Why it’s OK to sign Mawae

If the Raiders can sign a 31-year-old tackle hoping for one more good year to shore up the middle of the defensive line, why not a 39-year-old center for the middle of the offensive line?

Mawae made his eighth Pro Bowl last year, and even if some of that was on reputation, it’s hard to imagine him not giving Samson Satele competition for the starting job.

He’s also heavily involved in union politics, but that shouldn’t bother Al Davis, long a player’s owner.

And considering his comments about Washington wayward millionaire defensive tackle and former Tennessee teammate Albert Haynesworth on Sirius Satellite Radio, how could you not want Mawae in your locker room?

“You talk about someone putting a mask on and going in backwards to get his paycheck,” Mawae said. “I mean, if you don’t want to be there, don’t take the $21 million contract. How things turned out, it’s no surprise to guys that have played with him in Tennessee. You know, what do you say?

“I mean, you’re getting paid a ton of money to play less and you’re complaining about it. At the end of the day, it’s one thing to be a football player and get paid lots of money, but there’s a whole lot more to be said about being a man. You know, he’s a great player when he wants to be and he can be one of the best in the league and I’ve said that to him in his face before. But to this point he doesn’t want to do it on a consistent basis.

“At some point in time in the game, you know, you got to do what’s right for yourself and what’s right for you and your family. I think $32 million guaranteed in one year pretty much takes care of those issues. I think the other issues go beyond the football field.”

This should have been the guy hiking the ball to JaMarcus Russell.

While you want no part of Haynesworth, Mawae, still looking for a job, would be worth a look.

Or if you want to make things real interesting at the first padded practice, trade for one and sign the other.