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Winner to be Announced at NFL Honors the Night Before Super Bowl LIV

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The NFL announced today the 32 nominees for the WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTED BY NATIONWIDE. Representing the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, each player was selected as his team’s Man of the Year and is now eligible to win the national award. Considered one of the league’s most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON.

“Every day, in cities and towns across America, NFL players give of themselves to make our communities better. This year, as we celebrate our 100th season and the 50th year of the Walter Payton NFL Man of Year Award, NFL players have continued to raise the bar on community engagement and impact,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “The 32 nominees for this year’s award are the best of the best and truly embody the spirit of Walter and his legacy of leaving the world better than he found it.”

For the second year in a row, all 32 team winners will be highlighted as nominees and recognized for their important work during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl LIV.

The 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 1, the eve of Super Bowl LIV on FOX. NFL Honors will be at the Adrienne Arsht Center in downtown Miami.

All 32 nominees will receive a donation of up to $50,000 in their name to their charity of choice. The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of their choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide. 

“Nationwide congratulates this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees,” said Nationwide’s Chief Marketing Officer RAMON JONES. “Year after year, we’re amazed at the amount of time, talent and resources the NFL players give to their communities. This year’s best of the best from each team—these 32 men—recognized a need, took action and energized those around them to do more. It’s our privilege to help share their stories  about making positive differences for  others.” 

Fans are encouraged to participate in Nationwide’s 5th annual Charity Challenge, a social media campaign designed to support and promote team nominees. Fans can vote on Twitter by using #WPMOYChallenge followed by their favorite nominee’s last name. The player whose unique hashtag is used the most between Dec. 12 and Jan. 12 will receive a $25,000 contribution to their charity of choice, while the second and third place finishers will receive $10,000 and $5,000 donations, all courtesy of Nationwide. Hashtag information and official rules can be found at nfl.com/manoftheyear.

Beginning in 2017, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette came to life in uniform elements to further recognize past award winners and current nominees. The six current players who have won the award—DREW BREES, THOMAS DAVIS, LARRY FITZGERALD, JASON WITTEN, ELI MANNING and J.J. WATT—continue to wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys to recognize their outstanding contributions to the game and to their communities. All 2019 nominees will wear a Man of the Year helmet decal beginning Week 15 and continuing through the end of the season in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field.

For more information on the nominees and the award, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.

Below is a list of the 2019 nominees:

TEAMNOMINEE
Arizona CardinalsDavid Johnson
Atlanta FalconsRicardo Allen
Baltimore RavensBrandon Carr
Buffalo BillsLorenzo Alexander
Carolina PanthersCam Newton
Chicago BearsAllen Robinson II
Cincinnati BengalsGiovani Bernard
Cleveland BrownsJarvis Landry
Dallas CowboysTravis Frederick 
Denver BroncosJustin Simmons
Detroit LionsDevon Kennard
Green Bay PackersBlake Martinez
Houston TexansD.J. Reader
Indianapolis ColtsPierre Desir
Jacksonville JaguarsCalais Campbell
Kansas City ChiefsDustin Colquitt
Los Angeles ChargersUchenna Nwosu
Los Angeles RamsAndrew Whitworth
Miami DolphinsDavon Godchaux
Minnesota VikingsKyle Rudolph
New England PatriotsKyle Van Noy
New Orleans SaintsTerron Armstead
New York GiantsNate Solder
New York JetsJonotthan Harrison
Oakland RaidersTahir Whitehead
Philadelphia EaglesMalcolm Jenkins
Pittsburgh SteelersMaurkice Pouncey
San Francisco 49ersRichard Sherman
Seattle SeahawksBobby Wagner
Tampa Bay BuccaneersMike Evans
Tennessee TitansBen Jones
Washington RedskinsNick Sundberg

Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations

Bay Area Sports

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 15

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PASSING HISTORIC MILESTONES: Both New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES and New England quarterback TOM BRADY – who rank first and second in career passing yards in NFL history, respectively – can reach another historic milestone in Week 15.  

