Rumor -- Asomugha and Raiders Close on 6-yr. Contract

[Raider Nation]

KLAC radio, AM 570, in L.A. is reporting the Raiders and Nnamdi are close to agreeing to a 6-year contract. It's not clear at this time if they can get the details ironed out before the deadline to designate franchise players. If they can, it's a safe bet Lechler then would get the tag.

Langlier, you're the dude with the inside source in the organization... time to get to work and confirm this!

[Madturk]

Saw it on Willistines. No other media outlets are reporting it so it's probably a bogus rumor.

[jatfly]

I hope this is true!

[Langlier]

i got one source. and i havent talked to him in a while. havent heard this but that doesnt mean much of anything.

[CrossBones]

I doubt it. Listening to Aso the last 4-5 months he wants out. I'm betting this doesn't get done. And, if it doesn't I really have to wonder about Al's "plan". Maybe John Herrera can enlighten us.

[Langlier]

I doubt it. Listening to Aso the last 4-5 months he wants out. I'm betting this doesn't get done. And, if it doesn't I really have to wonder about Al's "plan". Maybe John Herrera can enlighten us.

well this i can dispute

Aso was a little put off when we released Hall just because they had grown to be friends. But he still likes and respects the organization. Most anything you hear publically is a positioning ploy to help in contract negotiations. I'm not worried about Aso's desire to stay here. Just the raiders financial situation to keep him

[Langlier]

alright - after a quick phone call

We are negotiating with both Lechler and Aso hoping to get a deal done before the deadline. However he has heard that we are actually closer with Lech then Aso. Thats about all the detail he has at this time.

[CrossBones]

well this i can dispute

Aso was a little put off when we released Hall just because they had grown to be friends. But he still likes and respects the organization. Most anything you hear publically is a positioning ploy to help in contract negotiations. I'm not worried about Aso's desire to stay here. Just the raiders financial situation to keep himI'm not sure how you can come to that conclusion. My take is based on actually listening to him and watching the facial expressions on his face. Didn't sound or look like a guy who wants to be in Oakland any more. As far as a positioning ploy that is just pure speculation. It may turn out fine but I just doubt it. If we're going to specualte I'd say Al has offered him something and he's being harder to deal with than anticipated based on the fact that he's probably had enough of this circus. Can't blame him one bit. But if that is the case I'd rather trade him now at the top of his game than franchise him and go though this crap again next year. With the escalation of the franchise tag numbers it's going to be hard to pay the guy in the neighborhood of $14-15 million next year under the tag.

Anyway getting a deal done with Aso seems about as likely as Nips throwing his mustard bottle in the garbage can. Not happening.

[Langlier]

I'm not sure how you can come to that conclusion. My take is based on actually listening to him and watching the facial expressions on his face. Didn't sound or look like a guy who wants to be in Oakland any more. As far as a positioning ploy that is just pure speculation. It may turn out fine but I just doubt it. If we're going to specualte I'd say Al has offered him something and he's being harder to deal with than anticipated based on the fact that he's probably had enough of this circus. Can't blame him one bit. But if that is the case I'd rather trade him now at the top of his game than franchise him and go though this crap again next year. With the escalation of the franchise tag numbers it's going to be hard to pay the guy in the neighborhood of $14-15 million next year under the tag.

Anyway getting a deal done with Aso seems about as likely as Nips throwing his mustard bottle in the garbage can. Not happening.

the internal circus bit is very overreported and overrated. most of the players are very happy to be here. aso being one of them.

does he wish we were a winner? Of course.

[CrossBones]

the internal circus bit is very overreported and overrated. most of the players are very happy to be here. aso being one of them. How do you know that? Have you personally talked to any of the players? Putting myself in that situation I find it mostly impossible that I would want to be there. I think that is a much easier reached conclusion that "wanting to continue to be in that circus". But then I guess that's just me. If an athlete has talent and could choose a better environment to be in -- money being equal of better, wouldn't it seem reasonable to long to be elsewhere? Especially in Aso's situation.

does he wish we were a winner? Of course.Well exactly the point. Why would he want to stick around? He's put in his time in the asylum. He has nothing to be ashamed of. He's just probably had enough although I haven't spoken to him so couldn't speak definitively on his psyche. Again his tone and facial expressions tell me he'd like to move on. Me personally, I'd want the fuck out of there. I don't think that is an unrealistic conclusion to come to. Certainly an easier conclusion to reach than "the players love it there".

