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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:28 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2008

NFL: Raiders closing in on deal for CB DeAngelo Hall

By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders and former Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall have made "significant progress" toward renegotiating his contract in one of the final steps needed to complete a trade with Atlanta, a person familiar with the talks said today.

While the Raiders and representatives for Hall are "still ironing out" parts of the deal, Hall planned to arrive in the Bay Area tomorrow, the person said on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been completed. Hall would need to pass a physical after a deal is reached.

The Falcons would acquire from Oakland at least a second-round pick, the 34th overall, in next month's draft. The teams are still negotiating whether Oakland would need to send additional compensation to Atlanta, the person said.

ESPN, citing an unidentified source, reported Tuesday that Hall and the Raiders had agreed to a $70 million, seven-year contract, but were still finalizing the amount of guaranteed money and bonuses in the deal.

The Raiders have been very active during the free-agency season after winning just four games last season and a league-low 19 the previous five years. Oakland has signed defensive tackles Tommy Kelly and William Joseph, receivers Javon Walker and Drew Carter, safety Gibril Wilson, offensive linemen Kwame Harris and Cornell Green to deals that could be worth more than $160 million.

The Raiders also placed the exclusive franchise tag on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, guaranteeing him about $10 million next season, and re-signed running back Justin Fargas to a $12 million, three-year contract that guarantees him $6 million.

Hall was a first-round pick in 2004 and two-time Pro Bowl selection, but he is nearly as well known for his outspoken demeanor. He clashed openly with former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino last season and was benched for a half after a sideline confrontation.