Raiders cut Hall

In yet another twist to what has already been the most bizarre season in franchise history the Raiders cut ties with cornerback DeAngelo Hall on Wednesday. Then the team went out and signed two players that weren’t even good enough to make the 53-man roster at the start of the season. And the weirdness may not be over yet.

Hall was released Wednesday morning after only eight games with the Raiders. Obtained in an offseason trade from Atlanta in exchange for second- and fifth-round draft picks and then signed to a seven-year, $70 million extension, Hall was let go after owner Al Davis reportedly met with members of his front office and coaching staff on Tuesday to discuss which players the team might let go.

Davis is angered over the team’s 2-6 start that included a 24-0 loss to Atlanta last Sunday and according to reports is seeking ways to shape up a roster that has been woefully unproductive since 2002.

No official reason was given why the Raiders chose to release Hall, whose signing was touted by team officials and the coaching staff in the offseason, though a spokesman said “It wasn’t working out.”

Hall did not practice last Thursday and interim coach Tom Cable said at the time he had given Hall the day off, though no reason was offered. He returned to practice on Friday and started against the Falcons, giving up a long touchdown on Atlanta’s first drive and several other completions throughout the game.

Hall leads Oakland with three interceptions but has been a frequent target of opposing quarterbacks, who have chosen to avoid throwing at Nnamdi Asomugha. The Raiders boasted of having the top cornerback tandem with Hall and Asomugha but teams only saw Oakland’s cornerback cup as half-full and went right at Hall.

Still, to release a player the team paid such a high price for only halfway through the first year doesn’t add up and raises the question of what else may have happened.

As if that wasn’t strange enough, Oakland also signed cornerback Michael Waddell and defensive tackle William Joseph. Both players were prior to the Raiders’ season-opener against Denver but each was back and at practice with the team on Wednesday.

Waddell took Hall’s spot on the roster while Joseph took the spot vacated when rookie safety/kick returner Tyvon Branch was placed on injured reserve.

Davis may not be done making moves to his roster, either. The Contra Costa Times reported that the Raiders are considering several other moves, including possibly cutting wide receiver Javon Walker who signed a $55 million deal in the offseason.