Hall, Raiders play let's make a deal
As promised, Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall flew to Oakland on Wednesday and met with managing general partner Al Davis, as well as other front-office types and coaches, in an effort to finalize a deal that would send Hall to the Oakland Raiders via trade.
Hall arrived around noon, according to two people in the front office, and was escorted to the Raiders year-round facility in Alameda, where he met with defensive backs coach Willie Brown and others in advance of a face-to-face meeting with Davis.
The Raiders didn't issue any official statement on Hall's visit, as is their custom during negotiations.
The Raiders and Falcons reportedly have agreed to compensation, with the Oakland Raiders giving the Falcons the rights to their second- and sixth-round selections in the NFL draft next month.
Hall's trip to Oakland was necessitated by the desire of both sides to restructure Hall's contract before the deal is consummated. He has two years left on his current contract but has the option of voiding the final year after this season.
An ESPN report said Hall is expected to sign a seven-year, $70 million contract. If accurate, the guaranteed portion likely would be in the neighborhood of $20 million, one of the front-office people said.
In other news, the Raiders restructured the deal of quarterback JaMarcus Russell in a way that lowers his base salary each of the next four seasons in exchange for activating a $19.905 million option bonus.
Favre may have number retired
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have had discussions with recently retired quarterback Brett Favre about retiring his number during the upcoming season.
Team spokesman Aaron Popkey said the team and Favre will choose a game for the retirement ceremony after the NFL regular-season schedule is released. Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy first discussed the team's plans to retire Favre's number in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The Packers have retired five numbers: Tony Canadeo's No.3, Don Hutson's No.14, Bart Starr's No.15, Ray Nitschke's No.66 and Reggie White's No.92.
Around the league
-Tennessee center Kevin Mawae was elected president of the NFL Players Association. Mawae, a 14-year veteran, had been on the union's executive committee for the past six years. He replaces Troy Vincent, whose term recently ended.
-The Indianapolis Colts re-signed free agent defensive end Josh Thomas, who had a career-high 55 tackles and one sack.
-Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress added the title of assistant head coach to Leslie Frazier's role as defensive coordinator.
See more at www.insidebayarea.com
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