Raiders owner Al Davis, who conceded his team had fared poorly in last season's free agent sweepstakes, changed his strategy this time around while at the same time keeping his pocketbook open.
Rather than signing big checks for calculated risks, Davis opted to overpay for relatively sure things.
On consecutive days before the deadline for teams to designate franchise free agents, the Raiders made Shane Lechler the highest paid punter in NFL history and then guaranteed cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha a reported $28.5 million, locking up both of their Pro Bowl players.
Both men had expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the organization during the course of the season and neither was enthused about the possibility of being franchised.
Asomugha conceded he was eager to play for a winner, with the Raiders having fallen into their current state of six-year disrepair (24-72) the year he arrived. Lechler was eyeballing a return to his home state of Texas, where he was a college standout at Texas A&M.
Davis allowed that bringing both players back would be difficult on Feb. 4, the day Tom Cable was hired as head coach.
In the end, the Raiders guaranteed the two players a reported $37.5 million to try and turn things around in Oakland rather than seek new horizons.
Combined with the signing of cornerback Chris Johnson (four years, $15.3 million), the Raiders have returned both of their starters at the position.
Moreover, the signings indicate a willingness to pay for performance rather than potential and to retain the services of key players before looking outside the organization during free agency.
"I think you learn by experience, but I don't believe in consistency," Davis said. "I don't believe that you follow because you failed one year, that you can't succeed the next year. We did not do well in free agency, but I'd rather be right than consistent, so we'll see what happens."
Among Oakland's biggest acquisitions last season were defensive tackle Tommy Kelly ($18.125 guaranteed), cornerback DeAngelo Hall (signed to a $24.5 million contract) and wide receiver Javon Walker ($12 million guaranteed).
Kelly, signed mostly because of potential, was at the center of the NFL's 31st ranked defense against the run, Hall was cut after eight games, which cost the Raiders $8 million, and Walker was beaten and robbed not long after signing, clashed with former coach Lane Kiffin and never made an impact.
This time around, the Raiders spent money and proven products. Johnson replaced Hall and was immediate upgrade at cornerback, holding up well despite being tested often because of Asomugha's presence.
Asomugha was voted a Pro Bowl starter and was seldom the target of opposing quarterbacks, and Lechler is the NFL's all-time leading punter in terms of gross average (46.8) and has broken 40 yards in net punting each of the last two years.
