Lelie crosses the Bay, signs one-year deal with Raiders

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 1, 2008 | by Steve Corkran

The Raiders signed former Denver Broncos and 49ers wide receiver Ashley Lelie on Monday in a move designed to add speed and experience.

Lelie, 28, was released by the 49ers on Saturday. They opted to keep five other receivers, including rookie Josh Morgan. Lelie signed a one-year deal with the Raiders and joins a receiving corps with Ronald Curry and Javon Walker the only proven players.

The Raiders also re-signed veteran fullback Luke Lawton as a means of addressing the lack of depth behind starter Justin Griffith. Lawton, 28, appeared in 15 games for the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts in 2005 and '07, respectively.

The Raiders lost their lone proven deep threat when Drew Carter sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Aug. 23 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Second-year receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins, first-year player Todd Watkins and rookie Chaz Schilens are the backups. Higgins is the lone player among that trio with any NFL receptions, and he has only six for 47 yards.

Lelie caught 206 passes for 3,552 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first six NFL seasons, with the Broncos, Atlanta Falcons and 49ers. His 17.2-yard average far exceeds Walker's 15.1 and Curry's 12.4.

The 49ers gave up on Lelie after only one season. He caught 10 passes for 115 yards and no touchdowns in 15 games. He is four years removed from his best NFL season, when he posted career-highs in receptions (54), yards (1,084), average yards per catch (20.1) and TDs (7).

The addition of Lelie and Lawton necessitates two players being released from the initial version of Oakland's 53-man roster by Wednesday.

Contact Steve Corkran at scorkran@bayareanewsgroup.com.