A couple of weeks into the season with the Raiders, as stories circulated about the frayed relationship between coach Lane Kiffin and owner Al Davis, safety Gibril Wilson didn't want to hear about it.
He waved off approaching reporters, in essence blaming the messengers for the bad news.
"Don't you guys go making this into a soap opera," Wilson warned.
He had some experience in that area, being that the New York Giants had their own issues with former players such as Tiki Barber taking pot-shots at quarterback Eli Manning through the ever-present New York media.
Kiffin was fired after four games during the bye week. A month later, the Raiders cut DeAngelo Hall, paying him $8 million for eight games before they would be responsible for paying him an additional $16.5 million.
It was then that Wilson came to a realization.
While talking with reporters about Hall's exit, Wilson remarked, "Man, it's like a soap opera around here."
When he received word that Hall had been cut, Wilson openly wondered if he would be next.
Wilson lasted the rest of the season, finishing second on the team to Kirk Morrison with a career-high 129 tackles.
Due a $2.5 million salary and a $4.5 million roster bonus, Wilson was the most notable roster purge as the Raiders made way to accommodate the huge contracts signed by cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler.
He ended up receiving just over $9 million for one year's work, receiving an $8.4 million signing bonus and $605,000 in salary.
Less than a week later, Wilson banked a reported $8 million in guaranteed money and signed with the Miami Dolphins a day before free agency opened for players who were still under contract with their previous employers.
According to the NFL Network, Wilson would receive $16.5 million over the first three years of a six-year, $27.5 million deal.
Chances are the Raiders approached Wilson about reducing the size of his roster bonus, much as they have done in previous years with players like LaMont Jordan.
Given Wilson's disenchantment with the Raider experience, having come from a championship team, he likely declined.
Coach Tom Cable has made it clear he wants players who are on board with the program, and in that regard, Wilson's departure is significant.
The Raiders saved actual dollars with the move, but considering there remains $7 million in acceleration from the rest of the $8.4 million signing bonus, it was a push in terms of the salary cap.
