Where will Nnamdi go?
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Monday, January 10th, 2011 at 1:23 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Sizing up where Nnamdi Asomugha could end up assuming there will be a normal free agency season once the NFLPA and owners ratify a Collective Bargaining Agreement:
1_New York Jets
The easiest and most obvious destination. Asomugha and Darrelle Revis, in jets, talked about teaming up at the Pro Bowl last year. Asomugha loved playing for Rob Ryan, whose personality is essentially the same as his brother Rex. Antonio Cromartie is scheduled for free agency or could a playmaking slot corner if the Jets really wanted to stack the secondary.
Don’t discount the the location and what New York could generate both for Asomugha’s philanthropic pursuits as well his acting career.
2_Houston
Houston hired Wade Phillips to turn around the defense, more specifically the NFL’s 32nd ranked pass defense. Yes, Asomugha wants to play for a winner and the Texans have never made the post season. The problem this season wasn’t a very good offense, but a pass defense that surrendered 33 touchdown passes and a staggering 100.6 passer rating for opposing quartebacks.
Might be the team most likely to write a gigantic check.
3_New England
If Asomugha truly wants to play for a winner, he picks up the phone once free agency begins, calls Bill Belichick and offers top play opposite 2010 standout rookie Devin McCourty. He won’t make as much money in New England, but he’s already banked $38.3 million over the last three years.
4_Dallas
Asomugha and Terrance Newman would make a pretty fair tandem and Jerry Jones isn’t shy about spending money. Not a winning team this season, but one with talent. Of course, Asomugha may not want to set foot in Cowboys stadium since Miles Austin was probably the last wide receiver who got the better of him in a big way on Thanksgiving in 2009.
5_Oakland
Maybe I’m ranking the Raiders too low here. When Asomugha was franchised, I didn’t think he’d show up at training camp on time and was proven wrong.
The negatives? Asomugha spoke out for continuity and Al Davis let go of Tom Cable. He’s also cast an admiring glance at more creative defensive schemes which might give more opportunities to be a playmaker.
6_San Francisco
Jed York and Trent Baalke are on a roll, so why stop with Jim Harbaugh? York said money was no object with regard to the coach, what about at cornerback?
7_Chicago
Asomugha’s presence could a strong defensive team that much stronger and is far superior to either of the Bears’ starters, Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings.
8_New Orleans
The shredding of the Saints secondary by Matt Hasselbeck is fresh on the mind of coach Sean Payton.
9_Green Bay
Yes, Asomugha’s friend Charles Woodson is here, but the Packers already have Tramon Williams locked up to a longterm deal opposite Woodson and he’s one of the NFL’s best young corners.
10_Baltimore
Asomugha has heard of the brutal Baltimore practices as detailed by former teammate Chris Carr, but speaks of linebacker Ray Lewis as if in awe. The question is how much longer will Lewis play?
11_Washington
Another location that would appeal to Asomugha, with his interest in goverment and world issues. The Redskins aren’t afraid to spend, coach Mike Shanahan knows Asomugha well from his days in Denver. Of course, the Asomugha-DeAngelo Hall pairing didn’t go smoothly in Oakland (for Hall, anyway).
12_Seattle
Ownership has lots of money to spend and the Seahawks would like the idea of having Asomugha opposite Marcus Trufant.