• Bill Dunbar of the Tribune reported that the team had made an offer to soon-to-be free agent and 49ers receiver RC Owens when his option expired in May

• Reports differed as to the compensation offered, but Dunbar’s story said the team had put together a $42,000 package that included $17,000 in salary, a $5,000 signing bonus, and an off-season job offer guaranteed by local business firms to pay $20,000 for the year

• Other reports put the total package at around $33,000

• Former Raiders owner Harvey Binns was acting as an unofficial go-between on the team’s behalf

• Owens said he wouldn’t discuss the matter until his option ran out