Silver and Black Report

Despite another torturous season, the Oakland Raiders will have Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler as representatives in the Pro Bowl.

“I’m glad I’m going to have some company over there with Nnamdi being selected,” Lechler was quoted in a press release. “I’m very proud of him and feel that it’s a long time coming, so it will be good for him to get his first one under his belt.”

Asomugha has been one of the better cornerbacks in the AFC the last three seasons. Entering the 2006 campaign, Asomugha had no career interceptions, but that season, he tallied 8, as well as his first career touchdown on a 24-yard interception return versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Being on a 2-win club, not having enough notoriety and complications with arranging a flight after being chosen as an alternate several hours before the game, obstructed the former first round draft pick’s path to his first NFL all-star game.

In 2007, opponents started neglecting his side of the field; earning the respect of quarterbacks with his crafty cover skills. But again, he was bypassed in the selection process for the Pro-Bowl – named only an alternate – despite being thrown at a meager 31 times with only 10 receptions completed to the receiver he was covering.

Before the 2008 campaign, he signed a $9.765 million tender after being tagged by the Raiders as their exclusive franchise player. That tag kept him off the market, and this off-season, Oakland may have to do the same to make sure he doesn’t bolt to another club after openly showing displeasure for the first time in his career regarding the state of the organization.

“Yeah, uh, I won’t comment on that on what will happen next year, what will happen with me as far as the contract. I would say all those types of questions I’ll just say no comment,” he stated earlier in the season after being asked about his future with the team.

Lechler is heading to Hawaii for the fourth time in his career. The punter currently leads the AFC in average (48.8) and net average (41.3); with both marks being second best in the entire league.

The former 5^th round pick has always been a stellar performer, but what has elevated his game is his ability to drop punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line with more frequency. Last season, he pinned the football inside the 20-yard line 25 times. So far in 2008, he has done it 28 times – good for third best in the NFL.

“It is great to see our opponents and fans recognize both their talents and reward them with the highest individual honor,” Raiders coach Tom Cable stated in a press release. “The Raider organization is very proud of both Nnamdi and Shane.”

EXTRA POINTS

Asomugha is in for another pig payday. Another franchise designation in 2009 could land him an estimated $11.718 million, representing a 20 percent raise on his 2008 salary. He has voiced his displeasure in the past if this were to happen again. But the Raiders must protect themselves and lock up their most talented and valued commodity.

Even if he is soured enough on the organization to the point where he wants out, the Raiders have to tag him in order to get some compensation. Charles Woodson was tagged in back-to-back years and earned $19.32 million. But after injuries slowed him down, the Raiders deemed the unhappy cornerback a player on the decline when he departed to the Packers. They got nothing in return, and the same cannot happen with Asomugha.

Asomugha is in his prime and unlike Woodson, is known to be a model citizen on and off the field. That’s enough for the Raiders to try to lock up the best player they’ve developed in their current six-year span of ineptitude.

Oddly enough, Lechler’s contract is up at the end of this season, possibly putting two of the most productive Raiders in the free-agent market.

Oakland has been bringing in punters in for work over the last few weeks and the possibility of Lechler bolting is very possible. Could they use the transition tag on him to keep him around? He is the best punter in the league and if they feel he does not want to stick around, that may be the only chance of seeing him in Silver & Black in 2009. If they can’t come to a long-term agreement with Asomugha, they’ll have to franchise the cornerback as not to lose him without compensation.

If they lock up Asomugha, it will be interesting to see if the NFL sees their first punter get tagged with a franchise label.

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist