Oakland Raiders: Day of reckoning-Nnamdi Asomugha long term contract deadline today

Thoughts from the Dark Side

July 15, 2008

Oakland Raiders: Day of reckoning-Nnamdi Asomugha long term contract deadline today

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The Raider Nation has been wringing their hands for months, since Nnamdi Asomugha was given an "exclusive rights" tag by the Oakland Raiders. The speculation has been rampant around the media and blogosphere on when and how much the Asomugha deal would ultimately be worth. Within 21 hours of this writing, or midnight eastern time, we will know the answer to whether or not Aso gets his long term deal. My guess is that he and Al Davis will come to a deal.

The fear around the Nation is that the Asomugha negotiations are going to resemble the Charles Woodson snafu where he was franchised for two straight injury plagued seasons before he walked. Fortunately, Aso is not represented by the Poston Brothers who are notorious for their hold-outs.

Reasons the Raiders will likely give Aso the long term deal:

* A long term deal with a pro-rated signing bonus would reduce Nnamdi's cap number for this year significantly.

* It would ensure that an elite young cover corner, drafted by Al Davis would stay with the Oakland Raiders.

* Cornerback is one of the positions that Al Davis covets the most.

* Aso has shown himself to be a hard worker and team leader over the years, and deserves to be rewarded.

The reasons Al Davis may just let Aso play out the tender:

* Just signed DeAngelo Hall to a long term deal.

*The ghost of Terry McDaniel. For several years, McDaniel was a top cover corner, but come 1997 he just lost it in one season. Al may be wary of a repeat and not wanting to hold on to a corner as long.

Of course, the Oakland Raiders chamber of secrets is tighter than the CIA. Its possible that the Raiders and Nnamdi have been negotiating all along and there are just a few 'i's to dot and 't's to cross. All will be announced tomorrow and the Raider Nation will breathe a sigh of relief.

Another possibility is that the Raiders have offered Aso a really good deal, but he won't sign it because he believes he could make more on the open market. As much as the Raider Nation hates to believe it, this is a very likely scenario. While Aso hasn't bashed the Raiders in the media the way other players have when given the tag, he has said that being tagged placed him at a disadvantage.

The key here is not to panic if the extension is not announced today. There is a slim possibility that Al Davis knows some loophole that has not been reported publicly to get the deal done. They may even have a gentleman's agreement to make the deal after the season leaving Aso with a $10 million season. Granted, this could be far fetched, but the key is don't panic.

Crossing our fingers a deal gets done here at TFDS!

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

27 Comments on "Oakland Raiders: Day of reckoning-Nnamdi Asomugha long term contract deadline today"

Posted by raiderblazzze, July 15, 2008 12:12 AM

Well i really hope they get it done ,Aso is a definate assett to this team and i dont see any reason why we wouldnt give him what he deserves,on the other hand if we offer him 50 mill for 6 years and he wants more then hes just being a greedy bastard and can go to hell cause no matter how good a player is they can always be replaced.Of course i hope this isnt the case cause im really looking foward to seeing Aso and Hall tear up the field and pick off anything coming their way!!!

GO RAIDERS!!!!

Posted by ralph, July 15, 2008 12:40 AM

we made a exclusive franchise tag nnamdi and that means he is to be paid within the top five players get paid at that position. that means 50 mil six years is ot enough for his position when hall is getting 7yrs 70 mil and nate clements is getting paid 80mil for 8yrs either give nnamdi the money that is truley well deserved or just give him a paycheck and dont tag him next year. also look at it this way why is every one turning on nnamdi we should be fighting for nnamdi who has put blood sweat tears to not only the game but to the greatest nation out there go raiders and nnamdi get your money that you deserve 10-6 raiders 08

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 15, 2008 12:48 AM

yea yer right there ralph.. i'm just bitter about it because its the day of and al holds out without telling ANYONE ANYTHING like its an upcoming draft or somethin.. i just dont want another woodson situation, that would be just so detrimental to an organization that's supposed to be on the rise once again.. but either way RAIDERS 4 LIFE!

Posted by BlackSilverNJ, July 15, 2008 4:53 AM

With the state of the economy; gas prices way to high, real estate crashing, unemployment growing, war in the middle east, and this guy won't play or show up for practice for $10M this year - money in sports is way out of control. He should sign the 6 year $50M contract (or whatever it is) and play the game. Who knows, he could be out of the game in two years - I agree he has a lot of potential but he only had one solid year. With Hall; one of these guys will be exposed very soon

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders: Day of reckoning-Nnamdi Asomugha long term contract de, July 15, 2008 5:36 AM

[...] Read more. Posted in Blog, Oakland Raiders | [...]

Posted by KA1Z3R, July 15, 2008 6:31 AM

Go Aso!!!! He's my second favorite player on the team behind Kirk Morrison.

P.S. He's on my friends list on Myspace

Posted by Junior, July 15, 2008 6:34 AM

Given the deadline looming and any hint of negotiations taking place, I would guess that Aso plays under the franchise tag this year. Usually there is some indication that talks are taking place, but all seems quiet.

The key question as Jerry McDonald pointed out in an article last night is whether or not he reports for camp. Jerry doesn't think it's a big deal because he's a corner but I disagree. With all of the changes in the secondary, they need camp to have a chance to gel.

