In what could be considered another “what were they thinking?” move, the Oakland Raiders resigned kicker Sebastian Janikowski to a four-year $16 million dollar contract that includes $9 million in guaranteed money. The deal makes Janikowski the highest paid place kicker in NFL history. During the 2009-2010 season, Janikowski made 26 of 29 field goals including 6 out of 8 from 50 yards+. The Raiders offense scored just 17 touchdowns and Janikowski connected on all 17 extra point attempts. Janikowski reached his 1,000th career point when he kicked a 39 yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens on January 3, 2010 and became the highest scoring Raider of all time. The deal was inked on Tuesday, February 16.

Interesting take on the possible implications of the Janikowski contract on the free agent kicker market: http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/the-significance-of-the-janikowski-contract/

BBFantasyGirl - 17 February 2010 02:08 PM

In what could be considered another “what were they thinking?” move, the Oakland Raiders resigned kicker Sebastian Janikowski to a four-year $16 million dollar contract that includes $9 million in guaranteed money. The deal makes Janikowski the highest paid place kicker in NFL history. During the 2009-2010 season, Janikowski made 26 of 29 field goals including 6 out of 8 from 50 yards+. The Raiders offense scored just 17 touchdowns and Janikowski connected on all 17 extra point attempts. Janikowski reached his 1,000th career point when he kicked a 39 yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens on January 3, 2010 and became the highest scoring Raider of all time. The deal was inked on Tuesday, February 16.

I’m amazed by the amount of money the Oakland Raiders gave Janikowski. He’s been a mainstay in the franchise for over a decade, and Al Davis did draft him in the first round, but why give your kicker $4 million yearly when you have major problems on both sides of the football.  That’s a lot of money for a kicker that plays in an offense that has kicked a league low 87 extra points over the last four seasons!

How about investing that money on a QB that can throw the ball or a WR that can catch the ball?

Blame it on Al Davis and his crazy ways. This guy has no business making football decisions anymore in Oakland. I couldn’t tell you the last time he made a smart decision that bettered the Raiders dying franchise.

I totally agree with you Cav. Al Davis is just flat out a moron! I am sure glad I am not a Raiders fan because I would be absolutely livid at this point! It’s bad enough being a Bengals fan. LOL

Mark G in KY - 23 February 2010 09:02 AM

I totally agree with you Cav. Al Davis is just flat out a moron! I am sure glad I am not a Raiders fan because I would be absolutely livid at this point! It’s bad enough being a Bengals fan. LOL

Mark… Al Davis should hand the team over to Amy Trask (CEO) and hire a GM to run the teams football operations. However, I’m afraid that Mr. Davis won’t be giving up this team until he’s passed away. In fact, I have a friend who works for the Raiders and he always tells me that the day Davis gives up the power is the day he dies.

Still, I’d rather invest my $4 million annually on a wide out that can produce or sign one of my stud line backers that are free agents!

I can see giving Lechler that kind of money but not Janikowski. He’s really not that much better than any other kicker.