In announcing the dual cuts of defensive tackle John Henderson and right guard Cooper Carlisle, the Raiders cleared 6.7 million in salary cap space for 2012, 10 million in "real" money going forward.The 33-year-old Henderson, who was released due to a "failed physical," was due a 4 million base salary in 2012 and had a cap number of 4.75 million. He was entering the final year of his two-year contract.
Carlisle, who turns 35 on Aug. 11, had two years remaining on his contract and was due base salaries of 3 million the next two years, with cap numbers of 3.3 million each season.The return to Oakland of a zone-blocking scheme makes the move somewhat surprising, what with Carlisle cutting his teeth in a zone blocking scheme, and Bruce Campbell still seen as a project in many corners. Perhaps Carlisle could be brought back at a lower price.The moves should get the Raiders 9,204,766 million under the cap.Henderson and Carlisle are the fifth and sixth players to be cut by the Raiders this offseason as they join cornerbacks Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson, safety Hiram Eugene and tight end Kevin Boss.NEWS: Raiders announce Boss' release
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