Raiders sign 3 free agent defenders

By JOSH DUBOW - AP Sports Writer
    2013-03-13 17:31

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Raiders began shoring up their depleted defense on Wednesday by signing free agent linebacker Kaluka Maiava to a $6 million, three-year contract, as well as defensive tackle Pat Sims and defensive end Jason Hunter.

A day after losing three of the team's most productive defenders from last year when Oakland released defensive back Michael Huff and lost free agent linebacker Philip Wheeler to Miami and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant to Cleveland, the Raiders started the rebuilding process.

``We're excited to add three veterans through free agency, helping to create depth and competition on defense,'' general manager Reggie McKenzie said. ``We'll continue to add free agents as the opportunity surfaces.''

Oakland has only four returning defensive starters under contract in safety Tyvon Branch, linebacker Miles Burris and defensive linemen Lamarr Houston and Tommy Kelly. But Kelly could still be released as a salary cap casualty this offseason.

Oakland ranked 18th in total defense and 28th in scoring defense last year in coach Dennis Allen's first season in charge but showed signs of improvement late in the year that led to the decision to bring back coordinator Jason Tarver for a second season.

Tarver will have to work in quite a few new players into his scheme. All three of the new players will likely be in the mix for starting jobs with Maiava expected to replace Wheeler at outside linebacker after Wheeler got a $26 million, five-year deal from Miami with $13 million guaranteed.

Maiava started 13 games last season for Cleveland with 30 solo tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed. Maiava has played 50 games over four seasons with the Browns after being a fourth-round pick out of Southern California.

Sims played just eight games last season for Cincinnati after beginning the year on the physically unable to perform list with a hamstring injury. He had 12 solo tackles and one interception as a reserve. He has five sacks in 60 career games.

Hunter spent the past three seasons in Denver, sitting out last year with a triceps injury. But he has familiarity with both McKenzie and Allen. He played the first three years of his career in Green Bay where McKenzie worked in the front office. He then played in Denver in 2011 when Allen was defensive coordinator.

Hunter has 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 88 career games with Green Bay, Detroit and Denver.

The Raiders also re-signed defensive back Coye Francies to a one-year, $630,000 deal after letting him become a free agent when they didn't tender him a contract.

Francies played mostly on special teams in his first season with the Raiders when he got only 11 snaps on defense. Francies averaged 23.8 yards on his 20 kick returns and also played on coverage units for Oakland.

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