Janikowski gets record deal for kickers
This season, he connected on the fourth-longest field goal (61 yards) in NFL history.
Today, he signed a contract that will make him the richest kicker in league history.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Oakland Raiders have signed kicker Sebastian Janikowski to a four-year deal worth $16 million, of which $9 million is guaranteed.
Janikowski, the team's first-round pick in 2000, made 26 of 29 field goals last season. Two of those three misses were from 57+ yards out. From within the 50, Janikowski has only missed three field goals (out of 44) in the past two seasons.
Last year, they signed punter Shane Lechler to the richest contract for a punter and arguably have the best tandem in the league. Lechler has made the Pro Bowl five times including in each of the past three seasons.
The Raiders ranked first in punting average (51.1 yards per punt) and sixth in field-goal percentage (89.7%) in 2009.
There seems to be virtually no correlation between the Raiders spending big money and, in return, getting big-time production (see Walker, Javon).
At least for losers of 11+ games in past seven seasons (an NFL record), the kicking game is the exception to the rule.
