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Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:19 pm EST

Execs taken aback by Asomugha, Lechler deals

By Jason Cole

INDIANAPOLIS – Reaction was swift and ugly Thursday to the deals the Oakland Raiders gave CB Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler over the past two days.

"How many different ways can you say, 'What were they thinking?' " a team executive who declined to be identified said after being told the terms of Asomugha's three-year, $45 million contract.

"Insanity, stupidity, whatever you want to attach to it. Yeah, the kid is the best cornerback in the league. They paid for quality. I'll give them that. But that deal wrecks the league. Absolutely wrecks it. … I'm sure Al doesn't care, but it's deals like that that change the league for the worse."

Asomugha (pictured) is guaranteed $28.5 million over the first two years of the deal and the Raiders will have to decide by the fifth day of the league year in 2011 whether to pick up the third season of the deal. If they do, the final year is guaranteed. If not, Asomugha can't be franchised (nor can the Raiders franchise him even if he plays out all three years on the contract), making him an unrestricted free agent at either age 29 or 30. Combined with the $9.7 million Asomugha made last season as a franchise player for Oakland, he stands to make approximately $55 million in a four-year stretch.

"And still hit free agency at the right time for one more big contract, assuming he's healthy," a second team executive said, shaking his head.

The fear among the executives is that the Asomugha deal will have a ripple effect on the rest of the league. Specifically, Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth is likely to get a contract that exceeds previous deals for defensive linemen such as Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney.

"You can argue that Haynesworth is a defensive tackle or that he's a bad guy," said a third team executive. "But if a cornerback gets what the Raiders just paid, a defensive tackle like Haynesworth is going to get a serious pay day as well."

Similarly, Lechler's deal more than doubled the previous high average for a punter. His four-year, $16 million deal includes $9 million guaranteed, according to sources close to the negotiations. The $4 million average per season exceeds the previous high of $1.8 million.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire

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  1. chase r
    1. Posted by chase r Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    first
    raiders are a joke..this shouldnt surprise anyone
  2. lakerssuuuuck
    2. Posted by lakerssuuuuck Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    FIIIIIRRRRRSSSSSTTTTTTTT!!!!! Raiders are absolutely terrible in every single way!!!
  3. Russian Tank
    3. Posted by Russian Tank Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:23 pm EDT

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    Raiders will own league
  4. noscarnage
    4. Posted by noscarnage Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

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    the change of an era best player out there.
  5. chase r
    5. Posted by chase r Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    2nd^
  6. a-mak15
    6. Posted by a-mak15 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Leagues are set up in a way that salaries will raise annually. The market value of *all* CBs for example, is affected by this signing. Not only for this offseason, but for decades to come. This raises the bar - I think the problem is dishing out that kind of dough, and the owners and top management across the league are upset because of the poor economy.
    In any case, best CB in the league hands-down.
  7. touchmynono
    7. Posted by touchmynono Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:42 pm EDT

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    LOL what can I say. Way to go Raiders! keep up the good work. ( Snicker) Steelers fan.
  8. Say Queso
    8. Posted by Say Queso Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    I am Raider fan and I must say that I am suprised by how much money they dished out on both of these guys. They are the 2 best in the league and deserve to be paid the most. However I can see this starting a ripple effect. But how about this GM's. If these players are asking for too much stick together and have nobody give in. That way these over paid players can go out into the real world, get a real job and make chump change like the rest of us..
  9. Joana T
    9. Posted by Joana T Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    This is funny! The Raiders and not really the Raiders anymore. Kinda sad:(
  10. Sat
    10. Posted by Sat Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    funny that everyone is mad because they will have to pay top dollar for fa now. if the raiders let nnamdi and shane go through free-agency, then al would have been killed in public opinion for being "cheap, stupid, old..." for letting the leagues best punter and cornerback leave the team. people would write how davis needed to whatever it takes to keep both guys in silver&black but now that he did do that folks are going say how dumb he was to spend so much money.
    i am glad that shane and nnamdi will be on the team next year, and would like to see shane retire a raider and maybe force the hof to put ray guy and him into the hof.
  11. Tim
    11. Posted by Tim Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:18 pm EDT

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    no wonder they can't post winning records
  12. ND
    12. Posted by ND Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    The NFL has to wake up.
    They have to change their mentality that they can just pass the cost along to the fans.
    Their tickets go up an average of 6% a year.
    They can not sustain that.
    The economy will affect a majority of teams in the NFL.
  13. LGT SAMMY
    13. Posted by LGT SAMMY Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    woww..
    you guys are idiots..
    im a raider fan im saying the raiders Defense is good. the reason they lose is bcuz they have NO offense. and the defense is in the game atleast 3 quarters of the effin game.
    jamarcus is an idiot.
    and the only way ther gonna start winnin is wen the offense starts scoring and keeping their defense on the sideline resting.
  14. LIL ROB!
    14. Posted by LIL ROB! Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:51 pm EDT

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    raiders suck and always will until AL DAVIS gives up the team, then they might have a chance to be decent at most! as far as this move, wow, way to waste money, does D'Angelo Hall ring a bell anyone?
  15. Jim W
    15. Posted by Jim W Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    cable guy GEDDER DONE
  16. Chris
    16. Posted by Chris Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    Go Al!!! I'm glad he spent the money to keep two of his best players, at least their proven talent unlike last years free agency busts. The Raiders are coming back....playoffs next year.
  17. sportsdude213
    17. Posted by sportsdude213 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    i understand that the deals may have been a little excessive, but dont start ripping the nnamdi. #15 he is the best CB in the NFL by far, any nfl fan knows that, in the first 14 games he allowed 8 catches, he shut down steve smith and andre johnson. Best Man to man corner in the NFL, he covered those guys and the other top WRS on man (not to mention denvers WRs twice and VIncent jackson) Reason deangolo was so bad was cuz HE IS A ZONE CORNER (mostly cover 2) He needs safety help over the top so when he takes his gamebles (as with the falcons which made him famous) he has the safety to not let the play turn into total disaster, get ur facts right.
  18. makeme1114
    18. Posted by makeme1114 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    The guy's the best freakin' punter in the league...THE best, and Asomugha's the best freakin' cornerback in the league....everyone loves to dis the Raiders but they pay the guys...that's all. I don't see anything wrong with paying top dollar for the best. Both of these guys are standout citizens too....it's not like they're Arods....they're good people.
  19. James A
    19. Posted by James A Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    Go raiders!!!!
  20. raidersfan
    20. Posted by raidersfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:39 pm EDT

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    GO RAIDERS!! Good job Al re-signing two guys that are best at their positions. Now if only you can sign quality free agents, not players like Javon Walker or D Hall.
  21. BaldingDemon
    21. Posted by BaldingDemon Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:08 pm EDT

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    How about spending some of that money on other positions? Yes the guy is undoubtedly one the best but what about a QB that can throw the ball, a receiver that can catch the ball and an entire offensive line?
  22. nchoi85
    22. Posted by nchoi85 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    AHAHAHA stupid ass raiders. They lost a huge chunk of their salary cap to a punter.. HAAHA What an IDIOT that man is he seriously needs to give up the team because he is digging the raiders into a deeper hole... Watch Asomugha suck next year
  23. Luther J
    23. Posted by Luther J Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    You guys make me sick! If he would have let them get away, you fools would have criticize that move. For once, stop the hate, and celebrate. Al does not care, neither do I..
    I love the move..
  24. nyjetsfan
    24. Posted by nyjetsfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    10 total career ints! that says it all, im just sayin.
  25. STEELERSGOFOR7
    25. Posted by STEELERSGOFOR7 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:55 pm EDT

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    Your team money, just took a helluva hit, lets see if you can improve on a 5-11 record, that was 24th in total defense last year. If you can't afford new players, because your team is giving most of your cap money to a select few, you will have the same season that you have been having for the last 7 years!! A CB and punter are not going to win many games for you, if you don't improve on what you lacked the previous year!! GO STEELERS!!!!!

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