• Alvin Keels and Joel Segal got DeAngelo Hall $54 million ($22.5 million guaranteed) in a 6-year deal with the Redskins.
• The Redskins have already spent a lot not only on Hall, but also on Albert Haynesworth.  Chad Speck got his client a 7-year deal worth a maximum of $115 million if he remains with the team all 7 years and meets all performance bonus clauses ($41 million is guaranteed, including $32 million in the first 13-months of the contract).  Is there still a salary cap in the NFL?  At least the Skins don’t have to worry about Jason Taylor taking money away from the cap (he was released).
• If he knew about this website, Sage Rosenfels would be a fan of our Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up.  For the time being, he will be counting his money that the Minnesota Vikings offered him.  Rick Smith got his client a 2-year deal worth $9 million.  Not bad for a guy who does not have the starting job wrapped up in Minnesota.
• Kenneth Vierra did not instruct his client, Chris Kemoeatu, to sign with whatever team presented the most money to his client.  Instead, Kemoeatu accepted a $20 million, 5-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers (including $6 million guaranteed), and passed up a bigger offer from the New York Jets.
• Will Cedric Benson be the starting RB for the Cincinnati Bengals?  Who knows?  What we do know is that Eugene Parker was able to get Benson a 2-year, $7 million deal.
• The Bengals also agreed to terms with Laveranues Coles.  Roosevelt Barnes is happy to see his client join Ocho Cinco.  Barnes also helped structure the 4-year, $28 million contract.
• No one will be competing for the starting inside linebacker position on the Baltimore Ravens.  Ray Lewis tested the free-agent market and did not like what he saw.  Or maybe he just loves being a Raven.  He re-signed with the team, while teammate, Bart Scott, signed with the Jets.
• And last, but not least, some guy that goes by T.O. signed with the Buffalo Bills.  Terrell Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, accepted a 1-year, $6.5 million deal.  It is a little bit colder in Buffalo than Dallas.

Do not feel bad just yet, Hall walked away with $8 million for 8 games and a chance to sign with a new team.

Other teams reportedly interested in Hall were the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hall will make his Redskins debut on November 16 against the Dallas Cowboys following this week’s bye.

Hall gave up more yeards than any defender this season and was tied for third worst in catches allowed. (source – ESPN.com)

While this is certainly an odd move, it actually makes sense. The Raiders are by far the worst team in the NFL, and they don’t look like their going to turn it around anytime soon. Hall is having a sub-par season, and is a pain in the ass in the locker room. If you are going to make drastic moves, might as well make them sooner than later and move on. The move also saves the Raiders a ton of money.

While I agree with the move, it’s about time for someone to get Al Davis out of the front office. In the 2008 off-season alone, they overpaid for Javon Walker, Gibril Wilson, Tommy Kelly and DeAngelo Hall. Walker hasn’t done anything since leaving Green Bay, Wilson looks lost in the secondary, and Kelly has only 1 sack. I wouldn’t be surprised if 2 of those 3 are shown the door next. Lets not forget Michael “the bust” Huff, and Lane Kiffen. Oh yea, big J. Russell doesn’t look so hot either.

The Raiders make one bad move after another, and it all starts at the top. Until the Raiders are Al Davis free, they will remain in that dreaded re-building phase. Leadership and winning starts at the top and works its way down to the field.

Hang in there Raider nation…

• Barry Bonds has a Blackberry that works. If you are an MLB GM, he will wait for your call, even if it comes midway through the 2008 season [Bonds: 'I'm not going to retire'].
• DeAngelo Hall is going from one troubled team to another, but will surely enjoy his paycheck [Source: After trade to Raiders, Hall to get seven-year, $70 million deal].
• Unlike Hall, Les Miles decided to stick around his old team (albeit a much better team), and signed a new deal to coach LSU at a price of at least $3.751 million a year for 5 years [LSU, Miles agree on restructured five-year deal].
• Add the GM of the Cleveland Indians to the vocal sports community backing Obama [Showing support for Obama].
• Right alongside Scott Boras, Drew Rosenhaus is constantly covered by the media [Rosenhaus helps clients get dream and green].
• Leigh Steinberg continues his mission to make the world more green [Meet Minneapolis Names Leigh Steinberg Keynote Speaker for Annual Meeting].
• Interested in finding out where the AP Top 25 college basketball teams’ coaches publicly donate their money? [Top 25 BB coaches donate to… more hoops.]

This week’s featured post is Paul Schackman’s 3rd installment of his 2008 NFL Mock Draft. You can find it on the right hand column by clicking Featured.