OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Veteran linebacker Greg Biekert, who was involved in bitter contract negotiations, has been waived by the Oakland Raiders. He played for them for the past eight years.
Biekert left the team Aug. 27 when it rejected his demand to be paid $2.5 million this season. The club was offering $1 million.
The former seventh-round pick has started 89 consecutive games, but he was about to become a part-time player because of the rapid development of rookie Napoleon Harris, the team's first-round draft pick this year out of Northwestern.
Biekert also was a victim of the recent signing of defensive tackle Sam Adams. Also, according to the Oakland Tribune, Biekert was due to make a $500,000 roster bonus next March 1 and $4 million in salary.
"It was a total surprise to him and to the coaches," said Biekert's attorney, Jack Mills. "But he understands this is what happens in pro football, although it doesn't usually happen when you are still playing at the top of your game. It's not like he was sitting on the bench."
"I think it's evident Greg wants to play and he wasn't going to be in a starting role here, and he wanted to be in a position where he could go somewhere and play and still contribute," said new Oakland coach Bill Callahan."
Biekert, 33, said he is relieved that the impasse is now settled. His agent has spoken with officials of Detroit and Minnesota, among others.
"In a way, I'm glad this phase of it is officially over," he told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I'm ready to play somewhere else now and I hope I can land with one of those teams so I can get back to work as soon as possible."
Biekert has been the Raiders' leading tackler almost every year since they returned to Oakland in 1995. Last year, he led the team with 101 tackles, and was second in making stops either at or behind the line of scrimmage with 14. He also had a career-high three sacks.
The Raiders, getting down to the 53-player roster limit, also axed veteran kick returner/wide receiver Reggie Barlow, defensive back Johnnie Harris, linebacker Mike Jones, a 12-year veteran, and rookie quarterback Ronald Curry.
