Holdout Ends as Clay Signs With Raiders

OXNARD — John Clay, the Raiders’ No. 1 pick, signed a contract Wednesday, ending his six-day holdout.

No figures were given.

Clay was reportedly set to sign a $1.45-million, four-year deal two weeks ago. Sources say that his agents, Norby Walters and Lloyd Bloom, then noted the $1.7 million given to Detroit’s No. 1, Reggie Rogers, chosen seventh, eight picks ahead of Clay, and asked for more.

A source says Clay may have gotten another $50,000 for an even $1.5 million.

“It was hard,” Clay said. “It felt like the longer I was out, the farther behind I get. So I decided to come in.

“We wanted to wait and see what the 11th and 12th picks got. But their offers were lower than mine, so I signed.”

Clay has been worked on the left side, now manned by Bruce Davis. Clay played right tackle at Missouri, however, and there is speculation among Raider officials that he may be slated for the right side, where 35-year-old Shelby Jordan replaced 35-year-old Henry Lawrence late last season.

How much did the holdout cost Clay?

Coach Tom Flores wishes Clay had been in the scrimmages but said, “We can make up the rest.”

Clay is described as having strong fundamentals and his timetable seems to remain what it was. Raider brass was thinking originally he might be ready to start by mid-season.

Clay arrived just before Wednesday’s scrimmage, suited up and watched.

“I was excited just being out there,” he said. “I wish I’d come in earlier now.”

The signing leaves No. 2 pick Bruce Wilkerson the only rookie out.

Wilkerson’s agent, Neal Allen, said that his client may go into boxing. Honest.

The Raider rookies and free agents closed out their scrimmage slate with a 2-0 record, dropping the Cowboys, four scores to none.

Quarterbacks Ed Luther and Steve Beuerlein each engineered two touchdown drives. Vance Mueller went a yard for the first score, Beuerlein threw a 19-yard pass to tight end Matt McCloskey for the second, Luther hit Ethan Horton on a 35-yard scoring play and then Rob Harrison went a yard for the final score.

Raider Notes

The Raider veterans, due to report tonight, started filtering in, including Vann McElroy who arrived wearing a Goofy cap, complete with a bill painted to look like a dog’s snout and long black ears that flopped over the sides of his head. Said McElroy: “Disneyland was great.” . . . Tom Flores said that John Clay’s diet is coming along fine. Clay says he peaked at 325 or so last winter, and that he’s at 298 now. . . . The Raiders cut veteran defensive lineman Elois Grooms.