Al Davis Readies His Checkbook
The official NFL franchise and transitional tag numbers for 2010 have been released and all signs indicate another off-season of multi-million dollar checks being cut by Al Davis.
Between Richard Seymour and Sebastian Janikowski, Mr. Davis would have to commit more than $15 million in salary for 2010 alone if he is unable to sign both prized free agents to new deals. Seymour would earn $12.398 million as a franchise tagged defensive end while Janikowski’s mega leg is valued at $2.814 million.
If Davis wants to get Seabass under contract then he’s going to have to show him Shane Lechler money. Given the sad performances by kickers during the playoffs, Janikowski will be a highly valued commodity on the free agent market.
Seymour has given some indications that he’d like to return to the East Bay citing his new found “purpose in life”. But as we all know, this is going to boil down to the bottom line. Seymour will have plenty of suitors but only in Oakland will he get an offer in the $12 million range.
If Davis in unable to reach a longterm deal with Seymour then he’ll have no choice but to tag the 5-time Pro Bowler. Davis can’t afford to let Seymour walk. Not after giving up a first round pick in 2011 and getting just five wins and a run defense that only improved from 31st in 2008 to 29th in 2009 in return.
The spending might start with Jano and Seymour but it won’t end there.
Kirk Morrison is a restricted free agent and Davis could have designs on keeping the Bay Area native home for the foreseeable future.
Once again the Raiders have a top 10 selection in the draft meaning yet another unproven player will be given a multi-million dollar deal and there are still plenty of needs to be filled via free agency.
With the possibility of an uncapped season still looming, Davis just might go for broke in his continued attempts to field a winning team. Hopefully he’ll be a little more cautious with his fortune after the free agency debacle of 2008.
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Kirk Morrison ?
Really ?
January 31st, 2010 at 11:06 am[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dan Zinski, Oakland Raiders Buzz and Just Blog Baby, reshma. reshma said: Al Davis Readies His Checkbook: Between Richard Seymour and Sebastian Janikowski, Mr. Davis would have to commit m… http://bit.ly/9aVUMc [...]
January 31st, 2010 at 4:06 pmSame hoopla every year that the Raiders are in cap hell or will have money problems. Never happens, I don’t think this year will be any different. Sure Davis has made some bad decisions in the past, but he always has the money to sign players regardless. I am not worried one bit about Al’s check book.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:30 am