ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

After a busy week, we had strong "you pick it' candidates.

The candidates were the Raiders re-signing standouts Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler to extensions; the Chargers putting the franchise tag on running back Darren Sproles and the Raiders purging key 2008 acquisitions.

The answers were varied and there was no clear-cut winner. Here some are of your responses. Thanks to those who participated.

David McCoy: The Sproles free agent tag was huge news, and is clearly the top AFC news this past week. This also is a key subplot to the bigger storyline: Will San Diego be able to keep LT? Charger fans, and fans of the greatest back of this generation, are holding their collective breaths with each passing day.

Matt Hubert from Erie, PA: The Raiders are back! OK, OK, so that may be jumping the gun a bit. But their best two players are coming back, and that is big news for the silver and black. Few people expected them to be able to retain both Nnamdi Asomugha and Shane Lechler. But the Raiders paid up and have retained the services of arguably their two best players (even if one of them is a punter). Yes, the contracts are pricey. And yes, the Raiders got into trouble by overpaying for several free agents last season like DeAngelo Hall and Javon Walker. However, these signings are different.

For starters, both Asomugha and Lechler are fresh off Pro Bowl seasons and are in line to have many more. Secondly, they don?t have questionable pasts the way last year's crop of signees did. Walker was coming off an injury and Hall had a messy divorce with the Falcons organization. Tommy Kelly, the big Raider re-signee of last year was also coming off an injury. Lechler and Asomugha are healthy and, by all accounts, happy to be in Oakland. After all, one of them was guaranteed to have the opportunity to leave via free agency because the Raiders could only franchise one of them. Instead, they both signed to stay on board with the team despite their struggles.

In addition to the obvious on-field benefits of retaining Asomugha and Lechler, these signings give the Raiders franchise a much needed morale boost. Their decision to stay put shows the league it's OK to be a Raider and maybe, just maybe, the franchise isn't quite as dysfunctional as they've been the past six years. For head coach Tom Cable, this is also a vote of confidence that his players see something in what he?s bringing to the table. And yes, again, it doesn't hurt that Al Davis shelled out major cash. So, as someone who's blasted him in the past, kudos for getting these deals done. The next step is bolstering the offensive line and receiving corps. But the fact that the organization is finally making right steps to encourage next steps is the key, and that's why the Raiders re-signings are my story of the week pick.

Bert Jan Brands from Netherlands: Hi Bill! Regarding the AFC West Storylines, it's undeniably the Raiders locking up both Lechler and Asomugha to huge deals, without even using the franchise. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that NOBODY expected the Raiders to be able to sign both players without tagging them. I had never expected they even wanted to stay in Oakland, but ofcourse those sums of money make you change your mind. Good job for the Raiders.

Raiderrus from St Paul: Yes, the Raiders are paying for last year's ridiculous free agent signings. Hall is gone, along with Kwame Harris. This is a good thing. I thought Gibril Wilson actually played pretty well and was hoping he would be kept. Please tell Al to dump Javon Walker and spend some money on a quality receiver this year. Boldin would be my first choice, as Johnson and Burress have character issues, and we already have enough of those. Harrison would be a nice addition to tutor the young receiver group we have, and Marvin has a little left in the tank. Some defensive help in the form of Haynesworth or Ray Lewis would really help the run defense, but would probably break the bank.