Not the end of the world if a deal isn't done, but let's cross our fingers that he shows up to camp.

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 15, 2008 7:12 AM

god plz!

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 15, 2008 7:41 AM

dude i dont think they need to gel.. they're all superstars that know how to play the game.. that is the point in being a shut down corner.. all they need is a few preseason games..

#10

Posted by Jamaal, July 15, 2008 8:18 AM

We Need To Sign Him Period!

#11

Posted by The San Clemente Kid, July 15, 2008 9:34 AM

the real downside of ASO is that Al holds the power... Aso has talent but so what, Aso is a key keeper piece, but so what. This is al davis... when he has the upper hand on a player, the player must succumb to Al's #'s or sit or get traded cheaply..... sure we all want him on the team and it seems that it makes sense for Al to do whatever it takes to get him signed... but once again it is Al and Al hasnt really been about being a players bitch when it comes to $$ talks....

the best hope here is that aso and his agents are soft and come to a decent agreement with Al so he can play for this team....

also Al is a football person, not just an owner... he will use the #'s and stats of asomugha against him in negotiations... his numbers are low..... now of course it is only because no one would throw his way... you cant intercept a ball on the other side of the field... Aso has an intangible value to make OC's plan around him.... this value doesnt show on paper... and Al will use that to his advantage...

our best hopes is that Al is truly trying to make a lombardi run and he realizes that having hall WITH asomugha, (and wilson) completes a stellar db set....

just my take.. what do you think?

#12

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 15, 2008 10:03 AM

al is old.. but no senial.. he knows the combo is top 3 in the league... he'll get it done..

#13

Posted by Raider Blues, July 15, 2008 10:05 AM

If you won't sign 6yrs 50mil then Good Bye! Get Serious you overpaid whiner!

#14

Posted by Junior, July 15, 2008 11:17 AM

Yeah you're right Kushman... no need to get in any practice when you're a superstar. No need to learn to communicate on the field with your new teammates, just show up and be a shut down corner. That's probably how he became a superstar.

Dude, he's never been on the field with either Hall or Wilson. A teammate shows up and puts in the work with the rest of the team. Sure they don't need to gel like a QB with his WR's, but they need to learn to play together.

#15

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 15, 2008 11:47 AM

haha YES and that's what PRESEASON is for.. those 3 are experienced and will mesh together by the 4th and final preseason game, guarranteed.. not to mention PRACTICES in between and after preseason, before the prime time opener?! not enough time for you to get communication down? .. plus, you dont think the man is keeping up to speed on his own time? haha cmon now dude.. hes still playing for 10 mill .. like you're still not a millionaire.. like raider blues says, get real whiner!

#16

Posted by KUSHMAN, July 15, 2008 11:50 AM

okay okay he might not be there for preseason.. true.. which would make not a team player at all.. but i guess money rules the world.. when 10 million isn't enough(for this upcoming season anyway) for a guy that PLAYS A GAME FORA LIVING... that's just sad.

#17

Posted by silver n black blood, July 15, 2008 1:24 PM

Where did Raider blues get those contract numbers, I haven't seen where the Raiders have offered more then the exclusive tag?

#18

Posted by ralph, July 15, 2008 2:06 PM

we just signed tyvone branch this years fourth round pick

#19

Posted by ralph, July 15, 2008 2:08 PM

we signed tyvone branch this years fourth round pick

#20

Posted by ralph, July 15, 2008 2:08 PM

oops

#21

Posted by snapon831, July 15, 2008 3:34 PM

Let's just hope it gets done today!

#22

Posted by teofilo dimaano, July 15, 2008 4:52 PM

with those 3 in the backfield... were unstoppable... money may b the issue but we need these 3 on the field together.. i do think they need to have some practice time together . and yeah thats what preseason;s for.. ... man oh man.. we need to stop the run!!!! stop the run!!

#23

Posted by teofilo dimaano, July 15, 2008 5:00 PM

snapon831... where u from??

#24

Posted by Raider Blues, July 15, 2008 10:03 PM

Ralph... You make me want to do just that!

Nnambi has earned what? Blood Sweat and Tears?

Maybe you didn't hear Ralph but we're at war - not some football game. Tell you what Ralph since you obviously need a frame of reference....

You come to Afghanistan where I've been the last 2.5 years and I'll show you whose earning and producing blood sweat and tears!!!

LAUGHABLE!

#25

Posted by pat. T, July 15, 2008 10:07 PM

It didnt get done did it? :-( NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

GO RAIDERS!!! :-(

#26

Posted by Raider Blues, July 15, 2008 10:11 PM

silver and black blood I just took it from the first post on this string blackandsilvernj. He states (or whatever it is) and I assume everyone reads the string so I didn't think I needed to duplicate it.

Sorry if I was misleading or confusing.

My point is these players are out of hand and I see why so many don't watch anymore. Sure the numbers have gone up but look at the marketing and who the game has attracted and contrast it with those fans the game has lost.

#27

Posted by RaiderDoc, July 16, 2008 12:19 AM

Another sad day for the Raider Nation. Has Al lost it completely? Obviously none of us know what Asomugha is asking for, but how can we throw crazy money at an unproven defensive lineman (record deal at the time it was signed) and not find a way to sign one of the best corners in the league. I don't even know what to say.