Defensive tackle Richard Seymour has signed a two-year contract worth $30 million, meaning the Raiders won't have to use the franchise tag to keep him off the open market, according to a CNN-Sports Illustrated report.
An 11-year veteran, Seymour was expected to be hit with a franchise tag if the two sides couldn't come to an agreement. He played under that designation last season for just under $12.9 million, and was due for a 20 percent increase this year if tagged again, or just under $15 million.
The reported deal includes $22.5 million guaranteed, including a $7.5 million guaranteed bonus this season.
Seymour had 5.5 sacks while moving inside to defensive tackle full time in 2010, missing three games with hamstring injuries at age 31. He was dominant during the Raiders' three-game wins streak heading into the bye week and was named to the Pro Bowl, although he didn't play because of injury.
The Raiders acquired Seymour for a first-round draft pick from the New England Patriots before the 2009 season. The Patriots will use that pick, No. 17 overall, in the upcoming draft.
Signing Seymour enables the Raiders to franchise another player, with the most likely candidate tight end Zach Miller, who made his first Pro Bowl and has led Oakland in receiving four consecutive years.
However, there are no guarantees Miller would even be an unrestricted free agent unless a new collective bargaining agreement calls for four-year veterans to receive that status.
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February 16th, 2011
Raiders sign Richard Seymour to two-year contract 
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