Free agent RB Fargas visited Chiefs for new chance

Being released by former team is not totally a bad thing as the player is now with the freedom to choose a new team to join. That’s exactly what veteran running back Justin Fargas has now after failing his physical and being released by the Oakland Raiders right before he was due to get a $1.7 million roster bonus, and his first visit is with the Kansas City Chiefs.


"I don’t see that happening, no," Fargas told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I was told by the coach that they were moving in a different direction. They said it was strictly about money. I know some things were put out there, I guess they said I didn’t pass a physical. I’m a little disappointed by the way it happened but I understand it’s a business.”

Therefore, with the determination not to wear back the Raiders jersey, Fargas began his visit and research of possible new teams. After the visit to Chiefs, the next stop could be the San Francisco 49ers, which have been in contact with Fargas’ agent.

After winning Steelers, Gradkowski proved he is worth being started

By throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy with 9 seconds left in the Oakland Raiders’ 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback Bruce Gradkowski now has his starting role solidified.


“I’m pretty confident in my abilities and being a starter in this league,” Gradkowski said. “If yesterday cemented it, that’s good. My goal is to continue to be successful and put this team in position to win football games. And that’s my job, and I have to just be the manager on offense. And whatever happens after that will happen.”

Raiders coach Tom Cable gave his confirmation that Gradkowski will keep the starting job as long as he keeps performing as good as he has been so far. Gradkowski seems to have his time come again. He was starter when he was a rookie in Buccaneers jersey in 2006, but got cut by the Bucs, Rams and Browns in less than a nine-month stretch.

Raiders re-signed KR Miller and put DB Bowie on IR

On Wednesday, the Oakland Raiders made the decision to bring back kick returner Justin Miller after they had to place defensive back John Bowie on season-ending injured reserve.

Miller can also play as defensive back, but he was released in the Raiders last cuts before season. Comparing to Bowie, who has played in just five games since putting on NFL jersey and recorded no tackles, Miller’s performance was a big better. He returned two kicks for touchdowns, averaging 24.8 yards per return, after joining the Raiders halfway through last season. He may be reliable to improve the returning rate of Raiders, which is averaging 19.3 yards per return this season.

The Wednesday move might prove it an unwise choice for the Raiders to trade wide receiver Randy Moss to the New England for the 2007 draft pick and select Bowie in the fourth round.

Patriots signed DE Burgess from the Raiders

The New England Patriots made an announcement on Thursday that they have signed defensive end Derrick Burgess by a trade with the Oakland Raiders. In a recent statement, the Patriots said that they will give the Raiders“undisclosed draft considerations” after the signing.


Burgess will be 31 years old next week. He has spent eight years in the NFL. His first four seasons was spent with the Philadelphia Eagles. He joined the Oakland Raiders in 2005 as an unrestricted free agent.

In 2005, Burgess made an NFL record of 16 sacks and earned the first of two spots in the Pro Bowl. But he was placed on the ‘Did Not Report’ list before the trade because he did not appear at the Raiders’ pre-season training camp.