The Oakland Raiders had one of the worst defensive units in the NFL last season, but the team has made a number of moves so far during the free agent period to help shore things up, including releasing veteran Michael Huff and signing linebacker Nick Roach.
According to ESPN.com, sources said that the Raiders have signed Roach to a multi-year deal, although the details were not given. The report said that the contract could be up to $4 million per year after the linebacker had a solid season with the Chicago Bears. He had an official visit with the team on Wednesday and received an offer on Thursday.
Along with Roach, the Raiders could look at his teammate Brian Urlacher, as well as recently released Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby. Roach will be a solid addition to the Raiders after they lost Phillip Wheeler to the Dolphins and he has started 59 games in his career, mostly playing strong side linebacker and at middle linebacker last season when Urlacher was hurt.
Last year her finished with 85 tackles and he had a career-high 15 in one game against the Cardinals. He started 10 games on the strong side and then made four starts at middle linebacker for Urlacher, making 10 tackles in his first one against Minnesota. Roach will give the Raiders some depth at the position, but after dealing with the controversial Rolando McLain last year, the team may need some more options.
Urlacher is currently in talks with the Bears, but so far things have not progressed. Roach previously was on a two-year, $4.5 million deal in Chicago, but will get possibly twice that in Oakland. He is a versatile player than can start at a few positions and has turned himself into a seasoned pro since being undrafted and signed by the Chargers in 2007 from Northwestern.
Dansby was released on Wednesday after the Dolphins signed Dannell Ellerbe to a five-year contract and he could move on a number of other teams, including the Raiders or the Ravens. Dansby was very surprised at his release. Last season Dansby led the team with 134 tackles and one sack.
"No, not one day and not one indication," Dansby said to ESPN.com. "Not a hint. Not even anything. It was all 'Let's get ready for the next season. What do we have to do to improve?'
The Bears are in desperate need to bring back Urlacher, as the team also lost linebacker Geno Hayes and now could have three different players leaving from the unit. The Raiders are a wild card for Urlacher, but Phil Emery will want to get a deal done soon before the draft so he knows what he needs to pick up.
The Raiders were one of the worst defenses after going 4-12 last season and suffering a long losing streak at the end of the year. Head coach Dennis Allen will try to bring some fierceness to the defense next season and they could improve with some more signings. The team could go after Michael Boley, who was released by the Giants and could be a solid starter for the team.