If Brady has four touchdown passes on Sunday against Cincinnati (1:00 PM ET, CBS) or Brees has three touchdown passes against Indianapolis on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN), they would surpass PEYTON MANNING (539 touchdowns) for the most career touchdown passes in NFL history.

The players with the most career touchdown passes in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAM(S)TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Peyton ManningIndianapolis, Denver539
Drew BreesSan Diego, New Orleans537
Tom BradyNew England536
Brett FavreHOFGreen Bay, New York Jets, Minnesota508
Dan MarinoHOFMiami420


Additionally, if Brady – who has 19 touchdown passes in 2019 – has at least one touchdown pass on Sunday, he would surpass Manning (16 seasons) for the most seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes in NFL history. With three touchdown passes on Monday, Brees will also reach 20 for the season, tying Manning with 16 such seasons in his career.  

The players with the most seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAM(S)SEASONS WITH 20+ TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Tom BradyNew England16*
Peyton ManningIndianapolis, Denver16
Drew BreesSan Diego, New Orleans15#
Brett FavreHOFGreen Bay, New York Jets, Minnesota15
*Has 19 touchdown passes in 2019
#Has 17 touchdown passes in 2019

— NFL —

PETERSON CONTINUES TO CLIMB: Last week, Washington running back ADRIAN PETERSON rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown, becoming the sixth player in NFL history with at least 14,000 career rushing yards (14,036) and joined Pro Football Hall of Famers EMMITT SMITH and WALTER PAYTON as the only players with at least 14,000 rushing yards and 100 rushing touchdowns (109) in NFL history.

If Peterson has at least 66 rushing yards on Sunday against Philadelphia (1:00 PM ET, FOX), he would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer CURTIS MARTIN (14,101) for the fifth-most career rushing yards in NFL history. 

The players with the most career rushing yards in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAM(S)RUSHING YARDS
Emmitt SmithHOFDallas, Arizona18,355
Walter PaytonHOFChicago16,726
Frank GoreSan Francisco, Indianapolis, Miami, Buffalo15,306*
Barry SandersHOFDetroit15,269
Curtis MartinHOFNew England, New York Jets14,101
Adrian PetersonMinnesota, New Orleans, Arizona, Washington14,036*
*Active

Additionally, Peterson needs one rushing touchdown on Sunday to tie Payton (110) for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in NFL history. 

The players with the most career rushing touchdowns in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAM(S)RUSHING TDs 
Emmitt SmithHOFDallas, Arizona164 
LaDainian TomlinsonHOFSan Diego, New York Jets145 
Marcus AllenHOFLos Angeles Raiders, Kansas City123 
Walter PaytonHOFChicago110 
Adrian PetersonMinnesota, New Orleans, Arizona, Washington109* 
*Entering Sunday

— NFL —

STACKING WINS IN SEATTLE: Since entering the NFL in 2012, Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON has led the Seahawks to at least nine wins in each of his eight seasons under center, becoming the first quarterback to accomplish the feat in NFL history. 

With a win at Carolina on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Wilson would tie TOM BRADY (86 wins) for the most regular-season wins through a quarterback’s first eight seasons in NFL history.  

The quarterbacks with the most regular-season wins through their first eight seasons in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMWINS
Tom BradyNew England86
Russell WilsonSeattle85*
*In eighth season

— NFL —

JACK OF ALL TRADES: In addition to leading the NFL with 28 touchdown passes in 2019, Baltimore quarterback LAMAR JACKSON leads all quarterbacks with 1,017 rushing yards, becoming the second quarterback to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a single season in NFL history.

With 23 rushing yards on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets (8:20 PM ET, FOX/NFLN/Amazon), Jackson would surpass MICHAEL VICK (1,039 in 2006) for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season in NFL history. 

Additionally, the 22-year-old quarterback has 3,878 passing yards and 1,712 rushing yards in 29 career games since entering the league in 2018. 

If Jackson has at least 122 passing yards on Thursday, he would become the first player with at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in his first 30 career games in NFL history.

