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 6^th round in April, recorded 10 sacks in 2007 at the University of Buffalo.

Shields was selected with the 125^th 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.

“It feels great. It’s a dream come true. Something I’ve been working for my whole life,” said Shields on the Raiders.com. “I just want to thank God and thank my family for their strong support.”

After today’s signings, the entire draft class for the Silver & Black is under contract.

Chaz Schilens

The Oakland Raiders announced tonight that they have signed seventh-round draft pick Chaz Schilens, a wide receiver out of San Diego State.

Schilens is the third of the team’s five picks to sign, following first-round running back Darren McFadden of Arkansas and fourth-round defensive back Tyvon Branch of Connecticut.

Fourth-round wide receiver Arman Shields of Richmond and sixth-round defensive end Trevor Scott of Buffalo remain unsigned.

According to Raiders.com, Schilens said:

“I’m happy it’s over. I was waiting to get this done and I’m glad it’s over. Now we can get down to business. It was always a dream of mine to play in the NFL. We’ve got a good group of talented guys and there is a lot of competition. It’s been fun so far and I can only expect good things for the future.”

No word on who was released to make room on the 80-man roster for Schilens. Earlier, Ourlads Scouting Services reported fullback/tight end Tony Jackson was released to make room for Branch, who signed earlier this week.

No terms were disclosed for either Branch or Schilens.

Update: The Raiders waived offensive lineman Jonathan Palmer, signed off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad late last season, to make room for Schilens. Ourlads again with the report.

ARMAN SHIELDS

• WIDE RECEIVER
• No: 84
• Height: 6’1″
• Weight: 195
• Birth date: 07/10/1985
• College: Richmond
• Acquired: Selected in the 4^th round (125^th overall) of the 2008 NFL Entry Draft

After the Oakland Raiders traded away cornerback Fabian Washington to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 4th round pick, they utilized that selection on University of Richmond wide receiver Arman Shields.

As a collegiate, Shields compiled 160 passes for 1,930 yards while averaging 12.0 yards per catch and scoring 13 touchdowns.

His numbers could have been loftier while at Richmond, but a torn posterior cruciate ligament limited his play during his senior year. But that did not prevent him from making noise at the draft combine, earning a lot of attention as one of the top performers in his group and posting a 4.44 average in the 40-yard dash.

“[Shields] has a great knack of getting vertical after the catch. He showed a great knack of getting yards after the catch. To me has enough versatility to play outside in a one-to-one match-up and in the slot,” said offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.

As for injury concerns, Knapp stated, “He got hurt early enough in the season there was time for recovery. He’s ready to go. We are very excited about getting him.”

Oakland Raiders rookie WR Arman Shields

One of the goals this off-season for the Oakland Raiders coaching staff was to create more competition at wide receiver.

With JaMarcus Russell taking over, the staff felt they needed an influx of speed and big play ability in order to cater to the attributes of their no. 1 overall draft selection a year ago.

In the draft, one of the players Oakland selected in hopes of given Russell a target to build a rapport with was Arman Shields. The fourth round draft pick was in attendance this weekend during Oakland’s three-day rookie mini-camp at their facility. But prior to their weekend activities, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp commented on what Shields could provide to a team looking to add big plays to their passing attack.

“[Shields] has a great knack of getting vertical after the catch. He showed a great knack of getting yards after the catch. To me has enough versatility to play outside in a one-to-one match-up and in the slot.”

As for injury concerns, Knapp stated, “He got hurt early enough in the season there was time for recovery. He’s ready to go. We are very excited about getting him.”

Another intriguing prospect is Chaz Schilens, the 7^th round draft selection out of San Diego State. At 6’4, 225 pounds, Oakland hopes they found a gem that can use his size and comparable speed to get favorable match-ups and give Russell a big target.

“Sometimes the guys from a program that maybe wasn’t expose as much just didn’t get that exposure to bolt them higher up in the draft and they go to the right place, with the right fit and that allows that guy to grow faster. And that’s how we see him.”

Knapp, who has a history of working in systems that utilized multiple rushers to pace a solid ground game, also commented on the importance of having a backfield with players that can step in and contribute. “My background from being in the league is that you need more than one, you need two for sure and probably three”, he stated, as Oakland appears to be ready to go with a trio Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush in 2008.

“You can’t have enough backs in my opinion”, Knapp continued.

As for that running back from Arkansas that made his debut this weekend, Knapp declared, “He is unique to me in my experiences. His home-run ability is very unique from what I’ve seen in the college tape. Hopefully that will transfer over the pro level as well. What does so is that ability to move him around, to put him in different places.”

McFadden will have an impact on all facets of the offense if he is able to soak in the playbook and handle the varying packages that the Raiders may have for him.

If he is able to be that multi-dimensional playmaker that dominated at the college level, receivers like Shields and Schilens can have productive camps and give Oakland some solid choices to select from when its time to put together their final roster.