NFL

Raiders release CB Stanford Routt

Share This Story

Updated Feb 9, 2012 7:06 PM ET
     
 

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)

Less than one year ago, Al Davis made Stanford Routt one of the cornerstones of the Oakland Raiders defense with a lavish contract that kept him from free agency.

Routt became the first player casualty under the new regime with the Raiders.

Routt was released on Thursday just one year into a $54.5 million, five-year contract, ending his seven-year tenure in Oakland as the team heads in a new direction.

The move by new general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen signifies a change of approach from when Davis ran the team and was fiercely loyal to players he drafted.

Davis died Oct. 8, setting the stage for a busy offseason. McKenzie was hired in January and fired coach Hue Jackson after one season on his first official day on the job. He then began a coaching search that ended up with Allen, and now changes are being made to the roster even before free agency begins next month.

After the news conference announcing Allen's hiring on Jan. 30, McKenzie said the Raiders had some contracts that were ''out of whack.'' Apparently, Routt's was one of them.

Routt got the big contract after grading out as one of the league's top cover cornerbacks in 2010. The opposition's 39.4 percent completion rate when throwing at him was the lowest of any player targeted at least 60 times that season, according to STATS LLC.

Davis gave Routt the big contract, while letting Pro Bowler Nnamdi Asomugha test free agency. Asomugha later signed with Philadelphia, making Routt the No. 1 cornerback in Oakland.

While he once again held opponents to a low completion percentage (47.4 percent) and allowed less than 6 yards per pass attempt for the season, according to STATS, he was susceptible to penalties and touchdowns. He was credited with allowing eight touchdown passes - tied for the second-most in the NFL - and led the league with 17 penalties committed, according to STATS.

More changes are sure to come on the Raiders, who have not had a winning record or made the playoffs since 2002. Oakland is coming off one of its worst defensive seasons ever during last year's 8-8 campaign.

The Raiders had franchise worsts in touchdown passes allowed (31), yards per carry (5.1), yards passing (4,262) and total yards (6,201), while giving up the third-most points (433) in team history. Oakland also became the sixth team since the 1970 merger to allow at least 2,000 yards rushing and 4,000 yards passing in a season.

The Raiders also set an NFL record last season with 163 penalties for 1,358 yards.

Routt has played 110 games with 53 starts since being drafted in the second round by Oakland in 2005. He became a starter his third season before falling behind Chris Johnson on the depth chart in 2008-09. He worked his way back into the starting lineup in 2010 and was Oakland's top cornerback last season when he set career highs with four interceptions and 15 passes defensed.

Notes: The Raiders also hired two more assistant coaches, making Johnny Holland the linebackers coach and Keith Burns the assistant special teams coach. Holland spent the past five seasons in Houston, where he coached two AP NFL Defensive Rookies of the year in Demeco Ryans (2006) and Brian Cushing (2009). He had previously worked in Detroit and Green Bay. Burns has spent 28 years as a college coach, most recently with Mississippi.

Tagged: Raiders, Stanford Routt
FOX Fantasy Football Game

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

ADD A COMMENT
    PREV PREV   NEXT NEXT    
ADD A COMMENT
    PREV PREV   NEXT NEXT    
Play FOX Fantasy Football

Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NFL Videos

Schrager: Settle down everyone Posted: May 23, 2012
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...

Jackson looks back Posted: May 22, 2012
Laura Okmin sits down with Rams RB Steven Jackson about life on and off the fiel...

Glazer: LT unaware ring for sale Posted: May 18, 2012
Jay Glazer says Lawrence Taylor was unaware his Super Bowl XXV ring was put up f...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »
Peyton Manning Broncos gear at FOX Sports Shop

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/792884/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_792000/ff_792884_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold
    Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/799723/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_799000/ff_799723_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green
    Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Arizona_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/800436/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800436_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red
    Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/801105/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801105_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/803136/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_803000/ff_803136_xl.jpg&w=100 34.95 New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue
    Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/819243/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_819000/ff_819243_xl.jpg&w=100 31.95 Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Indianapolis_Colts/browse/featuredproduct/851313/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851313_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue
    Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Washington_Redskins/browse/featuredproduct/851315/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851315_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy
    Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Cleveland_Browns/browse/featuredproduct/851598/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851598_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown
    Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/852589/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_852000/ff_852589_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft