Stanford Routt has also signed a three-year extension with the Raiders. This means that Oakland fan favorite Nnamdi Asomugha will most likely not be an Oakland Raider in 2011.
Al Davis said in his press conference that the $17 million Asomugha would be owed in 2011 could help sign two or three solid players. It appears that Davis was already planning on Asomugha leaving, and now he must decide what to do with all that extra money.
While fans may be upset that Asomugha is on the way out, they must realize it's not the end of the world.
There are 53 men on the roster, and someone is waiting for his opportunity to show he is ready to take his place; just as Asomugha replaced Charles Woodson. The Raiders never had a winning season with Asomugha on the roster, but that was not his fault.
This move was easy to see coming after the last offseason. The Raiders gave Routt an unexpected high tender and they picked three defensive backs in the draft, including two cornerbacks. That showed that the Raiders were preparing to move on after Asomugha left.
Routt had a very solid season, but it wasn't talked about much. He was targeted 99 times and gave up five touchdowns. Darrelle Revis was targeted 56 times and gave up four touchdowns.
Those stats may not seem like a big deal, but when you are playing opposite Asomugha, they are remarkable. Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall gave up more big plays in eight games as a Raider in 2008 than Routt did the whole season in 2010 playing opposite Asomugha.
Routt looks like he is ready to step up as the main cornerback and, if the Raiders do change their scheme, like coach Rod Woodson said they would, expect more big plays from the secondary.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
