ALAMEDA, Calif. -- After starting the free agency period by cutting salaries, the Oakland Raiders started spending money Friday by signing offensive lineman Mike Brisiel and cornerback Ron Bartell to contracts.
Debate: Time for some action!
We're only a few days into free agency, but which teams are dropping the ball early in the process? Our analysts debate. **More ...**
"Both players are proven, productive professionals with excellent track records in this league," general manager Reggie McKenzie said in a statement. "We are extremely excited to have them both play for the Raiders."
Brisiel got a five-year contract worth almost $20 million and Bartell got a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with incentives, a person familiar with the deals told The Associated Press.
The signings came hours after the Raiders released their seventh player and fifth starter of the offseason, letting go of linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.
The additions of Brisiel and Bartell help fill the voids created by some of the recent cuts. Brisiel will likely replace longtime starter Cooper Carlisle at right guard. Carlisle, the starter the past five seasons, was released earlier this week.
Bartell helps fill the void created by the release of starting cornerbacks Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson. Bartell was St. Louis' top cornerback most of his seven seasons there, but missed virtually all of 2011 after sustaining two neck fractures in the opener.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
