PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Meeting Today on Ismail Pact
Now that defensive lineman Howie Long has arrived, how about the other missing face?
The prospects for an agreement between the Raiders and Raghib (Rocket) Ismail don’t appear to be quite as bright.
The negotiations have been at a standstill, but the Raiders are scheduled to meet today with former NFL receiver Randy Vataha, now a representative of Ismail, the receiver/return man who spent the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League.
“We can’t give away the organization,” Raider Coach Art Shell said.
Ismail is believed to be asking for $3 million over two years. The initial Raider offer was $1 million over two seasons.
Even if he should sign in the near future, it will be difficult for the Raiders to incorporate Ismail into their passing game because he has yet to play a down in the NFL. But he could still fill a valuable role.
“He’s far behind,” Shell said, “but he could help our return game.”
*
Defensive lineman Greg Townsend and linebacker Winston Moss practiced Tuesday. They sat out Sunday’s exhibition against the San Francisco 49ers at Stanford Stadium because of knee injuries. It’s a short week for the Raiders, with another exhibition coming up Saturday in Dallas against the Cowboys, so the Raiders have only three full days in their Oxnard training camp.
More to Read
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.