The Raiders have signed CB Ron Bartell and G Mike Brisiel.
The Oakland Raiders have signed two veteran performers with extensive starting experience—cornerback Ron Bartell and guard Mike Brisiel (pronounced Bry-zul).
"We would like to welcome both Mike and Ron to the Silver and Black," said GM Reggie McKenzie.* *"Both players are proven, productive professionals with excellent track records in this league. We are extremely excited to have them both play for the Raiders."
Bartell, who spent the past seven seasons for the St. Louis Rams, has played in 89 career games with 65 starts, including one start in the season opener last year, and has eight career interceptions. He played in 62 games with 56 starts from 2007-10, recording five interceptions, two sacks and 47 passes defensed during that span.
In 2008, the Detroit-native started all 16 games and matched a career high with three interceptions while recording a career-best 19 passes defensed. He posted two interceptions in 2007 and recorded three picks in 2006, including a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown. Bartell saw action in 10 games with seven starts as a rookie in 2005.
Bartell, who attended Central Michigan and Howard University, entered the league as the Rams' second round selection (50th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft.
Brisiel, entering his seventh NFL season, played in 50 career games with 47 starts with the Houston Texans. In 2011, Brisiel started 13 games and helped lead the Texans to the franchise's first-ever AFC South title and playoff appearance. He started both of the Texans' playoff games including a 31-10 AFC Wild Card Game victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Brisiel helped Houston rank second in the NFL in rushing with an average of 150 yards per game and was named captain of the 2011 USA Today All-Joe Team, which honors unheralded performers around the league. He was part of a unit that helped RB Arian Foster rank fifth in the NFL with 1,224 rushing yards.
Brisiel played in 12 games with nine starts in 2010, helping Foster pace the NFL with 1,616 yards on the ground. He started five games in 2009 and started all 16 contests in 2008, helping RB Steve Slaton lead all rookie rushers with 1,282 yards.
The Fayetteville, Ark.-native saw action in four contests in 2007 after spending his first pro season on the Texans' practice squad. He was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after earning second team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a senior at Colorado State.
