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Raiders RB Darren McFadden gets his Monday workout in at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility. Tony Gonzales.

Overtime Rule Change

NFL owners voted to change the overtime rules for playoff games during Owners Meetings that are taking place in Orlando, Fla., this week.

If a team wins the coin toss and then kicks a field goal, the other team gets the ball. If the game becomes tied again after that next series, play will continue under the current sudden-death rules.

Should the team winning the toss immediately score a touchdown, then the game is over.

Statistics showed that since 1994, the team that won the overtime coin toss won the game 34.4 percent of the time on the first possession.

Overall, the team that correctly called the coin toss won overtime games 59.8 percent of the time in the last 15 years, or since kickoffs were moved back 5 yards to the 30.

The new rule applies only for playoff games.

*Information from the Associated Press was used for the report on overtime rules. 

Transactions

The Raiders re-signed veteran William Joseph. The 6’5”, 310-pound defensive tackle appeared in six games for the Raiders in 2009 and eight contests in 2008. Joseph was orginally selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

The restricted free agent signings of LB Ricky Brown and FB Luke Lawton were also announced Tuesday. Brown played in five games in 2009 before suffering a season-ending injury. He has played in 41 games with 12 starts since joining the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Lawton has played in 29 games with 10 starts in two season with the Raiders.

Off-Season Workouts Continue

The Raiders continue to pump iron in the weight room and get in their running as the 2010 Off-Season Workout Program continues under the direction of strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll.

OT Erik Pears is excited to be back at it as he heads into his fifth season in the NFL and second with the Raiders. “It feels good to see all the guys and get back in the routine, and back with Brad Roll,” Pears said. “My personal goals are to gain a little bit of weight and [improve] total body strength. It’s always the goal to win games.”

RB Darren McFadden is entering his third season with the Silver and Black. McFadden says he also enjoys working with Coach Roll. “It’s been a great offseason, I’m glad to be out here and getting the workouts, and being here around the fellas and getting used to everything,” McFadden said. “It’s always fun and interesting working with 'B-Roll.' He will always get you a good laugh but at the same time he makes sure that you get your work done.”

The Raiders voluntary off-season workout program continues through June.

Raiders Get Extra Draft Pick

The NFL announced Monday that the Raiders have been awarded a compensatory draft choice in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Raiders now have eight picks in the 75th NFL Draft which is set for April 22-24.