The Raiders have shown of late that they are taking a proactive approach to locking up their valued players. Coming into this season it appeared as if the team would have a glut of players set to become free agents at the same time. That number is dwindling now with just a few key original Raiders remaining.

Thus far the team has extended the contracts of kicker Sebastian Janikowski, long snapper Jon Condo, and fullback Marcel Reece.

The next up would be Lamarr Houston who the team picked in round two of the 2010 draft and it set to become a free agent after this season. Houston made it known, he would like to re-sign with the Raiders rather than hit the open market.

"I want to stay here with the Raiders," Houston told Bay Area sports station 95.7 The Game. "I love the history of the franchise and I want to be one of those people who help rebuild that mystique of the Raiders. . . I would love to be a Raider for the rest of my career."

The feeling is mutual from the Raiders with regard to their standout defensive end. As Reggie McKenzie pointed out when he sat down with reporters on Wednesday, the Raiders are "working diligently to keep our own."

Keeping the team's best defender and foundation for the future of the team is a high priority for McKenzie. And since both sides are clearly amicable, it appears a deal on an extension would be forthcoming.

"Make no bones about it, we want to sign as many of our good players as we can," said McKenzie. "We're in a situation next year to retain some of our high-dollar guys."

Other high-dollar guys set to become free agents after this season include left tackle Jared Veldheer and running back Darren McFadden.

Veldheer is the priority among the two of them. He has proven to be one of the better left tackles in the NFL and up until his recent triceps injury had never missed a game and had a string of 42 straight starts at left tackle.

McFadden is more likely to have to prove he can play the whole season at a high level - something he has never done -- before the team considers signing him long term.

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