— NFL —

GOLDEN GAROPPOLO: San Francisco quarterback JIMMY GAROPPOLO completed 26 of 35 attempts (74.3 percent) for 349 passing yards and four touchdowns with one interception for a 131.7 passer rating in a 48-46 win over New Orleans in Week 14. That marked Garoppolo’s fourth consecutive game completing at least 70 percent of his pass attempts with a passer rating of 110 or higher. 

By completing at least 70 percent of his pass attempts and having a passer rating of 110 or higher on Sunday against Atlanta (4:25 PM ET, FOX), Garoppolo would tie for the longest such streak of games in a single season in NFL history (min. 10 attempts). 

The quarterbacks with the most consecutive games completing at least 70 percent of their passes and a passer rating of 110 or higher in a single season in NFL history (min. 10 attempts):

PLAYERTEAMSEASONCONSECUTIVE GAMES
Patrick Mahomes#Kansas City20185
Russell WilsonSeattle20155
    
Jimmy GaroppoloSan Francisco20194*
*Active streak 
#Named Associated Press Most Valuable Player 

— NFL —

DUCK HUNTING FOR WINS: In Week 14, Pittsburgh rookie quarterback DEVLIN HODGES led the Steelers to a 23-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals, marking his third-career win in his third-career start.   

With a win against Buffalo on Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET, NBC), Hodges would tie VIRGIL CARTER (four wins in 1968) and PHIL SIMMS (four in 1979) for the third-longest streak of wins by a rookie quarterback to begin a career in the Super Bowl era (1966-present). 

The rookie quarterbacks with the most consecutive wins to begin their careers in the Super Bowl era:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONCONSECUTIVE WINS 
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh200413 
Mike KruczekPittsburgh19766 
Virgil CarterChicago19684 
Phil SimmsNew York Giants19794 
     
Devlin HodgesPittsburgh20193* 
*Active streak

Additionally, with a win, Hodges would become the first undrafted rookie quarterback to win each of his first four starts in the common draft era (1967-present).

— NFL —

TEN AGAIN: New Orleans wide receiver MICHAEL THOMAS – who leads the NFL with 121 receptions and 1,424 receiving yards this season – had 11 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in Week 14, marking his seventh game with at least 10 receptions in 2019.

With at least 10 receptions against Indianapolis on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN), Thomas would surpass ANDRE JOHNSON (seven games in 2008) and WES WELKER (seven in 2009) for the most games with at least 10 receptions in a season in NFL history.

The players with the most games with at least 10 receptions in a season in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONGAMES
Andre JohnsonHouston20087
Michael ThomasNew Orleans20197*
Wes WelkerNew England20097
*Entering Sunday 

— NFL —

GURLEY AMONG GREATS: Los Angeles Rams running back TODD GURLEY has 10 total touchdowns this season (nine rushing, one receiving), having rushed for a touchdown in each of his past two games. Gurley, who is in his fifth NFL season, leads the NFL with 66 touchdowns since entering the league in 2015.

With a touchdown on Sunday at Dallas (4:25 PM ET, FOX), Gurley would tie ADRIAN PETERSON (67 touchdowns) for the fifth-most touchdowns through a player’s first five seasons in NFL history. 

The players with the most total touchdowns in their first five seasons in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONSTOUCHDOWNS
LaDainian TomlinsonHOFSan Diego2001-0580
Emmitt SmithHOFDallas1990-9475
Shaun AlexanderSeattle2000-0472
Jerry RiceHOFSan Francisco1985-8970
Adrian PetersonMinnesota2007-1167
    
Todd GurleySt. Louis/Los Angeles Rams2015-1966*
*In fifth season 

Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign Olsen Pierre and Eric Tomlinson and Promote Nick Nelson

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed free agents DL Olsen Pierre and TE Eric Tomlinson and have promoted CB Nick Nelson from the practice squad, the club announced Wednesday.

