The Raiders are close to locking up two of the main components of their secondary — one of the strengths of the team. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Raiders have re-signed cornerback Chris Johnson to a four-year deal on Thursday.

Johnson became the starter last season after the Raiders stunning dismissal of DeAngelo Hall, who lasted only eight games in Oakland after the team gave up two draft picks to acquire him. Johnson started seven games for the Raiders last season and had three interceptions.

The Raiders have said that they will use the franchise tag on Nnamdi Asomugha, but must do it before Feb. 19. Asomugha figures that he will have to wait until the last minute, just like last year.

“Last year, Al (Davis) called me the day before just to let me know he’s going to do it, and then they waited until the very last possible second,” Asomugha said Wednesday. “I don’t know how they’ll do it this year, but the expectation from my agent is that the tag will happen.”