Raiders Might Have 12 More Problems

It has already been an off-season like few others in silver and blackdom. After a 5-10 season, worst in the Al Davis era, the Raiders have said goodby to retired coach Tom Flores, waived Lester Hayes, released Marc Wilson, traded Sean Jones and Dokie Williams, and told Jim Plunkett he’ll get minimal work in practice--in effect, suggesting he retire.

And that isn’t all.

Since the club isn’t announcing these things, returns keep trickling in from other precincts.

The latest:

--The Raider class of 12 unsigned players, including Mike Haynes, Matt Millen and Stacey Toran, claims the club has breached their contracts, making them true free agents who can be signed without compensation.

The club denied this, although, as usual, no one would do so on the record.

Said a Raider official, requesting anonymity, of the players’ claim: “That’s a bunch of bull.”

--Fullback Frank Hawkins, a three-year starter before getting hurt in last season’s opener, has been released.

--Guard Dean Miraldi, 30, who started 10 of last season’s 12 non-strike games, has retired.

Also retired is guard Curt Marsh, the former No. 1 pick and one-time designated heir to Gene Upshaw. Marsh spent the last three seasons on injured reserve.

According to a union spokesman, the Raiders were obligated to send their unsigned players an offer by June 1, with a copy to the union office. The players received their offers, but nothing reached the National Football League Players Assn. office in Washington until June 3.

The letter was dated June 1, but the union source said the Federal Express bill showed that it wasn’t sent until June 3.

He also said that the players were told by NFLPA counsel Dick Berthelsen that they are true free agents.

However, agents trying to find anyone interested in signing any of the Raider 12 have been typically told by other teams that they don’t wish to become involved in this sort of dispute. Even if this is an open door, as the union contends, if no team is willing to walk through it, it means nothing.

Hawkins, 29, was a 10th-round pick from Nevada Reno in 1981, who became a stalwart blocker despite his lack of stature. He was listed at 5-9, 210 and may have weighed 10 pounds less, but he was a demon hitter, much admired by his teammates, who considered him one of the offense’s leaders.

The Raiders, however, had long sought a larger fullback, and drafted one a year ago, 235-pound Steve Smith from Penn State, who now figures to be the starter.

Miraldi, a failed Eagle-Bronco prospect, overcame a respiratory problem last season and recently agreed to a new contract, according go his agent, Richard Zlaket.

But Zlaket said that when Miraldi asked for a loan to help him meet his family’s expenses through the summer, he was turned down.

Why? A Raider source suggested that the team’s plans may have changed, noting that the Denver line coach when Miraldi was cut was Alex Gibbs, now Mike Shanahan’s assistant head coach.

“Dean had a decision to make,” Zlaket said from his office in Orange. “Dean felt he had to get some up-front money, whether it was a loan against his severance, or whatever.

“The Raiders offered him a beautiful contract. We had a beautiful three-year package for Dean. The Raiders have been outstanding with Dean. They took him on, they stood behind him on the respiratory problem. I think the respiratory problem was behind him. I think a lot of it had to do with anxiety.

“He just thought the world of the Raiders. He loves Al Davis. He would not play for anybody else. I just think it’s kind of sad. I’ve represented Dean for some years and I don’t think he ever played the way he could. This season, I think he was ready.”

The Raiders, who have been trying to rebuild their offensive line for several seasons, have realigned it once more.

Brian Holloway, a left tackle all his career, has been shifted to right guard.

Bruce Wilkerson, last spring’s No. 2 draft choice, has been moved to the key left tackle spot, considered vital in pass blocking, since the tight end usually lines up on the other side, and the big sackers like Richard Dent work from this end.

Wilkerson had his own audition at right guard last season, but he flunked. “He’s either a tackle or he’s nothing,” one Raider official said.

Charley Hannah, 33, a starter who was demoted last season, is back in favor as the front-runner at left guard.

Of course, it’s a little early, but rarely have the Raiders looked like this at any point of any year.

They held their mini-camps without holdouts Wilson, Millen and Haynes. Don Mosebar, coming off back surgery, couldn’t dress, although he’s supposed to be ready for camp in July. No. 1B draft pick Terry McDaniel, coming off shoulder surgery, couldn’t participate, although he’s supposed to be ready by camp. Scott Davis, the No. 1C draft pick, was back on campus, taking final exams.

Also, the Raiders tried to waive their new summer camp site in Oxnard, because it hasn’t been hot enough to sweat the players into shape, and began negotiations with Cal State Northridge.

But that was an 11th-hour effort, not to mention the lease the Raiders signed with the city of Oxnard. The betting around the Raider offices is that they’ll stay in Oxnard another summer.

Other than that, it’s been quiet.

Tune in tomorrow to see if the franchise is still standing.