Pierre, a 6-foot-4, 293-pound defensive tackle in his third year in the NFL, joins the Raiders having spent the first nine games of the 2019 campaign with the New York Giants. Pierre was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2015 before spending the majority of his rookie campaign on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. He was later signed as a reserve/future free agent by the Cardinals in 2016 and spent three seasons (2016-18) on the club’s active roster. Since entering the league, Pierre has appeared in 33 games and made eight starts, totaling 50 tackles (35 solo), 7.5 sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble.

Tomlinson, a 6-foot-6, 263-pound fourth-year tight end joins the Silver and Black after appearing in three contests with the New York Giants this season and an additional two with the New England Patriots. Tomlinson was originally an undrafted free agent signed by the Houston Texans, where he spent all of 2015 and a portion of 2016 on the club’s practice squad before signing to the New York Jets (2016-18). Over his career, Tomlinson has appeared in 41 contests and made 31 starts, tallying 17 receptions for 194 yards and one touchdown.

Nelson, originally the club’s fourth-round selection (110th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft, re-joins the active roster having appeared in 11 games as a rookie, making three starts and compiling 17 tackles (11 solo), one pass defensed and one fumble recovery. 

Additionally, the Raiders have signed TE Paul Butler, LB Te’von Coney and OL Kyle Kalis to the team’s practice squad.

In a corresponding move, the team has released TE Cole Wick from its practice squad.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports

NFL ENTERS FINAL QUARTER WITH KEY GAMES ON TAP

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Week 14 NFL Preview

To help celebrate the NFL’s 100th season, each week will feature an NFL 100 Game of the Week. Each game is a nod to a momentous game played, a fierce rivalry that spans decades, a matchup of original teams and/or a game in which history was made . The NFL has designated Sunday’s CINCINNATI BENGALS-CLEVELAND BROWNS matchup as the NFL100 Game of the Week because the contest includes the teams closest to the birthplace of the NFL. In 1920, the NFL formed in Northeast Ohio, where CANTON BULLDOGS owner RALPH HAY organized the first meeting of fellow owners. Four years later, at nearby Massillon Washington High School, quarterback and future Pro Football Hall of Famer PAUL BROWN discovered the sport that would shape his life. By 1946, as the first coach of the Cleveland franchise when it launched as part of the All-American Football Conference, Brown was so synonymous with success that by popular demand he became the team’s namesake, despite his humble objections. After entering the NFL in 1950, Brown’s team won three league championships (1950, 1954-55). When the AFL placed an expansion franchise in Cincinnati during the mid-1960s, Brown joined the team as general manager and head coach, then named his new team the Bengals in time for the club’s inaugural 1968 season. One of Brown’s first Cincinnati assistant coaches was Pro Football Hall of Famer BILL WALSH.  

BRADY, BREES IN RACE FOR HALLOWED MARK: As NFL teams jockey for position in the 2019 playoff race, New England quarterback TOM BRADY and New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES have one of the league’s most significant all-time records in their sights: Most career touchdown passes, currently held by PEYTON MANNING (539). Entering Week 14, Brady (535) and Brees (532) have Manning on their radar screens.

The players with the most career touchdown passes in NFL history:​

PLAYER, TEAM(S)YEARSTD PASSES
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis-Denver1998-2015539
Tom Brady, New England2000-535
Drew Brees, S.D. Chargers-New Orleans2001-532
Brett FavreHOF, Atlanta-Green Bay-N.Y. Jets-Minnesota1991-2010508
Dan MarinoHOF, Miami1983-99420
Philip Rivers, S.D./L.A. Chargers2004-391
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh2004-363
Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants2004-362
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay2005-360
Fran TarkentonHOF, Minnesota-N.Y. Giants1961-78342

Brady, whose Patriots host the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS), is 47-12 (.797) during his career in starts following a regular-season loss. 

EASTERN ILLINOIS CONNECTIONS IN THE BIG EASY: When the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS travel to meet the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX) in a matchup of 10-win teams, one former Eastern Illinois quarterback, the 49ers’ JIMMY GAROPPOLO, will square off against another former Eastern Illinois field general, Saints head coach SEAN PAYTON. Also, the father of 49ers head coach KYLE SHANAHAN, former Raiders, Broncos and Redskins head coach MIKE SHANAHAN, also played at Eastern Illinois, where a serious injury ended his playing career but helped him discover his passion for coaching. The school also produced former Dallas quarterback TONY ROMO.

