When the Oakland Raiders hold their first meetings in training camp on Thursday morning, the one face they thought that may be missing will actually be present after agreeing to sign his one-year franchise tender offer.
The Silver & Black slapped Nnamdi Asomugha in February with the exclusive franchise tag after he opted out of his initial rookie contract to become a free agent. The transaction prevented him from talking to other clubs and gave the Raiders a window to negotiate a deal with the 27-year old cornerback, which was shut last week on Tuesday when the deadline for signing franchise players to multiyear deals arrived.
On the eve of the team’s first full day at training camp, Asomugha has reportedly signed the tender that will come with a $9.765 million price tag.
In an article published by Sports Illustrated online, Asomugha stated via text message, “I’m going to go in to camp focused and play the year out and see what happens.”
One of the premier cornerbacks in the league, Asomugha commented last week that he will not miss any regular season games and that all he is looking for is reassurance that in 2009, when he becomes a free-agent once again, that the Raiders will not use the franchise tag on him again as they did with Charles Woodson during the 2004 and 2005 off-seasons.
Another franchise designation on Asomugha in 2009 could land him an estimated $11.718 million, representing a 20 percent raise on his 2008 salary. But considering the possible friction such tagging has facilitated in the past, and Asomugha’s handling of the situation, it would be in Oakland’s best interest to hammer out a deal with one of the lone players in recent years that has been drafted, developed and turned into one of the finer talents in the NFL who is also a fan favorite.
IN OTHER NEWS…
The Raiders also came to terms with rookies Arman Shields and Trevor Scott.
On the official Oakland web site, Scott stated, “It feels amazing. It’s everything I’ve always wanted ever since I was a little kid. It’s sort of like a dream come true. Now it’s time to go to work.”
The 6’5”, 255-pound defensive end, that was drafted in the 6th round in April, recorded 10 sacks in 2007 at the University of Buffalo.
Shields was selected with the 125th overall pick, a selection acquired after the Raiders traded away Fabian Washington to the Baltimore Ravens. At 6’1”, 195-pounds, the receiver caught 160 passes for 1,930 yards, averaged 12.0 yards per catch, and scored 13 touchdowns while attending the University of Richmond.
After today’s signings, the entire draft class for the Silver & Black is under contract.
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