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Raiders sign Stockton native
By Jason Jones - jejones@sacbee.com
Last Updated 5:41 am PDT Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
The Raiders are serious about bringing speed to the offense.
They have signed seven rookie free agents, among them Washington running back Louis Rankin, a Stockton native noted for his speed. He reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, the fastest among a group of players who worked out for the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month.
Rankin joins a running back group that features Justin Fargas, first-round draft pick Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and LaMont Jordan.
"I really didn't have an idea what was going to happen, but after the fifth round, I was hoping I didn't get drafted so I could be a free agent and decide where I wanted to go," Rankin told the Stockton Record.
No undrafted rookies made the Raiders' roster last year, and Rankin's odds are long. But he also can return kicks, an area in which the Raiders have struggled.
Rankin ran for 1,294 yards as a senior for the Huskies and was the first Washington running back to top 1,000 yards in 10 years. Rankin ran for six touchdowns and caught passes for two more. He returned 40 kickoffs for 976 yards and one touchdown last season. The Raiders haven't returned a kickoff or punt for a touchdown since Dec. 28, 2003.
Rookie debuts – The Raiders will hold a minicamp for rookies and other players who don't have a year of accrued service starting May 9.
Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said Sunday that Bush is eligible to participate because he spent all of last season on the physically unable to perform list.
The Raiders also will have a mandatory minicamp in the offseason.
About the writer:
- Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.
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