ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -The Oakland Raiders have signed two of their potential unrestricted free agents, agreeing to contracts with defensive tackle Terdell Sands and linebacker Robert Thomas.

The Raiders got the deals done before the start of the free agency period on March 2. The team did not announce the signings, but the contracts were listed on the NFL Players Association Web site.

Sands got a $17 million, four-year contract that includes a $4 million signing bonus, while Thomas agreed to a $6 million, three-year deal with a $1.5 million signing bonus.

While neither Sands nor Thomas started last season, both played key roles as reserves on the NFL's third-ranked defense.

Sands played in all 16 games last season, recording 30 solo tackles, one sack and one interception. He is expected to be part of the team's defensive line rotation next season.

Thomas, a former first-round pick by the St. Louis Rams, played well in short-yardage situations in his first season in Oakland. He finished the season with 27 solo tackles and could compete for a starting job in 2007.

On Thursday, the Raiders declined to pick up quarterback Aaron Brooks' option for 2007, making him an unrestricted free agent. Earlier this offseason offensive tackle Langston Walker exercised a clause in his contract to become a free agent.

Other unrestricted free agents for the Raiders include quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, defensive backs Derrick Gibson and Duane Starks, receiver Alvis Whitted, offensive linemen Corey Hulsey and Chad Slaughter, and linebacker Grant Irons.

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