Hambrick could compete for starting job

Updated: May 17, 2004, 5:40 PM ET

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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Just four days after his release by the Dallas Cowboys, veteran tailback Troy Hambrick has a new home, signing with the Oakland Raiders on Monday as a free agent.

Predictably, there was considerable attention leaguewide in Hambrick but the Raiders, who had demonstrated interest in him earlier in the offseason, certainly offered the three-year veteran the best opportunity. In Oakland, he will be able to compete not only for playing time, but likely for the starting tailback spot.


	Hambrick

Hambrick, signed a one-year contract for $535,000. Oakland also signed veteran safety David Terrell, who had played four previous seasons with the Washington Redskins, including two years as a starter. Terrell also signed a one-year, $535,000 contract.

Scheduled to be replaced in the Dallas lineup by rookie Julius Jones, a second-round pick in this year's draft, Hambrick was released last Thursday by the Cowboys. While his exit was not a surprise, Hambrick helped to precipitate the divorce by skipping the offseason conditioning program last week. He then had his agent, Jordan Woy, phone club officials and apprise them he no longer felt part of the organization.

While he might take a financial hit, since he would have earned a $628,000 base salary had the Cowboys retained him, Hambrick figures to have a legitimate chance to earn the No. 1 tailback spot with the Raiders, who are rebuilding on offense.

Oakland lost starter Charlie Garner to Tampa Bay in free agency and Hambrick will vie with nine-year veteran Tyrone Wheatley, second-year pro Justin Fargas, and former Pittsburgh part-time starter Amos Zereoue, signed last month as a free agent.

New head coach Norv Turner favors a running attack built on power and, since starting tailbacks typically log 300-325 carries in his offense, Hambrick could suddenly find himself in an advantageous situation. The Raiders statistically ranked No. 16 in rushing offense in 2003 and have revamped their offensive line in the offseason.

Hambrick, 27, assumed the No. 1 tailback job in Dallas last summer after the Cowboys released all-time NFL rushing leader Emmitt Smith for salary cap reasons. The former Savannah State standout started all 16 games in 2003, carrying 275 times for 972 yards and five touchdowns, and catching 17 passes for 99 yards.

But his 3.5-yard average was one of the lowest among NFL rushers with more than 800 yards, and Hambrick had just three outings in which he produced 100 yards, and posted only three rushes of more than 20 yards. In nine games, Hambrick averaged fewer than three yards per attempt.

For his career, Hambrick has rushed for 1,896 yards and eight touchdowns on 473 carries and has 42 receptions for 260 yards and no touchdowns.

Terrell, 28, started all 16 games at free safety for the Redskins in 2001 and 2002, then slipped on the depth chart last season. He has appeared in 61 games in four seasons and the former seventh-round pick has 188 tackles and six interceptions.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.