  • If San Francisco this week clinches a playoff berth, the 49ers would become the first NFL club that didn’t qualify for the playoffs last season to earn a postseason invitation. In every season since the 12-team playoff format began in 1990, at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs that were not in the postseason the year before.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR’S NIGHTMARE: In one of Week 14’s premier games, the BALTIMORE RAVENS put the league’s longest winning streak, eight games, on the line when they face the BUFFALO BILLS on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS). The contest not only matches two of the AFC’s best teams, it also matches two of the NFL’s best dual-threat quarterbacks. Baltimore’s LAMAR JACKSON, whose 977 net rushing yards are more than five NFL teams this year, also ranks fourth in the NFL with a 109.6 passer rating. Buffalo’s JOSH ALLEN, who ranks third among NFL quarterbacks with 430 rushing yards, has a fourth-quarter passer rating of 114.0.

  • Sunday’s game will have more combined rushing yards (1,407) by starting quarterbacks than any contest in NFL history.
  • Additionally, Jackson needs 23 rushing yards to become the second quarterback in NFL history with a 1,000-yard rushing season, and 63 to post the most rushing yards in a single season by an NFL quarterback, surpassing MICHAEL VICK, who had 1,039 in 2006. 

  • As a team, the Ravens are on pace for one of the most prolific rushing campaigns in the NFL’s 100 seasons. Since the league moved to a 16-game schedule in 1978, Baltimore’s 207.8 net rushing yards per game are on pace to finish 10 yards better than any other team in that span.

The teams with the most net rushing yards per game since 1978:

TEAMSEASONGMATTYARDSYDS/GM
Baltimore Ravens2019124452,494207.8
New England Patriots1978166713,165197.8
Kansas City Chiefs1978166632,986186.6
Chicago Bears1984166742,974185.9
Atlanta Falcons2006165372,939183.7

​​

THE FOURTH QUARTER: As the NFL makes its final turn toward the regular-season finish line, each club has just four games remaining, and 26 teams remain in contention for a trip to Super Bowl LIV. Two of those teams, the TENNESSEE TITANS and OAKLAND RAIDERS, battle in a key AFC contest Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS).

  • The game features several of the NFL’s top rookies. Oakland’s JOSH JACOBS leads all NFL rookies in rushing yards (1,061), rushing touchdowns (seven) and scrimmage yards (1,207). Tennessee wide receiver A.J. BROWN leads AFC rookies with 626 receiving yards. On defense, Oakland’s MAXX CROSBY (7.5) and CLELIN FERRELL (3.5) are the NFL’s only pair of rookie teammates with three-or-more sacks each.

ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS CONTINUE TO WIN GAMES: Arizona’s KYLER MURRAY, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, leads the ARIZONA CARDINALS at home against the PITTSBURGH STEELERS on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS). Murray and the Steelers’ DEVLIN HODGES, an undrafted rookie, are two of the six rookie quarterbacks to win a game this season. Last week, Denver’s DREW LOCKjoined a group that includes Washington’s DWAYNE HASKINS, the Giants’ DANIEL JONES and Jacksonville’s GARDNER MINSHEW. That group of six represents the second-highest number of rookie quarterbacks to win an NFL start in league history, trailing only the 1987 season (seven). Detroit’s DAVID BLOUGH, who plays at Minnesota Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), gives the 2019 rookies an opportunity to tie the single-season league record. ​

BATTLE OF OHIO: When the CINCINNATI BENGALS make the cross-state trip to play the CLEVELAND BROWNS on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), the teams will meet for a 92nd time. Sunday marks the first Bengals-Browns game in 35 years in which each club has a first-year head coach. Cincinnati’s ZAC TAYLOR and Cleveland’s FREDDIE KITCHENS are the first rookie head-coaching pair in the series since December 2, 1984, when the Bengals’ SAM WYCHE beat the Browns’ MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER on an overtime field goal, 20-17.