[massraider]

God, please.

[Langlier]

so apparently this rumor is making the rounds on the radio stations in CA... but i cant get a bead on the original source. And whether that source is from the Nnamdi camp or the Raiders camp (it isnt widespread through the raiders camp if true).

I know numbers have been exchanged and that the raiders really want to get something done soon (and it makes more sense to get it done with nnamdi).

I do know that we are coming up on the first wave of guys to be released. Some of these could coinside with a contract with either nnamdi or shane-o

[CrossBones]

Well in spite of everything I said above I sure hope this comes true. A six year deal to lock up Scrabble would be a big deal for the Raiders. Gotta show this guy the love. Money talks!

[Byron2112]

This would be sweet if we could keep our two best players.

[fatdog]

Is this the "OAKLAND RAIDERS" or am I still sleeping after a decade nap?

This would be really cool!

[Stanny]

How do you know that? Have you personally talked to any of the players? Putting myself in that situation I find it mostly impossible that I would want to be there. I think that is a much easier reached conclusion that "wanting to continue to be in that circus". But then I guess that's just me. If an athlete has talent and could choose a better environment to be in -- money being equal of better, wouldn't it seem reasonable to long to be elsewhere? Especially in Aso's situation.

Well exactly the point. Why would he want to stick around? He's put in his time in the asylum. He has nothing to be ashamed of. He's just probably had enough although I haven't spoken to him so couldn't speak definitively on his psyche. Again his tone and facial expressions tell me he'd like to move on. Me personally, I'd want the fuck out of there. I don't think that is an unrealistic conclusion to come to. Certainly an easier conclusion to reach than "the players love it there".


My only argument would be that this guy is a "BAY AREA" guy...he loves it here, has tons of family here. Big huge Cal supporter and is really close to the community and does a ton of charity work for the kids.

If he gets the money in the ballpark in which he and his agent are talking, I think the guy would stick around and wouldn't jump ship for another million or two.

[hawaiianboy]

Sheesh... When he gets paid, maybe Nnamdi could peel a couple of hundreds off that $95 million roll and buy Bones some freakin happy pills...

[CrossBones]

My only argument would be that this guy is a "BAY AREA" guy...he loves it here, has tons of family here. Big huge Cal supporter and is really close to the community and does a ton of charity work for the kids.

If he gets the money in the ballpark in which he and his agent are talking, I think the guy would stick around and wouldn't jump ship for another million or two.Yo Stanny...

You better be right or -----> :spank:
:pound:

[massraider]

I'm not sure how you can come to that conclusion. My take is based on actually listening to him and watching the facial expressions on his face. Didn't sound or look like a guy who wants to be in Oakland any more. As far as a positioning ploy that is just pure speculation. It may turn out fine but I just doubt it. If we're going to specualte I'd say Al has offered him something and he's being harder to deal with than anticipated based on the fact that he's probably had enough of this circus. Can't blame him one bit. But if that is the case I'd rather trade him now at the top of his game than franchise him and go though this crap again next year. With the escalation of the franchise tag numbers it's going to be hard to pay the guy in the neighborhood of $14-15 million next year under the tag.

Anyway getting a deal done with Aso seems about as likely as Nips throwing his mustard bottle in the garbage can. Not happening.

Eh, who knows? Maybe Cable called him, and Scrabble liked the direction of the team, and liked the latest contract offer. Maybe he likes the new DC. Maybe Big Al called him and smooth-talked him (He's done that for years).

We have all kind of assumed he wanted out, but the fact is, he hasn't said the things that franchise free agents say when they want out. And even some of them say awful things, and then re-sign. Lance Briggs is still playing for the Bears, and Aso hasn't even complained about getting the tag. So why do we assume the relationship with this player is beyond hope? Rhetorical question: Of course, it is because of the nature of being a Raider fan these days--assume the worst, and you'll probably be close to the mark.

