Raiders Sign Gannon To Deal

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 15, 1999 / 5:34 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Giving up on Jeff George, the Oakland Raiders Monday signed free agent Rich Gannon to take over at quarterback.

The move ends a disappointing two-year stay in Oakland by George, who was let go over the weekend when the Raiders declined exercise a $5 million option, voiding three potential years of his contract and making him a free agent.

Gannon, 33, joins his fourth NFL team in 12 years but for the first time heads into a season as the starter. In his previous 11 seasons, Gannon has a 31-27 record as a starter, including 11-8 during the last four years with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gannon's deal was said to be worth $16 million over four years.

In other moves, the Raiders re-signed backup quarterback Wade Wilson and signed of receiver Chris T. Jones, who had 70 catches for 859 yards for Philadelphia in 1996 before hurting his knee. He was limited to four games in 1997 and was out of football last season.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden declined to go into detail about the team's decision to go with Gannon over George.

"I'm not going to compare two players," Gruden said. "This is all about Rich Gannon. He can make all the throws. He can throw the ball deep, short, intermediate. He can scramble. He has great knowledge of the AFC West. He has been a big part of Kansas City's solid offensive play the last few years and he's a great leader."

The Raiders went 4-12 with George as a starter in 1997, but a groin injury allowed him to play in just eight games and finish four last year, when the team was 8-8.