Terdell

Sands

New England loves Oakland castoffs and Sands, 30, has always been long on potential. He’ll play defensive tackle in the Pats’ 4-3 sets, and could see some action as a five-technique end in 3-4 looks if he picks up the system.

Sands is 6'7/350; Lechler is a punter. Sands was not disciplined. “They should have cut Sands already for that,” said an ex-assistant coach. “That’s just ridiculous.” This may make Lechler more likely to leave in free agency.

Sands, who is in the news because he’s dissing ex-coach Lane Kiffin, has been a disappointment since re-signing with Oakland in 2007. Tom Cable is a fan of Ryan Boschetti, but it still seems unlikely they would cut Sands when their run defense is so thin.

Sands was released by the Raiders as part of the their final cuts this season. He’ll be 30 next month and never came close to living up to his vast potential.

Sands is playing well and Oakland isn’t in position to move him with Gerard Warren and Derrick Burgess both playing with torn upper-body muscles. If the Giants want to get bigger inside, they should ask Detroit about Shaun Cody.

The 6-7/335-pounder appeared in nine games for the Raiders in 2005.

The deal includes base salaries of $800,000 (2007), $1.2 million (2008), $1.3 million (2009), and $4.6 million (2010). We had Sands pegged as a sleeper for a team in free agency, but the 6-7/335-pound behemoth will probably get a great chance to push Tommy Kelly to start in 2007.

He adds depth at the tackle position.

He’ll likely be third behind under tackle Warren Sapp and NT Terdell Sands. Kelly has been productive in seasons past but is clearly off the IDP radar.

Terdell Sands recently signed a big deal and should move into the starting lineup. Kelly started at end in Week 17 with Sands inside and the move reportedly worked well. Kelly is big for a DE, but good against the run and fits when Oakland uses a 3-4 defense. Tyler Brayton could lose his starting job.