”The Raider Nation salutes Sebastian Janikowski as the sun sets on his illustrious career with the Oakland Raiders,” owner Mark Davis said in a statement Thursday. ”He joined the team as a surprise first-round pick in the 2000 Draft and finishes his time in Oakland as one of the greatest or perhaps the greatest kicker in pro football history. His powerful left leg produced an NFL-record 55 field goals of 50-or-more yards. The motto `Once a Raider, Always a Raider’ has never been more true as his 18-year career makes him the longest-tenured player in Raiders history.”
Article continues below ... Davis’ father, Al Will Grier Jersey , made the stunning decision in 2000 to take Janikowski with the 17th overall pick. The only other kicker taken in the first round since the start of the common draft era in 1967 was Steve Little, who went 15th to the Cardinals in 1978.
Janikowski’s successful career made him the Raiders all-time leader in games played (268) and points scored (1,799). His 55 field goals from at least 50 yards are the most in NFL history. The only other player from the 2000 draft still on his original team is Tom Brady, who was picked 199th by New England.
Janikowski said last spring that he hoped to still be with the Raiders when the team moved to Las Vegas in 2020. But that didn’t happen after the back injury sidelined him before the start of last season and Giorgio Tavecchio took over as kicker.
There was some thought that new coach Jon Gruden might give Janikowski another chance since he was Oakland’s coach when Janikowski was drafted and for his first two seasons. Janikowski is one of five players who were on NFL rosters last season who have played at least one game for Gruden Jordan Scarlett Jersey , joining punter Shane Lechler, kicker Matt Bryant, cornerback Aqib Talib and Raiders left tackle Donald Penn.
Janikowski’s departure leaves long snapper Jon Condo as the only player on the Raiders with the team before Al Davis died in October 2011. Condo is eligible to be an unrestricted free agent next month and his long-term status with the franchise is unknown.
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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means will miss the 2019 season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury.Means wasa part-time starter in 2018 and hurt in Monday’s organized team activities (OTAs) practice Greedy Williams Jersey , which was closed to reporters. The team announced the injury on Tuesday.Means started in four of his eight games with the Falcons in 2018. He had 14 tackles and one sack.The 28-year-old Means signed a one-year, $805,000 deal with a $90,000 signing bonus with Atlanta for the 2019 season on Feb. 13.Vic Beasley Jr. and Takkarist McKinley are expected to open training camp at the top of Atlanta’s depth chart at defensive end. Adrian Clayborn also returned to Atlanta as a free agent after one season with New England.Means was a fifth-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 2013.He also has played with Baltimore and Philadelphia.