one year after reaching the Super Bowl. Oakland gave up 156.9 yards per game on the ground.
"I can bring leadership, I can plug up the middle, and free up the linebackers to make plays," said Washington, a 13-year NFL veteran. "I am a big key to helping shut down the run. That's what they brought me in for. I really take it personal. Hopefully this year we can get that ranking up in the top five."
Washington flew to the Bay Area on Wednesday and everything moved quickly from there.
"They were pleased and I was pleased," Washington said.
"He's being paid as a quality defensive lineman," Angelo Wright, Washington's agent, said. "It's unprecedented that he's 36 years old and doesn't play like he's 36 years old. He's excited that he has the opportunity to help out the Raiders return to a prominent status in the league.
"Al Davis doesn't like to lose. Obviously they felt they had to strike in a couple areas to improve their defense. They were the bottom of league against the run and had to fix it. Time waits for no one."
Washington didn't want to comment on how Oakland "went to the top and dropped off."
"This team will be back on top," he said. "Eventually we could and should bring a Super Bowl ring during my tenure here."
On Tuesday, the Raiders released linebacker Bill Romanowski and defensive end Trace Armstrong after both players failed physicals.
"Ted is widely recognized as one of the premier run-stoppers in the National Football League and we're very pleased to have him join the Raiders," coach Norv Turner said. "We are excited to add him to what we feel will be a dynamic defensive unit."
Davis has a long history of signing older players, and Oakland will be Washington's sixth team. The San Francisco 49ers (news) selected him in the first round of the 1991 draft.
"It feels real great to be here," he said. "This is like a storybook ending."
By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders (news) took the first step toward revamping their defense Wednesday by agreeing to a $14 million, four-year contract with veteran defensive tackle Ted Washington.
Washington, a key member of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots (news) last season, receives a $4 million signing bonus. He turned down an $8 million, three-year offer from the Patriots last week to become a free agent.
The 6-foot-5, 375-pound Washington, who turns 36 in April, fills a major void as a run-stopper for the Raiders, who ranked last in the league in rushing defense last season, when they finished 4-12 only one year after reaching the Super Bowl. Oakland gave up 156.9 yards per game on the ground.
"I can bring leadership, I can plug up the middle, and free up the linebackers to make plays," said Washington, a 13-year NFL veteran. "I am a big key to helping shut down the run. That's what they brought me in for. I really take it personal. Hopefully this year we can get that ranking up in the top five."
Washington flew to the Bay Area on Wednesday and everything moved quickly from there.
"They were pleased and I was pleased," Washington said.
"He's being paid as a quality defensive lineman," Angelo Wright, Washington's agent, said. "It's unprecedented that he's 36 years old and doesn't play like he's 36 years old. He's excited that he has the opportunity to help out the Raiders return to a prominent status in the league.
"Al Davis doesn't like to lose. Obviously they felt they had to strike in a couple areas to improve their defense. They were the bottom of league against the run and had to fix it. Time waits for no one."
Washington didn't want to comment on how Oakland "went to the top and dropped off."
"This team will be back on top," he said. "Eventually we could and should bring a Super Bowl ring during my tenure here."
On Tuesday, the Raiders released linebacker Bill Romanowski and defensive end Trace Armstrong after both players failed physicals.
"Ted is widely recognized as one of the premier run-stoppers in the National Football League and we're very pleased to have him join the Raiders," coach Norv Turner said. "We are excited to add him to what we feel will be a dynamic defensive unit."
Davis has a long history of signing older players, and Oakland will be Washington's sixth team. The San Francisco 49ers (news) selected him in the first round of the 1991 draft.
"It feels real great to be here," he said. "This is like a storybook ending."