The only reason I think it *may* be a legit rumor is the franchise number. If we have to carry him for a year at that number, we won't be very active in free agency. And I think Al always likes to be in play during FA. Even with trimming some fat, we would still be up against the cap. If Scrabble gets a deal with 35 mill guaranteed, or whatever, vs. 11 mill for one year, it'll be tough to go another year, and risk a blown ACL, just to get out of Oakland.

Look at it this way:

If you heard a rumor, read it on ProFootballTalk, that Scrabble had told "friends" that he would never sign a long term deal in Oakland, would you doubt it? No, we would (most of us) take it as gospel truth, yourself included.

But we haven't heard that, by and large it has been very amicable between the team and Scrabble, and maybe, just maybe, we are taking the fact that he didn't sing last year long term, and blowing it out of proportion.



Eh, or maybe I am just in a good mood cause I had crazy monkey sex last night.

[CrossBones]

Eh, or maybe I am just in a good mood cause I had crazy monkey sex last night.I was starting to buy into your entire post until this! LOL.

[Jack's sore libido]

Jesus H., guys, can't we even try to be happy about a positive rumor?

With all the Sturm und Drang we go through at every negative and often false rumor floated about the Raiders, this should be one we can embrace, at least until it blows up in our faces.

[War Ensemble]

This is almost too good to be true, but let's just hope it is.

[007]

This is almost too good to be true, but let's just hope it is.

I didnt recognize the user name, so I checked out your profile...

You should post more than once every two years bro.

Your previous post was in May 2007, LOL.

Join the party amigo.

[s.dot88]

i hope like hell this is true

although i dont think Nnamdi is bluffing when he says he wants changes or he wants out, i think he knows that he might not be as romanticized if he goes somewhere else.

right now he is in a scheme that plays to his strengths, has the personell around him to make him look great (ie: nobody throwing to his side because they can run or pick on the other corner), and he looks like a saint on a team which the media envisions as a sweatshop ran by mental patients

if there is one player in the entire league that has been molded into the PERFECT player for our ass-backwards defensive scheme, its Aso and i really really hope he re-signs. but it wouldnt surprise me at all if he is tagged and walks next year

[Madturk]

Jesus H., guys, can't we even try to be happy about a positive rumor?

With all the Sturm und Drang we go through at every negative and often false rumor floated about the Raiders, this should be one we can embrace, at least until it blows up in our faces.

Just don't see any credible media sources picking up on this. I hope Lang's boy is right though.

[RZ]

Just don't see any credible media sources picking up on this. I hope Lang's boy is right though.

credible and media sources don't go together lol :p

[Rupert]

Just don't see any credible media sources picking up on this. I hope Lang's boy is right though.

When have you ever seen the media clamoring to report good news about the Raiders? The ONLY times are when they have to, like when we win the Division, the Conference, and the Bowl. And in all those cases be sure to read for the negatives which they're somehow unable to avoid mentioning.

[hawaiianboy]

Don't know if this helps us, but $22.5 is now the guaranteed money leader at corner... My guess is we'll need to go to 28 considering that he can probably pocket 25 over the next two years if we tag him...

On another note, Kelvin freakin Hayden who plays, what, 75% zone?...


Kelvin Hayden-DB- Colts Feb. 18 - 9:24 pm et

Colts re-signed CB Kelvin Hayden to a five-year, $43 million contract. The deal includes $22.5 million in guarantees.

He would've been franchised Thursday had this deal not been completed. Hayden received more guaranteed money than Asante Samuel, last year's top free agent corner. Hayden's career began slowly, but it's taken off since his storied pick six of Rex Grossman in Super Bowl XLI. The former college wideout has ideal ball skills, can play zone or man coverage, and is only 25.

[War Ensemble]

I didnt recognize the user name, so I checked out your profile...

You should post more than once every two years bro.

Your previous post was in May 2007, LOL.

Join the party amigo.

Hehe...been awefully busy the last year with personal matters. Massraider probably knows me from footballguys.com.

Will try to do a better job LOL.:D

[CrossBones]

Will try to do a better job LOL.:DWell I would hope so. So far your participation has been lousy. :p

Great to have you around bro! We're just getting started getting our hopes up for the upcoming draft and season. Maybe we'll win an opener for the first time in 62 years.

