Defensive Tackle Ball Weighs In as Raider

The Raiders made a big addition to their defensive line Tuesday. The question is, how big?

The club signed defensive tackle Jerry Ball, an unrestricted free agent from the Cleveland Browns, to a multiyear deal.

Ball, a seven-year veteran and a three-time Pro Bowl player, spent six of those seasons with the Detroit Lions before being traded to the Browns a year ago.

The 6-foot-1 Ball reported to Cleveland at 345 to 350 pounds, according to observers. He was cynically referred to as “Butterball,” in a season in which he allegedly never dropped below 325 pounds.

Ball had two sacks in his first three games, but only one the rest of the season.

Ball is listed now at 300 pounds, the weight at which he has been most effective. A specialist at stopping the run, he will be used to back up Nolan Harrison and Chester McGlockton.

“We’re excited to have him with us,” said Steve Ortmayer, the Raiders’ director of football operations. “We plan on working him into the mix. He should give us additional strength inside.”