The Raiders didn’t simply apply the franchise tag to cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.  According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, they’ve used the “exclusive” version of the tag, which prevents Asomugha from negotiating with any other teams.

As a result, the tender changes from the average of the five highest-paid cornerbacks based on 2007 cap numbers to the same average based on 2008 cap numbers.

This means that the one-year tender will be worth, at a minimum, $9.8 million.  And if someone like Asante Samuel signs a contract with a big 2008 roster bonus in lieu of a big signing bonus, the number will nudge even higher.

The only player hit with the exclusive tag in 2007 was Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.  In 2004, the Raiders used the exclusive franchise tag on cornerback Charles Woodson.