BTW, be careful of that Big58 dude over at the K...he's a tough guy. ;)

[S and B Executioner]

Get it done al!!!!!!!!!!! Get it done!!!

[BoHogg Jackson]

Don't know if this helps us, but $22.5 is now the guaranteed money leader at corner... My guess is we'll need to go to 28 considering that he can probably pocket 25 over the next two years if we tag him...

On another note, Kelvin freakin Hayden who plays, what, 75% zone?...


Kelvin Hayden-DB- Colts Feb. 18 - 9:24 pm et

Colts re-signed CB Kelvin Hayden to a five-year, $43 million contract. The deal includes $22.5 million in guarantees.

He would've been franchised Thursday had this deal not been completed. Hayden received more guaranteed money than Asante Samuel, last year's top free agent corner. Hayden's career began slowly, but it's taken off since his storied pick six of Rex Grossman in Super Bowl XLI. The former college wideout has ideal ball skills, can play zone or man coverage, and is only 25.


talkin' 26 mill guaranteed over the next 2 years with an out clause....we'd be better off tagging him the next 2 years wouldn't we?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/02/19/raiders/index.html?eref=si_topstories

Story Highlights
Deal could bring Nnamdi Asomugha at least $26M in guarantees
Contract has been sent to NFL Management Council for approval
The six-year deal has an out clause for Asomugha after two seasons

[gst8]

Nnamdi and his agent really bent Al over on this one. That opt out clause basically gives him the guaranteed money now AND the opportunity to cash in again in two years. We could end up investing upwards of $60-$65 million in this guy before all is said and done. I gotta wonder if it would have been a better investment to make a run at Haynsworth.

[007]

Nnamdi and his agent really bent Al over on this one. That opt out clause basically gives him the guaranteed money now AND the opportunity to cash in again in two years. We could end up investing upwards of $60-$65 million in this guy before all is said and done. I gotta wonder if it would have been a better investment to make a run at Haynsworth.

We paid top dollar for the top player at his position in the league.

I see no problem with that at all.

Haynesworth is gonna have a dozen teams after him, and won't even be returning our calls.

This way, we pay top dollar for a guy who apparently wants to stay here and right ths ship.

I can't see one bad thing out of this deal, other than the fact that its 3-4 years less than I wanted.

[Rupert]

We paid top dollar for the top player at his position in the league.

I see no problem with that at all.

Haynesworth is gonna have a dozen teams after him, and won't even be returning our calls.

This way, we pay top dollar for a guy who apparently wants to stay here and right ths ship.

I can't see one bad thing out of this deal, other than the fact that its 3-4 years less than I wanted.

Bah! That's what the opt-out clause is all about.

When Nnamdi is still healthy and shutting down his side after two seasons, we'll negotiate a long-term deal to pre-empt that season and secure him for the remainder of his best years (another 3-4 year deal). When he slows down a bit, we try him at FS. If that works out, another 3-4 year deal and it's a career. Sweet!

[gst8]

We paid top dollar for the top player at his position in the league.

I see no problem with that at all.

Haynesworth is gonna have a dozen teams after him, and won't even be returning our calls.

This way, we pay top dollar for a guy who apparently wants to stay here and right ths ship.

I can't see one bad thing out of this deal, other than the fact that its 3-4 years less than I wanted.

Listen, I'm glad he's back and if this was the only way to get it done... so be it.

I just can't understand how people can downplay the significance of the lenght of the contract. We should have got the extra years for the amount of guaranteed money he got. Best case scenario is that we'll be doing this all over again right when the team starts to hit it's stride. We had the levarage with the franchise tag if he didn't want to conceed that extra years. I bet we'll be kicking ourselves in 2 years when he's asking for NBA money.

As for Haynsworth... the guy would have picked up the phone if we would have floated these numbers past him.

[Jack's sore libido]

I just can't understand how people can downplay the significance of the lenght of the contract.

Nnamdi has been a good soldier. He could have given us the finger and said "we've sucked for 6 years, I want out."

