Raiders officially cut ties with CB Hall

Nov 5, 2008 - 9:55 PM ALAMEDA, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Raiders waived cornerback DeAngelo Hall on Wednesday, the latest surprising move in what has been an embarrassing season for the once-proud franchise.

The Raiders acquired Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler, less than eight months ago in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.

But Oakland, off to a 2-6 start and well on its way to a sixth straight losing season, reportedly does not want to pay Hall, who signed a seven-year, $70 million deal with the Raiders following the trade.

During a conference call Wednesday for Oakland's upcoming game with the Carolina Panthers, interim coach Tom Cable would not address Hall's situation.

"I think later today we'll address that issue. Right now we are not ready to do that," Cable said.

The decision to cut ties with Hall has major financial ramifications for the Raiders, who would have owed the five-year veteran approximately $16.5 million in guaranteed bonuses next year.

Hall, 24, already has made $8 million in eight games this season for a Raiders team that clearly needs to rebuild in almost every area of its roster. But Oakland also gave up a second-round draft pick in the trade to acquire Hall, widely considered one of the most talented cornerbacks in the NFL.

The timing of the move is the latest puzzling decision by a Raiders team that fired coach Lane Kiffin on September 30 and replaced him with Cable.

So far, the coaching change has made little impact, with the Raiders going 1-3 since, including an embarrassing 24-0 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

"When you are 2-6, sometimes you look for change," linebacker Kirk Morrison said. "You look for guys to step up and that's all over the team."

Hall has 43 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions this season. The eighth overall draft selection in 2004, he has recorded 276 tackles and 20 interceptions in 65 career games.