NFL SCHEDULE, DECEMBER 5, 8-9

(All times Eastern)​

ThursdaySunday (cont.)
Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears8:20 PMFOX/NFLNAMAZONMiami Dolphins at New York Jets1:00 PMCBS
Sunday  Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers1:00 PMCBS
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons1:00 PMFOXLos Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars4:05 PMFOX
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills1:00 PMCBSPittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals4:25 PMCBS
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns1:00 PMCBSKansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots4:25 PMCBS
Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers1:00 PMFOXTennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders4:25 PMCBS
Denver Broncos at Houston Texans1:00 PMCBSSeattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams8:20 PMNBC
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings1:00 PMFOXMonday  
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints1:00 PMFOX New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles8:15 PMESPN

Press Release Courtesy of the NFL Communications Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign Liuget and Allen-Williams; Release DePaola And Place Martin On IR

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed free agents DT Corey Liuget and LB Bryson Allen-Williams, the club announced Sunday.

Liuget enters his first season with the Raiders having spent his first eight years (2011-18) as a member of the Chargers. Over his eight years with the club, the 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive tackle appeared in 108 games and made 103 starts for the club. He compiled 274 tackles (207 solo), 24 sacks, 20 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries including one returned for a touchdown. In postseason action, Liuget has made two starts and compiled 10 stops (seven) and one sack.

Last season, the Miami, Fla. appeared in six games, making three starts and recorded 14 tackles (nine), 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. He started his previous 85 games before the 2018 campaign and tallied at least three sacks in four consecutive seasons from 2012-15, including a career-best seven in 2012.

Allen-Williams joins the team as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker spent five years (2014-18) with the program, appearing in 43 contest for the Gamecocks and compiling 176 tackles (107), 6.5 sacks, four interceptions, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. As a senior in 2018, the Ellenwood, Ga., native was selected as the team’s Comeback Player of the Year and voted by his teammates as the Tenacity Award winner on defense.

In corresponding moves, the Raiders have released LS Andrew DePaola and placed RB Doug Martin on the Reserve/Injured List.

DePaola joined the team last season, but was placed on the Reserve/Injured List following a Week 1 knee injury for the remainder of the year. Over his six-year career, he has appeared in 65 total contests for the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raiders.

Martin also joined the club last season as a free agent and led the team in carries (172), rushing yards (723) and rushing scores (four) while appearing in all 16 games and making nine starts. Over his eight-year career, Martin has started in 74-of-84 contests and carried the ball 1,322 times for 5,356 yards, adding 30 touchdowns.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign WR Jalin Marshall; Acquire 2012 Draft Pick

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent WR Jalin Marshall and have also acquired a conditional seventh-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft via a trade with the Chicago Bears, the club announced Tuesday. As part of the trade terms, the Raiders will receive the Bears’ seventh-round selection in 2012 in exchange for K Eddy Piñeiro.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound receiver most recently spent the 2018 season with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football. Ahead of his stint with the Apollos, Marshall spent two seasons (2016-17) with the New York Jets after signing with the club as an undrafted free agent. Marshall appeared in 10 contests for the Jets and tallied 14 receptions for 162 yards and two scores, adding 18 punt returns for 100 yards and 13 kickoff returns for 324 yards.

Prior to the NFL, the native of Middletown, Ohio, played two seasons (2014-15) at Ohio State, appearing in 27 contests while making 12 starts for the program. He compiled 74 receptions as a Buckeye, notching 976 yards (13.2 avg.) and 11 touchdown receptions, adding 27 carries for 175 yards and an additional score.

Piñeiro was originally signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent the offseason with the club and appeared in one preseason contest, making all three field goals attempted, before being placed on the Reserve/Injured List for the remainder of his rookie campaign. Piñeiro played two years at Florida, appearing in 24 games and connecting on 38-of-43 attempts for a program-record 88.4 field goal percentage.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign QB Mike Glennon

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed unrestricted free agent QB Mike Glennon, the club announced Friday. 