Instead, he said "Hey, I'm going to give this operation two more years to turn things around, but if we can't get it done in two more years, with JaMarcus and McFadden and myself, then it's just not going to happen, and I can't waste my career on a team that has no chance of winning."

I think that's good for both sides.

Of course, selfishly, I'd love it if he signed a 10-year deal, but as a man, I simply can't begrudge him this.

[hawaiianboy]

I just can't understand how people can downplay the significance of the lenght of the contract. We should have got the extra years for the amount of guaranteed money he got.

I don't even pretend to understand the cap, but I'm wondering if the lengths of the contracts we've been giving out have anything to do with the expiration of the CBA... Al kind of alluded to something about it during his press conference, didn't he?


Barring an extension to the CBA, it’s set to expire in March of 2011. The league still plans to hold a college draft in 2011.

2010 would be an uncapped year.

Starting this year, there won’t be a June 1 rule for signing-bonus acceleration. So, if a player is cut or traded any remaining proration of his signing bonus would be counted against the salary cap immediately.

In 2009, not-likely-to-be-earned incentives are counted immediately against the salary cap and likely-to-be-earned incentives are deducted right away when there’s no chance they can be earned.



We had the levarage with the franchise tag if he didn't want to conceed that extra years.

I don't see the franchise tag as much leverage... If we give the money to him as a signing bonus we get a break on how it's used against the cap, yes?... The biggest thing to me is franchise him the next couple of years, and you likely create an adversarial relationship... Look at the reaction of some of the guys that got the tag yesterday... Nnamdi was a good soldier last year and showed up on time to camp, but with the switch to Condon, we likely would have seen a Woodson type scenario where he didn't show up until the week of the 4th preseason game... With so many distractions these past few years, the last thing we needed was one more with our best player...

[Raider Nation]

We had the levarage with the franchise tag if he didn't want to conceed that extra years.

We didn't have much leverage as it relates to the Franchise tag. Part of the changes that came out of the last CBA was a new stipulation that a team could not franchise the same player more than 2 seasons in a row. If Oakland was unable to get the deal done yesterday, they would've tagged him, Nnamdi would've played for 1 season, then been an Unrestricted Free Agent going into 2010 with no possibility of getting tagged.

[CrossBones]

I'm ecstatic Aso has resigned.

I think Jack's post above is dead on. He's giving the franchise two more years to get it's act together. Most players would have just walked or taken the tag. From that standpoint you can't ask for abetter team guy. Would I do it? Probably not but then I'm more impatient and would think 6 years is enough of this crap. But kudos to Aso for being the ultimate team guy. Sure he got big bucks but take this to the bank: in two years his contract will seem like peanuts. That's how it always works.

[gst8]

I don't even pretend to understand the cap, but I'm wondering if the lengths of the contracts we've been giving out have anything to do with the expiration of the CBA... Al kind of alluded to something about it during his press conference, didn't he?


Barring an extension to the CBA, it’s set to expire in March of 2011. The league still plans to hold a college draft in 2011.

2010 would be an uncapped year.

Starting this year, there won’t be a June 1 rule for signing-bonus acceleration. So, if a player is cut or traded any remaining proration of his signing bonus would be counted against the salary cap immediately.

In 2009, not-likely-to-be-earned incentives are counted immediately against the salary cap and likely-to-be-earned incentives are deducted right away when there’s no chance they can be earned.

My point really isn't about the cap. It's about the fact that we gave him enought guaranteed money to merit a long-term commitment on his part.





I don't see the franchise tag as much leverage... If we give the money to him as a signing bonus we get a break on how it's used against the cap, yes?... The biggest thing to me is franchise him the next couple of years, and you likely create an adversarial relationship... Look at the reaction of some of the guys that got the tag yesterday... Nnamdi was a good soldier last year and showed up on time to camp, but with the switch to Condon, we likely would have seen a Woodson type scenario where he didn't show up until the week of the 4th preseason game... With so many distractions these past few years, the last thing we needed was one more with our best player...

The fact that players don't like the tag is exactly what makes it "leverage". You sign the deal that is offered (which was more than fair) or get franchised. I understand your point but the entire negotiation process is adversarial. It's a business, as players are always so quick to point out.

