NFL

There was speculation that Seymour would be a candidate for release due to his massive salary, but GM Reggie McKenzie indicated the Raiders "wouldn't be making wholesale changes" despite their recent decision to part with CB Stanford Routt. Seymour is set to make $15 million in 2012 and is now fully guaranteed the $30 million extension he signed with the Raiders in 2011.

Pasquarelli suggests Branch may even get the franchise tag, which would cost the Raiders a reasonable $6 million, if no long-term accord can be reached. The club's ideal scenario would be to extend Branch long term and place the tag on free agent Michael Bush. Per Pasquarelli, Branch "comes very highly recommended by people (Raiders GM Reggie) McKenzie trusts."

Cowboys DC Rob Ryan has shown an affinity for players he's coached in the past, and he worked with Routt in Oakland. The Chiefs are in the same boat as the Titans, looking to protect their flank with Brandon Carr due to hit free agency. The Vikes need all the secondary help they can get.

Routt's agent told the Nashville Tennessean a Titans visit hasn't been scheduled, though Scout.com's Aaron Wilson reports the cornerback will visit Tennessee on Monday. Per Wilson's source, interest is "fairly heavy." Because he was cut Thursday, Routt can sign as soon he comes to agreement with a team.

That was quick. Routt is a press corner with a dynamic size/speed package, but he led all cornerbacks with nine touchdowns allowed and 17 penalties last season. In his defense, the Raiders' scheme didn't help. Rotoworld's Evan Silva ranks Routt fourth behind Brent Grimes, Cortland Finnegan, and Brandon Carr among free agent corners. The Titans likely view him as a replacement for Finnegan.

Routt was simply the canary in the coal mine. New GM Reggie McKenzie made it clear last week that he would make moves to adjust a roster with "out of whack" contracts. Huff ($4 million salary + $4 million bonus), Kelly ($6 million), Henderson ($4 million), and Johnson ($3.5 million) could be on the way out as the Raiders overhaul a defense that set franchise-worst records for TD passes allowed, yards per carry, yards passing and total yards.

Routt had restructured his contract last August to five years and $54.5 million, an exorbitant number even for the team's top cover corner. Routt's contract was said to contain $20 million in guarantees over the first two years, but the new regime decided he was no longer worth the money after struggling down the stretch last season. Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com reports Routt's $5 million base salary would guarantee if he was still on the roster by Friday. The Raiders entire secondary must be rebuilt this offseason. Routt will draw plenty of interest, and can sign immediately because he was cut.