Raiders place franchise tag on LB Wimbley

Feb. 24, 2011GUTIERREZ ARCHIVERAIDERS PAGERAIDERSVIDEOPaul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.com

Partly because the NFL disallowed Oakland imparting its buyback option on Kamerion Wimbleythe resultant bump in pay violated the leagues 30-percent rulethe Raiders have used the franchise tag on the strongside linebacker.

REWIND: Raiders use buyback option on LB Wimbley
The tag is worth an estimated 10.191 million for the 2011 season and essentially protects Wimbleys rights for the Raiders as both parties could potentially still negotiate on a long-term deal if and when a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached.Kamerion is a great young talent, coach Hue Jackson said in a release, and he and the Raiders are excited about him continuing his career as a member of the Silver and Black.The Raiders held a 3.5-million buyback option on Wimbleys rookie contract and his agent, Joe Linta, confirmed to CSN California on Tuesday receiving a letter from the team detailing their intentions of retaining him. But because his previous base salary was 2.115, a jump to 3.5 million would have been a 65.5 raise. Franchise tags, obviously, are not subject to the 30 percent rule.Linta hinted in an email to CSN California that his client was not thrilled with the buyback option at the time.We look forward to working with Mr. Davis on a long term deal, Linta wrote in the email. Were happy that management council and NFLPA agreed with us that the Raiders couldnt buyback because of violation of 30 rule.After being acquired from Cleveland in a March trade for a third-round draft pick, Wimbley led the Raiders with nine sacks. The fifth-year pro and No. 13 overall pick out of Florida State in the 2006 draft also had 58 tackles, 46 solo, one pass defensed and forced one fumble in starting all 16 games. His performance voided his rookie contract, which would have paid him just 685,000 this season.The Raiders have also re-signed defensive tackle Richard Seymour to a two-year, 15-million deal and cornerback Stanford Routt to a reported three-year, 31.5-million contract, seemingly pricing themselves out of the coming Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes. Unless, of course, the All-Pro cornerback concedes to a hefty hometown discount.
REWIND: Raiders announce Seymour signing
Other free agents still out there for Oakland include tight end Zach Miller, running back Michael Bush, left guard Robert Gallery and free safety Michael Huff.RELATED: Raiders don't confirm Routt signing