[Raider Nation]

We didn't have much leverage as it relates to the Franchise tag. Part of the changes that came out of the last CBA was a new stipulation that a team could not franchise the same player more than 2 seasons in a row. If Oakland was unable to get the deal done yesterday, they would've tagged him, Nnamdi would've played for 1 season, then been an Unrestricted Free Agent going into 2010 with no possibility of getting tagged.

I should clarify what I stated above. Teams can designate a player a Franchise player 3 years in a row. However, the CBA guarantees involved in such a designation have made it so cost prohibitive that nobody has ever done it (to my knowledge, at least). Also, we've seen it multiple times that part of the negotiation between teams and agents involves a player signing their Franchise tender and reporting to camp so long as the team agrees not to designate that player again (see Haynesworth and others).

It simply isn't realistic to think Oakland just continue to franchise Asomugha for the next 2 years, especially after he showed good faith by reporting to camp last year with no such restriction on future Franchise tag designations.

[brick]

I should clarify what I stated above. Teams can designate a player a Franchise player 3 years in a row. However, the CBA guarantees involved in such a designation have made it so cost prohibitive that nobody has ever done it (to my knowledge, at least). Also, we've seen it multiple times that part of the negotiation between teams and agents involves a player signing their Franchise tender and reporting to camp so long as the team agrees not to designate that player again (see Haynesworth and others).

It simply isn't realistic to think Oakland just continue to franchise Asomugha for the next 2 years, especially after he showed good faith by reporting to camp last year with no such restriction on future Franchise tag designations.

No team has done the 3 years in a row since the changes to the CBA. (Where the player gets a 44% raise on his 2nd franchise tag number if he is tagged a 3rd time). Both Orlando Pace and Walter Jones were tagged 3 times, but under the old rules.

Aso's deal really is the equivalent of being tagged again the next two seasons. The only advantage the Raiders get out of the deal is that he is guaranteed to report to camp on time and not be a hold out, and perhaps some cap relief this season based on how much of the Money is signing bonus (Hard to see them getting much since it is only getting a 3 year proration).

Al is banking hard on the fact that no CBA agreement will come to pass in the next year. He has the odds on his side, but there is still some risk.

[gst8]

No team has done the 3 years in a row since the changes to the CBA. (Where the player gets a 44% raise on his 2nd franchise tag number if he is tagged a 3rd time). Both Orlando Pace and Walter Jones were tagged 3 times, but under the old rules.

Aso's deal really is the equivalent of being tagged again the next two seasons. The only advantage the Raiders get out of the deal is that he is guaranteed to report to camp on time and not be a hold out, and perhaps some cap relief this season based on how much of the Money is signing bonus (Hard to see them getting much since it is only getting a 3 year proration).

Al is banking hard on the fact that no CBA agreement will come to pass in the next year. He has the odds on his side, but there is still some risk.

What advantage does Al gain with no CBA?

We're talking real dollars with this contract, not cap dollars. It's an issue of value and cash flow as opposed to fitting Nnamdi's contract under the salary cap. It is very likely that we'll have invested upwards of $60-$65 million guaranteed in one player in a little over 3 years time. It's a horrible deal from the organizational perspective as it potentially jeopardizes our ability to sign future FA's. It's like we put his contract on a Chase card.

[Raider Nation]

What advantage does Al gain with no CBA?

We're talking real dollars with this contract, not cap dollars. It's an issue of value and cash flow as opposed to fitting Nnamdi's contract under the salary cap. It is very likely that we'll have invested upwards of $60-$65 million guaranteed in one player in a little over 3 years time. It's a horrible deal from the organizational perspective as it potentially jeopardizes our ability to sign future FA's. It's like we put his contract on a Chase card.

You have to look at it outside of Asomugha's contract. He (and all the othe owners) would gain leverage in the sense that they could start to freeze guarantees in contracts by lowering the total overall number. Players have an advantage in the sense that any release would immediately accelerate guarantees into the same season (in other words, the "June 1st" rule is null). And there's many, many other caveats that have yet to be spoken to or leaked, but the theory is the owners have the solidarity and the resolve the actually have the advantage if the CBA is not renewed.