One thing is certain: Nnamdi Asomugha will be well-compensated for the 2008 season.
Just when his season begins remains the question.
Asomugha, the Raiders' exclusive franchise player, and the team failed to reach a long-term deal by Tuesday's league-mandated 1 p.m. deadline. Therefore, Asomugha will earn $9.765 million for the season once he signs his one-year franchise tender.
But those waiting to see how the Asomugha-DeAngelo Hall cornerback tandem looks might have to wait a while. Asomugha isn't expected to sign his one-year tender before the Raiders open training camp in Napa on July 23.
An extended offseason for Asomugha would not be unprecedented, and he would be following a recent trend of players who skipped large portions of training camp because they were unhappy being franchised.
Asomugha's agent, Steve Baker, declined to comment. The Raiders do not comment on contract negotiations.
Both sides can continue to talk, but Asomugha can't sign a multiyear deal until after the 2008 season. If he isn't signed to a contract extension, the Raiders could tag him as their franchise player for a second and final time.
Asomugha would earn $11.7 million if franchised in 2009. If he doesn't reach a long-term agreement, he'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2010.
Asomugha, a team captain last season, isn't expected to miss any regular-season games. While he will sign a one-year tender, he can only display his unhappiness by showing up late.
Last year's premier franchised cornerback, Asante Samuel, signed with the New England Patriots on Aug. 28, just before the regular season.
Samuel and Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs played under one-year franchise tenders last year after reaching agreements that guaranteed they wouldn't be franchised again by reaching playing-time benchmarks.
Briggs re-signed with Chicago, while Samuel left New England for Philadelphia.
Asomugha, who grew up in the Los Angeles area and played college football at Cal, has always expressed an interest in remaining a Raider, and Oakland has made it clear it doesn't want to lose him.
The Raiders and Asomugha's agent began talking about a new deal in September after Oakland signed quarterback and top draft pick JaMarcus Russell.
Asomugha had a breakout 2006 season with eight interceptions that helped establish him as an elite cornerback. He had just one interception last season as teams threw away from him much of the season.
Oakland placed the exclusive franchise tag on Asomugha in February, meaning he couldn't negotiate with other teams.
Had the Raiders not made him their exclusive franchise player, another team could have signed Asomugha away from Oakland in exchange for two first-round picks.
Although the Raiders don't know when Asomugha will show up at training camp, they made sure fourth-round draft choice Tyvon Branch will be in Napa on time.
Oakland signed the safety from Connecticut on Tuesday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Wide receivers Arman Shields and Chaz Schilens and defensive end Trevor Scott are the only unsigned draft picks.
Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.