Glennon, now entering his seventh year in the NFL, was originally a third-round selection (73rd overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Entering his first season with the Silver and Black, Glennon comes aboard having previously spent his first four seasons (2013-16) in the league with the Buccaneers, one season with the Chicago Bears in 2017 and most recently with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. Over his six-year career, Glennon has appeared in 27 games and made 22 starts, completing 482-of-791 pass attempts for 5,107 yards, 35 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for a passer rating of 84.0.

Last season, Glennon appeared in two contests in his lone campaign with the Cardinals. In his Cardinals debut, he completed 10-of-14 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown and finished the season 15 of 21 (71.4 percent) for 174 yards and a passer rating of 112.0.

From 2013-16, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound product out of N.C. State appeared 21 games for the Buccaneers, making 18 starts. As a rookie in 2013, Glennon started in all 13 appearances and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team after completing 247-of-416 attempts (59.4 percent) for 2,608 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a passer rating of 83.9. He became  the first rookie in NFL history to throw at least one touchdown in each of his first eight career starts, while setting franchise-rookie marks in touchdown passes and passing yards. Over his next three seasons, Glennon made eight appearances for the club including five starts.

A native of Fairfax County, Va., Glennon spent four seasons (2009-12) with the Wolfpack, playing in 36 contests and making 26 start. His collegiate totals included 646 completions on 1,069 attempts (60.4 percent) for 7,411 yards and 63 touchdowns. As a senior, Glennon’s 330 completions and 4,031 passing yards ranked third-most and fourth-most in ACC history, while his 31 touchdown passes tied for fifth-most.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Acquire Fifth-Round Selection; Trade Osemele

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have acquired a fifth-round selection (140th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft via a trade with the New York Jets, the club announced Wednesday. 

As part of the trade terms, the Raiders will receive the 140th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft in exchange for G/T Kelechi Osemele, in addition to Oakland’s sixth-round selection (196th overall) in this year’s draft. The sixth-round selection sent to the Jets was originally acquired via trade with the Chicago Bears on September 1, 2018.

Osemele signed with the Raiders in 2016 and started in all 42 appearances for the Silver and Black over the last three seasons. In 2016, Osemele earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team and the PFWA All-NFL Team. He earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2018.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Acquire Two First-Round Selections, Trade DE Khalil Mack

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have acquired first-round selections in the 2019 and 2020 NFL Draft via a trade with the Chicago Bears. As part of the trade terms, the Raiders will receive the Bears’ sixth-round selection in next year’s NFL Draft, in addition to a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Raiders have agreed to send the Bears DE Khalil Mack, the team’s second-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft and a 2020 conditional fifth-round pick.

A first-round selection (fifth overall) by the Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft, Mack started and played in all 64 contests as a Raider. Over his four-year career with the club, he totaled 327 tackles (238 solo), 40.5 sacks, one interception returned for a touchdown, 17 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. 

Mack was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team in 2014 and earned First Team All-Pro selections in two consecutive seasons (2015-16). Additionally, he became the first Raider since 1980 to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016 and was nominated to three Pro Bowls.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations

Bay Area Sports, Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Sign LS Andrew DePaola

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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have signed unrestricted free agentLS Andrew DePaola, the club announced Friday.

DePaola spent this past season as a member of the Chicago Bears after handling the long-snapping duties for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014-16. He has played in 64 games over his four-year career.

Originally entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers in 2012, DePaola earned the job as the team’s long snapper in 2014 and played in 48 games for Tampa Bay over the next three seasons, handling all long-snapping duties and recording eight special teams tackles.

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder played in all 16 contests for Chicago, helping the Bears set a franchise record with a 47.0-yard gross punting average.

A native of Parkton, Md., DePaola played collegiately at Rutgers from 2005-09, appearing in 39 games over his career.

Press Release Courtesy of the Oakland Raiders Media Relations