Asomugha releases statement after being released by Eagles
The Eagles today celebrated the commencement of free agency by excising their biggest free agent disappointment in recent memory. They cut Nnamdi Asomugha.
Asomugha releases statement after being released by Eagles
The Eagles today celebrated the commencement of free agency by excising their biggest free agent disappointment in recent memory.
They cut Nnamdi Asomugha.
Touted as the top free agent and subject to a frenzied bidding war coming out of the 2011 lockout, Asomugha, a Pro Bowl cornerback from 2008-10, was the gem of the spending spree promised that summer by Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.
The Birds signed him for 5 years and $60 million. Asomugha will walk away having made $25 million from the team, the last of which – $ 4 million guaranteed – they will give him to play for another team this season. He was due to earn $15.3 million this season, which would be his 11th.
Asomugha, ever gracious, issued the following statement to the Daily News:
"I’m very grateful for my time in Philadelphia and I want to thank the Eagles organization for the opportunity to play here. It was an honor to play in such a great football city with such a passionate fan base, and I wish my former teammates and coaches the best next season."
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and new head coach Chip Kelly met with Asomugha and delivered the news – inevitable news, really, after they were unable to renegotiate Asomugha’s contract at the NFL draft combine last month. They will save $11.3 million this season cutting Asomugha.
Roseman, in a statement, explained the divorce:
"He has been a true pro on and off the field for this organization and our community and we wish him all the best as he continues his NFL career. We spoke to his representatives at the combine about his future status with the team and wanted to take time to analyze and make a decision. In the end, Coach and I both felt we needed to move in a different direction at the cornerback position for 2013 and beyond."
While Asomugha will serve as a pariah for the last two seasons’ disappointing 12 combined wins and playoff exclusions. Still, it speaks to Asomugha’s value that the team sought to retain him, if at a lesser cost than his original deal.
Asomugha, 31, expects to play this season.
GREAT BYE— defroe- Eagles are a disaster. Dont blame Asomugha, blame Roseman for bringing him onboard.
— Professor1982 - Sorry it didn't work out for Nnamdi. Living in the Bay area, got a chance to regularly see him play for Oakland, and he was stellar. Not the case in Philly. Don't know if it was the system, or what, but he (and us fans) deserved better. I wish him luck wherever he goes.— philly2sf
- Well, we gave him $4 Million not to play for us and some other team will give $5 Million to play for them. Not a bad life.— farley
- Reading between the lines " move in a different direction" means get someone who can actually cover and tackle. "I'm greatful for my time in Philadelphia" means thanks for the $25 million for minimal effort, suckers! Now can we never mention this losers name again— Luriesucks
- Gotta hand it to Nnamdi. I can only dream that one day my employer would pay me $4 million to go away
- Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.— Unstable1
- See ya, bye bye!— CarolinaEagle
- We Got Nnamdi'd!— blaiseg07
- What a class act. I think he was as much a victim of our total disarray coaching-wise on defense as he was that he couldn't adjust. He may be an all-pro again this year if he finds the right team/system.— oldfriar
- Bullsht. What does a system have to do with one on one coverage, at which he stinks. Guy had no heart.
— COskier - What a joke he was, we still have another joke to get rid of MV are his initials.— krautmef1
- I think Nnamdi's still got a couple of years left in the tank. In free agency its about the right place at the right time. He had his moments here, but it didn't work out. He'll catch on somewhere and play well. The guy is a class act.— Omorales510
- In typical Philly fashion, the phans pile on a situation that was out of the player's control. Nnamdi will sign elsewhere on a team the plays a tough man-to-man defensive secondary, one where he thrived in Oakland. In Philly, with absolutely no defensive coordinator worth their weight in cherios, he was lost due to the system. He will play elswhere and most likely, end up becoming and all pro in the right system with a real defensive coordinator, not some offensive line coach moved to a position he had no business holding. Good for him and good for the Eagles. But one has to note, the man leaves with class, unlike many othe ex Philly athletes.— drhoffman
- I have to agree with you. Asomugha was more a victim of the insanely erratic system of Reid's than incompetence. I am so thankful to be free of the past fourteen wasted nightmarish years full of false promises and dashed dreams that I can barely contain myself. — essell
