John Clayton, ESPN Senior Writer 17y

Raiders re-sign top defenders Thomas, Sands

NFL, Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders became one of the first NFL teams to make major moves before the start of free agency by re-signing two of their top defensive players.

Robert Thomas
Thomas
Terdell Sand
Sands

Defensive tackle Terdell Sands reached a four-year, $17 million agreement that included at $4 million signing bonus. Linebacker Robert Thomas signed a three-year, $6 million contract that included a $1.5 million signing bonus.


The Raiders have only seven remaining unsigned free agents and only one on defense -- safety Derrick Gibson.


It was fitting the Raiders' first moves would be on defense. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan helped to turn a good, young Raiders defense into the third-ranked defense in football. The Raiders allowed only 289.1 yards a game on defense, an amazing total considering the Raiders offense scored only 12 touchdowns.


Sands and Thomas were clearly at the top of the Raiders' list of priorities. Had he reached free agency, Sands would have been competing with Ian Scott of the Chicago Bears and Robaire Smith of the Tennessee Titans for the top money at defensive tackle. Thomas came to the Raiders from the St. Louis Rams and was a valuable role player on defense.


John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

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