Sebastian Janikowski to go? I don't believe it

内容: Rumors surrounding the are always suspect. But when the rumor originates from the Denver Post, it comes across as nothing better than tabloid gossip.Still, there's some substance to the short snippet of 2010 pro bowl Vikings 4 Brett Favre jersey
speculation offered in Bill Williamson's column Saturday.The article, titled "Foxworth tired of Upshaw bashing," ended with an "Around the league" section. Squished between "Word is the Broncos aren't high on [Kenny] Phillips and may pursue a safety through free agency" and "If Broncos kicker Jason Elam enters free agency, expect Atlanta to make a push for Elam, who has family in Georgia," was:"Some in the league expect the Raiders to part ways with inconsistent kicker Sebastian Janikowski this offseason."Oddly enough, of the five rumors Williamson listed, the one concerning Janikowski was the only that didn't involve the Broncos in any way.Though, it's not as if the 29-year-old kicker has posted a string of consecutive impressive seasons together. Janikowski, a first-round pick of the Raiders in 2000, has been kicking with the team for eight seasons, and has exceeded an 80 percent accuracy mark just three times.Keeping with the Raiders-Broncos theme, Elam has achieved an accuracy mark of 80 percent five times in the past eight seasons and has done so nine times in his 15-year career.Since being drafted, the 250-pound Janikowski has a below-average 76.8 accuracy rating, with his best season coming in 2004 (89.3 percent) and his worst in 2005 (66.7 percent).Last year was another off season. The ex-Florida State standout missed nine kicks on 32 tries, which translates to a 71.9 kicking percentage. However, those numbers are quite misleading. Janikowski was 10 for 11 on kicks under 40 yards and seven for 10 on attempts between 40 and 49 yards. In the 50-plus range, however, the Polish kicker was six for 11.Yet, those 50-plus kicks are also the reason team owner Al Davis reached extremely far in the 2000 draft to grab Janikowski 17th overall, two picks ahead of three-time Pro Bowl running back Shaun Alexander. On his career, the strong-legged kicker is just 16 for 34 on tries over 50 yards -- meaning he's only a strong-legged kicker, not an accurate-legged one.In 2004, Janikowski signed a five-year, $10.5 million contract extension, which means he wouldn't officially become a free agent until the end of the 2009 season. Next season, the 6-foot-2 kicker is expected to make $1.2 million, and he'll earn $1.5 million in 2009.It seems very unlikely, considering Janikowski is already under contract, that Oakland would simply let him go. Plus, the last former first-round draft pick the Raiders released was safety Derrick Gibson, who was selected back in 2001 and let go of Vikings Brett Favre jersey
just prior to last season. Other ex-first-rounders like LB Napoleon Harris and CB Philip Buchanon have been sent away in trades, while names such as Fabian Washington and Robert Gallery are still on the roster.In one sense, then, letting go of a Janikowski would be a bit of a refresher.I wouldn't bet on it, though. Then again, I would never bet on predicting the Raiders' next move.