Raiders : Lewis Files Grievance, May Become Free Agent

Bill Lewis, who was the starting center for the Raiders until this off-season, filed a grievance against the team Monday and may file suit in court to become a free agent.

Lewis, whose contract is up, has been “locked out” of the Raider facility, according to Lewis’ agent, Larry Muno. Both Lewis and Marcus Allen passed up the April mini-camp but tried to use the camp’s weight room before being told to leave by Coach Mike Shanahan.

Shanahan couldn’t be reached for comment Monday.

There is reason to believe the Raiders wrote off Lewis long ago. Instead of moving someone into his position temporarily in mini-camp, they shook up their entire offensive line, moving Don Mosebar back to center. Mosebar last played there in 1986, and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate at the position.

Rory Graves, last season’s right tackle, has been switched to Mosebar’s left tackle spot, and the former right guard, Bruce Wilkerson, moved to right tackle, with John Gesek and Dale Hellestrae sharing right guard in mini-camp. Shanahan is unlikely to have made changes at four of the five offensive line positions, unless he expects to keep it that way.

Lewis signed a three-year contract in 1985 with a one-year option, which would be in effect this season. However, Muno claims there were unusual circumstances in 1985: Lewis was sitting in the Raider facility; his agent, then Joe Courreges, contacted him by telephone from Houston; there was a bus outside waiting to take the Raider rookies to Oxnard and everyone was in a hurry.

Muno says that Lewis subsequently signed the contract without looking at it and never realized the terms he’d signed for.

Lewis ultimately hired Muno to negotiate his new contract. However, when Muno called to start talks, Raider official George Karras told him that there is an option clause.

The Raiders have tendered one offer--a raise from $115,000 to $175,000--and have refused to negotiate further, according to Muno.

Muno also says that Lewis was told by then-Raider official Steve Ortmayer that the contract would be re-negotiated if Lewis, then a rookie No. 7 draft pick, became a starter. Lewis did, but the contract wasn’t.

“Bill played last year as the lowest-paid center in the league,” Muno said. “At $175,000, he would again play as the lowest-paid center in the league.”

Because there is no collective bargaining agreement, Muno could elect to bypass an arbitrator and file suit locally, seeking faster action.

Muno says his attempts to bypass Karras and talk directly to Al Davis have been unsuccessful. Muno says he sent Davis a letter, claiming that even with Lewis’ raise to $175,000, he’d still be the 37th highest-paid Raider. Muno said that all he got was a call from Karras reporting Davis’ indifference.

Meanwhile, Allen’s $1 million-a-year contract is up and he’s said to want a hefty increase because his running mate, Bo Jackson, will earn $1,356,200 in salary and bonuses, and won’t join the team until mid-season.