Raiders Report: Asomugha signs

NAPA – It appears everyone the Raiders want in training camp will be on the field for the team's first practice.

Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the team's franchise player, reported Wednesday, according to published reports, signed a one-year contract for $9.765 million and will practice this afternoon.

"I'm going to go into camp focused and play the year out and see what happens," Asomugha told Sportsillustrated.com via text message.

Indications from those familiar with the situation were that Asomugha would not report to camp because he was unhappy about being franchised after Asomugha and the Raiders failed to agree on a long-term deal by the July 15 deadline.

One of Asomugha's new teammates, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall, didn't expect to see him as he reported Wednesday.

Now the two are expected to form one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL.

"I think he's done everything he needs to, to be in shape and ready to play," Hall said. "… I don't think it's going to hurt him too much."

Asomugha cannot sign a long-term contract with the Raiders until the end of the 2008 season.

He would have signed earlier if the team agreed not to franchise him after this season, but the Raiders would not relinquish their right not to retain Asomugha via franchising in 2009.

If the Raiders franchise Asomugha after this season, he will earn $11.7 million in 2009. If the Raiders do not franchise Asomugha, he will be a free agent.

Meanwhile, the team told running back LaMont Jordan not to report.

If the Raiders don't let Jordan practice, they have to release him or trade him.

Recently retired quarterback Steve McNair won a grievance against the Tennessee Titans in 2006 when the team refused to let him work out before he was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens.

Jordan's agent, Alvin Keels, said he was unaware of any trade in the works.

Keels said he'd give the situation 24 hours to be resolved before considering filing a grievance on Jordan's behalf.

There was no comment from the Raiders. Coach Lane Kiffin isn't scheduled to address the media until today before the first practice.

The standoff between Jordan and the Raiders has been going for some time.

Jordan asked to be released last November after losing his starting job following an injury.

He did not attend offseason workouts, and the Raiders held him out of last month's mandatory minicamp.

Keels was given permission to seek a trade. Jordan visited Detroit, but no deal followed.

Jordan is under contract for two more seasons and due $4.7 million this year.

If a team trades for Jordan, it can take on his salary or agree to renegotiate a lower salary.

The Raiders also reached agreements with their two unsigned draft picks Wednesday.

Fourth-round pick Arman Shields, a wide receiver from Richmond, and defensive end Trevor Scott, a sixth-round selection from Buffalo, had deals in place in time for camp.

About the writer:

• Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.