Newhouse cut, not angry

OL ‘encouraged, passionate, alive’

OAKLAND, Calif. — Marshall Newhouse seemed to handle the news well.

Shortly after the Raiders cut him Monday, the offensive lineman released a statement on Twitter in which he reported feeling “as encouraged, passionate and alive as I’ve ever felt.” He thanked teammates, reporters and fans. To one ESPN reporter, he expressed optimism, saying he is “still young and healthy” and willing to live anywhere in the country.

Cornerback Sean Smith was released Monday, too.

His immediate outlook is far more constrictive.

The Raiders cleared $10.25 million from the 2018 salary cap, including $8.5 million from Smith, when parting with the two veterans Monday. Newhouse is free to sign with another team. Smith reportedly won’t soon be free, as he will plead guilty Tuesday to felony assault for the July beating of his sister’s then-boyfriend in the Pasadena area of Los Angeles.

Smith, 30, faces one year in jail and five years on probation as part of his plea agreement, according to the Los Angeles Times. He signed a four-year, $38 million deal in 2016.

Newhouse, 29, joined the Raiders last March on a twoyear contract worth up to $4.5 million. He made 14 starts despite a host of injuries through which he played. His release was foreshadowed to some degree, as coach Jon Gruden painted an unfavorable summary of his campaign while at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Today, 2017 fourth-round pick David Sharpe projects as the starter opposite left tackle Donald Penn.

Whalen added

A week that could feature splashy signings began Monday with a ripple.

The Raiders signed wide receiver Griff Whalen to a oneyear contract, a source said. The former Stanford standout was last with the Baltimore Ravens before his Oct. 31 release. He offers Oakland some veteran depth as a slot receiver who can enter the mix at punt returner.

Over the past two seasons, Whalen has played 10 games. He caught a combined six passes for 45 yards in that span with the Chargers and Ravens, respectively. For his career, he’s logged 51 catches for 532 yards and three touchdowns, adding 49 punt returns for 378 yards and 29 kick returns for 701.

Notable

Punter Marquette King joined the Oakland Athletics for spring training in Arizona. He took swings in batting practice, some while wearing a Raiders helmet, while donning the MLB team’s uniform.

The team recently placed a one-year, $555,000 tender on kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, a source said Monday. He is an exclusive-rights free agent.

Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.