15-years of Free Agency for the Raiders – Part 3
Tyrone Wheatley plowing through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tyrone Wheatley, RB
In August of 1999, a day after the Miami Dolphins cut Wheatley; Oakland inked the former Michigan star and he went on to have a 936-yards rushing season with 8 touchdowns. The 1995 draft pick with the New York Giants had been a bust so far in his career and when he donned the Silver & Black, the tough runner rejuvenated his career. In 2000, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry and ran for a career best 1,046; and paired with Napoleon Kaufman, Oakland had the best running attack in the NFL. Wheatley played with Oakland through the 2004 season and then retired, achieving all his best campaigns after signing with the Raiders.
Verdict: His play helped the Raider resurgence under Jon Gruden. Whether paired with Kaufman or later with Charlie Garner, Wheatley always was a bruising complement in the Raiders run game.
Harvey Williams, RB
In 1993, Los Angeles had a putrid rushing attack. A year later, Williams, who had his carries taken away by former Raider Marcus Allen, signed a one-year deal to become the primary ball carrier for the Silver & Black. After becoming the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Allen back in 1985, the Raiders rewarded Williams in 1995 – when he became unrestricted free-agent – with a five year $11 million deal. “(Raiders owner) Al Davis took a gamble, and it has paid off,” said Williams.
Verdict: Williams never became a force, eventually lost his job in the line-up to Napoleon Kaufman and ended up at tight end as his career wound down. In 1997, the seldom-used Williams scored 4 touchdowns in a rout of the Chargers in front of what was a then record 65,714 fans in attendance in San Diego. “When you go out like they did and beat us in Oakland and then you’re bustin’ gums like they did, we had a lot of things we wanted to come in and prove,” said Williams.
Terry Kirby, RB/KR
In November of 2000, Oakland signed Kirby not knowing Wheatley’s prognosis due to an injury sustained. He spent two-more seasons with the club being a key cog on 3rd downs, a pass catcher out of the backfield and a return man on special teams. At age 32, in a game against the Steelers, Kirby returned a kickoff 96-yards for a score on the first play of the 4th quarter to keep the Raiders comfortably in front during the contest. He said during that season: “I’ve never been one to complain about doing anything. Not too many people like playing special teams, period. But it’s one of those things you have to do sometimes if you want to stay in the league.”
Verdict: Kirby was a solid role player who was vital in Oakland’s early success in the 2002 season. After being a multi-purpose rusher at other destinations, the Raiders found a niche for him as a special teams ace. “I’m just glad [Oakland] gave me the opportunity to come here and do these things, I’m thankful for that.”
Ted Washington, DT
The Raiders were coming off a 2003 campaign in which they were last in rush defense in the league. In March of 2004, the Pro-Bowl defensive tackle signed a 4-year $14 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus. At the time, the 36-year old was a four-time Pro Bowl performer and a All-Pro. “I can bring leadership, plug up the middle, free my linebackers and also make plays,” stated Washington. “With all those factors, and a team that’s on the uprise, we should have a dominant defense.”
Archived Game Coverage: Ted Washington in Silver & Black
Verdict: In the 2-seasons the mammoth tackle was with Oakland, the Silver & Black finished 22nd (125.8 yards per) and 25th (128.1) in rushing yards allowed per contest.
Stay tuned for upcoming installments, looking back at the Raiders history during the free-agency period. Part-four coming soon…
