Any team with a little money left over and in need of a core special teams player may turn to Isaiah Ekejiuba quickly.

The Oakland Raiders released the veteran linebacker on Thursday in a surprising move, perhaps deeming that $1.45 million to pay a special teams ace this season was too much. Whatever the case, Ekejiuba is on the street now and he has a resume teams are certainly aware of as a Pro Bowl alternate following the 2008 season.

The 28-year-old does not have to clear waivers later today. He’s played in 32 games the last two seasons, posting 24 tackles to go with a blocked punt and forced fumble. The 6-4, 240-pounder is a reserve linebacker.

Ekejiuba had signed a $5.4 million, three-year contract in Oakland entering last season when he collected nearly half of it -- $2.45 million. Ekejiuba had been with the Raiders since 2005. He entered the league earlier that year when he was an undrafted free agent from Virginia who signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

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