In a move that had leaked out a week or so ago via sources with the team, the Raiders officially cut TE Kevin Boss today, after only one year with the team.
Boss was signed last year as a replacement to departing free agent TE Zach Miller. His contract was for 4 years, with a maximum of $16 million dollars, which isn’t a huge financial burden on the team. He was due a base salary of $2 million, this season, with an additional roster bonus of $2 million this week.
Early reports of his skill were all positive during training camp and many of the writers thought that there would be no drop off in TE production from Miller to Boss with some predicting him even beating Miller’s numbers.
However, Boss struggled to get onto the field to show what he could do. He had some injuries throughout the season but it also seemed as if head coach Hue Jackson preferred Brandon Meyer’s over Boss.
Whatever Jackson saw must have also been seen by the new regime because they cut him today, presumabely for the cap savings – the Raiders saved $2.4 million against the cap with his release.
Boss is now free to sign wherever he chooses. He joins a TE field that includes John Carlson, formerly of the Seahawks, and Martellus Bennet, formerly of the Cowboys.
Boss finished the season with 28 receptions, 368 yards and three touchdowns and played in parts of 14 games.
This move may be a vote of confidence in the remaining three TEs on the roster – Brandon Myers and second year players David Ausberry and Richard Gordon. David Ausberry was specifically mentioned by Carson Palmer in his interview on XM Sirius as someone he’s excited for.
Boss’ receiving numbers last year weren’t anything amazing but he was the best TE on the team last year. Myers finished with 16 receptions for 151 yards, no TDs. Ausberry had 2 receptions for 14 yards, no TDs and Gordon had 1 reception for 2 yards, no TDs.
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