Asomugha & Lechler, Pro Bowl Bound: Miller & Seymour alternates
Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler will represent the Oakland Raiders once again on the AFC Pro Bowl squad in January.
It will be Lechler’s fifth designation as a member of the all-star team and Asomugha’s third selection. The punter currently leads the NFL in punting with a 51.1 average while flirting with Sammy Baugh’s record 51.4-yard average from the 1940 season.
“I looked it up when I first got in the league and I’m still chasing him,” said Lechler earlier in the year.
Asomugha continued his stellar play at cornerback all season, drawing many praises as one of the better defenders in the entire league.
In February, the Raiders inked Asomugha to a three-year deal, making him the highest paid defensive back in league history.
“I am excited and happy for the Raiders who have been selected for the Pro Bowl,” Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable was quoted on their official web site. “It’s tremendous that they are being recognized as the best at their positions. They deserve it and the Raiders organization is proud of them. The Raiders have rich history and tradition and these players exemplify what it means to wear the Silver and Black.”
Zach Miller, who has improved his statistics in back-to-back-to-back seasons since entering the NFL, was chosen as an alternate. He currently leads the Raiders in receptions (59) and yards receiving (767) and is one of the better all around tight ends in the league.
Richard Seymour was also picked as an alternate with his 4-sacks playing along the interior of the defensive line. Oakland acquired his services from the New England Patriots for a first round pick in the 2011 draft.
The Pro Bowl will be played in South Florida on January 31, 2010.
ANALYSIS
Asomugha is Oakland’s best player and one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He won’t garner league MVP recognition like Charles Woodson or Darrelle Revis, but he has been an upper echelon talent in this league for a few years now. When it is all said and done, Lechler may be the greatest punter who has ever donned a jersey. No one is better than he is and rightfully should draw Ray Guy comparisons as his career winds down. Miller can block, pass catch and is a model citizen. Other tight ends may be more dynamic, but he is reliable and highly productive on a terrible offense and for an attack that has very little weapons to draw attention away from his abilities. Yet he continues to get better and better. Seymour added a new element to the Raiders front seven in 2009. But the key will be whether or not Oakland can keep him around for a few more campaigns. His contract will be up, and the Raiders may be forced to designate him their franchise player this off-season. Seymour has not talked about his future in Silver & Black, but many signs point to him not yearning to stick around. May a huge contract at his age – something the Raiders are not afraid to do is dole out money to veterans – be enough to keep him?
