RAIDERS : Steve Smith Ends Holdout, Signs a Multiyear Contract

Starting Raider fullback Steve Smith ended his holdout Tuesday, signing a multiyear contract that is believed to be worth $400,000 for this season.

During the latter stages of the talks, the Raiders played hardball with Smith, who earned $147,500 last season. “Toward the end, (the negotiating) wasn’t easy,” a Raider executive said.

Attempting to make an example of Smith, the Raiders had threatened to withdraw a three-year offer of $400,000, $450,000 and $550,000 a season, said a source familiar with the negotiations.

Smith then demanded to meet with Raider owner Al Davis last week. “He let me know where he stood on a couple issues, and I let him know where I stood,” Smith said.

Davis sidestepped questions, saying: “I don’t want to get into that. Let’s hope he does well.”

Smith, denying he held bitterness, said: “I’m glad to be back in camp because I really didn’t enjoy holding out much. I didn’t feel like I had much to gain, and I felt like I had a lot to lose. It’s the first time in the month of August that I was sitting at home twiddling my thumbs not knowing what to do.”

Smith worked out with the team Tuesday afternoon. After the other players left the field, Smith underwent a grueling 45-minute solo practice under the direction of running back coach Joe Scanella.

Smith, who started all 16 games last season, rushed for 471 yards, second-highest total on the team behind tailback Bo Jackson.

Smith had been working out with quarterback Steve Beuerlein. Beuerlein remains unsigned, along with defensive end Greg Townsend, cornerback Mike Haynes and safety Vann McElroy.