Looks like Al did it Again. I dont know if this has been talked about or not, but it looks like Al Davis has yet again out smarted others. 

http://www.footballnewsnow.com/2011/despite-big-contracts-raiders-havent-paid-out-a-dime-yet/

Monday, the Raiders senior executive John Herrera fired back at critics by defending the transactions, explaining none of the deals contained any bonuses and no money would be paid until the players stepped foot on the field.

“When you’re signing these players to contracts the way we signed them, these contracts are all for the future,” Herrera told the Associated Press. “These guys will have to come in and play and earn their money before they get paid. The Raiders have not paid out a dime at this point in time.

“What we did is protect our football team. These are moves that protect our franchise and protect our team and put us in a position to move on.”"

Basically We have not spent a Dime, until the Season Starts. If their is no season, the players are ours, but are not paid a dime until they do play is what I get from this, if i read it correctly. This basically locks up our players without having to pay them until everything is done.