Raiders won’t keep Papa as radio voice
The Greg Papa era as the voice of the Raiders officially has ended.
Raiders owner Mark Davis released a statement Thursday regarding Papa to make it clear he will not be returning this season to be the radio play-byplay announcer for the team.
On Tuesday, the Review-journal reported legendary sportscaster Brent Musburger agreed to a three-year deal to be the Raiders’ new radio voice. The statement did not mention Musburger’s hiring.
“The Raiders organization would like to thank Greg Papa for his two decades of service to the Silver and Black,” Davis’ statement read. “He wasn’t just given the job … He earned it with intense preparation. Greg was always ready for the call.
“Just as my generation remembers Bill King and
‘Holy Toledo,’ Raider Nation will remember Greg Papa and ‘Touchdown Raiders.’ We wish Greg and his family the best in whatever the future brings.”
Papa called Raiders games since 1997.
Davis’ statement didn’t mention Papa’s longtime radio partner Tom Flores, the two-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the Raiders from 1979 to 1987, who told the Fresno Bee on Wednesday he will not be returning as color commentator.
The NFL and National Football League Players Association agreed to halt enforcement of rules regarding the new national anthem policy while the two sides work on a resolution.
The league and its players union issued a joint statement late Thursday, hours after it was reported that Miami Dolphins players who protest
Anthem policy:
on the field during the anthem could be suspended for up to four games under a team policy issued this week.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb has shed the walking boot he was seen wearing on his right foot last month and said he plans to participate in training camp. Cobb didn’t get into specifics on the injury or its rehabilitation, saying he still must meet with team medical personnel before knowing how restricted he might be at camp.
The team is not planning to renegotiate wide receiver Julio Jones’ contract. The five-time Pro Bowl selection is set to make $10.5 million in 2018 in the third season of a five-year, $71.25 million extension he signed in 2015.
Linebacker Roquan Smith, the eighth pick in this year’s draft, has yet to report to training camp because of “details” in the rookie’s contract, general manager Ryan Pace said, noting he has no timetable for Smith to report.
Beth Mowins will handle play-by-play duties and Brian Griese will serve as analyst for ESPN’S first “Monday Night Football” game, pitting the New York Jets at the Detroit Lions on Sept. 10, the network said.
Minnesota signed cornerback Mike Hughes, the 30th pick in this year’s draft, putting the Vikings’ entire eight-player draft class under contract a week before training camp opens.
Cornerback Jimmy Smith participated in team drills for the first time since sustaining an Achilles injury in December, ESPN reported.
Packers: Falcons: Bears: Televison: Vikings: Ravens: