All-Pro corner Nnamdi Asomugha's huge new contract is "insanity"

[Elano]

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.

[Jaydc555]

This is why Oakland stays losing

[Teddy Roosevelt]

What do you expect from Al Davis and the Raiders?

[eS El Duque]

Great move by Oakland in keeping Asomugha. THE  BEST corner in the league.

I was hoping the Packers would some how land him. Either way, the Raiders would have probably franchised him and that would've cost like 14-15 mil i believe? For one year.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

Im glad we kept him. Fuck what the article says. Unfortunately, when youre not winning...you have to give players a real reason to want to play for you. Money is typically always that reason.

[herpes]

Aso is the best CB in the league.  QB's don't even bother throwing in his direction anymore.

[S P I C E]

Yeah the Raiders didnt fuck up at all here, Aso is a dominating corner,  I think Champ is still the best when healthy but this guy isnt far behind.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

Aso is the best CB in the league.  QB's don't even bother throwing in his direction anymore.

real shit.  I think like 6 games into the season he had some ridiculous number where he had only been thrown at twice by opposing QBs.

[Elano]

when youre not winning...you have to give players a real reason to want to play for you. Money is typically always that reason.

lol

[eS El Duque]

Im glad we kept him. Fuck what the article says. Unfortunately, when youre not winning...you have to give players a real reason to want to play for you. Money is typically always that reason.

Asomugha wanted to leave and so did Lechlar. You guys kept both by giving them a shit load of money.

[Turf Hitta]

wow thats nba money...glad to see the Raiders are actually trying to hang on to their few quality players. Its been a rough stretch of shitty teams for a while now...